step - Blogs - TheBlackList Pub2024-03-28T18:10:13Zhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/stepS.T.E.P. Rites & Manhood Development Organization accepting applications, young men 5 - 16 years old.https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/s-t-e-p-rites-manhood-development-organization-accepting-applicat2014-06-02T17:00:00.000Z2014-06-02T17:00:00.000ZTheBlackList-Publisherhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackListPublisher<div><div><b><span><font color="#000000" size="4" face="arial black,sans-serif"><font size="6"> </font></font></span></b></div>
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<div><div><font size="6"><b><span><font face="times new roman, new york, times, serif">The Brotherhood is on the the move once again, this time for our new 2014 Summer/Fall session which will begin in July.</font></span></b></font></div>
<div><div><font color="#000000"><strong><span><font face="arial black,sans-serif">STEP Rites and Manhood Development Organization</font> is now accepting applications for registration with special </span></strong><span><strong>emphasis on young black men </strong></span></font><font color="#000000"><span><strong>between the </strong></span><span><strong>ages of 5-16yrs..of age.</strong></span></font></div>
<div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828564883,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828564883,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-full" alt="3828564883?profile=original" /></a><div><div><span>Persons interested in registering a young future leader please contact as at: </span></div>
<div><font color="#000000"><font size="6"><b><span><font size="5" face="arial black,sans-serif">S.T.E.P</font></span></b></font></font><div><b><span><a target="_blank"><font color="#000000">(973) 842-8212</font></a></span></b><div><span><a href="http://us.mc514.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=step_incnj%40yahoo.com" target="_blank"><b><span><font color="#000000">step_incnj@yahoo.com</font></span></b></a></span><font color="#000000"><b><span> </span></b></font><div><span><a href="http://www.steptothefuture.org/" target="_blank"><b><span><font color="#000000">www.steptothefuture.org</font></span></b></a></span></div>
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<div><span>We need concerned people, </span><span>volunteers that are serious about the wellbeing of young Black men and who can identify with the mission to educate,</span><span>motivate </span><span>and liberate the minds, bodies and spirits of our youth.</span></div>
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<div><span><b><font face="arial black,sans-serif">There is plenty of work to go around!</font></b></span></div>
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<div><div><div> <b style="font-style:italic;"><font size="4">If you are willing to assist with the "RAISING OF MEN", please reach out to us </font></b><b style="font-style:italic;"><font size="4">ASAP to get on board.</font></b></div>
<div><b><font size="4"><span>We can be reached at:</span></font></b></div>
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<div><div><span><b><font size="6" face="arial black,sans-serif">Striving Together Equals Progress Inc.</font></b></span></div>
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<div><span><b>P.O. 22192 Newark , N.J. 07101</b></span></div>
<div><div><span><b>call: </b><a target="_blank"><font color="#0066CC"><b>(973) 842-8212</b></font></a></span></div>
<div><span><b>e-mail us at </b><a href="http://us.mc514.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=step_incnj%40yahoo.com" target="_blank"><span><b>step_incnj@yahoo.com</b></span></a></span><div><span><a href="http://www.steptothefuture.org/" target="_blank"><span><b>http://www.steptothefuture.org/</b></span></a></span></div>
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<div><div><b style="font-style:italic;"><font color="#000000" size="6">To volunteer online go to:</font></b></div>
<div><span><a href="http://steptothefuture.org/volunteers-needed/4573781892" target="_blank"><font color="#0066CC"><b>http://steptothefuture.org/volunteers-needed/4573781892</b></font></a></span></div>
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<div><div><font size="6"><b><span><font>MAKE A</font> MUCH NEEDED DON<font>ATION</font></span></b><b><span><font color="#009900">..</font></span></b></font></div>
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<div><div><span><span><b><font face="arial black,sans-serif">We Need Your Assistance..</font></b></span></span><span><br /><br /><font size="4"><b>The STEP Youth Organization is tried and true to the cause of raising young Black men. We have been in existance for 14 yrs now and </b></font></span><span><font size="4"><b>know that the formula we have drafted and applied in developing young Black men </b></font></span><b><span><font size="4"><span>can and will continue to have a meaningful impact if </span></font></span><span><font size="4">given the opportunity, this though your collective financial support.</font></span></b></div>
