The annual Maafa Ritual at Ocean Beach in San Francisco, this year on Oct. 7, heals the living and honors the ancestors. Look for more photos in next week’s Bay View. Photo: AlonZo Young

Feb. 29, 2004, marked the 33rd coup, and with the recent disappearance of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, the sanctuary sought by so many others whose lives are at risk, plus the many Haitians still imprisoned without cause three years after Rene Préval's presidency, the people's resistance continues against an oppressive Western interest supported by the current Haitian government, a government approved of by the United States, France, Canada, the United Nations' security forces and Haiti's bourgeois elite.

Laurent continues: "In the context of Dessalines' legacy, ideals and laws, Préval's Sept. 26, 2007, U.N. speech was an embarrassment. It was a display of fawning, ingratiating scraping and cow-towing over those foreigners and blan-peyi Haitians who are annihilating Dessalines' legacy. In stark contrast, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe better spoke for the disinherited of the world and gave Dessalines' descendants some hope and inspiration." See the text of President Robert Mugabe's speech at the 62nd Session of the U.N. General Assembly, Sept. 26, 2007. Visit www.margueritelaurent.com.

Maafa Issues Forum 1: Post Traumatic Slave Disorder

Monday evening at the Oakland Public Conservatory, we looked at violence against women. Aishah Simmons' film "NO!" was the topic of discussion. Though the audience was small and composed of all women and one man, the response was no less intense as woman after woman shared her story, the microcosm a reflection of the larger issue that remains unaddressed in the Black community.

Simmons' mother spoke of the attempted rape she escaped when a roommate came in the room they shared. Simmons, at that time 19, said her rapist was one of the SNCC leaders. She was told when she reported him that "she should have gave it up anyway."

Two actresses from Lorraine Hansberry's adaptation of Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye," which looks at the intra-racial violence in the home, were present. The protagonist, "Picola" wishes she had blue eyes because then her mother would love her and people would stop being mean to her. While her father says his love was brutal and violent, he didn't know any other way to express himself, so he fought with his wife and raped his daughter. Picola learns early on that babies are made from love.

In "NO!" the director, Aishah Simmons, shows through the course of testimony and archival footage, such as that of Black women being raped in the antebellum South, Jim Crow included, the perception of Black women as nothing - valueless. Similar regard reflected in the music videos shown minus the music, to interviews with former Black Panther Party members like Elaine Brown, who told BPP members that they could not call women "bitches." College presidents, social workers, men against violence against women, recovering men, survivors and others interviewed agreed that this kind of behavior is rampant in a society where Black women have the least power.

What "NO!" also illustrated was the deep wounds many of us carry. That this is unaddressed puts Black women at risk. This was the reason why we showed the film. This is why Dr. Derethia DuVal, a clinical psychologist, facilitated the discussion. This is the reason why we hope the circle enlarges to include more men and more women so we can heal from this residual psychological effect of enslavement - Post Traumatic Slave Disorder.

Maafa Issues Forum 2: AIDS in the Black Community

Presented in collaboration with Perfect Love, an HIV/AIDS education and prevention organization, and California Coalition for Women Prisoners, the evening will feature speakers who have the virus, a medical professional and a filmmaker. The program is this Friday, Oct. 19, 6-9 p.m. at the Oakland Public Conservatory, 1616 Franklin St., downtown Oakland at 17th St., (510) 836-4649.

Speakers will be Michael Buck, Perfect Love Foundation, and Dr. Lisha Wilson, filmmaker Shy Hamilton, plus special guests. The films "Taking Chances," directed by Shy Hamilton, and "Results," directed by Eddie Boles, winner of Best Short Film at the San Francisco Black Film Festival 2007, will be screened between the presentations. All the Maafa Awareness Month Activities are free; however, donations are welcomed, as are sponsors.

Maafa Issues Forum 3: Violence on the Streets

Monday, Oct. 22, 6-9 p.m. the Maafa Issues Forum will look at police brutality, violence on the street and the 41st anniversary of the Black Panther Party. Guests include Ayanna Aishah, whose son Khatari Gant was killed this August, Richard Brown, one of the SF 8, who are former members of the Black Panther Party currently being tried on evidence obtained through torture for the murder of a San Francisco police officer, evidence formerly thrown out 30 years ago now reintroduced.

Also on the panel will be Sheba Makeda Haven, former BPP member, and one of the founders of October 22nd, a day set aside to account for all those who were killed by police. Majeedah Rahman, former BPP member and founder of Healthy Babies, rounds out the panel. The program is at the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, 1616 Franklin St., Oakland, (510) 836-4649. For a complete list of all the events planned this month, visit www.maafasfbayarea.com/.

Maafa Art Exhibit

The exhibition opening, "The Oakpod presents: Push Rewind: Maafa Art Exhibit 2007" was wonderful. Get by Inquiry Gallery, 2865 Broadway, Unit 2, before it closes. Gallery hours are Friday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m. For information and to schedule appointments, call (641) 715-3900, ext. 36800. To see photos of opening night, visit www.theoakpod.com.

