Classroom Publication

Issue date: 3/8/06 Section: Black History Month

Media Credit: Patrick O'Leary Kohain Netanyah Halevi Speaks of African Unity [Click to enlarge]

Albany - Kohain Netanyah Halevi took the podium after Professor Pinho at "The Day After Event." Halevi opened his lecture by stating how good it was for this program to be in March. He proceeded to explain how he thought Black History Month should be a time to plan events for the entire year and refocus on black history, rather than being the only time of the year when people study black history.

History

"Originally, Black History Month was only a single week beginning on the 14 of February and ending on the 21. It was known at the time as "Negro History Week"."

Halevi explained the origins of Black History Month to the audience. Originally, it was only a single week beginning on the 14 of February and ending on the 21. It was known at the time as "Negro History Week".

He went on to examine how it was during this time that people began to push the envelope and study the truth of what black history meant. He discussed how the African people were stripped of their history and personhood simultaneously when they were enslaved. At this time the name 'Negro' was assigned. He explored how this new name took Africa away from the African people by assigning a name that comes from no nation. He led the audience to the realization that the enslaved people were given a new history at this time; a history of slavery.

Halevi connected this story of the past to more recent times as he discussed the way in which Egypt is not conventionally included in the African continent and generally considered mid-East. He argued this was done to further strip the African people of their history. He said it created a world in which African people were forcibly removed from their motherland and felt lucky to have been enslaved.

Enslaved

Halevi is very careful to use the word "enslaved" as opposed to calling the people, "African Slaves." "There were no ready-made slaves waiting to be taken," said Halevi. These people were abducted and taken by Europeans to "The New World" where they were stripped of their history, personhood and culture. Halevi argued that to say, "African Slaves" is to omit this sequence of events from the mind. Instead, it is to allow people to pass over it. The use of the term, "enslaved Africans" is to assert every bit of the process of slavery, and to ensure that people remember exactly what it means to enslave a person.

"There were no ready-made slaves waiting to be taken." ~ Kohain Netanyah Halevi

Importance of Black History

Halevi then moved to what it means to be black. He discussed the importance of knowing black history and being able to embrace it and unify. He expressed his feelings of support for the Pan-African movement. He spoke about all of the reasons black people of all secondary nationalities need to band together and form a unified front. Halevi walked through the history of Africa, through its renaming and re-chartering in the mid-1990s as the African Union. He explained how this happened in attempt to create more energy and motion in the movement.

Unity

Halevi went into detail about the programs being implemented in Africa. He claims they will help to develop Africa into a stronger place. He made the audience aware of the option of dual citizenship, an initiative that allows people to get their passport stamped only once as they travel to Africa, and never have to do so again. This visa has no time restraints and allows a person to work in Africa.

Halevi ended with optimism for the African continent asserting that he believes it will achieve greatness. He also answered a brief series of questions from the crowd.

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