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<div><div><span><font size="5"><font size="4"><span><strong>If you would be willing to make a tax-deductible </strong></span><span><font size="5"><font size="4"><span><strong>contribution towards this mission of developing our youth and the building </strong></span></font></font></span><span><font size="5"><font size="4"><span><strong>of our future, please make </strong></span></font></font></span><span><font size="5"><font size="4"><strong>checks or money orders out to:<br clear="none" /></strong></font></font></span></font></font></span></div>
<div><div><span><u><strong><font size="6">S.T.E.P. <span><u><font><strong>Inc.</strong></font></u></span></font></strong></u></span></div>
<div><strong><br /><br /></strong> <strong><font size="5"><font size="4"><span>And send to:</span><br /></font> <br /><span>S.T.E.P.</span></font><font size="5">,</font><br /></strong> <font size="4"><strong>P.O. Box 22192<br /> Newark , New Jersey 07101</strong></font></div>
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<div><b><span>______________________________________________________________________</span><br /></b><div><b><font size="4"><span><span><i>You can also make a donation on line by going to:</i></span></span></font></b><div><div><span><a href="http://steptothefuture.org/donate/4573781878" target="_blank"><font color="#0066CC"><b>http://steptothefuture.org/donate/4573781878</b></font></a><br /><b>______________________________________________________________________</b></span><div><div><div> </div>
<div><span><b><font size="4">See us on Face Book at: </font></b></span></div>
<div><span><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Striving-Together-Equals-Progress-STEP-Inc/110722776907#" target="_blank"><font size="4">Striving Together Equals Progress (STEP), Inc.</font></a></b></span></div>
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<td colspan="2"><div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Striving-Together-Equals-Progress-STEP-Inc/110722776907#" target="_blank"><span>Striving Together Equals Progress (STEP), Inc.</span></a><div>S.T.E.P. is a Rites of Passage and Manhood Development Organization based in Newark, New Jersey....</div>
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</tr><tr><td><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Striving-Together-Equals-Progress-STEP-Inc/110722776907#" target="_blank"><span><span>View on <span>www.facebook.com</span></span></span></a></div>
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<div> <b style="font-style:italic;"><font size="4">For more information on S.T.E.P. go to : </font></b><a href="http://steptothefuture.org/" target="_blank" style="font-style:italic;"><font color="#0066CC" size="4"><b>http://steptothefuture.org</b></font></a></div>
<br /><div><div><span><b><font size="4" face="arial black,sans-serif">The S.T.E.P. organization meets every Friday from 5:30—9:00 pm.</font></b></span></div>
<br /><div><b><em><span>_____________________</span><span>______________________________</span></em></b></div>
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<div><span><i><span><font size="5" face="Arial Black"><font size="5" face="Arial Black"><b>Afrikan proverb</b></font></font></span></i></span></div>
<div><div><strong><em><span>“</span><span>If the children are not initiated into the village, they will burn it down just to feel its warmth</span><span>.</span>"</em></strong></div>
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<div><strong><font face="arial black,sans-serif"> LET"S RE-DIRECT THE FLAME!</font></strong></div>
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<div><span class="font-size-2"><em><strong><font face="arial black,sans-serif">=</font></strong></em></span></div>
<div><span class="font-size-2" style="color:#ff0000;"><em><strong><font face="arial black,sans-serif">Source:</font></strong></em></span></div>
<div><span class="font-size-2" style="color:#ff0000;"><em><strong><font face="arial black,sans-serif">Subject: Fwd: MISSION..."SAVING YOUNG BLACK MEN"<br /> From: comm.drum@gmail.com</font></strong></em></span></div>
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<p></p></div>An Open Letter to BLACK MENhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/open-letter-to-black-men2011-12-05T16:00:00.000Z2011-12-05T16:00:00.000ZTheBlackListhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackList<div><div class="im"><div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;">by </font><a href="http://www.facebook.com/CoachBilal" target="_blank"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" color="#6D6F71">Bilal Sankofa</font></a><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"> </font><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3">In the Divine Names of TRUTH, ORDER & in HARMONY with ALL of our RIGHTEOUS Elders & Ancestors, I greet you in PEACE. Brothers, we are currently existing in an artificial reality where it is Common practice & Acceptable to Disrespect Black Women, Black Family Life, Culture & Community; in public and private. As Black <b>MEN</b>; not the misguided black MALE, grown up juvenile delinquent mentality & behavior; But Righteous and Responsible Black <b>MEN</b>. It is our <b>DUTY, RESPONSIBILITY & RIGHT</b> to Speak<b> ORDER</b> back into this disorderly paradigm of Blatant & Open disregard for the <b>SAFETY</b> and <b>SANCTITY</b> of Our Mothers, Sisters, Aunts, Nieces, Cousins, neighbors & friends. </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3">As <b>Ma’at </b><b>represents the <i>Divine Order, Truth, Righteousness, Harmony & Justice</i></b> in our personal, familial, communal & social lives.