posted
Modern Black generation should overcome ancestoral phobias By: Ali A. Mazrui [][Post to BookMarks @ AfroArticles.com]
[ Posted On: 2007-01-28 ]
Is black academic excellence a form of imitation of white values? Although the formulation could be made less provocative, it contains an important issue.
Has the achievement motive among African-Americans been severely damaged by the history of enslavement and racism? How can African-Americans now transcend those inhibitions?
The achievement motive in a people has factors that can inhibit or encourage advancement. A spirit of ambition is potentially nourishing. However, the history of racism has narrowed the areas in which African-Americans can excel.
As it stands now, two of the areas in which African-Americans have become celebrities and superstars are sports and entertainment. Such achievements have ranged from film star Sidney Poitier to television comedian Bill Cosby, from television hostess Oprah Winfrey to singer Michael Jackson.
Sporting achievements are in the arena of physical performance and range from boxing to basketball. Entertainment has ranged from physical talent like vocal power to personality traits and charisma in stage craft.
Such achievers have included Paul Roberson’s powerful voice and Sonja Henie’s swimming skills. Music, song and dance have been particularly strong areas of Black performance.
Another major area of Black achievement has been in ethics and religion: Blacks as moral beings or homo ethicus. In this regard, Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi understood Black people fully. Precisely, because Black people were the most humiliated in modern history, their pain qualified them as standard bearers of his political message of passive resistance.
As he put it, "It may be through the Negroes that the unadulterated message of non-violence will be delivered to the world."
Mahatma Gandhi himself never won the Nobel Prize for Peace, but some of his Black disciples subsequently did. These included Martin Luther King Jr, Albert Luthuli and Desmond Tutu. Also illustrious as a Black moral leader has of course been, former South African President Nelson Mandela.
In sum, the achievement motive has worked wonders in four major areas. These are sports, the performing arts (especially music, dance and skills of the theatre), works of the verbal imagination (especially poetry and the novel) and, fourthly, moral and religious endeavours.
Hence, there is genuine concern about whether the achievement motive is strong enough in Black economic roles. ‘The American Dream’ is often interpreted in economic terms. Partly because of the legacy of slavery and racial discrimination in the job-market, Black economic priorities and skills have been distorted.
As slaves in the Americas, Black people created wealth but they did not make money for themselves. As liberated people since the twentieth century onwards, Black people have often made money without creating wealth. Although there are indeed millions of hardworking Blacks engaged in wealth creation (as farmers or factory workers), a disproportionate number of Black people are engaged in the service sector (as porters or transportation workers), or in the underground economy, as drug traffickers, or as the Black mafia – making money, but not creating wealth!
One can therefore conclude that Blacks have under-performed in the wealth-creating roles of the economy and in genuinely productive entrepreneurship.
Another crucial area in which Black people have under-preformed, is the complex area of mathematics, the natural sciences and the new computer revolution.
Perhaps many young African-American students in colleges do genuinely believe that to excel in mathematics, physics or computer-science is to "play the white man’s game." Such skills are tragically racialised in the perception of such young Blacks.
It may also be true that cultures differ in ‘mathematicality’ and receptivity to calculus. A number of Asian cultures have produced exceptional mathematical performance and computer skills. India is widely regarded as the Garden of Eden of ancient mathematics.
More recently, India has become a power-house of the new information technology. In cultural ‘mathematicality’, Indians and Koreans may be ahead, not only of Black and African cultures, but also ahead of such Euro-Latin cultures as the legacies of Italy, Spain and Portugal.
But cultural resistance to mathematics and the calculus can be overcome. Indeed, African and Black cultures need to transcend numerophobia, (the fear of numbers).
Quite frankly, I do myself suffer from numerophobia, but I am relieved that my first-born son (now in his 40s) is sophisticated in computer-skills, and my fourth son (still a teenager) is fascinated by mathematics.
A new generation of Black people can indeed transcend some of the phobias and anxieties of their ancestors. The Black achievement motive may need more than mending. It will need a transformation in the direction of scientific innovation and practical creativity.
posted
Very true statements. World balcks and other people of color have been saturated with the anglo mindset in almost every aspect. India and asia are not exempt.
I disagree with the section related to mathematics. There are many exceptional black mathematicians, scientists, engineers, accountants examples, in leading edge areas such as the space shuttle, the space station, etc. Mile Davis (famous trumpeter) recalls how his father did the accounting for all the pale faced farmers in his county back in the early 1900s.
Sun Microsystem's latest super server chip was invented by this guy;
I believe what we are experiencing is what Dr. Frances Cress Welsing attempted to define in her book, The Isis Papers: The Key To The Colors, and celluar history.
Posts: 3595 | From: Moved To Mars. Waiting with shotgun | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged |
Math is a skill, requiring repetition. If we create an infrastructure for Black kids to practice this skill they will excel. Right now Black people have little time to practice these types of skills. In addition, the family structure has been decimated to the point where Black kids have little oversight and supervision. Finally, and perhaps most importantly another problem is the internalization of White Supremacy. Perhaps an African-Centered Monastery would add value for Black youth.
