I will admit right up front that I haven’t been following the story of what’s going on in Zimbabwe closely for years and years, but it doesn’t take years to conclude that something is badly broken over there. I also don’t think it’s going too far out on a limb to figure out that Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has a lot to do with why the country is broken. Just like the late Idi Amin factored pretty heavily into the near destruction of Uganda during his blood-soaked rule. And just like the late Mobutu Sese Seko, former leader of Zaire who robbed his nation blind to feed the raging fires of his own gluttony.

There are other cartoonishly, gruesomely inept leaders around, and God knows they are not all located in Africa. Their only reason for existence seems to be to prove the point that dangerously incompetent people really can maneuver their way into positions of exaggerated power by fooling enough people into believing their line of bullshit. They do this by packaging said bullshit into well-tailored boxes of rose pedals and incense, then wrapping these boxes tight with the carefully controlled and manipulated ignorance of the people. With these types, by the time you find out the true nature - and magnitude - of their sickness, it’s far too late.

And yes, President George Bush No. 2 does, indeed come to mind.

Anyway, I guess what got me interested in what’s happening over there is because I very well remember the time when black-ruled Zimbabwe was white-ruled Rhodesia. I remember how glad I was to hear that twisted crew of oppressive, racist white British colonialists  were finally being sent packing from Rhodesia-turned-Zimbabwe by the nation’s black majority. The destruction that European colonialism and wreaked upon the African continent over so many decades is almost too large to measure, so it was good to see some of the world’s foremost colonialists, the British, getting a black African boot stamp on their backsides.

I remember when some of the whites were squawking about their farms being taken from them and how they were being mistreated and abused by the new black leadership, namely Mugabe, and I couldn’t help but grin. “So how does it feel?” I remember thinking. I couldn’t care less what was happening to them and figured they pretty much deserved everything they got. What goes around comes around.

Robert Mugabe

But now Rhodesia is Zaire, and the oppressor is the same black man elected by the people to deliver them. And for years the African National Congress has tried to remain silent and non-openly judgmental about Mugabe’s atrocities because they know quite well the nature of the whites whom he replaced. But that is now changing because even the ANC simply cannot remain silent about something so glaring. In April, breaking away from South African President Mbeki, who apparently has been pursuing “quiet diplomacy” toward Zimbabwe that quite obviously has not been working, the ANC came out in the open with their criticisms of the regime.

And how long is it possible to stay silent when the nation’s inflation rate is said to be 2.2 million percent??? I mean damn. How is that even possible? I’m not an economist, but when a country has an inflation rate of 2.2 million percent it’s pretty easy to figure it’s time to sound the damned alarm and give up on the quiet diplomacy approach. I guess I understand not wanting to attack a fellow brother leader who helped deliver Zimbabwe from the whites, especially from the perspective of South African blacks. But Mugabe is not Mandela, and all brothers aren’t your brother.

Check out this clip from the Associated Press:

“Zimbabwe Reserve Bank Gov. Gideon Gono announced the new figure of 2.2 million percent at the launch of a program to sell subsidized food through selected shops and a system of coupons issued to the needy, state radio reported Thursday.

The central bank also released a schedule showing what it called distortions in prices caused by black market trading and profiteering by businesses.

It said laundry soap on the black market went up by 70 million percent, cooking oil by 60 million percent and sugar by 36 million percent — far higher than the official inflation rate of 2.2 million percent calculated by the Central Statistical Office on basic goods subject to price regulation and price increases approved by state National Prices and Incomes Commission.

“It said a 4-pound bag of sugar cost about 20 billion Zimbabwe dollars — $1 — at the government’s fixed price, and 90 billion on the black market $4.50 at the bank exchange rate, or $1 at the black market exchange — in a country where unskilled workers earn up to 200 billion Zimbabwean dollars, about $10, a month.

However, few have jobs: unemployment has reached 80 percent.”

Enough said.

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Arise Detroit! Storyteller reads to Children

Arise Detroit! Introducing this community organization

About Arise Detroit!

ARISE Detroit has swiftly become one of the most significant community service organizations in Detroit. Last year’s Neighborhood’s Day was a remarkable success with unique community events taking place all day throughout the entire city in more than 50 separate locations. And that was all done with less than a year’s worth of planning. This year more than 100 community events are planned - twice the number of last year - and there is no doubt where this is headed.

