A Budget of Consolidated Poverty
~ By Education Rights Campaign
ON Wednesday December 15, 2010, President Goodluck Jonathan presented the 2011 appropriation bill to the joint session of the National Assembly. Speaking on the bill which was glowingly labeled 'a budget of fiscal consolidation, inclusive economic growth and employment generation', President Jonathan expressed optimism that the 2011 budget would make Nigeria one of the 20 most advanced economies by year 2020.
Against the calls of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Staff Unions like the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) as well as the numerous protests, demonstrations and agitations by stakeholders in the education sector for the government to increase funding to education up to UNESCO recommended standard of 26% as a step towards the provision of a free and functional education at all levels, President Jonathan and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) have prepared a budget that totally relegates education to the background while allocating a larger unmerited chunk to the Presidency and the National Assembly.
According to the 2011 appropriation bill of about N4.226 trillion, only a meager sum of N35 billion is being proposed for capital projects in the education sector. This compared to huge sums of N39 billion proposed for the Presidency and over N350 billion for the National Assembly is an absolute rip-off of Nigerians! Allocation for refreshment and meals alone for the office of the president is a scandalous N312 million! Similarly, about N12 million has been allocated for refreshment and meals for the Senate and N47 million for honorarium and sitting allowance. Their House of Representatives counterparts will get about N8.1 million and N55 million respectively for refreshment and meals, honorarium and sitting allowance! This is aside the jumbo salary packages for members of the executive and legislative arms of governance. Meanwhile, this heartless sharing of the collective resources of Nigerians by a few capitalist ruling class is taking place without regard for the worsening state of public education and the fate of over 12 million Nigerian children who are out of school.
The ERC considers the 2011 appropriation as a breach of the October 2009 FG-ASUU agreement and the recent judgment of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice sitting in Abuja which upheld the right of every Nigerian child to free and compulsory education. The breach of the judgment of the ECOWAS Court of justice is all the more scandalous considering the fact that President Jonathan is the Chairman of the ECOWAS. It is an embarrassment that Nigeria which wants to be seen as the giant of Africa is failing to implement the court judgment of ECOWAS – a regional body whose chairman happens to be the President of Nigeria. We ask: How effective and respected will ECOWAS be in the eyes of the world and in the West African sub-region when its Chairman flagrantly disobeys the judgment of its court?
To us in the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), the 2011 appropriation bill is nothing but a budget of consolidated poverty. Contrary to President Jonathan false assurances, it will not make Nigeria one of the 20 most advanced economies by year 2020. Instead this budget will make Nigeria a country with one of the worst education sectors, a country with one of the highest numbers of illiterate youths, the largest rate of school drop-outs and unemployable young graduates, the lowest in Human Capital Development and the highest in brain drain by the year 2020. This is because the amount allocated to education is too minute to resolve the massive infrastructural deficit with which the Nation's education sector is currently bedeviled and the amount allocated are usually looted by corrupt politicians and bureaucrats.
We therefore call on the National Assembly to debate this budget proposal with the intention of doing a service to the Nation's youths who are desirous of a free, functional and accessible education by increasing allocation to education up to 26 per cent of the total budget as recommended by UNESCO. Unless this is done, the ERC will continue to reject this appropriation bill and we shall mobilize Nigerian students and youths to reject it not only with words but also with political actions.
Already the state of education in Nigeria has gone from bad to worse as the year 2010 witnessed a meteoric rise in fees in tertiary institutions across the country. Describing the terrible conditions in our education sector, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has observed that, 'Due to poor funding of education, education at all levels suffers from low academic standards; lacks requisite teachers; both in sufficient quantity and quality. Even the few qualified teachers available are not sufficiently motivated in terms of remuneration or conducive operating environment to maximize their output into the education system. Schools are over-populated and classrooms are over-crowded, facilities are inadequate and over-stressed, library shelves are empty and covered with cobwebs, while laboratories lack up-to-date equipment'. Equally, no Nigerian University can be found among the first 5000 in the world and the first 50 in Africa and over 12 million children of school age are out of school. Last year, there were 98 per cent and 74 per cent mass failure in the 2009 National Examination Council (NECO) November/December SSCE examination and 2010 May/June WAEC examination respectively!
