TAN – The Afro News

Universal Education

By Frank T. Scruggs The Afro News International

Many times African-blooded people around the world seek self-determination, to acquire political power and improve their socio-economic status. The first step in achieving these goals is to embrace education and knowledge. Far too many African people around the world have ignored the importance of formal education. Education has long been the road to enlightenment and freedom. Education awakens one to exploitation, oppression and the subtleties of racism and white privilege.

Oftentimes there is a sense of comfort and bliss within certain levels of ignorance and often those whom elevate their minds cannot all of a sudden reveal the depth of knowledge they possess due to the backlash from others. In the centuries old book, Plato’s Republic, the philosopher described an imaginary situation of people bound underground in a dark cavern. In this cavern their only view of the world was one of the shadows puppets and carved figures that flickered from a fire. One of the bound people freed himself from this bondage and climbed out the cavern into the world outside the cavern. He then saw the real world and went back to tell his bound comrades what he saw of the real world. They thought him mad, attacked him and placed him back into bondage. When some of us have freed our minds and leave others bound an intolerable situation is created and much conflict is created. Education and enlightenment therefore must be available to all.

We cannot expect to lead and seek to control our own destinies without education and knowledge. We must understand technology, industry, science and our own history to move forward. Obtaining a degree is more than reading a thousand books or parroting some instructor’s lecture; it is more about critical thinking, raising one’s skill level and advancing within the arts and sciences. Education is the foundation of nation-building and enhancing one’s culture. Education provides the freedom and social imagination necessary to create a lasting, endurable people and collective spirit. Education provides the mechanism needed to create leaders and informed followers.

Education becomes a first step in the creation an international, cross-cultural agenda designed to bring unity throughout the African Diaspora. Reaching one’s full potential becomes a true possibility when people can learn about their own identity and are allowed to acquire technical and philosophical skills that are consistent with their own aptitudes. Education is not just a want but is a necessity that African people everywhere need to demand and aggressively seek.

Sergeant John Faught

STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the death in Afghanistan of Sergeant John Wayne Faught:

“It is with great sorrow that I extend my condolences, and those of all Canadians, to the family and friends of Sergeant John Wayne Faught, who died today in Afghanistan. He was killed by an improvised explosive device while on a joint Afghan National Army-Canadian Battle Group dismounted security patrol in the Panjwayi District.

“I join with Canadians, who stand proudly with our men and women of the Canadian Forces as they courageously risk their lives every day to bring peace and security to the people of Afghanistan.

“The courage demonstrated by Sergeant Faught speaks volumes of his dedication to our country and to this mission. Canada will remain steadfast, and Taliban attacks will not deter our efforts to help Afghanistan achieve peace and stability.

“Sergeant Faught was helping to bring back hope to a population that has seen much hardship and turmoil. He gave his life not only to protect Canadians and our national interests, but also to provide hope to Afghans for a better future.

“The sacrifice Sergeant John Wayne Faught made in the name of Canada and the Canadian people will not be forgotten.”

Gary Reed of Kamloops

Gary Reed of Kamloops won the silver medal at the World Athletics Final in Thessaloniki, Greece before a crowd of 27,500. David Lekuta Rudisha of Kenya took the gold in 1:44.85 after a tactical 53.0 second first lap of 400m. Rudisha leads the world in 2009 with his 1:42.01 clocking this season. Gary was lying in 7th spot with 200m to go but delivered a tremendous closing finish to pass world champion, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi of South Africa and Olympic champion, Yuriy Borzakovskiy of Russia. Reed improved on his 4th place at the 2009 Beijing Olympics and equaled his 2007 silver medal at the World Championships with his 1:45.23.

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Frederick Girl Power

My name is Frédérique. I am a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and am currently in school to become a registered nurse. I have created a project called Pads for Power. My project includes collecting disposable menstrual products and donating these to homeless shelters in Vancouver. It also includes making homemade reusable pads that will then be sent to women and girls around the world. Many women and girls living in rural settings in developing countries do not have access to any kind of menstrual products. Consequently, they must stay at home and miss up to a week of work or school every single month. These contributions mean that these girls and women, both near and far, will have the freedom to go to school or work every day and, in turn, the power to achieve greater success in life.

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Written by Helena Kaufman

Frances Margaret Gordon was a good ESL teacher when she began her working life in Montreal. Soon, however, she was swept up in the developments and opportunities that characterized her times. She changed herMontreal.career and even the cities she lived in. All the while she followed the great heart she had for social services and social justice but knew her goals would come together once she also put her mind to law.

“The term social justice had not yet been formed, and the way into the work I wanted to do in developing social policy was through the practice of criminal law,” says Gordon. “In this particular arena we see most clearly what our society values, whether it be crimes against the person or property.”

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