</font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><font size="3"><b><i>ISFET</i></b> is its opposite. <b><i>Isfet represents the disorder, lies & destructive imbalances currently on display & running rampant within our personal, familial, communal & social lives.</i></b> WHO, if not <b>BLACK MEN</b> is responsible for re-establishing orderly conduct & behavior back into our black familial, communal & social lives. MEN are to be the Maintainers & Protectors of our Women, Children, Family & environments, so that they are <b>FREE</b> to grow & develop into the divine beings we are suppose to be, <b>FREE</b> of disorder & chaos, <b>FREE</b> of those that seek to prey on & destroy every avenue which will re-awaken our divine faculties. It is the MAN Lion that Patrols the perimeter warning and warring against any would be intruder seeking to invade it’s family. However, as <b>BLACK MEN</b>, I ask you where are our Black Lions Protectors, where are our Black Lion Patrollers, who patrol & control our parameters, warning & warring against our Black family, community & social Invaders Spreading <b><i>ISFET, creating Chaos, Disorder, Lies, Deceit, and FEAR?</i></b> </font></font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3">If you are one of those <b>BLACK LIONS</b>, and I pray that you are, then it is <b>TIME, RIGHT NOW</b>, To mark your territory. Go up to the “highest mountain” that you have access to, Blow your <b>AKOBEN (War Horn)</b>, Declare in a loud voice of WORD & ACTION that this <b>AKOBEN (Battle Cry)</b> that im blowing is in Ma’at, is in divine TRUTH that you aim to, by EVERY MEANS NECESSARY, bring TRUTH, ORDER & RIGHTEOUSNESS back to the Land, and Balance, Safety and Security back to your Earth (Woman). </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3">Whenever you witness a misguided MALE, irregardless of his professed knowledge base, stature & title Disrespecting, seeking to Intimidate & strike FEAR into the Divine hearts of our WOMEN & CHILDREN; you are to with absolute clarity let that brother KNOW that he & his words & actions are OUT OF ORDER, and that from that moment on he is to state his PEACE or Declare WAR. If he refuses, and declares War, that you stand on the side of RIGHTEOUSNESS, and it is your DUTY, RESPONSIBILITY & RIGHT to Protect her with your LIFE. </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3">Whenever you witness a misguided <b>MALE</b>, speaking & representing Isfet in the presence of our women & children; Modeling Chaos & Disorder, It is your <b>DUTY, RESPONSIBILITY & RIGHT</b> to respectfully, intervene & Model what a <b>RIGHTEOUS BLACK MAN</b> really looks like up close & in Person.<b>FEAR </b>has no place in the prepared hearts of Warriors. Our <b>MALE</b> children are modeling themselves after Thugs, Goons, Gangstas & Beasts, kwk…. </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3">You can hear this <b><i>Isfetian</i></b> statement being declared in their daily conversational patterns. When one is working hard in any field of sport or play you will here 8-10of our youth say<b><i> “Oh,he/she’s a Beast”, “I’m on my thug sh%# today”, “I’m a Goon”</i></b>,kwk.. </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3">You <b>NEVER</b> hear our children & Youth say when Hard Work is being acted upon in manner say, <b><i>“#Ase, he/she’s a WARRIOR”, “Oh. He/she on their WARRIOR program today”, “Oh, he/she’s WARRIORing”, “Oh,Im a WARRIOR”</i></b>..You here our <b>FEMALES</b> saying <b><i>isfetian</i></b> statements like, <b><i>”I need a little Thug in my life”, “oh, girl, he was a beast in the XYZ”…</i></b> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><font size="3"><b>WHY</b>, is the question. I conclude because the <b>BLACK LION WARRIORS</b> are & have not marked their territories & demanded Within our families, communities & societies; <b>MA’AT or NOTHING</b>. As a result, the misguided CUBS are acting like laughing little HYENAS and have no idea what a <b>WARRIOR</b> looks & acts like up close & person. <i>They are laughing at very idea of <b>TRUTH, ORDER, HARMONY, RIGHTEOUSNESS & Black Male Responsibility</b>.</i> </font></font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3">Every time a misguided black male <b>DISRESPECTS</b> a black woman, he is laughing at all our righteous elders & ancestors, and all their struggles to establish Ma’at in the world.Everytime a misguided black male can <b>OPENLY</b> represent <i><b>ISFET </b>(chaos, lies, disorder, deceit, hustle, manipulation kwk..),</i> and not one <b>BLACK MAN </b>jumps out the bushes, and, in the spectacular black vernacular of street linguistics, <b>“CHECKS HIS ASS!”