-------------------- Black Roots. Posts: 2007 | From: Washington State | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
I cannot take Masrui seriously here. He simply has no knowledge of, and obviously never researched, the achievements of Black Americans in either science or economics.
For instance, the Harlem numbers racket was so profitable an economic venture that first the Jewish mob muscled in on it and now New York state legalizes an outgrowth of it called, the New York State Lottery Commission.
And what about Madame C. J. Walker among other of the early extremely successful BA entreprenaurs?
Then think of the multiple achievements in science made by one George Washington Carver being implemented in industry today (but all most know about him is peanuts.)
And what about the six BA scientists who contributed to the making of the atomic bomb?
When it comes to continental Africans no one to date has outachieved Emeagwali, the refugee camp boy who grew up to develop the world's fastest powerfullest super-computer, revolutionizing the IT field just as much as the BA inventor of the fiber optical cable revolutionized communications.
It seems it's Masrui who needs to overcome the phobia he mentions and also needs to buy and study the Van Sertima edition Blacks in Science or even a few old J. A. Rogers works like Sex and Race vol 3 and World's Great Men of Color (not to mention numerous pamphlets of various authors) instead of relying on stupidities of the current younger generation of BAs who reject everything about BA heritage and culture passed on by the parent and grandparent generations in deference to the MTV/BET white executive producers of the entertainment industry who have told them what they are -- a people who are no more than ign'ant thugs too dumb to do anything but make the WEP rich and scarf up a few million in crumbs for themselves while doing so.
quote:Ali A. Mazrui commented: Modern Black generation should overcome ancestoral phobias
[ Posted On: 2007-01-28 ]
Is black academic excellence a form of imitation of white values?
. . . .
... the history of racism has narrowed the areas in which African-Americans can excel.
As it stands now, two of the areas in which African-Americans have become celebrities and superstars are sports and entertainment.
. . . .
One can therefore conclude that Blacks have under-performed in the wealth-creating roles of the economy and in genuinely productive entrepreneurship.
Another crucial area in which Black people have under-preformed, is the complex area of mathematics, the natural sciences and the new computer revolution.
. . . .
Indeed, African and Black cultures need to transcend numerophobia, (the fear of numbers). Quite frankly, I do myself suffer from numerophobia, ...
Posts: 8014 | From: the Tekrur in the Western Sahel | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by alTakruri: I cannot take Masrui seriously here. He simply has no knowledge of, and obviously never researched, the achievements of Black Americans in either science or economics.
Evergreen Writes:
I have a different reading of this article. He does NOT seem to claim that Blacks never made achievements in science and/or math. He DOES claim that Black Americans (and I would argue Africans) HAVE been psychologically damaged by White Supremacy and many have adopted an anti-intellectual stance.
Posts: 2007 | From: Washington State | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
So? Many nonblacks nonAfricans have adopted anti-intellectual stances. I'm tired of a few kids being the benchmark of Black American society while all the positive images are just overlooked as if they don't exist.
The white man is no god who's so powerful to psychologically damage BAs and Cas. He's just a man who is readily out manouvred by countless unsung BAs and CAs wh chose to apply themselves instead of wallowing in pity and anger all day long about the supergod white man ad what he's done and does.
Instead they get up off that thing and heed the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey's words "Up you mighty race" achieve as others achieve.
posted
So? Many nonblacks nonAfricans have adopted anti-intellectual stances. I'm tired of a few kids being the benchmark of Black American society while all the positive images are just overlooked as if they don't exist.
The white man is no god who's so powerful to psychologically damage BAs and Cas. He's just a man who is readily out manouvred by countless unsung BAs and CAs wh chose to apply themselves instead of wallowing in pity and anger all day long about the supergod white man ad what he's done and does.
Instead they get up off that thing and heed the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey's words "Up you mighty race" achieve as others achieve.
Yet he worships Hasham talking about whites aren't god. Evergreen do not buy into this devil's crap he takes shots at African Americans and is some broke Fulani begger that isn't even American. He is just mad that he can't make it economically and I think I remember this clown say before he's interracial and dates out of his race. He likes to take shots at blacks because they don't except him while making it seem like he is uplifting them. This is a slick bell hop for the white Jewish supremicist orgs that mostly run African American orgs. Very clever indeed this character hmmmmm.
Posts: 271 | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
Dr Sylvester James Gates, Jr who is a theoretical physicist and a pioneer of the superstring theory doesn't seem to suffer from "numerophobia".
Posts: 1420 | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by vidadavida: This is a slick bell hop for the white Jewish supremicist orgs that mostly run African American orgs. Very clever indeed this character hmmmmm.
posted
Enterprise Software Architect @ your service
BEng (Hons, 1st class) Computer Systems Engineering [Sussex University], PGCert in Computer Security [Oxford University], MSc Software Engineering [Oxford University].
