3 Reasons Why KMT was the Greatest Nation at Camp Akili

Some folks from Camp Akili been on Facebook banging their tribes/nations pretty hard since we got back on Friday.

I admit. The air up in Philo, CA at the Wellspring Retreat Center was excellent. So coming back to the polluted, toxic swamp of the East Bay, the oxygen may be intoxicating...even delusional. But seriously, act like y'all know.

K.M.T. That's on mamas, Obamas, citas on e'rythang. Kemet was the greatest tribe at 2010 Akili.

But some people are still suffering from molasses in the brain cells, so I figured I'd make it simple.

The Top 3 Reasons why KMT was the greatest nation at Camp Akili 2010.

1. We been doing this.


Above is a photo of Brother Reggie in KMT in front of Queen Hapshetsut's mortuary temple. Queen Hapshetsut was one of the greatest pharaohs -- especially among women pharaohs -- ruling longer than any other women. She was also a prolific builder. As you can see, I was repping K-M-T in Kemet (Egypt).

2. Young Gifted and Black


Checking out our nation, we had some solid young men and women. From left at bottom, Drea, Isha B., Mandy; second row, Jamani, Jazz the Poet, Gibson and Kadeja. Finally, there is Brother Reggie and Gibson.

3. Michael Jackson told y'all who started this
As beautiful as the song is, it is important to note the historical significance of Michaels storyingtelling through video.


Our brother Michael did a great job at ensuring that the ancestors of the Ancient Egypt were represented more accurately. Besides, other nations have no artist to compare. Sure, Afrika Baambata reps the Zulus. Ashanti is named after a lip-synching singer that hung out with a wannabee Tupac/DMX. And Dogon? Snoop Dogg? Sad.

Maybe these equations will make it simple:

KMT > Ashanti KMT > Dogon
KMT > Garafuna KMT > Hausa
KMT > Yoruba KMT > Zulu

So let it be known, from the Nile Valley in Egypt to the Transamerica Building in San Francisco, K.M.T. gone represent.

We not just a tribe, or a nation: we're a civilization. Recognize.

We are African greatness.

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How many types of Bitches are there?

A great blogger I know shared a disturbing blog post with me today. The post was called, "Types of Bitches." The blog, "And I am not lying."

Here's the background:
The author's friend's cousin (it's getting good) apparently found a piece of paper at the elementary school she was teaching at. The paper had a list of about 90 types of bitches.



You can read the rest of the list on And I am not lying.

Why is Bitch such a popular word? Why is Bitch Too Short's favorite word? When "I got Five on it" (the remix) comes on, why does the crowd participation differ so drastically when listening to the song in the Bay Area versus everywhere else?

Do you think this list was created by a 3rd grader? If so, what are you thoughts? How many types of bitches are there?

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First day of school wore my body down

Although school started last week, today was my first day. I am exhausted!

I have a class that starts before 8 a.m., and my last class ends after 9 p.m. My classes are cool, though. I like my professors already, and I've found people in class I will be able to study with.

I was also able to get my transcripts for a scholarship I'm applying for. I also got a grade changed. A process that truly has tested my patience and determination.

I was also able to make great progress on a literacy program I'm initiating. I think I'll name it, "Peralta READS." I'm still working on an acronym for "READS."

Today, I have to finalize my class schedule and budget for books. With rent due tomorrow, it's going to be hard. But I got a secret weapon: the penny jar.

All in all, with all the running around, all the potential distractions, I was able to remain focused. But, I got sick. I'm taking it slow today.

I've already shoved a bunch of vitamins down my throat. I also drank plenty of water and some tea.

Photo Credit: My new phone.

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Gabriel Prosser's Rebellion - August 30, 1800

As Black August comes to a close, it is important to acknowledge another freedom fighter.

Two hundred and ten years ago, Gabriel "Prosser" planned to lead a slave rebellion in Virginina. Before his plans could be executed, two bootlicking, Uncle Tom traitors went and told. The Virginina governor ordered the militia after Gabriel, who fled. He was later found after another slave told on him for the reward.