Maafa 2007: The Role of Art in Healing from the Residual Psychological Effects of Enslavement

The African American Center at the San Francisco Main Library and Maafa San Francisco Bay Area Commemoration Committee host a panel discussion and film on the role of art practice in healing from the residual psychological effects of enslavement. The event will take place in the Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin, at Grove Street, San Francisco Public Library, Sunday, Oct. 28, 1-4 p.m.

The afternoon will begin with a screening of S. Pearl Sharp's "The Healing Passage," followed by the artist panel, some of the artists featured in the exhibit presented by The Oakpod, at the Inquiry Gallery, 2865 Broadway, Unit 2, Oakland, Friday, Oct. 12, through Friday, Nov. 2. There is a closing reception Friday, Nov. 2, 6-8 p.m. Gallery hours are Friday-Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. and by appointment. For information and to schedule appointments, call (641) 715-3900, ext. 36800.

Pharoah Sanders

Pharoah Sanders will perform "Sacred Space" Wednesday, Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m., at Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St., at Taylor, in San Francisco. Tickets are $25 general admission and $45 premium. The year before this concert sold out. I heard it was magnificent. The tenor saxophonist will be accompanied by William Henderson on piano. Visit www.sfjazz.org.

Dee Dee Bridgewater

"Red Earth: A Malian Journey," with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Friday, Oct. 19, 8 p.m., at the Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. Tickets are $25, $37, $45 and $65. Ms. Bridgewater, on vocals, will be joined by Baba Sissoko on tamani and ngoni; vocalists Fatoumata Kouyaté, Kabiné Kouyaté and Lansiné Kouyaté; balafonist Mamani Kéita; vocalist Moussa Sissokho on djembe and congas; Cherif Souman on kora; Adama Diarra on djembel; Edsel Gomez on piano; Ira Coleman on bass; and Minino Garay on percussion. Tickets at www.sfjazz.org.

I spoke to Ms. Bridgewater over a year ago about her first trip to Africa and how the red earth reminded her of the red earth of her Southern home. She recalled how when she arrived, tired and jet lagged, there was a brother there at the airport who welcomed her home. The next day she looked out the window and saw an ocean of red earth.

The Sixth Annual Oakland International Film Festival

Thursday, Oct. 18, the Oakland International Film Festival opens with "Namibia." Directed by Charles Burnett and starring Carl Lumbly, Danny Glover and Joel Haikali, the film looks at the independence movement in this southern country through the work of one organizer who refused to let the white settlers take his people's land.
Opening night begins at 6 p.m. with other short films, among them "Thomas Sankara," a film about the revolutionary leader of Burkina Faso - formerly Upper Volta - who was assassinated for his revolutionary politics, like equal rights for women, education for all, food, self-reliance. It's a beautiful film that makes one wonder about the renaissance that would have been possible had Sankara lived.
All screenings are at the Grand Lake Theatre, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. Visit www.oiff.org/ for the complete schedule. Marvin X's film screens Saturday, Oct. 20. Minister of Information JR's film, "Audio Rebellion," screens Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m.

Tracy Brown's ‘Tabaski: Celebration of Submission'

In a photography exhibit, Tracy Brown looks at the celebration of Eid Al Adha, or the feast of sacrifice, in a Muslim community in Benin. The exhibit is up Oct. 15 through Feb. 1, 2008. There will be a reception Friday, Nov. 2, 6-8 p.m. The exhibit is on the second floor photography row of the African American Art and Culture Complex, 752 Fulton St., San Francisco. For information, call (415) 922-1995 or www.aaacc.org.

Matthew Shipp

Matthew Ship is in town for one night, Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 8 and 10 p.m. Shipp is a phenomenal pianist. Visit www.yoshis.com or (510) 238-9200. David Sanchez closes out the week at Yoshi's, Oct. 14 thru 21.

Jazz at the Chimes presents the Mo' Rockin Project

At the Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, Sunday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m., enjoy the Mo' Rockin Project. Tickets are $10 general admission, kids under 12 free. For information, call (510) 228-3218 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Author talk: ‘The Bond'

Authors of the bestseller "The Pact," have a new book that speaks about their relationship with their fathers, entitled "The Bond." The three doctors are in town for two events Wednesday, Oct. 17. The first event is at 12:30 p.m. today at the Alexander Book Co., 50 Second St., San Francisco, (415) 495-2992. The second event is at 7 p.m. tonight at the Oakland Museum's James Moore Theatre. The Oakland Museum is at 1000 Oak St., (510) 238-2200. To read an excerpt of the book, visit www.threedoctors.com/thebond_excerpts.php.

Community Celebrates the Days of the Dead at the Oakland Museum

Visit www.museumca.org/cal-public.

Bay View Arts Editor Wanda Sabir can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Visit her website, www.wandaspicks.com, for an expanded version of Wanda's Picks and for exciting "web exclusives."

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