I think there are VERY MANY of us reppin' to the fullest in Mathematics and Sciences, we just don't scream and shout like the entertainers. I think what we need is a system for us to link up and make moves bigger than ourselves. The problem is a lack of OUR OWN MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS.
Posts: 3423 | From: the jungle - when y'all stop playing games, call me. | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
It's extremely important that "Black History Month" begin to focus more on the achievements of this current generation of scientists, businessmen, militarist, tec. instead of entertainers and the great achievers of the early 20th century. The youth desperately need to know that being educated does not equal acting white.
I would hope that the National Technical Association for one begin to target public libraries and start to present lectures, posters, fliers, etc. on their theme.
quote:Originally posted by Young Horus: Enterprise Software Architect @ your service
BEng (Hons, 1st class) Computer Systems Engineering [Sussex University], PGCert in Computer Security [Oxford University], MSc Software Engineering [Oxford University].
I think there are VERY MANY of us reppin' to the fullest in Mathematics and Sciences, we just don't scream and shout like the entertainers. I think what we need is a system for us to link up and make moves bigger than ourselves. The problem is a lack of OUR OWN MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS.
And this is the same guy who can't explain RSS(Really Simple Syndication) in user-friendly way Posts: 2198 | Registered: Jun 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
If you don't know, then you aren't studying hard enough.
To the point of Black History month, formal education, ect., it all depends on what you perceive the short/long term objectives are. If your goal is assimilation, and not true leadership, than indoctranation with standard partisan views is key. If your goals are more lofty, then a more focused self education such as The Nation Of Islam has proven is the more effective path. Everything has a trade-off.
Young Horus, check out Reggie Lewis's (another Baltimore brother) book, Why Should White Boys Have All The Fun, where he shows how he took over and started the multi-national, Beatrice Foods.
Posts: 3595 | From: Moved To Mars. Waiting with shotgun | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Mazrui has been simple-minede in his analysis of things pertaining to Africans/blacks in general. He garners a huge salary shamelessly holding down a research chair named after one of the biggest anti-African racists to date--Albert Schweitzer.
His point about Indians and Koreans in mathematics is just bogus.
Mazrui says that India represents the "Garden of Eden of mathematics". Hardly true when he should know that mathematics began in Ancient Egypt. [note parenthetically that Mazrui is one of those old-guard colonial Africans who joined up with those European scholars who tended to dismiss scholars like Cheikh Anta Diop].
I don't believe tha IQ tests say anything at all about the native cognitive skills of groups transculturally but Mazrui should know that the IQ of India is 81. So I am puzzled by the high marks he gives to India.
Re South Korea:Until recently--with lots of U.S. capital thrown to showpiece South Korea against communist North Korea--Korea was a backwards agricultural country once colonised by Japan.
Mazrui also claims falsely that blacks have been the most humiliated in modern times. That's not accurate. I believe that Jews, Australian Aboriginese and Native Amercians have been more humiliated than Africans. Jews have become so terrified of Europeans--eveidenced by their fanaticism re the state of Israel--after the events of the Holocaust that they have lobbied to make any academic evaluation of the specifics of the Holocaust a crime punishable by imprisonment. Australian Aboriginese have been destroyed into virtual extinction by the European settlers sent to colonise Australia. They were often used as target practice by the settlers and their remains used as dog meat. And Native Americans have lost 2 whole continents to the Europeans. Let's compare all that to the African experience post 1500 AD/PE.
The claim that Africans are viewed as "homo ethicus" is also an error--given the way how the West is obsessed with African leaders like Idi Amin, Robert Mugabe, the so-called Rwanda "genocide", and historical figures like Samory Toure and Shaka Zulu. All such individuals are viewed by Westerners as morally beyond the pale--merely for responding to Western agression.
On the wealth issue: African Americans have not built up wealth because of the dynamics and economic culture of the societies they live in. Ditto for Brazil and the whole of the African continent.
Mazrui's thing about "phobias" about mathematics and wealth creation is just erroneous. One should treat his ideas with much discretion.
Re Africans and mathematics readers might just want to google "Mathematicians of the African Diaspora".
Posts: 5492 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Young Horus: Enterprise Software Architect @ your service
BEng (Hons, 1st class) Computer Systems Engineering [Sussex University], PGCert in Computer Security [Oxford University], MSc Software Engineering [Oxford University].
I think there are VERY MANY of us reppin' to the fullest in Mathematics and Sciences, we just don't scream and shout like the entertainers. I think what we need is a system for us to link up and make moves bigger than ourselves. The problem is a lack of OUR OWN MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS.
And this is the same guy who can't explain RSS(Really Simple Syndication) in user-friendly way
^LOL Just goes to show the value of a european (mis)education!