These statistics to us are enough frightening signals and warnings for any serious government to begin to address these problems by improving funding of the education sector. Actually to begin to turn around this dismal fortune of the education sector, government will have to invest massively in funding the education sector by providing facilities like adequate lecture theatres, hostel facilities, ICT facilities, equipped laboratories and libraries, enhancement of wages and working conditions of staff in order to attract the best brain to the teaching profession at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education.
Also the products of the investment- the students – upon graduation have to be provided with jobs so they can give back to the economy. In that case, government have to invest massively in industrial and agricultural development, which will ensure the transformation of Nigeria to a producing economy while guaranteeing jobs for all graduates of tertiary institutions. For optimum utilization of the resources invested to be achieved and to discourage corruption at all levels, schools must be democratically managed by workers/experts and the communities.
However, none of these will be achieved unless the government jettisons all IMF/World Bank-inspired neo-liberal policies of privatization and place the commanding heights of the economy under public ownership and management. Only this can ensure the full mobilization of the huge amount of money needed by government to invest in education, job creation and social services.
However instead of government taking the issues in this direction, all key economic policies of Jonathan's administration especially those canvassed in the 2011 appropriation bill pander towards reducing government role in funding of social services while prioritizing the sale of education, health, roads and infrastructures to profit-seeking private sector in the name of privatization, Public Private Partnership (PPP) and commercialization. The net effect of these misguided neo-liberal policies of the Jonathan administration is that things will continue to get worse in the coming period. If government continues these ruinous neo-liberal policies of education under funding, indeed by year 2020 public education will have collapsed thus turning the current and future generations of Nigerian youths into criminals, love-peddlers and destitute.
Demands:
• We call on the National Assembly to increase allocation to education in the 2011 appropriation bill up to 26 per cent of the budget otherwise the ERC will not hesitate to lead Nigerian students and youths on a protest march to the National Assembly.
• Immediate setting up of budget monitoring committees by Governing Councils of all Universities in accordance with 2009 FG-ASUU agreement. These budget monitoring committees must comprise elected representatives of students and staff unions with the sole purpose of monitoring government allocations to tertiary institutions and ensuring judicious use of resources.
• Downward review of the salaries and allowances of public office holders, payment of living wage to workers and placement of all public office holders on the same wage of civil servants and professional workers.
• Cancellation of the illegal and unconstitutional practice of constituency projects of members of the National Assembly. Projects are the duties of the executive arm of government.
• Payment of N40,000 Cost of Study Allowance (COSA) to students of tertiary institutions to offset the cost of books, accommodation, transportation etc.
• Reversal of all fee increments especially the atrocious fee increases at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). We call on the Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) to immediately reverse the proposed increase of acceptance fee for fresh students from N2,000 to N20,000 and introduction of a health insurance fee of N1,600 or face mass protest and demonstrations of students.
• Public ownership of the commanding heights of the economy under the control and management of the working people.
• Hassan Soweto (National Co-ordinator) and Chinedu Bosah (National Secretary) sent this piece on behalf of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC).
http://nigerianewsdaily.com/categoryblog/13144-erc-a-budget-of-consolidated-poverty.html
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
To All The Ignorant Political Sycophants Of President Goodluck Jonathan
Please, read the following article and honestly say if your idol is worthy of your support.
President Goodluck Jonathan has failed
President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria
If the incompetent administration of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) has failed woefully to protect the lives and properties of innocent citizens of Nigeria, then we must get rid of the PDP and their corrupt leaders.