Rebuilding Detroit cannot be accomplished without rebuilding the neighborhoods, and ARISE Detroit! is creating a new standard for this approach. A new model.

With everything else going on in this city, and I know I don’t need to elaborate, it is such a relief to see something like this.

Here are the two press releases announcing the upcoming event (pictures added by me).

Contact: Luther Keith, 313-921-1955 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

lkeith@arisedetroit.org

ARISE DETROIT! NEIGHBORHOODS DAY: RENEWING THE VILLAGE

NEW EVENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS ADD LUSTER to 2^nd Annual city wide observance on Aug. 2, 2008.—More than 100 events scheduled across city

DETROIT – ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day: Renewing The Village for 2008 promises to be bigger and better with the addition of many key organizations, including the United Negro College Fund, and the announcement of a major collaborative to attack literacy between Wayne State University and the Detroit Public Library.

Last year, more than 50 events were in the first ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day, featuring community cleanups, marches against crime, meals for the homeless, family reunions, picnics and much more. This year, more than 100 events are expected to be held throughout the city, from sun up until sundown.

The idea behind the event is to create an opportunity to showcase the pride and spirit of neighborhoods and forge relationships that can help improve the quality of life for city residents going forward.

Corktown is Detroit's oldest neighborhood and also one of its most unique

“This day will showcase the best of the spirit of Detroit, involving people in neighborhoods all over the city from all kinds of backgrounds,” said Luther Keith, executive director of ARISE Detroit! “It’s much more than a party. This is really about the heart and soul of people who love and care about this community and what they are doing to make a difference.”

This year, as last year, events will stretch from the Detroit riverfront to Eight Mile Road and from the far east side to the far west side.

New for this year, the Detroit United Negro College Fund (UNCF) 20^th Anniversary Fundraising Walk on Belle Isle, a citywide Outdoor Open House at all 23 neighborhood Detroit Public Library branches, a Local Author Book Fair on the Cass Lawn of the Main Library, and a collaboration with Wayne State University that will offer 2,000 new students to be trained as literacy tutors and to serve in community service projects.

Also, playing a major role on this year’s Neighborhoods Day will be the Next Detroit Neighborhoods Initiative, created by Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, which will sponsor six events in Next Detroit Neighborhoods.

East side events will include Habitat for Humanity of Detroit, which will be constructing homes with the help of volunteers and doing home renovations, Ravendale Community’s 20^th anniversary celebration and Black Family Development which will have a special event for east side block clubs.

The day will also feature neighborhood wide garage sales in Palmer Woods, free health screenings at many events, community concerts and an academic basketball tournament involving the organization Grade Check and Detroit Shock’s Deanna Nolan Foundation.

Sherwood Forest is one of Detroit's more upscale neighborhoods

A unique partnership between the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan and Communities in Schools of Detroit will be highlighted on the east side at three back-to-school fairs at Friends School of Detroit, Martin Luther King Jr. High School and Butzel Elementary/Middle School.

At the Artist Village in northwest Detroit, the Better Detroit Youth Movement will host a talent showcase and a community mural will be painted by children as part of the Skillman Foundation’s community art project.

Major cultural institutions will also be involved this year, including the DIA and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Once again, Neighborhoods Day will cross Eight Mile as Northland Mall in Southfield hosts a health and fitness fair and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit has its annual Mentor Picnic at Marsh Bank Park in West Bloomfield.

Unfortunately, too many areas in Detroit are blown out, such as this one. But the best hope for the revitalization of these areas is for the communities to come together themselves to save themselves. The cavalry is not coming.

Major sponsors for Neighborhoods Day include Comerica Bank, the Detroit Public Library, Wayne State University and St. John Health.

Other sponsors and supporters include the Skillman Foundation Wayne County Community College District, Radio One, Waste Management of Michigan, Eastern Market, the Ribs N Soul Festival, Metro Youth Day, the Detroit Tigers, WADL TV-38 Detroit, Ramona Henderson Pearson, C.P.A. and AAA Michigan.

Note: All events for Neighborhoods Day will soon be posted online at www.arisedetroit.org.

Established in 2006 and funded by the Skillman Foundation, ARISE Detroit! is a coalition of more than 300 non-profits, churches, community groups and organizations. ARISE Detroit! recruits volunteers and markets events and programs on behalf of local community groups trying to improve the quality of life in Detroit.