...on a more serious note, I DID explain RSS to you but I suppose my technical jargon got in the way. I may have mentioned things like XML and Java APIs when I should have just recommended a tool, but I did not want to presume your knowledge of Internet technology. Forgive me, I'm not used to discussing technical things with non-technical people Posts: 3423 | From: the jungle - when y'all stop playing games, call me. | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by alTakruri: It's extremely important that "Black History Month" begin to focus more on the achievements of this current generation of scientists, businessmen, militarist, tec. instead of entertainers and the great achievers of the early 20th century. The youth desperately need to know that being educated does not equal acting white.
I would hope that the National Technical Association for one begin to target public libraries and start to present lectures, posters, fliers, etc. on their theme.
I have to agree with this comment to the 5th power.
Posts: 951 | From: where rules end and freedom begins | Registered: Jun 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Young Horus: Enterprise Software Architect @ your service
BEng (Hons, 1st class) Computer Systems Engineering [Sussex University], PGCert in Computer Security [Oxford University], MSc Software Engineering [Oxford University].
I think there are VERY MANY of us reppin' to the fullest in Mathematics and Sciences, we just don't scream and shout like the entertainers. I think what we need is a system for us to link up and make moves bigger than ourselves. The problem is a lack of OUR OWN MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS.
And this is the same guy who can't explain RSS(Really Simple Syndication) in user-friendly way
^LOL Just goes to show the value of a european (mis)education!
...on a more serious note, I DID explain RSS to you but I suppose my technical jargon got in the way. I may have mentioned things like XML and Java APIs when I should have just recommended a tool, but I did not want to presume your knowledge of Internet technology. Forgive me, I'm not used to discussing technical things with non-technical people
Why don't you just recommend a simple tool like Dreamweaver (Latest Version). I'm a software programmer as well which means you have to be highly skilled in your mathematical skills. C# /C++ /Java /Python/ Vb.Net (the .net family), etc ...
According what was said above AA and CA's have a problem with numbers but I beg to differ. Most people I know don't have problems with Mathematics .. they have problems with English and Writing.
I'm a prime example of that. I love math, sacred geometry and so forth but I hate having to write and spell. Never the less I find myself doning both consistantly.
Peace!~
Posts: 951 | From: where rules end and freedom begins | Registered: Jun 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
^What up bro! Who wouldve thought I'd meet a Java programmer on ES!
Interesting (and diverse) list of software languages there I must say. I am purely Java which means I don't do c#, c++ and pardon my language but, I dont f***s with Microsoft/Bill Gates so I don't use .NET (I don't like 'things' being hidden from me). I suppose I would be considered a Java/J2EE/JEE/Weblogic/Websphere guru. I've spent the past 6 years tweaking, building, designing, bug fixing customer-facing/in-house J2EE systems.
Good to know other techno geeks are into Ancient Africa Posts: 3423 | From: the jungle - when y'all stop playing games, call me. | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Now you are getting close to world in which I live, the world of deterministic, pre-empted real-time response systems where only RTOS perform and soft real time systems such as Linux or Windows are inadequately slow.
Some of the systems I designed are LIDARs, Photon Mesh Multipliers, Darpanet (what is it today?), and Hydogen Masers to name a few.
Writing and spelling are my short comings also, but we always maintain a staff of $10-15/hour technical writers to ensure that we dot all the i's and cross all the t's.
Posts: 3595 | From: Moved To Mars. Waiting with shotgun | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by alTakruri: It's extremely important that "Black History Month" begin to focus more on the achievements of this current generation of scientists, businessmen, militarist, tec. instead of entertainers and the great achievers of the early 20th century. The youth desperately need to know that being educated does not equal acting white.
I would hope that the National Technical Association for one begin to target public libraries and start to present lectures, posters, fliers, etc. on their theme.
I have to agree with this comment to the 5th power.
I thought that was the purpose of societies like:
NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) NSBP (National Society of Black Physicists) NAM (National Association of Mathemeticians) NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects)
Now you are getting close to world in which I live, the world of deterministic, pre-empted real-time response systems where only RTOS perform and soft real time systems such as Linux or Windows are inadequately slow.
Some of the systems I designed are LIDARs, Photon Mesh Multipliers, Darpanet (what is it today?), and Hydogen Masers to name a few.
Writing and spelling are my short comings also, but we always maintain a staff of $10-15/hour technical writers to ensure that we dot all the i's and cross all the t's.
^Oh my! Those are real hardbody systems right there. You know, I learnt real-time response systems, signals engineering, a lot of analog electronics (and digital of course) when I was doing my BEng and I must say, these are more interesting aspects of computer systems than say, the operating system (which unfortunately is the realm I have to work in, mainly) but the realities of life lead (some of) us to writing custom user-facing applications for fortune 500 companies that shell out hundreds of pounds/dollars a day for say, a Java Software Engineer. The problem I've found with the more hardbody aspects of computer engineering is that the pay just ain't right. However, in the IT market (apps built on top of the operating system) it's not very difficult to make 6 figures and up.
Posts: 3423 | From: the jungle - when y'all stop playing games, call me. | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Dude (meninarmer), I just figured (sorry I'm slow) what you were getting at, did you design the Darpanet??? Seriously??? DUDE, WITHOUT DARPANET, NO INTERNET...