Our people are under the siege of rampaging ethno-religious fanatics of the lunatic fringe in the northern states, incessant kidnappings and robberies in the southern eastern and south southern states and political mayhem and assassinations in the southwestern states.
The apologies and regrets of the government in power are not what we need to address the appalling state of insecurity in Nigeria, but a pragmatic and systemic solution to guarantee the safety of precious lives and invaluable properties in Nigeria.
Have anyone read Dear Karl Maier, This House Has Not Yet Fallen?
The apologies and regrets of the government in power are not what we need to address the appalling state of insecurity in Nigeria, but a pragmatic and systemic solution to guarantee the safety of precious lives and invaluable properties in Nigeria.
Have anyone read Dear Karl Maier, This House Has Not Yet Fallen?
Let us stop wasting our time and lives debating over their incompetent presidential candidates.
President Goodluck Jonathan has failed to prove that he is a good commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Only idiots and fools will vote for him.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Unprecedented Changes in Consumer Behavior Lie Ahead, Says Deloitte Report
Photo Credit: SW Learning
11 Jan 2011 07:00 Africa/Lagos
Unprecedented Changes in Consumer Behavior Lie Ahead, Says Deloitte Report
PR Newswire
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2011
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
What: Consumer 2020: Reading the signs
Who:
Dr. Ira Kalish, Director of Consumer Business for Deloitte Research, part of Deloitte Services LP in the U.S.
Alison Paul, Vice Chairman and Retail Sector leader, Deloitte LLP
Lawrence Hutter, Global Head of Consumer Business, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited
When: Available immediately
Details:
The convergence of economic, demographic, and technological forces will bring about unprecedented changes in consumer behavior, according to a new report from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL), Consumer 2020: Reading the signs. The report, which was presented at the National Retail Federation in New York on Monday, draws together insights into economic and demographic trends, considerations of finite resources and sustainability, and the increasingly dramatic impact of technology on our daily lives. The report also includes predictions about how consumer attitudes and patterns of consumption will change over the next decade.
To read a complete version of this media alert or download a copy of the report, go to www.deloitte.com/consumerbusiness
About Deloitte
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.
Deloitte provides audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. With a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries, Deloitte brings world-class capabilities and deep local expertise to help clients succeed wherever they operate. Deloitte's approximately 170,000 professionals are committed to becoming the standard of excellence.
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
Ira Kalish
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=98957
SOURCE Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited
CONTACT: James Igoe, PR Manager, Deloitte U.K. (Deloitte LLP), +44 20 7303 8247, Cell: +44 7971 783533; or Christine Selph, Public Relations, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, +1-212-492-4517, Cell: +1-347-429-2891
Web Site: http://www.deloitte.com
Platts Survey: OPEC Pumps 29.27 Million Barrels of Oil Per Day in December
The Associated Press Brings Online Viewers Unprecedented Access to the 2011 Awards Season
Duke Energy and Progress Energy to Merge
The Conference Board Employment Trends Index(TM) (ETI) Increased in December
Ford to Add 7,000 U.S. Workers in Next Two Years; Expands Commitment to American Manufacturing Earthquake in Haiti: One Year Later
2011 Consumer Electronics Show
North American International Auto Show
Monday, January 10, 2011
Dear Aisha, It started yesterday in Juba
Dear Aisha,
It started yesterday.
One of the most prophetic Sundays in Southern Sudan, but will the skies no longer be gloomy in Darfur?
I know that David must be happy for you.
The lanky Senator John Kerry and George “the debonair” Clooney were there. They flew all the way from America to witness the making of history. The week-long independence referendum to free your people of the south from the shackles Khartoum. They joined the crowds sweating in the heat of the Sunday sun. January 9, 2011, will be an unforgettable day in the history of southern Sudan.
Nobody seemed tired of standing in the long queues as they were waiting to cast their votes in the last leg of the long march to freedom.
The harrowing nightmares of the horrifying and terrifying years of the rampaging devils on horsebacks will no longer haunt your people?
