Amistad Arts Collective

Black Panther elders visit WMPG's Freedom Through Expression

Black Panther elders visit WMPG's Freedom Through Expression from CTD3 on Vimeo.

Think MTV in Portland Maine

PEACE

PEACE
How was your weekend? Spent all day with my son. Finally, his time. We went out to eat; along with a brother that works with him from the Portland Rec., "Aftercare Program", and his sitter.  It feels as if they have been spending more time with him that I have over the last two weeks.  In the words of Ice Cube, "Today was a Good Day".  My mind is already back on business though why I can't sleep. It feels like I am being sabotaged and scrutinized by, "White America".  I sometimes wonder if moving here to Maine was the best thing for my son and I.  The politics and policies of, "RACE" is so alive in this state.  It makes me question my judgement and wonder when I meet someone who I believe is good, honest and has a pure sense of inquiry. My heart will be heavy this week because of a legal battle I must enter because of these forces but I guess the struggle continues. The subject of, "Racial Prejudice", should be one of your topics. I would love to hear the overall opinions verbalized throughout the morning. Your show reaches the Mid-Coast / Southern, Maine psyche. (Humm "Southern")  Well, I am going to listen to Nina Simone and get focused. Maybe the politics of segregation is the only way. Separate But Never Equal. Stick to your own kind. This is a struggle that would have been over if humanity was the real consciousness of this nation. The very phrase of, "We have to practice tolerance", is a condescending one. It eludes to the fact that someone is less than and the superior person must be patient with them. Economic oppression is the aspect of this fight that is never voiced but the number one tool of racial parlor tricks. It seems as if a person of color has to be totally represented even legally by color otherwise the art of deception will be practiced. I feel as if I must become an attorney, a Phd. of varied disciplines and a medical specialist if I am to have any chance at overcoming or staying relevant in this fight. Grassroot activism is not a true fight for color because we must pimp out ourselves for, White is Right", social policies which is the mindstate that one needs these degrees to become relevant. Truthfully it is just the bigoted practice of colonizing color through commerical economics which is nothing other than a disguise for a new age of slavery. Oppressive social policy is the REAL ID that NO ONE is addressing!!!!
MY LIFE, THIS FIGHT, is STILL IN THE NIGHT. When will all US FOLK see DAYLIGHT!! or is it just THEY RIGHTS. Hypocrisy disguised as democracy, mocking Me mockery

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This is the response to the letter that I wrote to a friend. The Response is in RED
With Friends like this I believe there is hope and meaning to the struggle. So my struggle continues in the Whitest State in the Nation whose State Motto is, "The Way Life Should Be."  .7 percent of the population of Maine is Black yet over 30 percent of the prison population is Black. One of the most accepted phases or statement from a Mainer is, "You're from away."  This is the number one reason they give for not engaging with a person of color. It is time that a light be shined on the overt racial disparity in the social communities and political policies of the State of Maine.
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PEACE
How was your weekend? My weekend was restful and uneventful.  Spent all day with my son. Finally, his time. We went out to eat; along with a brother that works with him from the Portland Rec., "Aftercare Program", and his sitter.  It feels as if they have been spending more time with him that I have over the last two weeks.  I am sure that you're thankful for such caring people to look after him when you're not around.  It makes all the difference in our ability to perform @ work and attend to things outside the home, when we know our children are safe and happy.   the words of Ice Cube, "Today was a Good Day".  My mind is already back on business though why I can't sleep. It feels like I am being sabotaged and scrutinized by, "White America".  I sometimes wonder if moving here to Maine was the best thing for my son and I.  The politics and policies of, "RACE" is so alive in this state.  It makes me question my judgment and wonder when I meet someone who I believe is good, honest and has a pure sense of inquiry. Hashim, I am shocked to read these words...  The impression you give of your life, and all that you stand for is one of tolerance, acceptance and patience.  This is the nuts and bolts of what you do and why you do it!  Isn't it a passion for you to teach tolerance and equality?  I am just getting to know you, but I never would have guessed that YOU (of all the people I've met in my short 36 years on this planet) would ever allow yourself to be controlled by the words of others, or at the very least, let others make decisions for you in how you regard people. My heart will be heavy this week because of a legal battle I must enter because of these forces but I guess the struggle continues. I am sorry to hear this, I hope things go well for you. I shall say a prayer and keep optimistic thoughts open and headed in your direction all week.  The subject of, "Racial Prejudice", should be one of your topics. I would love to hear the overall opinions verbalized throughout the morning. Your show reaches the Mid-Coast / Southern, Maine psyche. (Humm "Southern") As much as we'd like to crack open the mic and let hell loose, we are governed as to show content.  We have a specific audience, and we are to keep within the confines of the listening audience. As you know, that's how it is when you work for 'The Man'. If it were a community show such as yours that would be a different story.  Well, I am going to listen to Nina Simone and get focused. Maybe the politics of segregation is the only way. I don't believe that for a minute and neither do you. Separate But Never Equal. Again, I don't believe what I am reading. Stick to your own kind. This is a hurtful statement, no matter how you look at it or who you are... This is a struggle that would have been over if humanity was the real consciousness of this nation. Unfortunate, but true. The very phrase of, "We have to practice tolerance", is a condescending one. It eludes to the fact that someone is less than and the superior person must be patient with them. Economic oppression is the aspect of this fight that is never voiced but the number one tool of racial parlor tricks. It seems as if a person of color has to be totally represented even legally by color otherwise the art of deception will be practiced. I feel as if I must become an attorney, a Phd. of varied disciplines and a medical specialist if I am to have any chance at overcoming or staying relevant in this fight. I am saddened by this, truly.  It is shameful that someone as intelligent as yourself, can't see the good you're doing, because you're feeling overshadowed in this moment.  Why must you feel that someone can dictate to you what you stand for, or that you must have a million college degrees to back your sustenance or cause?  Grassroot activism is not a true fight for color because we must pimp out ourselves for, White is Right", social policies which is the mindstate that one needs these degrees to become relevant. Fuck that! Those so called ' social policies' are handed to us by hypocritical individuals and politicians who wouldn't know truth if it smacked them right dead on in the soup coolers.  It makes me sick that a Judge can sit on a bench and pass out rulings to 'defendants' regarding their behaviors and actions - then 5 hours later, be caught in a hotel room doing drugs and having sex with girls young enough to be my fucking daughter!  Truthfully it is just the bigoted practice of colonizing color through commerical economics which is nothing other than a disguise for a new age of slavery. Oppressive social policy is the REAL ID that NO ONE is addressing!!!!