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HIGHLIGHTS FOR ARISE DETROIT NEIGHBORHOODS DAY

DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARIES: OPEN HOUSES

All 23 branches throughout the city, normally closed on Saturdays, will be open for “sidewalk” open houses and book fairs; Fairs will feature book giveaways, amnesty program for late books, library cards, free lemonade. The Main Branch branch will have an author book fair.

Contact: Conrad Weilsing, 313-833-4043

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY: STUDENT VOLUNTEERS:

Will make thousands of new students available for community service projects for community organizations. Organizations that participate in Neighborhoods Day can use the volunteers on Aug. 30 as part of the first Warrior Service Day for the university. Wayne State will also offer students the opportunity to be trained as literacy tutors by the library.

Contact: Michelle Bruner, 313-577-2356

UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND: WALK FOR EDUCATION

Michigan Chapter will have its is 20^th annual UNCF Walk for Education on Belle Isle, beginning at 8 a.m. on Aug. 2, as part of Neighborhoods Day. The walk has raised millions of dollars for scholarships for students.

Contact: Leslie Andrews, 313-873-1500

RIVERFRONT SCHOOL PROJECT: HELPING EAST SIDE SCHOOLS

: A collaboration to boost academic achievement at 16 schools on the east side of Detroit between the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan and Community Schools of Detroit involving charter schools, private schools and public schools. Three schools will host back to school open houses and fairs, King High, Friends School of Detroit and Butzel Elementary/Middle School.

Contact: Alan Dozier, 313-571-3400

KING HIGH SCHOOL BAND PERFORMANCE

In one of their final performances before going to China to play in the summer Olympics, the King High School Band will perform at the King High event.

Contact: Maria Thomas, 313-422-3242

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RAVENDALE COMMUNITY: GRASSROOTS ACTIVISM

Founded by the late Eddie Edwards and now headed by Toni McIlwain, Ravendale Community has been recognized nationally as one of the nation best examples of grassroots community activism. Will celebrate its 20^th anniversary with community open house and fair.

Contact, Toni McIlwain, 313-527-1603

COMMUNITY PARADE: WALKING FOR PRIDE

Crary St. Mary Community Council will host its annual Unity In the Community Parade, involving schools and community groups in northwest Detroit, culminating with community a picnic in a neighborhood park. The group has been active working with block clubs and in anti-crime watches. The parade starts at 9 a.m.

Contact Olivia Shakoor, 313-272-8574

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY/ACORN/BLACK FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

Each of these organizations, long known for community service, will play a part in Neighborhoods Day. Volunteers will help Habitat construct home and do renovations on the east side of Detroit; ACORN will use volunteers to clean up a home site on the east side of Detroit and Black Family Development will host a special event highlight block club successes.

Contact, Habitat, Cindy Melican, 313-521-6691

Black Family Development: Margo Smith, 313-0150

ACORN, Kha-Mis Kanunname, 313-963-1840

CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS AND FESTIVALS

The Detroit Institute of Arts and the Charles H. Wright Museum are offering discounts as part of Neighborhoods Day. Eastern Market will offer discounted memberships for shoppers and the Ribs N’ Soul Festival, held during Neighborhoods Day weekend, is a partner with ARISE Detroit!

Contact, DIA, Sondra Jenkins, 313-833-9157

Contact, Charles H. Wright, Tyrone Davenport, 313-494-5800

YOUTH TALENT SHOWCASES: COMMUNITY ART PROJECTS

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At the Artist Village in northwest Detroit, a project of the Motor City Blight Busters, the Better Detroit Youth Movement will host a Motor City Youth Fest called a Celebration of Young Stars. Meanwhile, also in the Artist Village area, Public Art Workz will use neighborhood children to a create a community mural as part of the Skillman Foundation’s Community Art project in collaboration with the College for Creative Studies. There will be community art projects on display in all six Skillman Foundation Good Neighborhoods communities.

Contact: Better Detroit Youth Movement, Susan Storey, 248-875-7878

Contact: Public Art Workz, Chaz Miller, 313-532-4350.

HOOP DREAMS

Basketball will play its part on Neighborhoods Day. The Basketball Warehouse, a 33,000 square foot facility, will open its doors on the east side for a community open house and fair;. It is the only privately-owned basketball facility of its kind in Detroit. In northwest Detroit, Derrick Hale will host his 11^th annual Three on Three Basketball Tournament and GradeCheck.Net, a program to boost academic achievement of high school athletes, will partner with the Deanna Nolan Foundation for a special basketball exhibition. The Arab Chaldean Council (ACC) Youth Center, located in the Seven Mile-John R area in northeast Detroit, will showcase its recreational facilities at a community open house.