If TRUE, you're a Neter.
Posts: 3423 | From: the jungle - when y'all stop playing games, call me. | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged |
Now you are getting close to world in which I live, the world of deterministic, pre-empted real-time response systems where only RTOS perform and soft real time systems such as Linux or Windows are inadequately slow.
Some of the systems I designed are LIDARs, Photon Mesh Multipliers, Darpanet (what is it today?), and Hydogen Masers to name a few.
Writing and spelling are my short comings also, but we always maintain a staff of $10-15/hour technical writers to ensure that we dot all the i's and cross all the t's.
^Oh my! Those are real hardbody systems right there. You know, I learnt real-time response systems, signals engineering, a lot of analog electronics (and digital of course) when I was doing my BEng and I must say, these are more interesting aspects of computer systems than say, the operating system (which unfortunately is the realm I have to work in, mainly) but the realities of life lead (some of) us to writing custom user-facing applications for fortune 500 companies that shell out hundreds of pounds/dollars a day for say, a Java Software Engineer. The problem I've found with the more hardbody aspects of computer engineering is that the pay just ain't right. However, in the IT market (apps built on top of the operating system) it's not very difficult to make 6 figures and up.
LOL, actually I'm not a software engineer, but design integrated circuits and systems. I utilize the RTOS to perform timing analysis when debuggging a chip design, because a non-real time OS will not provide the pico or nano second accuacy required at that level. I work a lot with Intel, AMD, and Sun to name a few, so I know the apps you are working with well. You are correct in the demand for a person with your skillset. Shot me a PM. Maybe I can give you some part time work. Last year a top manufacturer asked me to identify a couple engineering firms to give $250K/each to develop specific embedded platform. I searched for black firms first, and after 2 weeks could not identify one to contract, with the required skillsets. Both ended up going to anglo firms. Even after 20 years, such is the state of black technical entrepreneurs.
Posts: 3595 | From: Moved To Mars. Waiting with shotgun | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Young Horus: Dude (meninarmer), I just figured (sorry I'm slow) what you were getting at, did you design the Darpanet??? Seriously??? DUDE, WITHOUT DARPANET, NO INTERNET...
If TRUE, you're a Neter.
I worked on it at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Labs, but thousands of engineers were involved, all working on specific portions. Back then, only the DoD, key universities, and military contractors had access.
Posts: 3595 | From: Moved To Mars. Waiting with shotgun | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by alTakruri: It's extremely important that "Black History Month" begin to focus more on the achievements of this current generation of scientists, businessmen, militarist, tec. instead of entertainers and the great achievers of the early 20th century. The youth desperately need to know that being educated does not equal acting white.
I would hope that the National Technical Association for one begin to target public libraries and start to present lectures, posters, fliers, etc. on their theme.
I have to agree with this comment to the 5th power.
I thought that was the purpose of societies like:
NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) NSBP (National Society of Black Physicists) NAM (National Association of Mathemeticians) NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects)
And so on...
good looking out with the links Doug, 'not in the U.S. but these are useful to me all the same.
Posts: 3423 | From: the jungle - when y'all stop playing games, call me. | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged |
Now you are getting close to world in which I live, the world of deterministic, pre-empted real-time response systems where only RTOS perform and soft real time systems such as Linux or Windows are inadequately slow.
Some of the systems I designed are LIDARs, Photon Mesh Multipliers, Darpanet (what is it today?), and Hydogen Masers to name a few.
Writing and spelling are my short comings also, but we always maintain a staff of $10-15/hour technical writers to ensure that we dot all the i's and cross all the t's.
^Oh my! Those are real hardbody systems right there. You know, I learnt real-time response systems, signals engineering, a lot of analog electronics (and digital of course) when I was doing my BEng and I must say, these are more interesting aspects of computer systems than say, the operating system (which unfortunately is the realm I have to work in, mainly) but the realities of life lead (some of) us to writing custom user-facing applications for fortune 500 companies that shell out hundreds of pounds/dollars a day for say, a Java Software Engineer. The problem I've found with the more hardbody aspects of computer engineering is that the pay just ain't right. However, in the IT market (apps built on top of the operating system) it's not very difficult to make 6 figures and up.
LOL, actually I'm not a software engineer, but design integrated circuits and systems. I utilize the RTOS to perform timing analysis when debuggging a chip design, because a non-real time OS will not provide the pico or nano second accuacy required at that level. I work a lot with Intel, AMD, and Sun to name a few, so I know the apps you are working with well. You are correct in the demand for a person with your skillset. Shot me a PM. Maybe I can give you some part time work. Last year a top manufacturer asked me to identify a couple engineering firms to give $250K/each to develop specific embedded platform. I searched for black firms first, and after 2 weeks could not identify one to contract, with the required skillsets. Both ended up going to anglo firms. Even after 20 years, such is the state of black technical entrepreneurs.
