I have never set foot in Tanzania, but I know it is the heart of Africa. Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge, Ngorogoro Crater - many of us grew up with these images of Africa, without realizing that all these wonders are contained within the borders of Tanzania. For 15 years, I have been foll
owing events closely there, fighting a battle for justice on behalf of one who lived the lyrics of the reggae songs that dominated my life for many years as the producer of Reggae Strong. He didn't emancipate himself from mental slavery through song, but through repatriation, the key, the dream that Marcus Garvey spent his life trying to make manifest for the descendants of slavery. When the Bible referenced Ethiopia, the boundaries included in that land extended far into the Rift Valley, way beyond Haile Selassie's kingdom. Many of my reggae friends who sing, chant, paint, craft, merchandize, brand and promote Africa, still express a fear to me about Africa outside of Ethiopia. They see the image of a butchered journalist in Tanzania and tell me, "Oh, that is just Africa". The Western world has become familiar with Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Congo, South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria--why? Because Africa's bad news is well publicized. Why has Tanzania, this iconic African country, gone under the radar so much? Because it has a history of peace and stability since Independence. Because the Honorable Julius Nyerere, was the only one of his peers to bring Independence to his nation and voluntarily step down at the end of his term. This great and humble man didn't wear robes, surround himself with splendor, animal skins, gold, jewels or a jacket full of military stars and shields. He just peacefully united 125 different tribes with a common language (Kiswahili), and a common identity...so his legacy remains largely unsung. Well I am here to tell those who claim to love Africa, while simultaneously clinging to a brutal and frighteningly generalized image of that huge continent, that horrific violence shocks Tanzanians. They are not accustomed to it. It is not a land inhabited by saints, however the alarming direction and disunity in the country is a new phenomenon, and one we want to nip in the bud NOW. I have no interest in politics or party affiliations, I just want to know that respect for human rights, peace and justice prevail for all the people of this beautiful and ancient land. So I am asking, one more time, for my friends to take a minute to sign and share this petition. Even if you are jaded by the Occupy Movement or the many causes and issues that pop up on your page, please put your cynicism aside and show solidarity with my friends in Tanzania who are making a major effort to change their country and keep Mwalimu Nyerere's vision and principles alive.
One love, one heart, one destiny. Asante sana. Mungu ibariki Tanzania.
http://www.change.org/petitions/government-of-tanzania-stop-police-violence-against-peaceful-demonstrators-and-journalists
-- One love, one heart, one destiny. Asante sana. Mungu ibariki Tanzania.
http://www.change.org/petitions/government-of-tanzania-stop-police-violence-against-peaceful-demonstrators-and-journalists
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