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For More on The Sino-Vietnamese War Read:

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/27-days-hell-when-china-vietnam-went-war-19596 ;

http://www.historynet.com/sino-vietnamese-war-1979.htm  ;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Vietnamese_War

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The British, with the imperialistic goal of increasing England's exploitable territory in Africa, set their sights on South Africa.  This brought the British Empire into direct confrontation with the Zulu Kingdom.  In 1879, the British invaded Zululand and this initiated the Anglo-Zulu War.  Eleven days into their invasion the British force had their first major battle with the Zulus, on January 22, 1879 at a place called Isandlwana (Isandhlwana).

The British Army had fought other armies in Africa.  They had usually employed guerrilla ambush and hit-and-run tactics.  The British expected the same from the Zulus.  However, the Zulus had been militarized under the great king Shaka.  Everything from training to weaponry had been reformed, all with the goal of dominating enemies in major battles. The British would learn the differences between the Zulus and other foes at Isandwana. 

A movie. "Zulu Dawn," gives a look at what transpired.  CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO WATCH THE FULL MOVIE:

The result of the battle was the greatest defeat of the British Empire by a native army EVER!!!  What followed was the failure of Britain's invasion of Zululand, and a retreat by British forces.  In future clashes the British Army learned to classify Zulu infantry as "Light Cavalry" due to their speed, stamina, and distances covered when "running" to battle -- STILL BEING READY TO FIGHT UPON ARRIVAL!

In 2008 Barack Obama achieved the unachievable when he was elected to be the United States of America's first African-American President.  This in a country that was built on slavery and genocide!  In 2016 another unimaginable historic political milestone was reached when Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in her bid to become the first female President of the United States.  This in a country where the archaic evils of sexism and gender inequality continue to thrive in the 21st Century!  Before these history makers achieved what they did, there was a person who simultaneously laid the groundwork for both.   HER name is Lenora Fulani!

She was born in Chester, Pennsylvania on April 25, 1950.  After a childhood that included losing her father at an early age, Lenora went on to receive a scholarship to Hofstra University in 1967.  Following her graduation in 1971, she went on to Master's Degree from Columbia University's Teachers College; and a PhD from City University of New York in Psychology.  Having been involved with Black Nationalist politics in college, and later working in the Black Community itself, she melded the two.  Seeing neither the Democratic or Republican Parties as true friends of the masses, she began working to empower people of color, women, and other oppressed groups through the establishment of a viable independent third party.  Dr. Fulani soon rose to leadership in the New Alliance Party, a third political party in New York that described itself as a Black-led Multiracial party.  In 1988, heading the New Alliance Party's ticket, Dr. Lenora Fulani became the first African-American and the first woman to get on the general election ballot in all fifty states during her campaign for President.  She was also the first to qualify for federal matching funds.  With Rev. Jesse Jackson having run that same year in the Democratic Primary, Dr. Fulani coined the phrase "Two Roads Are Better Than One."  Facing the entrenched two-party system with its monopoly on debates and media coverage -- as well as the her own African-American Community's self-imposed political enslavement to the Democratic Party and its candidates -- she still received over 200,000 votes.

Following the 1988 election, Dr. Fulani continued her political work and gained notable allies such as Minister Louis Farrakhan and Rev. Al Sharpton.   I myself worked with her political organization.  In 1991, when visiting New York for a meeting with a publisher, I had the pleasure of attending one of Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network rallies in Harlem (PS 175) with her.  I was also asked to serve in her honor guard when she visited the Nation of Islam in Chicago.  Regrettably I wasn't able to make it.  In 1992 she again campaigned for the Presidency unsuccessfully.  She continued her community and political work; but, years later, her support in the Black Community took a major hit when -- in her quest to establish a third party -- she briefly allied herself with Pat Buchanan during his presidential campaign.

For more on Dr. Lenora Fulani:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenora_Fulani

Books to read:

WORDS FROM AN UNCHAINED MIND

INDEPENDENT BLACK LEADERSHIP IN AMERICA

CLICK PHOTO TO WATCH VIDEO

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In Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (1867),  it mentions how planters’ daughters would take advantage of male slaves:

They know that the women slaves are subject to their father's authority in all things; and in some cases they exercise the same authority over the men slaves. I have myself seen the master of such a household whose head was bowed down in shame; for it was known in the neighborhood that his daughter had selected one of the meanest slaves on his plantation to be the father of his first grandchild. She did not make her advances to her equals, nor even to her father's more intelligent servants. She selected the most brutalized, over whom her authority could be exercised with less fear of exposure.

Africans who came to the Americas in bondage suffered in many ways.  One of the most dehumanizing and nefarious aspects was that of sexual abuse.  Black adults and children -- male and female -- experienced every kind of sexual degradation imaginable during this period in time when White skin equated to a free pass for sexual domination. 

