Features

Celebration of Black history

Published

1 month ago

2025/06/8

Freeman

A friend recently sent me a couple of interesting video clips on the opinions of Morgan Freeman, legendary African American actor, on race in America.In one clip, Freeman correctly stated that Barack Obama was not the first “Black President of the United States of America”. He was the nation’s first ” Mixed-Race President”. Obama’s father was from Kenya, Africa, his mother was Kansas white.

In the other, Freeman expresses his objection to the celebration of February as the “Black History Month”. His argument is that Black History is a part of American History, and the celebration of a Black History Month, and not celebrating a White History Month, or a Jewish History Month, is “ridiculous and hints at racism”. Freeman longs for the day the interviewer, Mike Wallace calls him Morgan Freeman, a man, without reference to his blackness, and he (Morgan) will similarly be able to call him just Mike Wallace, a journalist, with reference neither to his whiteness or his Jewishness.

Freeman says, “I don’t want a Black History Month, just as you don’t need a Jewish History Month or a White History Month. How can we get rid of racism if we keep talking about race?”

Of course, Morgan Freeman is right – in his dreams! He will always be remembered as a great Black Actor, decades after his death; and Mike Wallace as a great journalist – no reference to his color, white being the default – long after his.

Sad, but undeniable. Prejudice, based on various factors – country of birth, caste, creed, color of skin, to name a few – has existed from time immemorial, and not just in the United States of America. Prejudice – fear of strangers – has prevailed for thousands of years, when human beings banded together in small groups for survival. We have come a long way since then, but that prejudice against those who are unlike us will exist till the concept of prejudice itself becomes obsolete.

However, I do not believe, as Freeman does, that a month selected to focus attention on the history of the origins, the travails, the sacrifices, the contributions and achievements of an enslaved people forcibly kidnapped from Africa in the early 17th century is in any way “ridiculous” or a sign of racism.

February was recognized as the month to celebrate the history and achievements of the African people in America by President Gerald Ford in 1976. He called upon Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected achievements of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history”.

America is not alone in celebrating, as a means of memorializing the achievements of the tragic history of the African diaspora. Canada celebrates Black History in February, while other nations, like the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Ireland reserve October for their celebrations.

The precursor to Black History Month in America was the Negro History week, established in 1926 by the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, founded by Carter G. Woodson, African American historian, writer and journalist. Woodson, the second African American to receive a doctorate from Harvard University in 1926, was known as the “Father of Black History.”

He chose February to celebrate Black History for two reasons. February encompassed the birthdays of two great men who played a prominent role in shaping American history – President Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass, reformer, abolitionist and statesmen (February 14). These two dates had been honored separately by African American communities since the 19th century.

Lincoln, of course, has been honored for his pivotal role in the Emancipation Proclamation. Douglass, a great champion of African American rights, was born a slave in February 1818. He was a self-educated writer, orator, reformer and the foremost black abolitionist of the 19th century.

During the Civil War, Douglass was incensed by the Union government’s response to Confederate treatment of Black prisoners of war, who were tortured, killed or sold into slavery. He had scant respect for Lincoln, writing in his publication, The Douglass Monthly, “The slaughter of Blacks taken as captives seem to affect him (Lincoln) as little as the slaughter of cows for the use of his army”. However, after a meeting with Lincoln at the White House, he expressed his admiration of the president’s decency and forthrightness, and was confident “that the country would survive both slavery and the war”.

The primary reason for Woodson to establish a week to memorialize and honor the African American experience was to encourage the teaching of their history in public schools. At that time, subjects like evolution, the history of slavery and the genocide an entire race of native Americans were not included in the curricula of public schools in a white-dominated, Christian American society.

The white-dominated, Christian society of the Republican Utopia, to which the present Trump government is doing its utmost to return.

Woodson’s efforts met with lukewarm response with the nation’s public school system. However, he was determined to press on with the need for the teaching and appreciation of black history, to ensure the intellectual survival of the race within American society.

Woodson famously said, “If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile traditions, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated”.

He compared the differences between the national awareness of the native American and Jewish traditions.

“The American Indian left no continuous record. He did not appreciate the value of tradition; and where is he today?”

Where the native American is today is on the verge of forced, total assimilation/genocide. But the fact that they left no continuous record was certainly not due to disregard for the value of their own traditions. While native American traditions were not passed through written history, they had their own systems of record keeping through art, song, ceremony and other cultural practices. These traditions were regarded by the white settlers as the primitive cultures of barbarous savages.

Sadly, an entire enlightened civilization, which had essentially been living in perfect harmony with nature, has been rendered extinct by forced assimilation, and the impact of colonization and genocide, perpetrated by the real barbarous savages, the white settlers.

On the other hand, the Jews keenly appreciated the value of their religious and cultural traditions, as attested by their own Bible. They practiced their traditions with pride and zeal, in spite of centuries of worldwide persecutions, pogroms and even the Holocaust. Because of their abiding faith and the values they placed on their religion and traditions, the Jews in Israel, the United States and throughout Europe, today remain a substantial factor in the evolution of western civilization.

