Celebrating the life and eternal work of the master myth-maker!

Justice Dunstan Mlambo @danielbekele.bsky.social, @nicholasmaple.bsky.social, Dr. Alice Mpofu-Coles,Niels Harild, Dr.Tamara Wood,John Thon Majok, Michelle Leighton, @bwesigye.bsky.social, Dr. Frank Laczko, @meron.bsky.social & Dr.Sonia Plaza will guide our next chapter as we shape regional policies

This week started well as a package from the wonderful Shacoya and Jehan that took us back to three years ago, a time when the now departed Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o joined us (via Zoom) for a symposium at Cornell, was delivered. Thank you Shacoya and Jehan for the generosity and work.

A teacher breaks down after ICE causes multiple schools to lockdown during graduation ceremonies and parents to flee for their lives. Only the soulless aren’t hurting from what is happening in our country. This is affecting all of us.

ICE raids hit across Los Angeles today—and locals are rising up. This is what resistance looks like. ✊🏾 This was about an hour ago…

Finish the semester with us. If you’re nearby, come in person, and if you’re far, join on Zoom. You’re welcome.

Still looking for some great summer classes? We got you! Sign up today for our Africana Culture and Art or African Literature and Culture ❤️🖤💚

Join us csudh.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Join us on Thursday April 25, 2025 at 02:30pm for the WEB Du Bois Distinguished Lecture by Dr. Nia Imara, titled: “The Joy of Wonder: The Convergence of STEM and Art in the Africana World.” The event will be held via Zoom - ID: 81780921816

The right time to revive things …

Sign the CFA petition to Governor Newsom requesting for the reversal of the January Budget Proposal to cut funding (nearly $400m) to the CSU system. www.votervoice.net/Shares/BK__D...

Two of our students, we are told have had their visas revoked! www.csudhbulletin.com/mahmoud-khal...

Teaching Zong! by M. NourbeSe Philip, especially as both an African and trained lawyer / attorney really changes you.

Happening next week

My friend God, getting their flowers. They deserve even more. One of the most dogged fighters I know. Uber-brilliant too.

Join us for this.

Courtesy of Black Lantern Books in Inglewood.

Happening tomorrow…

7000 people killed in the Congo in January alone. This barely makes a blip in the white global media.

🎤✨ Join us for the 2025 Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium: The Global Consciousness of Hip-Hop Culture 🌍🎶 📅 February 18, 2025 📍 Loker Student Union Room 113 ⏰ 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Featuring: 🎙J.C. Muyonjo 🎙 Khaya Moyo 📚 Meryah Fisher 📚 Jason Edmonds #MLKSymposium

A few months to go

The US has been bombing Somalia for decades. Yet we don’t hear about how many Somali people the US terrorist state has killed.

A model for abolitionist literary studies.

Finally succumbed to the pressure: we get a statement on the use of AI pasted on the syllabus. Thanks to all who provided templates that we could customize.

As you go about the rest of your day, on the Martin Luther King’s birthday, make some time to listen to this speech: MLK: Beyond Vietnam - A Time to Break Silence youtu.be/AJhgXKGldUk via @YouTube

My heart goes out to the thousands of houseless people in the fire zone on the Los Angeles area who do not have protection from fire and smoke

Seeing video’s of families & elders who lost their homes in historic Altadena is heartbreaking. Here is a compiled list of gofundme’s for the displaced Black families of Altadena. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d…

I’ll be posting links for people who have lost everything in the Altadena fire. Altadena was a primarily Black neighborhood. My grandmother lived there before her passing an I spent my youth there. If you have anything to spare, please consider donating.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN LOS ANGELES: If you’re looking to get involved with volunteer efforts in LA, please check out this list provided by Mutual Aid LA:

This is a fascinating turn of events

Having gone through two wildfires in Colorado I also suggest if the fire get a close to get your cars out of the garage or open your garage door if you can’t lift it yourself. if the power goes out your garage door opener won’t work (unless it has battery back up).

If you live in LA make sure your devices are charged and do whatever else you need to do to be prepared in an emergency. The power is starting to go on and off.

In an abundance of caution and to keep roads clear in the surrounding areas, the Getty Center will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, January 8. Getty Villa will remain closed through Monday, January 13. We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as they become available.

From PCH near the Getty

Today, a brush fire started in Pacific Palisades fueled by extremely high winds. At the Getty Villa, some trees & vegetation on site have burned, but no structures are on fire, and staff and the collection remain safe. The Villa is closed to non-emergency staff and the public.

The Palisades Fire from a a flight landing at LAX, approaching Santa Monica, California.

More dramatic images from the #PalisadesFire in Los Angeles. Live updates: trib.al/tBDjKJ0 (📷 AP)

KTLA's @GeneKangTV reports from the perimeter of the #PalisadesFire where crews needed to clear vehicles using a bulldozer to make access for firefighters. Live coverage: trib.al/tBDjKJ0

I saw Backdraft in the theater and when the firefighters have to smash out the windows of an illegally parked Mercedes to get the hose connected to the hydrant, the whole theater cheered.

If you’re in the fire zone in pasadena and need a place to evacuate, let me know. We also have our rental south of Washington with lots of space

FYI view from front porch

We evac’d our place and are six blocks to the south, if folks need a spot let me know