NUBIAN KNIGHTS NETWORK: Thursday, April 8, 2010

QUOTATIONS OF "BLACK"

"Whenever I use BLACK it relates to some history of Africans in that particular place. It’s the idea of the color BLACK as a metaphor, or as a representation of African-Americans. It’s the notion of BLACK- BLACKNESS - and all its other meanings in relation to the history of race..."

- Fred Wilson

"Most of my fortitude to continue doing the work comes from the moral outrage I feel about the injustices that Black people endure disproportionately daily."

- N. Abdul-Wakil

"In the end, what matters is not skin shade but pan-African consciousness. Loving your complexion, your nose, lips, hair length and texture, no matter what the politics or trends decide, and simply be. That's the problem with us (African folks). We're still learning how to love ourselves. So used to glorifying others and putting others first..."

- Dredlocks Tree

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Stand With Us In Support Of The Schomburg Center

Dear Friends of the Schomburg,

The story is now legend.

As a young boy, when told that Black people had no history, Arturo Scho

mburg began amassing the irrefutable evidence… books, manuscripts, art, photos, film, music and more… that formed the foundation of the Schomburg Center.

In his quest, he understood that he couldn’t do this essential work alone. He called on his friends in Harlem -- Langston Hughes, Aaron Douglas, Zora Neale Hurston, and many more -- to help him. As a result, the Schomburg Center has become not only the preeminent intellectual center of the African Diaspora, but also one of the premier research libraries of The New York Public Library.

Like Mr. Schomburg, we are calling on friends like you to stand with us in support of the Schomburg Center, particularly now during one of the most fiscally dire times in the history of the Center.

Recent and proposed budget cuts have threatened critical key elements of the Schomburg's activities. These include our award-winning public programs —films, exhibitions, lecture series, symposia, and more. When our programs are cut, our ability to share stories of the African Diaspora in an authentic voice with audiences of all ages and races is put at risk.

You’ve been an active participant in the life of the Center, either online or at our locations in Harlem, and we deeply appreciate your involvement. Now we’re hoping you’ll increase your commitment to the Center during this time of need and become a member of The Schomburg Society today. Join with the many other people from across the country who have come to understand that protecting and preserving the legacy of Africana history and culture is simply too important to be left to others. I hope we can count on you to join with us. Thank you.

Warmly,

Howard Dodson
Chief

P.S.> Not only will your membership in The Schomburg Society afford you a variety of benefits, but you will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to the sustenance of this remarkable institution. Thank you again.