MY LIFE, THIS FIGHT, is STILL IN THE NIGHT. When will all "US FOLK" ??? Why categorize yourself that way?  You're falling into the trap that the hypocrites have set out for you! Some days, I see such power and resistance from our diverse community, and other days that the oppression is evident in the spirits I see walking all around me.  see DAYLIGHT!! or is it just THEY RIGHTS. Hypocrisy disguised as democracy, mocking Me mockery Hashim, you have a beautiful spirit - don't let the ignorance of the community, state, nation or world put such a damper on you.  Do your best every day, and fuck everyone else.  You have peace in your soul and heart.

I just read an article about Ruby Dee in Interview magazine.  She mentioned the friendships that she and her late husband (Ossie Davis) had with Malcom X and Spike Lee; and how they were early supporters of Dr. King.  She also discussed how her mother raised her to be an 'agent of change' stating that her mother placed high values on education and discipline. Interesting article.  I'd never heard of her before this morning.  Here is a quote where she discusses why she thinks racism is beyond race "in too much of the world the thieves are in the saddle calling the shots and no matter what country you live in, you're going to recognize your own kind.  When they first started talking about globalization, my husband said 'there goes democracy". I remember when the slogan was 'workers of the world unite', but you can bet that workers are not united now!  My husband Ossie understood that the only unity that was going to be allowed was the unity of worldwide capital."

The struggle continues.  It will always continue to some extent. Hashim, don't give up on what you're doing.  Many people depend on you for guidance and see you as the fuel of their dreams and the vehicle of their aspirations.  You are a formidable opponent - don't fret.  After some sleep and a strong coffee, I hope your spirits are renewed and you can once again 'resume the fight'.  Don't become complacent or lackadaisical with your purpose.

If a genie popped out of a bottle for me today and granted me 3 wishes, one of them would be for worldwide 'color'-blindness.

I hope that by your comment "Separate But Never Equal.  Stick to your own kind" wasn't meant to indicate that I am no longer welcome to share your company.  You said the other day, that you would be considered a 'sell out' if you were to keep company with a white woman.  That is terribly dispiriting.

Keep your chin up, I am sending good vibes in your direction.

H

Maine's Hottest MC & Hip-Hop DJ Battle

May 19th

Cake Restaurant, 50 Wharf Street, Portland

Doors open 8pm, Registration 9pm

SHOW BEGINS AT 10pm

For Competition Rules go here.

AAC Kicks off Youth Summit Program

Amistad Arts Collective, Inc, a national non profit organization that last October officially open a chapter in Portland, Maine; Launched its Youth Summit Program last Tuesday, with a joint venture between the MCLU, Amistad America and Amistad Arts Collective, Inc. The mission was to bring a group of local Maine youth to N.Y. City to participate in the, “United Nations Observance In Remembrance Of Slavery Victims”, program. The program which was held on Friday, March 28th, was apart of a week long series of events that kicked off with the opening of the exhibit, “The Middle Passage: White Ships / Black Cargo”. The Amistad Arts Collective delegation of 8 student youth from Bath, Brunswick, Portland, and made up of area high school and University of Southern Maine students accompanied by their Chaperone's, (Brianna Twofoot-MCLU and Hashim A’Allah- AAC) were the first, officially invited, Youth delegates to view the collective exhibit of art work and photos of the Schooner Amistad America’s first Transatlantic sail.