</b>, we are <b>condoning ISFET over Ma’at</b>, we are teaching, by our <b>SILENT CONSENT</b> that being a “<i>Thug, Gangsta, Goon & BEAST” is the <b>ORDER OF THE LAND</b>,</i> and that it is OK to spread <b>FEAR</b> in our Woman, Children, Communities & Societies. </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3">I Say <b>“HELL TO THE NAH”</b> – <i><b>Tehuti</b> is the divine <b>TIME KEEPER</b></i> & that it is<b> TIME</b> to take shit to the <i><b>5th dimension </b>of <b>SELF REALIZATION </b></i>and get <b>*Herukhuti: The God of WAR*</b> on they asses. The <b>TIME is NOW; RIGHT NOW</b>,for Our <b>BLACK LION WARRIORS</b> to <b><i>SPEAK with ACTIONATED WORDS, RE-MARK YOUR TERRITORIES, SECURE YOUR PERIMITERS, PROTECT YOUR WOMEN & CHILDREN, and RE-ESTABLISH MA’AT BACK INTO THE LAND.</i></b> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3">I <b>WILL</b> that you take this Open Letter in the spirit that it is given, In Ma’at; and re-assume your divine ROLE as Maintainers & Protectors of our Women, Children, Family, Communities & Societies. That you from this moment forward MODEL what The BLACK LION WARRIOR looks like up close & person. Our women & children NEED it NOW. <b>GO TO WORK;</b> With Truth, Order & Righteousness. </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3">Your brother in the struggle for the Re-Awakening of The Divine Black Mind & Re-establishment of the Righteous Black Family & Life.</font></div>
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<div><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="3">Coach Bilal Sankofa</font></div>
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<div class="im"><font size="2"><font style="background-color:#800000;"><i><span style="font-family:'sans-serif';font-size:14pt;"><font size="2"><font style="background-color:#800000;">___________________ _</font><font style="background-color:#000000;">____ __________________</font><font style="background-color:#033d21;">_ ________ ___________</font></font></span></i></font></font></div>
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<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="4">As the STEP Rites of Passage & Manhood Development Organization we are in full agreement and remain steadfast in raising the next generation of protectors, builders and leaders...."The young Lions" that our communities and people need so very desparately.</font><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><font size="5"><b><i><span><font face="Calibri"><font size="6"> </font></font></span></i></b></font></font></p>
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<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><font size="5"><span style="font-family:'sans-serif';font-size:10pt;"><img style="min-height:298px;width:394px;height:339px;" alt="" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/383849_10150507803341908_110722776907_10880938_1725564943_n.jpg" height="635" width="960" /></span></font></font></p>
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<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><font size="5"><span style="font-family:'sans-serif';font-size:10pt;"><strong><font size="5">Young Lion Cubs in the making!</font></strong></span></font></font></p>
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<div class="im"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="5"><span style="font-family:'sans-serif';font-size:10pt;"><font size="5">Come show your</font> <font size="5">love and support!</font></span></font></div>
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<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><font size="5"><b><i><span style="font-family:'sans-serif';font-size:14pt;"><font face="lucida console, sans-serif" size="6"><img style="min-height:322px;width:386px;height:300px;" alt="" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/374258_10150507804421908_110722776907_10880948_987558268_n.jpg" height="635" width="960" /></font></span></i></b></font></font> </p>
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<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="6"><em>at Our.....</em></font></p>
<div class="im"><p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><font size="5"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><b><i><span style="font-family:Papyrus;color:#500000;font-size:48pt;">Kwanzaa 2011 </span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><font size="5"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><b><i><span style="font-family:Papyrus;color:#500000;font-size:8pt;"> <img style="min-height:390px;width:441px;height:287px;" alt="" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/379603_10150459128581908_110722776907_10704862_233234069_n.jpg" height="635" width="960" /> </span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><font size="5"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><b><i><span style="font-family:Papyrus;color:#500000;font-size:20pt;">Acknowledgement ceremony Celebration and Dinner</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><font size="5"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><b><i><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:8pt;">___________________________________________________________________________</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:10pt 0in 0pt;"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><font size="5"><b><span style="font-family:serif;color:#17365d;font-size:20pt;">WHEN: Sat. Dec. 17th</span></b></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:10pt 