*Another year another month comes ’round again to mark Black History Month in the U.S. The contributions of Black people to American society and the world as a whole should be celebrated not just in the month of February but all year round. If Tyre Nichols was alive he would have celebrated Black History Month in his own way to mark it. His life was cut short by Black cops who were supposed to protect their own citizens. They descended on Nichols like a pack of wild dogs, each one pummeling him or kicking him, or hitting him with a baton. There are still good cops though. Not all are bad eggs. What a painful situation a skinny Black Man went through. Tyre did not deserve to die the way he did no matter his offense. Then again, what offense? Instinctively the fear of being killed by the cops rather than being arrested may have made him run from them. What a situation to find yourself thinking that way about those who are meant to protect you. Tyre did not die in vain … just like George Floyd didn’t. This first week of February, OUR ROOTS remembers Floyd and poet Maya Angelou, as it will celebrate Black History Month here on EURWEB throughout the month of February. I also dedicate Black History Month to the departed Tyre Nichols.
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2023 Presidential Election: Here we go Nigeria
Nigeria is the most populous Black nation in Africa and is known as the giant of Africa. The Presidential Election in Nigeria this February is on the 25th and weeks away to elect a new President and a new Vice president as well as electing members of the Senate and House of Representatives. President Muhammadu Buhari’s time as president gradually comes to an end after 8 years of chaotic leadership, poor handling of Covid 19, Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen terrorists, and others. I’ve never seen or heard of Nigerians being so disgruntled with their leader and as I am of Nigerian heritage I have observed how many have yearned for a change. Buhari believes that no one can solve all problems. Fortunately, Democracy has prevailed in Nigeria. Quite bumpy Democracy it has been, but it holds.
The late Afrobeat musician, Fela Kuti, in one of his songs called Democracy practiced by politicians in Nigeria as Demo-crazy (Crazy Demonstration). Nigerians must now vote with their hearts and not their heads for a better Democratic Nigeria. Hopefully many have registered to vote. Focus on Nigeria is to inform and educate and give an update hereon EURWEB, about the forthcoming election. The last day for political campaigns is 23rd February before the 25th. Wishing Nigeria and Nigerians, a free and fair election.
TAYO Fatunla is an award-winning Nigerian Comic Artist, Editorial Cartoonist, Writer, and Illustrator is an artist of the African diaspora. He is a graduate of the prestigious Kubert School, in New Jersey, US., and recipient of the 2018 ECBACC Pioneer Lifetime Achievement Award for his illustrated OUR ROOTS creation and series – Famous people in Black History – He participated at UNESCO’s Cartooning In Africa forum held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the Cartooning Global Forum in Paris, France and has held a virtual OUR ROOTS cartoon workshop for SMITHSONIAN- National Museum of African Art, Washington D.C. His Fela Kuti outline image is featured in the Burna Boy’s mega-Afrobeat hit song “Ye.” — tfatunla@hotmail.com
The post Our Roots: Black History Month USA 2023 & Nigerian Elections appeared first on EURweb.