Dr. Halima Bashir will no more drink from the pool of the tears of the desert and the sleepless nights of Daoud Hari The Translator of the years of the wrath of the Janjaweed of Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir will no longer linger?
For the vultures will no longer be overfed with the carcasses of your people littering the ravine of Jebel Marra, because their corpses will no longer be left unburied.
“This is the moment the people have been waiting for,” said Southern president Salva Kiir as he was rejoicing in Juba yesterday.
Omar Bashir is kicking and cursing, because he has lost the battle and his northern region will be dependent on the over 75% of oil in the south and hoping he will not siphon it as it passes the northern pipeline to the sea.
But will the referendum will bring succor to Darfur?
Not until the rest of the world can read the secret letters from Darfur.
The testimonies of the agonies of the bereaved ones who have been scarred for life from the Massaleet to the Zagawa communities in the land of the Fur
May the overflowing joys of the new dawn wash away the ashes of the sorrows of the past. For the people of Juba shall be redeemed like the children of Judah.
Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
~ Joel 2:18-27 (King James Version)
Guns and Bombs Defining Nigerian Elections
President Goodluck Jonathan
Jonathan: No one wished this will be the case, Guns and Bombs Defining Nigerian Elections, so get outside help now
Sir, as a Philosopher first and a politician second, it must cause some suffering in your mind as to how the first week of 2011 elections has become marked with hate and violence at this initial stage. It is not April yet?
No one will deny the possibility that the pockets of violence opened across the country could be a metaphor of what is to come, in a few months. Sir, this is the truth and of course it hurts to see how things could turn out moving forward. Sir the news is not good to your ears—a stabbing, a near lynching, home-based killing, a bomb here and there, and individuals openly parading the voting areas with guns, shooting at random, leaving the election and law enforcement workers to run for their lives.
Sir, this ominous atmosphere is certainly not what you wished as a philosopher, as a lecturer, and certainly not in your capacity as a President. Sir, for many observers including this writer, a Clinical psychologist of the human mind, the guess is that you are not a politician in the cut-throat Nigerian or “Niger” sense, but as fate, destiny or accident would have it, you in IT and so it is.
Sir, time is short. It is your obligation to do something now. Thank God for the security outfit around you and that is how it should be as the leader of society in political and social distress, at least for now.
The recent words from the nation’s election chief, Attahiru Jega must trouble your soul, your mind and possibly give you chills; it certainly could especially for a man like you with a face known for its ‘heavy’ look. Here are some of the terrifying Jega-ian words—ballot box snatching by way of violence occurred in some areas. Sir think of that market woman, that young man or elderly and aging male voting for the first time , only to be scared off by the sounds of gun shots, who will he report to?. Even if he or she goes into a police station where the station officer is sitting and writing with the aid of a lamp, a touch light or candle, what will come out of such report is at best nothing—this much you must admit is the reality.
Sir, certainly you have made it clear you want to rule the country in the next four years and like other presidential, gubernatorial and other political contestants would like to win in any way you can, but you are currently the Nation’s ruler, so that average voter needs you now more than ever!
Here is what you could do right away but you should do it differently, not with the country’s law enforcement workers as a number of them are psychically or materially unable to resist bribery, at least by your own admission.
To fully provide a sense of safety and security for the average voters in the next few months, outsource a certain quantity of the security body to foreigners, as it is proper under international law for you to protect the voting citizenry from a society fraught with violence from armed thugs, gun gang affiliates and corrupt armed officials.
A quick way to bring security to a supposed free state like Nigeria is bring in private security firms from the western world and many of these armed and highly professional and no nonsense agencies are owned by Diaporan Nigerians who also has cultural awareness of their native society. This will be the logical strategy and if you can get extra security forces from President Obama who also knows of the African reality and the deteriorating security atmosphere all the better.