0in 0pt;"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><font size="5"><b><span style="font-family:serif;color:#17365d;font-size:20pt;">WHERE: The Newark YMWCA</span></b></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="5"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><font face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span><b><span style="color:#0f243e;font-size:18pt;">600 Broad St. Newark New Jersey</span></b></font></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'sans-serif';font-size:10pt;"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="5"> </font></span></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="5"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><b><span style="font-family:'sans-serif';color:#17365d;font-size:22pt;">Time: 5-8pm</span></b></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'sans-serif';font-size:10pt;"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" size="5"> </font></span></p>
<div><font face="Calibri"><font size="5"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><b><i><span style="color:#5c2c04;font-size:16pt;">Our Kwanzaa acknowledgement ceremony is scheduled at the end of each second session in December for the continued cultural involvement and awareness of our participating youth. Our Rights of Passage Accomplishments Ceremony & Dinner is also held at that time where all participants, staff and their families attend to acknowledge the accomplishments of our youth during that session.</span></i></b></font></font></font></div>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="5"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><font face="Calibri"><b><i><span style="color:#5c2c04;font-size:16pt;">Join us as we share and embrace Afrikan Culture and the spirit of commUNITY</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color:#984806;font-size:16pt;">.</span></i></b></font></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="5"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><b><span style="color:#17365d;font-size:8pt;"><font face="Calibri"> </font></span></b> <span style="font-family:'sans-serif';font-size:10pt;">____________________________________________________________________________</span></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="5"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><b><span style="color:#17365d;font-size:8pt;"><font face="Calibri"> </font></span></b></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="5"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;">For more info, to volunteer or vendor space contact:</span></b><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></font></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><font size="5"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><b><span style="font-size:8pt;"><font face="Calibri"> </font></span></b></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><font size="5"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><b><span style="font-size:20pt;"><font face="Calibri">STEP Inc.</font></span></b></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="5"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Calibri"><a target="_blank">(973) 842-8212</a> </font></span></b></font></font></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" face="Calibri" size="5">E-mail:</font> <a href="http://us.mc1612.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=step_incnj@yahoo.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" face="Calibri" size="5">step_incnj@yahoo.com</font></span></a></span></b></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;"><a href="http://www.steptothefuture.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><font style="background-color:#ffffff;" face="Calibri" size="5">www.steptothefuture.org</font></span></a></span></b></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'sans-serif';font-size:10pt;"><strong><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">ADMISSION FREE TO THE PUBLIC</font></strong></span></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'sans-serif';font-size:10pt;"><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>DINNER DONATION $5 </strong></font></span></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'sans-serif';font-size:10pt;"> </span></p>
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<div><font style="background-color:#800000;">___________________________________________________________ </font></div>
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<p><span class="font-size-1">submitted by commm drumm <<a href="mailto:comm.drum@gmail.com" target="_blank">comm.drum@gmail.com</a>></span></p>