Ms. Brianna Twofoot of the MCLU staff arranged a visit to the ACLU’s home office where the student delegates were greeted by a staff of five paralegals and attorneys that work in the Center for Racial Equality and Justice. The ACLU staff took an hour out of their busy schedule to provide lunch, dialogue and answer questions about U.S. constitutional rights. They ended the visit by providing every student delegate with an ACLU Tee-shirt and a package of civil rights awareness info that included dvds, stickers and a racial profiling survival kit. Social, Civic responsibility and instilling the value of grass roots activism gets no better than this. We at Amistad Arts Collective, Inc thank the staff of the MCLU for providing such an experience for the student delegates.

A day of touring impoverished urban neighborhoods interacting and speaking with adults and youth who inhabit the challenging environments of CT. and N.Y.City, a tour of Yale University’s main campus and the offices of Amistad America provided some background of the Amistad Arts Collective, Inc and what inspired the creation of the National Non Profit organization whose motto is, “Freedom of Expression”.  Thursday concluded with the students hanging out at “Horizon Music Studio” and meeting the Queensbridge recording artist, “AZ”, and getting free cds from “Red Coat Records” and discounts on their clothing purchases from “Jimmy’s Hip-Hop Fashions.”

The fact filled trip of discovery concluded with a train ride on Metro North and participation in the Multi National Student Video Conference at the United Nations. Student delegates from classrooms in Sierra Leone, Norway, Saint Lucia, Canada, Cape Verde, and the United Kingdom joined students from Maine, CT, and NY. A simulcast teleconference of open, honest dialogue about how they can make the world a better more inclusive world society of tolerance; Students at the U.N. were able to speak directly with the students participating from the named nations while being able to see them respond to their questions and were asked questions from those students of the other nations. The students from the AAC youth delegation were able to see how students dressed and got a chance to see the inside of classrooms in the nations that participated as well as meet their teachers. The students participated in a photo session with Captain William Pinckney, The first African American to sail solo around the world, and with U.N. officials as well as Amistad America Board of Directors and administrative staff. 

The students that participated in the AAC, U.N. event will have the chance to sail aboard the schooner Amistad America and sail with her into the Port of Portland when she arrives for her visit in August. Amistad America will visit the port of Portland, Maine from the 17th to the 24 of August and the Amistad Arts Collective, Inc. Maine youth summit will be held with the multinational youth from the Sankofa program that sail aboard the vessel to discuss how tomorrows future leaders of Maine can evolve our state’s society and communities into one of tolerance and inclusion of the new cultures that are, “From Away”, that live within this great toss salad called, “America”.  More about the teleconference and summit can be found at: Unesco, “Breaking the Silence: The Transatlantic Slave Trade Education Project (TST) ." 

The Mama Africa Show - Malaga Island History

The Mama Africa Show: Sunday Feb. 3 12- 2pm

Exploring the history of Malaga Island with faculty and students who were part of the historical archaeological uncovering of this history. Join Hosts Roberto Mendoza & Bethany Tremblay with Honors student and poet Hashim, Nathan Hamilton-Ass. Prof. Geography & Anthropology, Robert Sandford- Ass. Prof. Environmental science & Honors Program.

The Mama Africa Show & Culture Beat Live! featuring the Multicultural View
Sundays 12-2:00 P.M. on USM's WMPG community radio 90.9/104.1
Listen nationally or internationally on your computer: www.wmpg.org
On Air : 207. 780- 4909 themamaafricashow@gmail.com

Freedom Space Poetry Reading

WHAT: FREEDOM SPACE: PORTLAND - BAGHDAD
WHEN: Friday February 1st at 7 p.m.The open mic portion of the evening will begin at 8:30 p.m.   
WHERE: North Star Cafe (225 Congress St.)

FREEDOM SPACE: PORTLAND - BAGHDAD is inspired by cultural events taking place in Baghdad organized by an Iraqi women's rights and peace activist Yanar Mohammed. Mohammed, who is the founder of the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq, spoke at the USM Portland campus in October of 2007. 

During her talk, she described an extraordinary cultural event taking place in the midst of the war zone in Iraq called “Freedom Space.” These poetry and spoken word events allow Iraqi youth to come together across sectarian divides in a cultural safe haven.

Freedom Space gatherings in Baghdad started with only a couple of dozen participants but now, one year later, draw hundreds to these hate-free zones.