The concept of Black History was introduced during the segregationist Jim Crow era. However, until 1960, school textbooks with racial discrimination subtext were allowed to be taught only during the month of February. Until 1961, when the state of California, started teaching black history in schools throughout the year.

The reality of elusive “freedom” has been a long time in the coming for the African American slaves. More than 160 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, that freedom has completed only the legal path of its journey. The other paths of that journey have been fraught with various forms of racism, involving as it did the oppression of Reconstruction, where a black man was humiliated and valued at 3/5 of a white man, the apartheid of Jim Crow, the racist violence of the KKK (Ku Klux Klan), now operating under different names, like MAGA (Make America Great Again).

Those were the good old pre-Civil Rights Act of 1964 days, when a black man staring at a white woman was punishable by hanging, the verdict being Justifiable Homicide!

Systemic racism persists in America long after the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Societal discrimination against blacks is endemic in law enforcement and the judicial system, housing and education and in the many subtle ways that people of color, especially those in the poorer classes, are made to feel inferior in their interaction with the white community.

Absolute societal freedom for the ancestors of the African American slaves and the complete eradication of racism, as envisaged by Morgan Freeman, remains on the far distant horizon.

However much Morgan Freeman yearns to be memorialized as a great actor, he will always be honored as a great Black Actor. And President Obama will always be the first Black President, and one of the five greatest Presidents of the United States.

by Vijaya Chandrasoma ✍️

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Features

BRICS’ pushback against dollar domination sparks global economic standoff

Published

8 hours ago

2025/07/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

BRICS leaders at the recent Summit in Brazil. /United Nations

If one were to look for a ‘rationale’ for the Trump administration’s current decision to significantly raise its tariffs on goods and services entering its shores from virtually the rest of the world, then, it is a recent statement by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that one needs to scrutinize. He is quoted as saying that tariffs could return ‘to April levels, if countries fail to strike a deal with the US.’

In other words, countries are urged to negotiate better tariff rates with the US without further delay if they are not to be at the receiving end of the threatened new tariff regime and its disquieting conditions. An unemotional approach to the questions at hand is best.

It would be foolish on the part of the rest of the world to dismiss the Trump administration’s pronouncements on the tariff question as empty rhetoric. In this crisis there is what may be called a not so veiled invitation to the world to enter into discussions with the US urgently to iron out what the US sees as unfair trade terms. In the process perhaps mutually acceptable terms could be arrived at between the US and those countries with which it is presumably having costly trade deficits. The tariff crisis, therefore, should be approached as a situation that necessitates earnest, rational negotiations between the US and its trading partners for the resolving of outstanding issues.

Meanwhile, the crisis has brought more into the open simmering antagonisms between the US and predominantly Southern groupings, such as the BRICS. While the tariff matter figured with some urgency in the recent BRICS Summit in Brazil, it was all too clear that the biggest powers in the grouping were in an effort ‘to take the fight back to the US’ on trade, investment and connected issues that go to the heart of the struggle for global predominance between the East and the US. In this connection the term ‘West’ would need to be avoided currently because the US is no longer in complete agreement with its Western partners on issues of the first magnitude, such as the Middle East, trade tariffs and Ukraine.

Russian President Putin is in the forefront of the BRICS pushback against US dominance in the world economy. For instance, he is on record that intra-BRICS economic interactions should take place in national currencies increasingly. This applies in particular to trade and investment. Speaking up also for an ‘independent settlement and depository system’ within BRICS, Putin said that the creation of such a system would make ‘currency transactions faster, more efficient and safer’ among BRICS countries.

If the above and other intra-BRICS arrangements come to be implemented, the world’s dependence on the dollar would steadily shrink with a corresponding decrease in the power and influence of the US in world affairs.

The US’ current hurry to bring the world to the negotiating table on economic issues, such as the tariff question, is evidence that the US has been fully cognizant of emergent threats to its predominance. While it is in an effort to impress that it is ‘talking’ from a position of strength, it could very well be that it is fearful for its seemingly number one position on the world stage. Its present moves on the economic front suggest that it is in an all-out effort to keep its global dominance intact.

At this juncture it may be apt to observe that since ‘economics drives politics’, a less dollar dependent world could very well mark the beginning of the decline of the US as the world’s sole super power. One would not be exaggerating by stating that the tariff issue is a ‘pre-emptive’, strategic move of sorts by the US to remain in contention.

However, the ‘writing on the wall’ had been very manifest for the US and the West for quite a while. It is no longer revelatory that the global economic centre of gravity has been shifting from the West to the East.

Asian scholarship, in particular, has been profoundly cognizant of the trends. Just a few statistics on the Asian economic resurgence would prove the point. Parag Khanna in his notable work, ‘The Future is Asian’, for example, discloses the following: ‘Asia represents 50 percent of global GDP…It accounts for half of global economic growth. Asia produces and exports as well as imports and consumes more goods than any region.’

However, the US continues to be number one in the international power system currently and non-Western powers in particular would be erring badly if they presume that the economic health of the world and connected matters could be determined by them alone. Talks with the US would not only have to continue but would need to be conducted with the insight that neither the East nor the West would stand to gain by ignoring or glossing over the US presence.