Sir, this move is only to oppose and prevent a wider degree of victimization in the next few months, and thereafter end the contract. Sir, you are an Executive President and in cases like this where the county is almost facing constitutional crisis—political assassinations, beating or killing of election officers, and the destruction of election boxes as well as an all-out open terror on the average citizen then the use of your executive order superimposes every other authority. Good luck.
~ By John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D , DABPS, FACFE, is a Forensic/Clinical
Psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Behavioral
Science, North Campus, Broward College, Coconut Creek, Florida.
joshodi@broward.edu
Related Links:
President Goodluck Jonathan
President Barack Obama
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega
Release Okey Ndibe's Passports Now!
Okey NdibeJonathan, Obasanjo, Atiku, Ribadu, Ikimi : Call for the release of Okey Ndibe ‘s passports now and free him!
As past or present players in the Nigerian leadership on matters of national freedom and expression, and the need to erect the freedom of movement, speech, or expression in a young democracy like Nigeria, your immediate and collective voice is needed now to curtail official and tyrannical abuse as reported in the case of our brother, Prof Okey Ndibe, the famous author of the classic novel Arrows of Rain.
You will agree that as men who one way or the other want to ensure afree State in Nigeria especially at a time when the country cries for more bold words no matter how bitter or rancorous they appear. As you know in history if Ndibe was truly about writing words of insurrection or rebellion in order to take over the country he will not be home for a family visit. Dear Chiefs, could this whole matter be nothing but a clear sign of institutional stupidity?
With the national dilemma in the country, others like Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria in a lecture at the Faculty of Social Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka,predicted that should the current social and economic woes continue, the people could seek self-help through violence, and bring the needed change that some in leadership have always resisted.
Also, with an air of frustration, a nationally revered Constitutional Law scholar, Prof Ben Nwabueze at a Book launch, in Victoria Island, Lagos, posited that adequate transformational change only taking place through Bloody Revolution.
Like these men, Prof Ndibe, is equally crying out frustration as it relates to the pain and pressure of a nation, and nothing else. No one, among these men is calling for physical violence , and certainly Prof. Ndibe as his collective line of words speaks for itself—a call for a progressive society in order to avoid going backwards.
Therefore this form of ugly treatment is bad.
Imagin this, on a man like Prof Ndibe; after almost 14 hours of stressful travel , with heavy luggage on his body, and lack of a functional lift to the SSS office , finds himself under abrupt questioning. Of course is it okay to question him, but it must be done under due process beginning from the time with his fist contact with
the nameless SSS officer. How Ironic that all these commotion will happen on Saturday, 8th of January, 2011, shortly before mid-night to a man like Prof Ndibe, a United States based Nigerian academician, writer, and speaker on progressive issues; when the nation is witnessing rampant and lawless killing, maiming , and kidnapping in the current electoral atmosphere.
From the point of psychological and criminal justice education the SSS appears to be hungry for professional development and training to avoid procedural mistakes like this one; and an unscrupulous press for the struggling Jonathan administration, and a bad international load on nation in political and security pain.
As Leaders you will agree that in the pursue of freedom of information and in the chase for a progressive nation that diasporan writers on political issues should be welcomed with open arms and not be treated with intimidation as in the seizures of passports. Let Ndibe go now, and tell the world that this is wrong, and that there is a better way to protect a young democracy like Nigeria.In the name and spirit of Anthony Enahoro free him now!
And by the way fix that broken lift leading to the SSS office! A message to the Jonathan administration and the airport management.