Contact: Basketball Warehouse, Erek Walters, 313-922-0311

Contact: Sheila McBride,313-778-3532.

FAITH-BASED: RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY ON BOARD

Churches from all over Detroit will participate in Neighborhoods Day by hosting community events, health screenings and participating in community out reach efforts. These include the annual Sacred Heart Church Bazaar near the Midtown area, Every Body’s Universal Holiness
Tabernacle Church on the east side , Muhammad’s Mosque No. 1 on the west side, and the Pentecostal Temple Church on the east side..

Contact: Sacred Heart Church, David Flanigan, 313-300-4549

Contact: Muhammad’s Mosque, No. 1, Stephen Muhammad, 313-422-5016

LOCAL BUSINESSES; SUPPORT AND GIVE BACK

Local businesses are also part of Neighborhoods Day. The Communicating Arts Credit Union, located in Detroit and Highland Park, is hosting community appreciation days on Aug. 1, since it is closed on Saturdays. The Greenfield Market and Cobo Cleaners in northwest Detroit are hosting customer appreciation days. The Southwest Detroit Business Association will have its Shop Your Block promotion as part of Neighborhoods Day.

Contact: Southwest Business Association, Vittoria Katanski, 313-842-0986

DETROIT BRANCH NAACP:

Will participate in Neighborhoods Day for the first time with a health screenings and a voter registration and information fair.

Contact: NAACP, Derek Blackmon, 313-871-2089

FARM IN THE CITY

For the second year in a row, Urban Farming will invite the community to its 10-acre community garden on the city’s west side at Clairmount and Linwood. The garden is vacant land that has been planted with vegetables that are given to the community for free.

Contact: Urban Farming, Mike Travis, Taja Seville, 248-388-4749

NEXT DETROIT NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE

Six events community fairs, involving recreational activities, children’s games and various community programs, will be held in Next Detroit Neighborhoods Initiative areas.

Contact: Next Detroit, Jeff Jones, 313-628-1111

CROSSING EIGHT MILE ROAD

At least two ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day events will take place in Oakland County. Northland Mal lin Southfield, for the second year in a row, will host an event, this time focusing on dance, health and fitness. Big Brothers and Big Sisters of will have its annual Mentor/Mentee Picnic at Marsh Bank Park in West Bloomfield.

Contact: Northland Mall, Roslyn Atwood, 1-248-395-0614

Contact: Big Brothers, Big Sister, Dara Munson, 1-248-569-0600

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Arise Detroit! Be Part of the Change.

Public service announcement about ARISE Detroit!

Sometimes, when you find yourself trapped in the throbbing, pulsating midst and mist of it all, assaulted by the squealing and screeching, the yelping and the hollering, and, yes, the sheer painful, embarrassing spectacle of it all, comes the calm whisper of the water.

Like a prayer.

And in those times, when the maniacal, demonic visions of madness simply will not depart, not even from the rattling cage of your dreams  hidden behind the veil of tightly squeezed eyelids protecting eyeballs no longer able to process the unfiltered deluge of uninterrupted decay without promising blindness as a necessary escape and hope of bliss…

The river calls for peace.

Because through the water’s flesh flows the blood of memory’s beginnings. All endings have their beginnings, and beginnings eventually create their own endings. But whatever the nature of the beginning, however promising or horrifying, its ending is assured. And ultimately they will all be washed clean to pave the way for the next Armageddon. Because the End of Days is never truly the End of Days but the dawn.

And so as we are forced to witness the raw stench and sewage merrily feeding the obscene appetites of rage and destruction swirling restlessly around us all, threatening havoc and the absence of light, we should close our eyes and feel the coolness of water and have faith in its judgment. Because water orders our beginnings and sets the stage for our endings. Again. And again. And again. And in the middle? Repetition.

Detroit is the river and the river is Detroit. Same as it ever was.

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ISLEY BROTHERS - VOYAGE TO ATLANTIS

Just got the word that the “For the Love of Isleys” OSF video doesn’t seem to be working thanks, Villager), so check this one out. “Voyage to Atlantis” is one of my favorite Isley Brothers tunes!