To be sure, any US efforts to have only its way in the affairs of the world would need to be checked but as matters stand, the East and the South would need to enter into judicious negotiations with the US to meet their legitimate ends.

From the above viewpoint, it could be said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the most perceptive of Southern leaders at the BRICS Summit. On assuming chairmanship of the BRICS grouping, Modi said, among other things: ‘…During our chairmanship of BRICS, we will take this forum forward in the spirit of people-centricity and humanity first.’

People-centricity should indeed be the focus of BRICS and other such formations of predominantly the South, that have taken upon themselves to usher the wellbeing of people, as opposed to that of power elites and ruling classes.

East and West need to balance each other’s power but it all should be geared towards the wellbeing of ordinary people everywhere. The Cold War years continue to be instructive for the sole reason that the so-called ordinary people in the Western and Soviet camps gained nothing almost from the power jousts of the big powers involved. It is hoped that BRICS would grow steadily but not at the cost of democratic development.

Features

Familian Night of Elegance …

Published

8 hours ago

2025/07/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

The UK branch of the Past Pupils Association of Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya went into action last month with their third grand event … ‘Familian Night of Elegance.’ And, according to reports coming my way, it was nothing short of a spectacular success.

This dazzling evening brought together over 350 guests who came to celebrate sisterhood, tradition, and the deep-rooted bonds shared by Familians around the world.

Describing the event to us, Inoka De Sliva, who was very much a part of the scene, said:

Inoka De Silva: With one of the exciting prizes – air ticket to Canada and back to the UK

“The highlight of the night was the performance by the legendary Corrine Almeida, specially flown in from Sri Lanka. Her soulful voice lit up the room, creating unforgettable memories for all who attended. She was backed by the sensational UK-based band Frontline, whose energy and musical excellence kept the crowd on their feet throughout the evening.”

Corrine
Almeida:
Created
unforgettable
memories

Inoka, who now resides in the UK, went on to say that the hosting duties were flawlessly handled by the ever popular DJ and compere Vasi Sachi, who brought his trademark style and charisma to the stage, while his curated DJ sets, during the breaks, added fun and a modern vibe to the atmosphere.

Mrs. Rajika Jesuthasan: President of the UK
branch of the Past Pupils Association of
Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya
(Pix by Mishtré Photography’s Trevon Simon

The event also featured stunning dance performances that captivated the audience and elevated the celebration with vibrant cultural flair and energy.

One of the most appreciated gestures of the evening was the beautiful satin saree given to every lady upon arrival … a thoughtful and elegant gift that made all feel special.

Guests were also treated to an impressive raffle draw with 20 fantastic prizes, including air tickets.

The Past Pupils Association of Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya, UK branch, was founded by Mrs. Rajika Jesuthasan née Rajakarier four years ago, with a clear mission: to bring Familians in the UK together under one roof, and to give back to their beloved alma mater.

As the curtain closed on another successful Familian celebration, guests left with hearts full, and spirits high, and already counting down the days until the next gathering.

Features

The perfect tone …

Published

8 hours ago

2025/07/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

We all want to have flawless skin, yet most people believe that the only way to achieve that aesthetic is by using costly skin care products.

Getting that perfect skin is not that difficult, even for the busiest of us, with the help of simple face beauty tips at home.

Well, here are some essential ways that will give you the perfect tone without having to go anywhere.

* Ice Cubes to Tighten Skin:

Applying ice cubes to your skin is a fast and easy effective method that helps to reduce eye bags and pores, and makes the skin look fresh and beautiful. Using an ice cube on your face, as a remedy in the morning, helps to “revive” and prepare the skin.

* Oil Cleansing for Skin:

Use natural oils, like coconut oil or olive oil, to cleanse your skin. Oils can clean the face thoroughly, yet moisturise its surface, for they remove dirt and excess oil without destroying the skin’s natural barriers. All one has to do is pick a specific oil, rub it softly over their face, and then wipe it off, using a warm soak (cloth soaked in warm water). It is a very simple method for cleaning the face.

* Sugar Scrub:

Mix a tablespoon of sugar with honey, or olive oil, to make a gentle scrub. Apply it in soft, circular motions, on your face and wash it off after a minute. This helps hydrate your skin by eliminating dead skin cells, which is the primary purpose of the scrub.

* Rose Water Toner:

One natural toner that will soothe and hydrate your skin is rose water. Tightening pores, this water improves the general texture of your skin. This water may be applied gently to the face post-cleansing to provide a soothing and hydrating effect to your face.

* Aloe Vera:

It is well known that aloe vera does wonders for the skin. It will provide alleviation for the skin, because of its calming and moisturising effects. The application of aloe vera gel, in its pure form, to one’s skin is beneficial as it aids in moisturising each layer, prevents slight skin deformity, and also imparts a fresh and healthy look to the face. Before going to bed is the best time to apply aloe vera.

* Water:

Staying hydrated, by drinking plenty of water (06 to 08 cups or glasses a day), helps to flush toxins and its functions in detoxification of the body, and maintenance the youthfulness of the skin in one’s appearance.