~ John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D , DABPS, FACFE, is a Forensic/Clinical
Psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Behavioral
Science, North Campus, Broward College, Coconut Creek, Florida.
joshodi@broward.edu
| Reccommended: | ||||
| Writers, Writing on Conflicts and Wars in Africa Okey Ndibe | ||||
| Igbo Poets: Chinua Achebe, Christopher Okigbo, Onwutalobi Anthony-Claret, Chris Abani, Chike Obi, Okwui Enwezor, Okey Ndibe, Chinweizu Ibekwe Books LLC | ||||
| Bard College at Simon's Rock Faculty: Karen Allen, Edgar Chamorro, Okey Ndibe, Emmanuel Dongala Books LLC | ||||
| Igbo Activists: Onwutalobi Anthony-Claret, Chike Obi, Okey Ndibe, Gogo Chu Nzeribe Books LLC |
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Uduaghan is ahead of Ogboru in rerun election
Dr.Emmanuel UduaghanCandidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr.Emmanuel Uduaghan is ahead of his arch rival Chief Great Ogboru of Democratic Peoples Party, (DPP) in the Re-run election for the governorship seat in Delta State.
Disturbances have been reported at some polling centres where militants attempted to disrupt the election by attacking officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Chief Great OgboruClick here to see the latest updates from the Vanguard of Nigeria.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Nokia C3 for Bloggers
The world's leading mobile phone company Nokia has given phones to some Nigerian bloggers, including Orikinla whose first New Year gift is a Nokia C3 for blogging on the go. Thanks to Mr. Osagie Ogunbor, Head of Communications, Nokia West Africa.
The Nokia C3 is a cute smart phone with special apps. Click here to see the full specifications and click here to see the photo gallery.
It an unforgettable historical fact that the billionth Nokia phone, a Nokia 1100 was sold in Nigeria in 2005. I wonder how the owner of that special Nokia phone felt at that particular moment.
There is a special Nokia for blogging on WordPress from Ovi store and you can also post photos on Blogger through Nokia LifeBlog.
Luca Filighedd has shown how to do it on his blog. You can join Forum Nokia to learn more.
Shared History Between African and Native Americans
4 Jan 2011 14:30 Africa/Lagos
Groundbreaking Exhibition Explores Shared History Between African and Native Americans
Red/Black: Related Through History tells stories of the allied and adversarial relationships of African Americans and American Indians
PR Newswire
INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A groundbreaking exhibition exploring the shared history between African and Native Americans will open at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art on Feb. 12, 2011. Red/Black: Related Through History includes an object-based exhibition on the subject, created by the Eiteljorg Museum, and the Smithsonian's traveling panel show, Indivisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas .
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110104/MM21078)
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/eiteljorg/47873/
Since the first arrival of African slaves in North America, the interactions between people of African and Native American heritage has been a combined story of conflict, cooperation, cultural growth, destruction and survival. Since 2001, the Eiteljorg Museum has pioneered research on this subject and has drawn together important art and artifacts that demonstrate shared traditions found in history, genealogy, food, dress, music and occupation. Some American Indians held black slaves and others helped them escape. Sometimes there was intermarriage and a blending of traditions.
The exhibition will explore the stories of individuals and groups that highlight the allied and adversarial relationship between blacks and American Indians. One such story talks about the life of Lucinda Davis. She was interviewed by historians in the 1930s. Davis had been born a slave around 1848 and was owned by a Creek Indian family. She spent her life in what is now Oklahoma. She spoke the Creek language, and after gaining her emancipation following the Civil War, had difficulty adapting to freedom. There were many who, like Davis, were owned by Native Americans and who struggled with emancipation.
Also found in the exhibit is the story of Charlie Grant. In 1901, Baltimore Orioles manager John J. McGraw tested the color line in professional baseball by trying to pass off Grant, a Negro League second baseman, who had high cheekbones and straight hair, as Charlie Tokohama, a Native American, which was more palatable to baseball fans.
Red/Black also explores issues of race and personal identity and the question: "Who am I and who gets to say so?" The exhibit will illustrate the complexity of racial identity and why judgments about race can so easily be misguided.
Red/Black: Related Through History includes dynamic programming and runs through Aug. 9.
SOURCE Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
CONTACT: Anthony Scott, +1-317-275-1352, ascott@eiteljorg.com, www.twitter.com/Eiteljorg_PR
Web Site: http://www.eiteljorg.org
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