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<p></p></div>The value of Culture.https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-value-of-culture2011-04-13T13:31:21.000Z2011-04-13T13:31:21.000ZTheBlackListhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackList<div><strong><span class="font-size-3">Dr. Marimba Ani</span></strong> ~<br /><table border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top"><p><a href="http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0PDoYAmK6VN.lQADEGJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBqamdoM3Q5BHBvcwMxMgRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZAM-/SIG=1ifij11h4/EXP=1302698918/**http%3A//images.search.yahoo.com/images/view%3Fback=http%253A%252F%252Fimages.search.yahoo.com%252Fsearch%252Fimages%253F_adv_prop%253Dimage%2526va%253DAfrican%252BSymbols%2526fr%253Dush-mail%26w=710%26h=711%26imgurl=ny-image1.etsy.com%252Fil_fullxfull.18157357.jpg%26rurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.etsy.com%252Flisting%252F9137251%252Fgye-nyame-omnipresence-of-a-supreme%26size=53KB%26name=...%2BBeing%2B--%2BAfr...%26p=African%2BSymbols%26oid=0a674d3a51f1455b932d39bfde87fe88%26fr2=%26no=12%26tt=174000%26sigr=1273p4f6m%26sigi=11c563vr6%26sigb=12r6qm82h%26.crumb=C.73wRvdq34" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p>All people, all over the world, throughout history have shared in common the fact that they belong to a culture of origin. That is a universal reality. Another equally important universal reality is that there are many, many different cultures in the world and each of them is unique.</p>
<p>The uniqueness of a culture is what gives specialness to its members. The members of a culture are bonded together by their shared culture, which gives them a sense of collective identity.</p>
<p>"We are an Afrikan people," simply reveals that there are values, traditions and a heritage that we share because we have a common origin. The cultural process is naturally ongoing, which allows people to continuously affirm their connectedness through being linked to their origins.</p>
<p>However, the continuity of our cultural identity has been interrupted cruelly and unnaturally by the experience of slavery. We as a people are still suffering from this crime because we have not been allowed to find our way back to the sense of cultural identity and continuity which would transform us into a unified and whole people. We have not been able to function in the world with a collective consciousness that naturally imparts a strong sense of cultural roots.</p>
<p>The term "<a href="http://www.africawithin.com/maafa/slavery.htm" target="_blank">Maafa</a>" (from the book, "Let The Circle Be Unbroken) is a Kiswahili word for "disaster" that we are now using to reclaim our right to tell our own story. Maafa refers to the enslavement of our people and to the sustained attempt to dehumanize us. Because the Maafa has disconnected us from our cultural origins, we have remained vulnerable in a social order that does not reflect our cultural identity.</p>
<p>We are people of African ancestry living in denial of who we are. We have lost our strength as a people. We are losing our children to systems which miseducate them. Our families are disintegrating before our eyes. Our numbers are growing in the statistics of drug addiction and incarceration.</p>
<p>Responsible national Black organizations are seeking remedies to these problems, but we are not speaking with one voice. We need to work together as a family who supports its members and who is responsible for their welfare. We must use the most valuable asset that we have: That is the spirit of our people. It is that spirit that connects us to our Afrikan roots.</p>
<p>Slowly, we are awakening to the need to claim our cultural legacy. The term "<a href="http://www.africawithin.com/studies/sankofa.htm" target="_blank">Sankofa</a>" from <a href="http://www.africawithin.com/akan/akan_cosmology.htm" target="_blank">Akan</a> tradition in <a href="http://www.africawithin.com/tour/ghana/ghana.htm" target="_blank">Ghana</a>, West Africa tells us to return to the Source so that we can go forward with strength and clarity. Culture is a powerful tool for inspiring human beings and bringing them together in a concerted "family" action.</p>
<p>Our cultural roots are the most ancient in the world. The spiritual concepts of our Ancestors gave birth to religious thought. African people believe in the oneness of the African family through sacred time, which unites the past, the present and the future.</p>
<p>Our Ancestors live with us. They created the first civilizations thousands of years ago and they suffered the pain of the Maafa. And yet, they were able to endure the most disastrous and dehumanizing circumstances ever perpetrated against a group of people, only because of the power of the African spirit. They did not have the freedom to affirm their cultural heritage. We now have that choice. In the African view of life it is our responsibility to honor their name.</p>
<p>This is perhaps our moment of truth. We must come together as a family. We must do all that we can do to uplift our people. Otherwise, we are still denying who we are and bringing dishonor to our "family name;" to our Ancestors. The answer to our social dilemma is the resocialization of our people into the cultural value-system that affirms our spiritual being. Our Ancestors are calling us "home", back to our cultural selves. We must begin the process of Sankofa.</p>
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<p>SUBMITTED BY:</p>
<p><b class="gmail_sendername"><a href="http://yahoo.com" target="_blank">Step Inc</a></b></p>
<p> </p>
<p><b class="gmail_sendername"><br /></b></p>
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