Memorandum

 

MEMORANDUM

To: Bob Lott
Ali Salahuddin

From: Amefika D. Geuka

Subject: Marketing of Dr. Robinson

Date: January 14, 2010

 

Greetings gentlemen; this is in follow-up to our meeting in Atlanta this past Saturday, January 9, 2010. In the interest of time I did not follow the outline I had developed for the occasion, and as a consequence do not feel that I did the gathering justice. In the spirit of making amends then, I offer this written version of what I intended to say extemporaneously.

 

I. African traditions before being influenced by Arabs and Europeans; the “highest calling” having been service to one’s people and community:

“Blacks” currently in America were Africans before being captured and brought to the Western Hemisphere and forced to labor without compensation. We were considered and referred to as “Africans” until the post-Civil War era and “Reconstruction” when we were given the label “Negros.” Our true heritage and culture then, is as Africans. In this regard it is important that we know what our values and practices were before we were brought into this alien environment. It is extremely important for African-Americans to know that in traditional African beliefs and practices, the highest calling was service to one’s people and community.

 

The way for a traditional African to earn acclaim and the respect of his/her fellows was to excel in service to the group, be it family, village, clan, or nation. The nature of such highly-esteemed service differed according to the type of culture or lifestyle of the ethnic group, village, clan, i.e.; whether farmers, fishermen, hunters, or warriors. “Heroes” were those who could: 1) get the highest yield from crops; 2) catch the most fish consistently; 3) capture or kill the most or biggest prey during the hunt; and 4) prove bravest in defense of the group in warfare against its enemies, respectively. In appreciation for such valiant service, such luminaries were elevated to the “Council of Elders.” In this respect, “elder” does not necessarily refer to age, but rather to service! Not everyone who lived to old-age became an elder, some just got old.

 

II. “ELDERS” and “ANCESTORS” and how they came to be:

Just as not all old people become elders in this Earth life, not all old people who “die” become “Ancestors” in the “next” life beyond the veil of death. Those whose deeds while on Earth earn them the status of Elder-hood among their group, are in turn assured they will join the ranks of their Ancestors in the “afterlife.” It is by their works that they pay their dues and earn their stripes! “Ye shall know the tree, by the fruit that it bears.” Any who “die” without having made noteworthy contributions to the betterment of their group will simply be ‘dead’ beyond the veil, unless and until they request to be sent back into the Earth-realm (reincarnation) to make amends for their earlier transgressions against their people. This belief, in some form or fashion, has been extant among African people since time immemorial.

 

III. “RACE-MEN” and RACE-WOMEN in Black America

The formal concept of “elder-hood” or “elder-ship” as practiced among various ethnic (or “tribal”) groups throughout Africa before incursions by Arabs and Europeans, emerged in America in the form of what came to be known as “Race-Men” and “Race-Women.” These were members of the African-descended communities who earned renown because of their demonstrated love and concern for their respective groups. Though having no official title or position among their peers, such persons were held in the highest esteem because of selfless services they provided to the collective. They were the anchors of their respective communities, a source of comfort and reassurance to the rank-and-file — often at considerable risk to themselves and their families. Anything and everything they had or could gain access to was available for the use and benefit of their group. They were the natural “leaders” of their people, and had their forebears never been abducted from their homeland, would likely have become kings, queens, and chiefs among their traditional ethnic community.

 

IV. DR. EDWARD ROBINSON, JR. as a Prime Example of a RACE-MAN

Dr. Edward Robinson, Jr. could be a “poster-man” for the concept of the Race-Man among Blacks in America! He embodies all the attributes, characteristics, and traits associated with traditional African kings and chiefs, and the counterparts to them in the American context, the Race-Man!! Dr. Robinson has lived his entire adult life in selfless service to and on behalf of African-descended people in America. He is a shining example of what all Black males should aspire to DO and BE!!! He is a role-model “par-excel lance!!!!”

