Remembering Gaddhafi: Donor or Dictator?

I came across an article on TheGriot.com about mixed feelings among African Americans about the recent assassination on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and it raised a few questions for me. While the majority of international (Western) media outlets portray Gaddafi as a maniacal dictator who tortured his own people he is remembered as "a great brother leader" by Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam. Farrakhan recalls Gaddafi's progressive development of Libya's healthcare system and generous gifts of aid to Sub-Saharan African countries to support schools, hospitals and mosques. In defense of the persecuted leader earlier this year Farrakhan said"Even though the current tide is moving against him...how can I refuse to raise my voice in his defense? Why would I back down from those who have given so much?" I wonder if he means so much to Libya and Africa or so much to the Nation of Islam, as in a $3 million donation given since in 1971.

Image courtesy of www.kingsrowe.com

Of course Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam are a minority group of African American muslims and their perspectives are not indicative of others, but the alternative views are important to consider. Do the heinous acts of an individual negate or outweigh their benevolent acts? Gaddafi is known to have supported other tyrants in Africa, but does that discredit the infrastructural developments that benefit many people?


I suppose I choose to view the good deeds as the beneficial side effects of an otherwise horrific existence. What are your views?

Planking Reminiscent of the Middle Passage? Get a Grip!

This is my response to an article I read about the "controversy" behind the new trend planking. Click here to read the full article:
'PLANKING' Has Roots in Slavery, The 'Middle Passage' 


So let me get this straight, any time someone is lying flat on their faces or backs it is a reference to the Middle Passage? Are we not all guilty of perpetuating the atrocity of the Middle Passage every time we lay down to sleep? I am all for the principle of sankofa, looking back to honor the past as we look forward to embrace the future, but I truly believe you are looking for a soapbox to stand on.

Sometimes things are just fun and frivolous without any horrific connotation. I doubt Tom Green or two English guys (or anyone else claiming to be the originator) was thinking about slavery or trafficking human beings when they devised this "game."

I find your assertions to be fallacious instigation.

Be forewarned... I'm launching a series of truly offensive planking photos, just to make the distinction. Stay tuned!