I am humbled by your resume. I would have loved to work for Sun (Stanford University Network ) too, their brainchild 'Java Technology' has been my daily companion for 6 years (as is their Jedi mindset towards tough guy Bill Gates ),it has taken me from the halls of lancaster house at Sussex University to... I'll send you that PM soonish.
Posts: 3423 | From: the jungle - when y'all stop playing games, call me. | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Young Horus: ^What up bro! Who wouldve thought I'd meet a Java programmer on ES!
Interesting (and diverse) list of software languages there I must say. I am purely Java which means I don't do c#, c++ and pardon my language but, I dont f***s with Microsoft/Bill Gates so I don't use .NET (I don't like 'things' being hidden from me). I suppose I would be considered a Java/J2EE/JEE/Weblogic/Websphere guru. I've spent the past 6 years tweaking, building, designing, bug fixing customer-facing/in-house J2EE systems.
Good to know other techno geeks are into Ancient Africa
I did some consultant work for 4 years in the development of software. I had to widen my range of technologies in order to make well over the 100k margin in Programming. When I got tired of that, I learned Network Administrations of Microsoft and Solaris (UNIX) environments.
One of the reasons why I have ventured away from so much software programming is because of the stability factor.
If I was to stay in the programming environment then UNIX would be the way to go (i.e. shell scripting and Java programming). You are definitely making the right choice with Java because the room for growth is there and will be there for a while until people start turning their backs on Gates and the Microsoft Family. Note: I say that because once a market gets flooded then the pay drops dramatically. So pray that the die hard MCP/MCSA/MSCE .. etc remain loyal to the Gates foundation :?>
Yes it is good to meet a fellow programmer on Egypt Search.
quote:I suppose I would be considered a Java/J2EE/JEE/Weblogic/Websphere guru. I've spent the past 6 years tweaking, building, designing, bug fixing customer-facing/in-house J2EE systems.
If your knowledge in these technologies are as you say they are I might be able to consult some work out to ya ... If your interested in owning your own business.
P.S. Depending on location (U.S or Canada)
I'm looking for business relationships with friends on the continent of Africa but it will not be in the Technology arena. I'm looking for inventions and different ideals.
Peace!~
Posts: 951 | From: where rules end and freedom begins | Registered: Jun 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by meninarmer: Now you are getting close to world in which I live, the world of deterministic, pre-empted real-time response systems where only RTOS perform and soft real time systems such as Linux or Windows are inadequately slow.
Some of the systems I designed are LIDARs, Photon Mesh Multipliers, Darpanet (what is it today?), and Hydogen Masers to name a few.
Writing and spelling are my short comings also, but we always maintain a staff of $10-15/hour technical writers to ensure that we dot all the i's and cross all the t's.
Interesting... I want to hear more!!!
Posts: 951 | From: where rules end and freedom begins | Registered: Jun 2004
| IP: Logged |
For a minute there I thought we were going to loose egypt search which is something that we could not have happen.
There are far to many non-bias scholars in here that understand the dynamics of history, genetics, archaeology, anthropology and etymology for them and me (lol when I join the ranks sooner or later) not to have a rebound place of study and communications.
It is because of studies and work in computer that have steared me in the direction of the Mother Land!
Peace!~
Posts: 951 | From: where rules end and freedom begins | Registered: Jun 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by alTakruri: So? Many nonblacks nonAfricans have adopted anti-intellectual stances.
Evergreen Writes:
And? My concern is the advancement of Black people. Self-reflection, constructive-criticism and root-cause analysis is critical to progress.
quote:Originally posted by alTakruri: I'm tired of a few kids being the benchmark of Black American society while all the positive images are just overlooked as if they don't exist.
Evergreen Writes:
Your analysis is simplistic. Noting the fact that we have adopted an anti-intellectual culture and recognizing Black achievement are not mutually exclusive. In my model there are to primary causes for this anti-intellectualism in the AA community.
1. Regionalism - Blacks are primarily located in the South and there is a general anti-intellectualism in this region in every ethnicity.
2. Black Nationalism - In the Northern US and South Africa the rejection of White norms has devolved into associating academic achievement and high culture with "acting White". A good approach in response to this is...
a. Note that all languages and culture derive from African languages and culture. Hence, even when one uses "proper" English one is still using a language that ultimately derived in Africa.
b. Begin to codify intellect with masculinity and codify anti-intellectualism as effeminate.
quote:Originally posted by alTakruri: The white man is no god who's so powerful to psychologically damage BAs and Cas..
Evergreen Writes:
I made no mention of the "White Man". I refered to White Supremacy. You recognize the subtle difference, correct?
quote:Originally posted by alTakruri: Instead they get up off that thing and heed the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey's words "Up you mighty race" achieve as others achieve.
Evergreen Writes:
We are in alignment here.
Posts: 2007 | From: Washington State | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Young Horus: ^What up bro! Who wouldve thought I'd meet a Java programmer on ES!