 

Traditionally in America, Race-men and women perform their labors in relative obscurity seldom being known outside the boundaries of the communities and neighborhoods where they reside. Occasionally, such a one may be “discovered” by someone with a means of spreading awareness of the individual and his/her deeds, and they are acclaimed on a more expansive scale. Several Philadelphians who have been mentored by Dr. Robinson, and who are highly accomplished in their own right, have decided to pool their talents and resources, and are determined to let Black America know of the contributions made to our uplift and advancement by their great mentor! Individually and collectively they possess gifts and abilities needed to spearhead such an undertaking. Ali and Helen Salahuddin, and Bob Lott have joined forces with Dr. Robinson to form the African Genesis Media Group (AGMG), which is destined to become the mechanism by which a campaign to make Dr. Robinson’s a household name, and his achievements on behalf of Black people common knowledge. They are determined to elevate Dr. Robinson to be recognized officially as THE NATIONAL ELDER among and for the African-descended people throughout America!!!!!

 

“Give me my flowers while I can still see and smell them!

 

Everyone among the African-American collective can relate to the statement above. We have heard it said at innumerable funerals or “home-going” events in Black communities for generations. Unfortunately, we seem to relate the saying only upon the occasion when the person referred to has made his/her transition to the other side of the “veil of death,” and can no longer see or smell the wreaths and bouquets of beautiful flowers, or hear the praiseful words being bestowed upon the “dearly-departed.” In other words, we violate the very principle that the statement is intended to covey, namely, that we should shower deserving ones with accolades and flowers while they are still upright among us. The AGMG is determined to not allow Dr. Edward Robinson, who is approaching his 92nd year of Earthy birth, to make his transition to join The Ancestors without having enjoyed appropriate acclaim from his people, those of African descent here in the United States of America!

 

What Dr. Robinson wants more than any single thing at this stage of his Earthly life, is to produce an epic movie detailing the TRUE history, heritage, and culture of people of African descent. He has written five (5) screenplays, but for purposes of this presentation the focus is on that which he has titled: “WHISPERS OF THE MEDALLION.” He is asking all of us here to help him and the AGMG collect a minimum of 100,000 e-mail addresses of racially-conscious, African-centered and oriented Black Americans to form a databank of committed supporters of his film project. With that magnitude of support for his initiative, he is convinced that proven filmmakers will come forward and seek the privilege of being at the professional helm in bringing this major feature film to fruition! He is convinced that such an expansive base of support will attract and produce the money needed to achieve his goal. We ask that you visit the African Genesis Media Group web site at www.africangenesismediagroup.com to further familiarize yourselves with Dr. Robinson, his colleagues, and this transformative project.

 

Among my favorite poems or prose is one for which the author is unknown, it is therefore titled simply: “A GREAT MAN ONCE SAID.” Dr. Edward Robinson is a certified ‘Great Man” — his deeds have made him so, and I have taken the liberty of modifying the powerful piece to apply it personally to one who could very well have written it himself:

 

“Dr. Edward Robinson. Jr. has chosen not to be a common man. He knows that it is his right to be uncommon, and that he can. He has sought opportunity, not security. He never wished to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the State look after him. He wanted the calculated risks: to dream and to build, to fail, and succeed. He refused to live by hand-to-mouth!

 

Dr. Robinson prefers the challenges of life to the guarantee of existence, the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. He has never — and never will — cower before any ‘master,’ nor will he bend to any threat. It is his heritage to stand erect, proud, and unafraid, to enjoy the benefits of his creation, as he faces this world boldly, and says…THIS, I HAVE DONE!!!!!!!”

 

Come Brothers and Sisters, Let us elevate this exceptional manner of Man!

 

In Homage to Dr. Edward Robinson, Jr.
Respectfully submitted by
Baba Amefika D. Geuka
Saturday, January 9, 2010
The African Genesis Media Group (AGMG)
Tag-Team Marketing Center
Atlanta, Georgia

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