See:

Sex Farms During Slavery & The Effeminazation of Black Men

Slavery and Its Effect On Jamaican Homophobia

Sexual Relations Between Elite White Women and Enslaved Men in The Antebellum South 

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Harvey, Illinois is a primarily African-American south suburb of Chicago.  In the 1800's it housed an orphanage for African-American children.  In the past it was known for having some of the best places to eat in the Chicagoland area.  Places like Anello's Pizza, City BBQ, George's BBQ, Gino's Steakhouse  and Jean's Bakery.  Sadly, today it is known mostly for crime and poverty; but there is something else -- if you look deeper.

This small city of roughly 25,000 has provided gems for the rest of the world to share in for decades.  A bounty of sport, movies, music and culture!  Harvey gave the world the R&B greats:  The Dells (I was married to the daughter of a Dells member).  Harvey also produced baseball hall of famer Lou Boudreau and comic legend Tom Dreesen; as well as actors Michael Boatman and Danitra Vance.  In the arena of politics Harvey elected its first Black Mayor in the 1980's, David N. Johnson, who went on to work for African-American empowerment in the region.  The city's high school, Thornton Township High School, is known -- with good reason -- as NFL High!  Napoleon Harris (NFL), Barry Gardner (NFL), Antwaan Randle El (NFL), Melvin Ely (NBA), Rod Higgins (NBA) and many more notables.

Just on one block -- 155th & Vine -- we had Grammy Award Winning Music Producer Maurice Joshua, Comedian & Actor Aubrey Fourte, Actor & Producer Mark Fourte, Ph.D & Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force Officer Anthony Thompson, at least three others who went on to get Doctorates, and myself all growing up together.  Oh, and just around the corner was Lamar McGriggs, NFL defensive back; while Grammy Award Winning Music Producer Hula Mahone was in walking distance.

Yes there is crime and poverty in Harvey, but there is also a drive to achieve and overcome!

photo courtesy of Southern Poverty Law Center

In 1979, American Klansman Mike Perdue was introduced to German-Canadian neo-Nazi Wolfgang Droege by David Duke, Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.  That Summer, Perdue outlined a plan to overthrow the government of Grenada, and to set up profitable businesses there.  The target island was later changed to Dominica.

The plan, which was known as Operation Red Dog, eventually included a number of Canadian and American White supremacists and Klansmen.  Among those were James Alexander McQuirter, the Grand Wizard of the Canadian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan; and American Don Black, a Klansman who later founded the White nationalist website "Stormfront."

On April 27, 1981, the group was arrested by federal agents in New Orleans, Louisiana as it prepared to board a boat.  Hardware for the "invasion" included automatic weapons, shotguns, rifles, dynamite, handguns and ammunition.  The group also brought along a Nazi flag.

The plot leader, Mike Perdue, and six other men pled guilty to violation of the Neutrality Act.  Others were found guilty by a jury. 

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Menelik II was born August 17, 1844.  He ruled Shewa (Shoa) Abyssinia (Ethiopia), a province of the country, for twenty-five years; before rising to become Ethiopian Emperor in 1889.  Menelik II's reign coincided with the European Scramble for Africa, where European countries invaded the continent of Africa, and carved it up to satisfy imperialistic desires.  Ethiopia stood as one of two independent nations left on the continent -- the other being Liberia.

After a treaty dispute with Ethiopia, the Kingdom of Italy decided on a military solution.  Behind this decision was the desire of Italy to share in the spoils ofr European colonialism and imperialism in Africa.  The following conflict became known as the First Italo-Ethiopian War.

The two sides clashed numerous times, leading up to the decisive battle of the war.  On March 1, 1896, the Italian and Ethiopian armies met at Adwa (Adowa), Ethiopia.  The Italian forces consisted on 17,700 well armed men, with 56 artillery pieces.  Facing them was an Ethiopian force of 120,000 men with 100,000 firearms, and about 40 artillery pieces -- some being obsolete.

The two armies fought, with Emperor Menelik II's soldiers securing an overwhelming victory!  Ethiopian casualties included 4,000-5,000 men killed and 8,000 wounded.  The Italian army was virtually wiped out, suffering 7,000 dead, 1,500 wounded and 3,000 captured.  Captured African soldiers, who fought for the Italians, had body parts amputated to mark them as African traitors.  Consequently, a number of them did not survive their captivity.  As a result of their defeat at the hands of Ethiopia, the Kingdom of Italy signed the Treaty of Addis Ababa which recognized Ethiopian independence.

Menelik II was more than a great wartime leader.  He eagerly embraced modernization for his country; and, his innovations were unprecedented in Ethiopian history.  They include his creation of the Ethiopian capitol, Addis Ababa; the introduction of electricity; construction of modern bridges and telegraph lines; creation of a mint, national currency and a national bank; the first hotel; schools and hospitals; a postal system; and a national newspaper.

Menelik II's reign ended upon his death on December 12, 1913.  He was the father of Ethiopia; and, he would be known for all times, as the person who led the most successful campaign of African resistance to European colonialism and domination.  Menelik II (1844-1913).

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menelik_II

http://www.ethiopiantreasures.co.uk/pages/menelik.htm

http://blackhistorypages.net/pages/menelikii.php 

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