Mohammed's description of Freedom Space during her fall lecture at USM inspired a group of students, faculty, staff and community activists to organize a similar cultural event here in Southern Maine as a gesture of solidarity with the people of Baghdad.

In an effort to link the voices of the people of Portland with those in Baghdad, the Portland Freedom Space event will be filmed and posted to YouTube for viewing in Iraq.

Freedom Space: Portland - Baghdad is co-sponsored by the USM Women & Gender Studies Program and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, The Meg Perry Center, Peace Action Maine, The League of Young Voters, and the Amistad Arts Collective.

FYI: www.freedomspaces.org or contact Lauren Webster at the USM Women & Gender Studies office (780-4289) lwebster@usm.maine.edu

A Word from our President

Amistad Arts Collective, Inc. would like to extend an invitation to any artist or art connoisseurs local or regional whom would like to network with other artist who share the same love for art and respect for the life that all of the AAC members share. Amistad has space now available to its members for use as studio, practice space or to conduct workshops and classes for private lessons.

Some of our upcoming events for the 2008 calendar include

• April 18 BET J network’s host of “My Two Cents”, Bryonn Bain.
• A celebration of Maine’s Black History coffee house oral recitation series. 
• Black & Latin authors / Urban literacy reading and discussion Brunch.
• Writers workshop facilitated by a University of Southern Maine professor
• Slam poetry workshops.
• 1808 / 2008 a celebration of 200 years since the abolition of the International African slave trade treaty was ratified by America by continuing in our effort to bring the schooner Amistad back to the port of Portland, Maine for public viewing.
• Starting January 11 Amistad Art Collective presents, “The Lava Lounge” Hot lyrics, Hot licks, Hot sticks, Hot s**t open jam and mic night. From 7pm to close all musicians, singers, lyricists and poets. All musical genres are welcome. Come plug in and unplug from the same old music scene.   
• We are proud to announce that our efforts continue in supporting two non-profit organizations that have been instrumental in supporting AAC, The Jim Arden Foundation with a TBA date Mrs. Donata Arden will come and discuss the Jim Arden Foundation’s efforts in Tanzania.

We would also like to welcome the schooner, “Amistad” back to American waters this spring. Please click on the related links to find out more info

Amistad Arts Collective, Inc would like to thank its member organizations and businesses for their support in our endeavors.

Amistad can now offer services of

• Promotional packages for all members and to any individual or business interested in getting their message out into the public from graphic design help to printing, radio promotions and audio production.
• Professional Promotional Photography
• AAC is proud to announce that there will be opportunities for members to participate in internships with an industry standard recording studio as well as discounts on recording rates at our member studios.
• We are soon to announce professional legal and financial assistance for member at discounted rates.

Please, any and all donations are being accepted from those who wish to support the efforts of Amistad Arts Collective, Inc.  Have a blessed and a prosperous New Year!!

Hashim A’Allah
President / Executive Director
Amistad Arts Collective, Inc.

December 19th Event Pics!

Caliente is all I can say to describe the night. The senoritas were Linda, the senors had mucho estelo and Combo Sabroso mixed up the tangiest salsa I’ve heard since I visited the Nuyorician Café. At least two inches of snow still couldn’t cool off the picante flavor of Amistad Arts Collective’s second event in the Cultural Flavor Explosion series of fundraisers.  These events are put together to help the AAC raise enough money to provide artist workshops for the mid-coast and southern Maine community youth and local artisans. Though the weather did not cooperate a crowd of at least one hundred still came out to enjoy and support Amistad Arts efforts to reach our goal this year.

Many thanks are due to the lovers of Latin dance music and Combo Sabroso who despite the terrible driving conditions, that caused them to arrive late, made it up from Boston to dish out hours of live Salsa, Bolero and Cha Cha that had the crowd never sitting but spinning and gyrating until the night came to a close.

It is the hope of Amistad Arts Collective to bring in regional and local bands, musicians and artist to not only perform their craft, for the enjoyment of an audience, but to also workshop with the local student youth and adult population who can not afford to attend a Berkley school of music or are trying to hone their skills so they can be accepted at a university or specialized school of arts program so that they can one day earn a living at doing their love in life which is their art.

Join us - DEC 19th - A Holiday Celebration!

DECEMBER 19th 7-12pm
CAKE RESTAURANT - 50 Wharf Street Portland’s Old Port

Come hear COMBO SABROSO a latin jazz band playing Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Bolero, San Matuno and more!

Tickets are $15 and can be bought in advance at La Bodega Latina (207) 761-6661, through us here at Amistad (207) 321- 8814, or at the door. All proceeds go to benefit AAC - our mission and our programs. Support our vision of bringing the taste of world culture to Portland, and to raise awareness of world art and culture that is right in our back yard!

Remember that Wednesday night is Ladies’ Night at CAKE - Entrees are Free for The Ladies!!!!!