Interesting (and diverse) list of software languages there I must say. I am purely Java which means I don't do c#, c++ and pardon my language but, I dont f***s with Microsoft/Bill Gates so I don't use .NET (I don't like 'things' being hidden from me). I suppose I would be considered a Java/J2EE/JEE/Weblogic/Websphere guru. I've spent the past 6 years tweaking, building, designing, bug fixing customer-facing/in-house J2EE systems.
Good to know other techno geeks are into Ancient Africa
I did some consultant work for 4 years in the development of software. I had to widen my range of technologies in order to make well over the 100k margin in Programming. When I got tired of that, I learned Network Administrations of Microsoft and Solaris (UNIX) environments.
One of the reasons why I have ventured away from so much software programming is because of the stability factor.
If I was to stay in the programming environment then UNIX would be the way to go (i.e. shell scripting and Java programming). You are definitely making the right choice with Java because the room for growth is there and will be there for a while until people start turning their backs on Gates and the Microsoft Family. Note: I say that because once a market gets flooded then the pay drops dramatically. So pray that the die hard MCP/MCSA/MSCE .. etc remain loyal to the Gates foundation :?>
Yes it is good to meet a fellow programmer on Egypt Search.
quote:I suppose I would be considered a Java/J2EE/JEE/Weblogic/Websphere guru. I've spent the past 6 years tweaking, building, designing, bug fixing customer-facing/in-house J2EE systems.
If your knowledge in these technologies are as you say they are I might be able to consult some work out to ya ... If your interested in owning your own business.
P.S. Depending on location (U.S or Canada)
I'm looking for business relationships with friends on the continent of Africa but it will not be in the Technology arena. I'm looking for inventions and different ideals.
Peace!~
Actually I've been perusing your site (ebonyissues.com) for about a year now, I had thought it belongs to (moderator) ausar.
I'm in the UK but I'm quite mobile. I'll give you a shout on PM.
Posts: 3423 | From: the jungle - when y'all stop playing games, call me. | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Great stuff guys, I'm learning new stuff all the time on here!
My least favorite part of the article was when they forgot to mention the numerous african acheivements, after mentioning the Indian one.
However!
Wow, glad to know about all the math/techno freaks here on E.S.
I'm definitely a math wiz since forever, though I like science and art too, 'bout to goto school for engineering. I also don't do well with English, so I thought all that was weird .
Posts: 5555 | From: Tha 5th Dimension. | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
And ofcourse, there's Benjamin Banneker, the first black/mulatto math/astronomer I did a report on some time back in middle school.
quote: Benjamin Banneker, originally Banna Ka, or Bannakay (November 9, 1731–October 9, 1806) was a free African American mathematician, astronomer, clockmaker, and publisher.
Benjamin Banneker's mother was Mary Bannaky (1710–?). Oral tradition states that her mother was a Caucasian named Molly Welsh, who was supposedly accused of stealing milk and grahams and sent from England to the colonies as punishment. The story goes that Molly became the owner of a farm and married one of her slaves named Bannakay, whom she-freed. They had four girls and Mary was the oldest. A recent article in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly (Dec. 2006, pp. 305-314) disproves this tradition and shows that Mary "Molly" Welsh, widow of John Welsh of Prince George's County, Maryland, owned several slaves, including the Bannekers. She freed them in her will but there is no evidence to support the conclusion that any of them were her children.
Benjamin's father, Robert Bannaky, was a former slave who married Benjamin's mother soon after he was freed, he built a series of dams and watercourses that successfully irrigated the family farm at Ellicott's Mills, where Banneker lived most of his life. Banneker was taught to read and do simple arithmetic by his grandmother and by a Quaker schoolmaster, who changed his name to Banneker. Once he was old enough to help on his parents' farm, his formal education ended. Benjamin had three younger sisters and two younger brothers.
In early 1791, Joseph Ellicott's Quaker brother, Andrew Ellicott, hired Banneker to assist in a survey of the boundaries of the future 100 square-mile District of Columbia, which was to contain the federal capital city (the city of Washington) in the portion of the District that was northeast of the Potomac River. Because of illness and the difficulties in helping to survey at the age of 59 an extensive area that was largely wilderness, Banneker left the boundary survey in April, 1791, and returned to his home at Ellicott Mills to work on his ephemeris.[1]
A popular urban legend erroneously describes Banneker's activities after he left the boundary survey. In 1792, President George Washington accepted the resignation of the French-American Peter (Pierre) Charles L'Enfant, who had drawn the first plans for the city of Washington but had quit out of frustration with his superiors. According to the legend, L'Enfant took his plans with him, leaving no copies behind. As the story is told, Banneker spent two days recreating the bulk of the city plans from memory. The plans that Banneker drew from his presumably photographic memory then provided the basis for the later construction of the federal capital city.