That traitor never received the full reward. (Did they really think they would?)

One of many slave revolts in North America, Prosser's rebellion was inspired by the Haitian Revoltion. I once read that Prosser believe that Haiti would have fleets waiting off the coast to assist in the freedom struggle.

As a result of of the rebellion, over the next decade, new laws restricting movement of Blacks off of plantations and banning free Blacks in the state were implemented.

Gabriel was a true hero.

"Prosser's Gabriel" folk song by Tim Barry

A resolution remember the "execution of the patriot and freedom fighter, Gabriel, whose death stands as a symbol for the determination and struggle of slaves to obtain freedom, justice and equality as promised by the fundamental principles of democratic governments of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States of America," was passed by the Richmond, VA City Council in 2002.

In 2007, Prosser was pardoned by Virginia's governor.

It is interesting to note, that some historians argue that Gabriel's last name was not Prosser. Gabriel was referred to, according to historian Douglas Egerton in his book, Gabriel's Rebellion: The Virginia Slave Conspiracies of 1800 & 1802, as Prosser's Gabriel.

Gabriel was caught September 25 and executed on October 6. Rest in Power, our beautiful Angel Gabriel.

In honor of Gabriel, here is my 2006 Remix to "Tell me when to go." The song is called, "When did we Become (Dumb)?" but is more commonly known as "Free-Dumb (Freedumb)."

Reggie General-"When did we become"

Five Eighty | MySpace Music Videos

This week, what are you doing to advance the freedom struggle?

Photo Credit: BlackPast.org

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Camp Akili bound - Anticipating a Liberating Experience

After a fantastic (terrific/great) summer teaching at Oakland Freedom School, I'm super juiced that Camp Akili 2010 is here. And I am honored to be a part of it.

"Camp Akili offers interactive exercises that teach participants about the root causes of social inequality, cultivating their abilities to identify and solve problems in their communities. It is an annual, five-day residential camp that takes place out of the city. At camp, teens are assigned to “nations” that facilitate peer learning, youth leadership opportunities, and conflict resolution. The teens form strong bonds with each other and their counselors as they experience psychological, emotional, and spiritual healing on such topics as racism, sexism, internalized oppression, and economic disenfranchisement." Source: LeadershipExcellence.org

Camp Akili is a one week camp that trains Black youth 14-18 to identify and challenge systems of violence, racism, and sexism. It is a radical experiential healing camp that truly transforms young people's lives.

It is also transformative for adults.

In 2007, I volunteered as a Camp Counselor. Not only did experience train me to be a better youth development professional, but provided some healing for a number of issues I was dealing with in my personal life.

It also led to me being fired by the Alameda Boys and Girls Club for "job abandonment," for the three days I was attending camp. Even though I'd received permission from the site director to attend.

After being in an intense environment where young people were loved, staff supported one another and went through painstaking, sleep depriving debriefs -- in order work harmoniously together -- it was ultimately the best thing for my health. Although I'm always sad to hear the young men and women I worked with tell me they no longer go to a Center in their own housing complex and community -- and disgusted by some of the fraudulent things I've seen -- I know that there are organizations and people that really care about our youth.

Besides, if I'd never been fired, I would've never got the Peralta EasyPass program with AC Transit started. I would've never helped organized the 10th Annual Black Caucus Leadership Conference (ABCLC). I would've never been able to organize on behalf of the California Community Colleges UMOJA movement.

Most importantly, I would've never become a journalist. I would've never became Editor-in-Chief of the Laney Tower newspaper, expanded the Harambee Newspaper beyond a newsletter and blog, restarted the Laney Black Student Union (Laney BSU) and launched it's newsletter, The Defender or The Black Hour Radio Show.

Programs like Camp Akili help students recognize their innate African greatness and utilize that strength and talent to uplift ourselves, our families and our communities.

I'll write more about Camp Akili when I return August 27. Until then, this 2006 Camp Akili clip should let you know how I feel.

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