However, the legend cannot be correct. President Washington and others, including Andrew Ellicott (who, after completing the boundary survey had begun a survey of the federal city in accordance with L'Enfant's plan), also possessed copies of various versions of the plan that L'Enfant had prepared, one of which L'Enfant had sent out for printing.[2] The U.S. Library of Congress presently owns a copy of a plan for the federal city that bears the adopted name of the plan's author, "Peter Charles L'Enfant".[3] Further, Banneker left the federal capital area and returned to Ellicott Mills in early 1791, while L'Enfant was still refining his plans for the capital city as part of his federal employment.[4] [5]
After departing the federal capital area, Banneker expressed a vision of social justice and equity that he wished to be adhered to in the everyday fabric of American life. He wrote to the Secretary of State and author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, a plea for justice for African Americans, calling on the colonists' personal experience as "slaves" of Britain and quoting Jefferson's own words. To support his plea, Banneker included a copy of his newly published ephemeris with its astronomical calculations. Jefferson replied to Banneker less than two weeks later in a series of statements asserting his own interest in the advancement of the equality of America's Black population. Jefferson also forwarded a copy of Banneker's Almanac to the French Academy of Sciences in Paris. It was also used in Britain's House of Commons. Benjamin died on October 9, 1806 at age 74 in his log cabin. He never married.
Following a life journey that would be echoed by others after him including Martin Luther King Jr., and, being largely supported by Caucasians who promoted racial equality and an end to racial discrimination, Banneker spent the early years of his advocacy efforts arguing specifically for the rights of American Blacks, but turned in his later years to an argument for the peaceful equality of all mankind. In 1792, Banneker included in his Almanac, a plan for the creation of a new Department in the American federal government. Several pages of Banneker's almanac outlined a Department of Peace, testifying to his ethical positions and to the need to balance a Department of War with a Department of Peace dedicated to promoting the de-escalation of national and international conflict.
Banneker began his study of astronomy at age 58. He was able to make the calculations to predict solar and lunar eclipses and to compile an ephemeris for the Benjamin Banneker's Almanac, which an anti-slavery society published from 1792 through 1797. He became known as the Sable Astronomer.
^From Wikipedia. Wiki has more than my physics book.
His Letter to Thomas Jefferson on racism: "How pitiable it is that although you are so fully convinced of the goodness of the Father of mankind you should go against His will by detaining, by fraud and violence, so many of my brothers under groaning captivity and oppression; that you should at the same time be guilty of the most criminal act which you detest in others."
From my physics book: "Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson (born 1946), physicist. The first American black woman to earn a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Jackson currently serves on that school's board of trustees. Originally involved in high energy physics, she now specializes in solid or condensed state physics at Bell Laboratories, the research and development arm of At&T, where she works to e.pand the frontiers of Knowledge in physics."
There are all kinds of people mentioned in the school's Physics book, but what surprised me is that all of the above black people and a couple others who are in pictures are all mentioned in the first 21 pages pages of the book! Einstein's still mentioned of course, but not a whole lot are mentioned. OF course, there's an asian.
(Don't know WHY I'm taking physics AFTER calc anyway, I need organization)
Posts: 5555 | From: Tha 5th Dimension. | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson became director of the Hayden Planetarium in 1996.
Neil deGrasse Tyson was born & raised in New York City where he was educated in the public schools clear through his graduation from the Bronx High School of Science. Tyson went on to earn his BA in Physics from Harvard and his PhD in Astrophysics from Columbia. [His website]
posted
The social conditioning of urban life does a lot to stiffle consciousness to the extent that the desired things are often done is 'secret' to go along with the 'flow'. Urban USA and Brazil share the same problems but as they say "Gold become as it is through pressure and time" despite the few who actually make something of themselves to create a new future. Nothing lasts forever!
Posts: 1290 | From: usa | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by yazid904: The social conditioning of urban life does a lot to stiffle consciousness to the extent that the desired things are often done is 'secret' to go along with the 'flow'. Urban USA and Brazil share the same problems but as they say "Gold become as it is through pressure and time" despite the few who actually make something of themselves to create a new future. Nothing lasts forever!
quote:Originally posted by meninarmer: Very true statements. World balcks and other people of color have been saturated with the anglo mindset in almost every aspect. India and asia are not exempt.
I disagree with the section related to mathematics. There are many exceptional black mathematicians, scientists, engineers, accountants examples, in leading edge areas such as the space shuttle, the space station, etc. Mile Davis (famous trumpeter) recalls how his father did the accounting for all the pale faced farmers in his county back in the early 1900s.
Sun Microsystem's latest super server chip was invented by this guy;
I believe what we are experiencing is what Dr. Frances Cress Welsing attempted to define in her book, The Isis Papers: The Key To The Colors, and celluar history.
Who is he (dude holding the chip)?
Posts: 5555 | From: Tha 5th Dimension. | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
And what is the point of resurrecting this stupid thread created by the stupid troll Abaza a.k.a. Glider who no goes by Dirk8??
Posts: 26286 | From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA | Registered: Feb 2005
| IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Just goes to show the value of a european (mis)education!![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
.
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic