(Crossposted at thefreeslave.wordpress.com)
When this particular thing called “AfroSpear” was created, we didn’t have a three, six, nine, twelve or thirty-six month plan. We, the six of us, knew a couple of things: we wanted to do more for Afrikan people in the diasopora. And, we wanted to connect with people in the Afrikan diaspora to facilitate our own growth and that of our people.
We, naively perhaps, thought that we could make a contribution, not by “leading” people, but by providing a place that could function as an incubator for black folks to lead themselves. Think, plan, create, act…and then reflect on the thinkingplanningcreatingacting.
AfroSpear was birthed in April. We’ve come far, but we have so far to go, primarily because we want and need the participation of more of our people. Some have expected the worst out of us and believe that they’ve seen it – from afar. Even a few folks who have come in with goodwill and an open mind have been turned off by our shortcomings.
We understand. We are flawed. We haven’t plugged the many holes in the dyke; of course, we’re still building it as the racist flood waters rush by – over, under and all around us. We’re under pressure to be perfect, to appeal to all of our disparate, unique selves.
How do we make it better? How do we get out of our own way and make this page serve rather than alienate? We need YOU!
I propose that a couple of mistakes be corrected:
1) There should be no distinction between the AfroSpear “Circle/Nation.” We ARE the Circle, ALL of us! The only thing those of us who formed this page should do is facilitate the discussion, moderate the comments, put in our two cents. But our two cents is no more important than yours. Because its all of OURS!
2) Membership & Overmanagement. If you’re black, you are a member. There should be no requirements to “join” this page. Show up and you’re in; if you want to be linked here, BOOM, there it is! I don’t care if people are democrats, republicans, voodoo practitioners…you are one of us. Let’s be an open ended space where the majority feel comfortable communicating and feel like their words have an audience and will be heard and maybe even utilized.
3) Civility and Bans. We want to treat each other here with respect. We know that that is hard for all of us sometimes. I try to use my page for my more “in your face” diatribes, but try to keep the “AfroSpear” page sacred. As moderators, I believe we should keep it clean, as well as real. “Character blassisination,” that masquerades as criticism has no place here; of course, some of the more skilled rhetoricians know how to straddle the line. All I can say is, we should do our best to figure out the difference and ban folk only as a last resort.
4) Brainstorms/Plans/Action. I think its critical to have a “philosophical,” analytical, planning component. Some people are all about action, without reflection, without foresight, without strategy. They just want to “do.” That’s a wonderful sentiment, but in most cases fails miserably. To quote Denzel, “this is chess, not checkers!” My hope is that we use this space to look and then leap, but only after knowing where we’re going and planning for the exigencies that might develop on the way down.
5) Welcome the Fencesitters. There’s a lot of brainpower hanging back, waiting. Maybe they are waiting for us to fail so that they can say, “I told you so.” What kind kind of spectator sport is it to stay detached from an effort to help your people and root for that effort to fail – minus the ingredients you could have added if only you’d wanted to?
There’s more wrong, of course. But there are also some good things happening here, don’t forget that.
Speak. Post here – about all of it. Pick this thing apart in our faces. This site should be that open, that it wants to hear such a critique made to us, not about us. Bring it.
We need all hands on deck. Its about progress, not perfection; we’ll never get far if we don’t have our “stars.” Come Home. HELP. S-O-S!!!
We need to tweak this thing, to make it work. TOGETHER. Let’s do it. I’m personally not wedded to how its done, just that it’s done.
The AfroSpear/AfroSphere/Blackosphere is all the same thing. Let’s keep it simple, open, welcoming and diverse.
Let us be the spot where Afrikans in the diaspora plan and plot our ascent.
I’m happy to see you’re being open about it. I think points 1-3 are the only changes you ever needed to make. And there’s no need to ban anybody, ever, unless they persist in being purposefully disruptive or flagrantly abusive. The members will do the rest on their own, in whatever way they deem best.
I am very encouraged by the changes. I am one who has been hanging back, but waiting and hoping to see something positive emerge. The element of exclusivity has given me pause, also.
I will be less passive in the future.
I don’t think you should hold back all restraint in banning people or comments. I don’t want this page ruined by the trolls that can effectively use rhetoric to blunt the momentum of this site. I think sites like Blackprof, which I also frequent, are hurt by such trolls, who have no positive intent and a very damaging effect on conversations.
All the Best.
I think that a forum, would work better for your purpose. The post here are too diverse to maintain any continuity of thought. Perhaps that could be remedied, by having a thread of the week.
My brother Max I am on board for whatever. I am just glad to see that at least we got this thing started and we are engaging some great black thinkers and like minded people like the individuals that have already commented here.
It has been somewhat disheartening watching some of the bickering and back and forth that has been taking place on some of the other forums. But hey, I am going to chalk that up to growing pains.
I like the five point plan, and I like the idea of an open debate and letting everyone in. After all, this is a “Think Tank” and we should encourage other points of views and debate amongst each other.
Peace.
Freeslave, this posting from you is very welcome.
First things first, for those of us who have participated marginally, we have only ourselves to blame. However, given the tone of this posting I’ll predict that you will see participation increasing as the spirit of this project opens. We need to find more reasons for inclusion and less hurdles to cross for membership. We are too heavy on “structures” right now. By my count, we have 4 or 5 web locations, newspapers, myspace (marketing/recruiting type) presence, but no real
Making each of us “equals” is only a gesture when there is an AfroSpear Circle, AfroSpear Nation, and AfroSphere. If inclusion is provisional and our speech is moderated/screened, then free thought can feel “curbed” to some. As founders, those of you who formed this group are the only ones who can give the rest of us legitimacy. Thank you for your gracious spirit. I think this is right strategically as well as fraternally.
I want to disagree with a premise I’ve heard from those of you in the circle. To think that the six of you can conceive of the vision for the AfroSpear, and yet not carry the burden of leadership… ? I understand why you would not want all of the s#!t that comes along with say, “We’re going to chart a course for this group.” I’m not proposing benevolent dictatorship — I’m asking those of you who conceived of this group to do the following:
**I’d like to hear from the Six a concrete statement of what they conceived when they first began this group.**
Something visual came to mind when you first spoke of this group and I’d like to what that was. Did you envision AfroSpear members meeting in the physical world? Writing editorials? Starting a DailyKos type blog presence?? Did you see us marching together, or making TV appearances! What would this group do, after incubating?**
Thanks, B.
Sorry!
To finish my thought from the first paragraph, my feeling is that we do not have a real direction yet, but already we have the structure of a major organization. I have nothing against infrastructure in general, I just think we’ve gotten a bit a head of ourselves.
Belizebound,
Thanks for your support and your continuing participation.
It is important for all to understand that we are progressing. We are building on what we have created so far. Standing still is not an option! In this dynamic life, when one stands still, you quickly find that you will be moving backwards as others will be moving ahead of you.
“**I’d like to hear from the Six a concrete statement of what they conceived when they first began this group.**”
Please read our “About” and “Mission Statement” page to grasp what we hoped and envisioned this page to be. The “About” page will be updated soon but the tone, sentiments and vision are still the same regarding both pages. BUT to put it even simplier… we wanted to create a space to faciliate discussion. How is that different from your own blog page or any other blog page? I don’t know…. but 6 of us from different backgrounds, beliefs, countries, continents came together and created this space to share our various perspectives on the issues around us and that interests us…. to foster discussions and hopefully find solutions to what ail us, individually and as a people. Which leads to another point you brought up:
“I want to disagree with a premise I’ve heard from those of you in the circle. To think that the six of you can conceive of the vision for the AfroSpear, and yet not carry the burden of leadership… ?”
We may be “leaders by example” (by default), but our efforts are geared to all… because we are all leaders! You may see this as a naive position…. but I believe that leadership is earned through time by: effort, dedication, responsibility, accountability and consistency. I don’t believe it is based on creating a blog page and stating that “okay now follow us… we have found the way!” Freeslave said it best above:
“We, naively perhaps, thought that we could make a contribution, not by “leading” people, but by providing a place that could function as an incubator for black folks to lead themselves.”
I wouldn’t say the issue is that we don’t “want all of the s#!t that comes along with say, “We’re going to chart a course for this group.” I think the issue is that most people don’t want the burden, the responsibility to lead themselves! (much less others)….
“Something visual came to mind when you first spoke of this group and I’d like to what that was. Did you envision AfroSpear members meeting in the physical world? Writing editorials? Starting a DailyKos type blog presence?? Did you see us marching together, or making TV appearances! What would this group do, after incubating?**”
As Freeslave periodically reminds us: “time takes time.” What we have here is a process. Six months from now, the dynamics of this page may change again. We don’t have all the answers. We are still finding our way. We have discussed organizing a convention in the future. I am against “writing editorials” in the name of “AfroSpear” or the “AfroSphere”… but we have seen how a letter writing campaign started by individuals, inspired by discussions from within the Afrosphere, can be effective (re: Hot Ghetto Mess and the UNICEF German campaign). As time goes on, I do see the structure, dynamics and hopefully the influence garnered by this page progressing. We are not web masters but I hope we may get those with the technical expertise, who are down with the vision, to assist us in developing the page via internet resources. Marching together and making t.v appearances… all that is possible…. let’s wait and see. Freeslave has called for a “march” to Jena.
We cannot be all things to all people. We are not trying to be that. We don’t want to be all that. We are simply providing a space, one space out of many, for those of African descent to think, exchange ideas, develop and gain the tools, wisdom, knowledge and the strength, to step forward to face their day. Isn’t that enough of a challenge at this point?
Asabagna
I think Belizebound makes some good points. You’d do better to disentangle all of those separate websites from the administrative structure of the ABA, and limit your administrative functions to registration, moderation and promotion, on a single page. The other websites can be retained, but it should be clear that they don’t represent anyone except the individuals who started them. Being an administrator should not give you the privilege of designating your individual initiatives as “official”. You have to decide if you’re directing a movement, or providing a tool that others can use to start their own movements. It sounds like you want to do both, and you can, but you have to maintain a firm and clear distinction between your individual initiatives as administrators and the AfroSpear as a collective space. If it were up to me I would do three things.
1. Create a registration page with a sign-up form on this site.
You can explain the terms and conditions of membership, which should be as liberal as possible, on that page. I would also create a directory page that lists AfroSpear members under categories that they can choose at sign-up instead of using a blogroll.
2. Limit posts on this site to announcements from the administrators and posts about initiatives by AfroSpear members. Other conversations can take place in the forums.
3. Open the forums to participation from anyone, not just members. That would probably require simplification of your forum guidelines, and the addition of more moderators. And I would put a link to the forums on the menu bar and move the FAQ to this page.
That’s my two cents.
Good ideas, Belizebound and Malik. One point I’d like to make is that the “moderators” of this page are not running the ABA at all. Bronze Trinity is heading up that effort.
Belize, I’d hope that this page could be a ‘leader’s resource’ and would encourage, as Asa said, all of us to be leaders. If we are looked to as leaders down the road, we have no control over that. But the singular “leader” model hasn’t worked so well for our people. Collective leadership is what we’re striving for, I think.
And yes, I see us meeting in the real world one day.
Malik, can you help us/point us to somebody who can help with a ‘registration page’ on this site?
I like the idea of limiting the posts to initiatives and business announcements.
To be clear, the “moderators” of this page are not running the ABA at all. Bronze Trinity is heading up that effort. I believe the forum, be it ABA or one we might develop, should be simple, functional and for sure have more moderators. I’d like to see a really simple forum that is truly connected to this site and allows great dialogue throughout the AfroSphere.
PLEASE keep the ideas coming because we are collecting them and taking them all in.
THANKS!
I think this might work for building a registration form. All you have to do is create a page and paste the html for the form into the page.
“Did you envision AfroSpear members meeting in the physical world? Writing editorials? Starting a DailyKos type blog presence?? Did you see us marching together, or making TV appearances! What would this group do, after incubating?**”
Belize…, my answer to your above quote would be to say; all of the above!
But again, some of that stuff is down the line. For now, I would be just content with this page growing in participation and insights.
I love how some of the usual suspects and naysayers from other sites are already writing our obituary, but trust me, time will prove even those “crabs” wrong.
Field and Afrospear circle please dont listen to the naysayers just keep doing what yall doing. I dont comment as much as I use to but I check in everyday and I read most of the articles.
To heck with the naysayers it didnt take 5 years to get in this mess we are and it wont be a short process attaining our freedom.
Just keep, keeping on.
I’m mad confused about the forum situation. If it’s not an AfroSpear project, then why is it using the AfroSpear name?
Field, Asa, FreeSlave: I fully understood the concept of this “think tank” from the beginning and how it would go. As Field said earlier I think we will do all the things mentioned by Belize but as the Freeslave was quoted as saying “time takes time”…I think all things will come.
BTW, I have been in U.S. VI working and using a company laptop and I have not been able to comment on many of your blogs, this includes Kizzie, Francis, Nu Vision for a nu day and Field Negro….don’t know whats up with that…but I have been checking all of the “nations” sites…I guess around the world we are being seen as a force if some sites comments sections are being blocked….
Malik, there is a slight difference in name, but I understand your confusion.
If this is only an exposition of black blogger, this site is providing that. I think it should have more focus, if is going to be a think tank.
Hathor, help us have more focus. Any suggestions to make this page more focused, better in any way are welcome. Obviously, we can’t please everyone – good ideas we want. So, let’s hear them.
Thefreeslave – Thanks for opening this dialogue & I feel that it was a wee bit over due. I am considering this somewhat of a reintroduction!
Belizebound – “Did you envision AfroSpear members meeting in the physical world?” I hope so, I think we could pulloff an awesome event!
Malik – I too am a little confused by the forum although I am a member. I think makes us look inconsistent, maybe this can be addressed in time.
On another note; something that I thought about doing since the beginning of the AfroSpear was offering to do a professionalized logo to give a little visual legitimacy. This post inspired me to put something together as a gift for us all.
Please have a look at what I done here: http://tinyurl.com/266pq5
If you like it great! I will be happy to forward the files to you. If not maybe sometime in the future.
Peace,
Tafari aKa Bygbaby
Tafari… I love the logo… thank you! We need to incorporate it somehow! Let’s discuss how.
Asa
I think it should be somewhat like the carnivals, but with rotaing subjects, with the members requesting post about a specific subject or present a post with a specific thread each week that would encourage more comments. An earlier post on education seem to elicit well thought out comments. that could eventually lead to a consensus to take action.
I love that logo Bygbaby! I have said it before, you have some serious talent.
Asa, I say we seriously consider Bygbaby’s logo for our header. Hell, as long as we are trying to freshen things up, I think a new logo would be appropriate.
But I will leave it up to everyone to come to a consensus on whether we should use it as a header or not . If not for the header, we should definitely incorporate it into something having to do with the AfroSpear.
For clarification the way I understood the afrospear vs the afrosphere was, the afrospear is a circle/community of six bloggers working within the larger afrosphere (all black bloggers).
The Afrospear is a think tank with the afrosphere and the afrosphere bloggers association is a private work forum within the larger afrosphere. They are both one of many entities that make up the afrosphere.
I hope I am not spread misinformation so all will know the afro bloggers association is a community working on behalf of black people jus like the afrospear think tank. Its really not that complicated to me the think was always to be one of many fighting on behalf of black people, many more will officially and unoficailly form circles/communities orgoanized under similar passions and goals.
So Malik that is the difference between the Afrospear think tank and the Afrosphere bloggers association, and other afrosphere communities.
Byg: Beautiful!!! Let us have the files – or better still, why don’t we give you access to our page – and let’s make it happen…UNLESS their are any objections. The ‘spear’ is old news anyway and this is a new beginning.
All in favor say AYE…
bygbaby: nice logo, I second that emotion!
Reading through the comments I realize that I may not have had a full understanding of how the AfroSpear/AfroSphere were aligned. I’ve reread Asa’s “About” section (I had read it in the past as well!).
Asa wrote: I wouldn’t say the issue is that we don’t “want all of the s#!t that comes along with saying, “We’re going to chart a course for this group.” I think the issue is that most people don’t want the burden, the responsibility to lead themselves! (much less others)….
Asa and AfroSpear, I’ve really thought about this one.
First examining it from a personal perspective. It is true, I personally am a genius at diagnosing other people’s shortcomings!! Not so much with my own. I’ve heard it said (black talk radio, conventions, and so on) that Black people love to go to “Sunday meeting”. We love to talk, preach, speechify. Unfortunately, we’re short on action…at least that’s what I’ve been told.
Sometimes I’m not so sure. When I think on the potential for what the AfroSpear can become…I’m moved.
So I’m not so sure that the fact that people don’t want the responsibility for leading themselves accounts for the entire problem. I don’t deny that fact though. I would say that we should not assume everyone is capable of the kind of vision/leadership that it takes to conceive of “an AfroSpear”. Nor is every person capable of leading it once it exists. We are all leaders, but visionaries (a person of unusually keen foresight) are rare.
I see each of us fulfilling a role. Each of us share the responsibility for leadership and are accountable for whether this vision succeeds or fails to reach its potential. We are each leaders. But I’d like to challenge the Six to at least consider whether or not they have a greater responsibility (or at least a “unique role”?) in bringing this vision to fruition?
Grace and Peace.
Mark:
Changing the name of the Forum to Afrosphere Bloggers Association is a good thing. It will eliminate most of the confusion. Good work over there btw.
Field & Freeslave:
The logo is beautiful! I have no problem with it being the header. Tafari has mad skilz and is more proficient than any of us to incorporate it, so let him have access to the page. Let’s utilize the skills of those who are “inspired to put something together as a gift for us all.” Thanks again Tafari.
Belizebound:
I appreciate your insights and perspectives. A couple of points:
“So I’m not so sure that the fact that people don’t want the responsibility for leading themselves accounts for the entire problem. “
I agree wholeheartedly with this statement! I never meant to mean that it accounts for the “entire” problem.
“We are all leaders, but visionaries (a person of unusually keen foresight) are rare.”
You are right on point with this statement also. There is certainly a difference between visionaries and leaders…. and the 2 rarely are incorporated together effectively.
“But I’d like to challenge the Six to at least consider whether or not they have a greater responsibility (or at least a “unique role”?) in bringing this vision to fruition?”
We are not longer: “The Six”. We have progressed from that distinction (or at least trying to). However, as in every endeavor, as well as in this one, there are those who are responsible to administer (oversee) the project. So I do accept that those of us who are the moderators, do have both a greater responsibility and unique role in bringing this vision to fruition. BUT… we cannot do it alone! We cannot bring it to it’s full potential without people like you and the many others who engage with us here.
“I see each of us fulfilling a role. Each of us share the responsibility for leadership and are accountable for whether this vision succeeds or fails to reach its potential. We are each leaders.”
I agree. Therefore, my question to you is this: as a leader yourself, what role do you see yourself fulfilling (if any) to assist us in making this vision succeed… to reach it’s potential?
Asa
great, send me the information & I will put a couple of headers together to choose from.
Hi,
I continue to work on my Afronary.Net project. Lately I’ve been working toward the goal of providing:
“A window on the whole black blogosphere.”
It is at http://www.Afronary.Net .
With a few kinks, it has a term cloud (using the yahoo term extraction api) which provides a listing of all the blogs that have written about a specific subject. For example type “jena” into the box that says search terms and a list all the terms connected to “jena” will come up. Then click on one of those terms and you’ll see a listing of recent blogs that have written about that term. Then click on the title of an article and it will open a window showing that entry in the blog. (If your jena related article does not show up, it means that either you are not in the database or your terms have not been extracted yet.)
I’ve also organized it so that there is an rss feed of blogs for specific terms. If for example you want an rss feed of what African American bloggers are saying about “barack obama” get to the page with the listing of “barack obama” blog entries is and in the upper left hand corner there is that rss symbol and if you click on that, there is a rss feed that points to African blog entries related to barack obama or any other term. Same is true of all terms that get extracted. There is a RSS feed for every significant term found in the part of the black blogosphere that is in the database. This should be handy for anyone who wants to keep a “pulse” on the different ways that we think about things.
If a blog is entered into the system with a particular category, this stuff get treated like the terms do above. Recent entries for particular category and rss feed for that category as well.
I’ve already taken the liberty to add some afrosphere blogs to this site(principally for testing purposes). So if it is in there already, you might want to create an account and set the categories that you want your blog known by. If not, go ahead and create an account and add your blog with the right categories. I’m still working on documenting it and how updates are handled.
If you want to guarantee that everything about your blog is up to date in there, the sign up a blog page creates a link that you use to update your blogs terms and so on with it.
I hope you all find this site useful. If you have comments or suggestions for features that would be really helpful, send them to phil.davis@afronary.com.
Peace,
Phil
PS If you know anyone with a African American focused blog have them list it in Afronary.Net
http://www.afronary.net
Mark:
The really confusing thing is the fact that the ABA uses “AfroSpear”, in its domain name, and your FAQ refers to the AfroSpear without clarifying that they’re separate initiatives. This is from the ABA FAQ:
What is the relationship between the Afrosphere and the Afrospear Forum?
All members of the Afrospear forum are members of the greater Afrosphere (all bloggers or African descent). However, all members of that Afrosphere are not automatically members of Afrospear. There is a membership recruitment and admission process.
The implication is that AfroSpear and the ABA are identical. That’s a fairly serious problem.
I admit that I was very confused about the relationship between the “Afrospear” and Afrosphere as well, so I appreciate the attempts at clarification. I think so many of us are fractured in so many places over the ‘net it’s impossible to keep it all straight.
“The really confusing thing is the fact that the ABA uses “AfroSpear”, in its domain name, and your FAQ refers to the AfroSpear without clarifying that they’re separate initiatives.”
mark bey: Malik sorry about any confusion but we have change the the name and the logo check it out.
http://afrospear.jconserv.net/ . Also remember the forum is a private work space for afrosphere blogger association members, so we can work away from white folks have our contreversial arguments away from white people and start to plan our course of action away from white people and the public. Once we have got our plans ready we introduce them on the solutions blog here http://solutionsforourpeople.wordpress.com/ the public can use the solutions blog.
@ malik
“The really confusing thing is the fact that the ABA uses “AfroSpear”, in its domain name, and your FAQ refers to the AfroSpear without clarifying that they’re separate initiatives. ”
mark bey: I do undnerstand that that was confusing however we have just changed the name. This think tank was to be a circle/community that is one of many working on behalf of the black diaspora.
We have formed another independent though affilated community/circle called the afrosphere bloggers associatioin. WE have changed the name and are now in the process of launching the ABA http://afrospear.jconserv.net/.
I know it is confusion but our front page and faq speak for themselves. Beside as far as I know you cannot join the afrospear think tank.
So sorry about that brotha Malik I hope you can forgive the confusion and at least check what we are about.
“I see each of us fulfilling a role. Each of us share the responsibility for leadership and are accountable for whether this vision succeeds or fails to reach its potential. We are each leaders.”
I agree. Therefore, my question to you is this: as a leader yourself, what role do you see yourself fulfilling (if any) to assist us in making this vision succeed… to reach it’s potential?
Asa, your point is well taken. I conclude our conversation as I originally began it. Each of us must participate fully. End of story.
As for my plan? I’m working on it!
Grace and Peace.
AYE to bygbaby’s logo!
Bygbay, why give a choice? I love the LOGO you showed us earlier.
Hey, BYG: Where’s the logo, man?! You got me all hyped and its not up YET?!
Damn!!!
Ensayn: I’m not sure what the problem is with posting on me and some of the other blogs that you mentioned. I truly doubt that my blog is viewed as a threat to anyone or anything. LOL Maybe Field’s. **wink** But certainly not mine.
The only thing I can think of is that all of the blogs you mentioned are Blogger supported blogs. I’m thinking it is a Blogger issue. Contact their technical support and let them know what’s up. I’ll do the same.
BTW: I hate that I haven’t been able to get your comments. Lord knows I’m always glad to get feedback.
Have a good one.
I’m so glad for the discussion here. I have some things to say, but I’m almost out of the door. I’ll do some thinking and hit you guys back later today. In the meantime, stay encouraged.
Peace,
Angela
Angie, we definitely need to hear from YOU!
The new logo is great Im glad you guys outgrew the spear.
What you talkin’ bout. It’s been there all along, you just could not see it. Maybe you are not really ready…….. When you have officially left the Matix, it will be visible but only to a chosen few.
Bygbaby
Damn, I must still be in the Matrix…naw, I see it. Excellent work, my brother, excellent.
Question: do you know of a blog template or other web page, with multiple columns, that will allow us to simultaneously display think tank posts from all-a-us AfroSpear-ians and another column for announcements – both administrative and informative (events, activities, protests, etc)?
I beLIEVE in you, Tafari!! I know you know.
Thanks for the hard work.
Question: do ya’ll think we should lose “A Think Tank…” from the top of the banner since its now incorporated in Tafari’s logo?
I wish I knew, because that would be awesome. Maybe another techno inclined brotha or sister can point something out…
We can get rid of the “A Think Tank…”. At this point lets eliminate redundancy.
I think the logo should get trade marked (just a thought)!!!!
Bygbaby
PS: It’s no longer my logo, it belongs to the larger us!
“Question: do ya’ll think we should lose “A Think Tank…” from the top of the banner since its now incorporated in Tafari’s logo?”
Yes I do. Done.
Thanks Tafari! Great Work!
A couple of questions and a few comments.
1. Is it true that there is no distinction between the AfroSpear/AfroSphere/Blackosphere? I think that’s how this thing gets so confusing when you are trying to develop a brand. The wayit seems to me is that the Afrosphere is all black bloggers. But the way I also understand it is that the AfroSpear is a site where black bloggers can meet up to discuss various topics. I know that this has been rehashed a number of times. But I think that we have to clear this up. It is becoming a marketting problem.
I’m so glad that the forum changed their name. I wish they would have actually dropped the Afrospear brand completely out of their new development. It would help keep the confusion down about the relationship between the two groups.
2. Is AfroSpear an organization or a blog? When you use the word “member” it sends a message that AfroSpear is an organization. If that’s what it is, that’s cool. I just think it needs to be clarified. I’m thinking it is just a meeting ground to discuss various issues. Is that what it is?
3. I have a few assumptions why the comments are moderated here. But why are they? Is it really necessary? Moderating all comments slows down the dialogue/discussions.
Maybe the job of the Afrospear administrators should be to just look out for inflamatory posts and remove them as they see fit. Otherwise, I think it would be better to take the comment moderation off. It makes the site seem a little guarded, impersonal, and apprehensive. I might even venture out to say that it makes the site boring at times
I understand some of the trepidation. But can we please consider a different response to negative posts and posters?
When there is a troll that has enough nerve to try to reveal itself, they can be identified and dealt with then. That’s how we do it at Skep’s blog. (Yes, I know this ain’t Skeptical Brotha. This is the AfroSpear. Just using that blog as an example.)
4. Maybe you guys need to agree on an editorial schedule. The posts from the circle come in randomly and without any focus on the same topics. I suggested to Free that maybe it needs to be decided that on Mondays, posts about social justice can be posted. Then on Tuesdays, posts about African can be posted. And so on and so on… Just a thought… An underdeveloped one too. LOL
But I do think that to many of us out here, it appears that there is no writer’s guidelines or an editorial focus. I like the posts here. It just seems like they are random. They also are not the kind of posts that prompt dialogue or discussion. JMO Well, at least today.
**These are only a few questions and comments. Answer them as you see fit. Remember, these are only my opinions. I ain’t trying to tell no one what to do. And I certainly ain’t trying to make enemies here. I hope my words have not offended anyone. Okay?**
Angie
The new logo works. Great job Bygbaby
Angie,
Thank you for your own time observations. We need to resolve them, including – what name are we going to go by and why? What’s the rationale for the name we’re using; let’s be very clear about who we are and what we do here.
Also, there is going to continue to be confusion between us and ASBloggers Assoc. We need to resolve that too.
We definitely need coordination of posts; we should consider developing a logical sequence of fundamental questions for the black blogging community to answer: is black nationalism still relevant, how do we relate ourselves to this country that still despises us, should we concern ourselves with getting our piece of the corrupt Amerikkkan pie, what, what?!
As moderators, our biggest job is to provide an “attractive” space that invites our people to debate, contemplate, plan and execute strategy that benefits our people – locally, nationally, internationally. (I know we’re a LONG way from there, just projecting down the road)
An editorial schedule makes a lot of sense, one that is consistent so folks know what to expect on certain days. Great!
The floor is open for specific proposals in terms of organizing our daily/weekly posts, what days will what kind of topics be posted. We can come up with some creative names to make it plain.
Thanks, Angie!
that logo is brilliant. really bright and uplifting.
growing pains is an apt term for what is going on. i have been watching a lot but keeping my input to a bare minimum due to technological difficulties (tanzania’s internet is no joke lol) but also because i feel like i have been stalling.
i do have one question though: i have this idea of conducting a survey to non-afrospear heads about the afrospear. does anyone have any questions? i want to do it with tanzanians here first and then when i go back to england, i wanted to match the results. i will post the results here soon.
so many people have put blood, sweat and tears into this which is a beautiful thing. i think the key thing to remember is the aim. as long as we don’t lose sight of our aim, the growing pains are just an obstacle that can be stepped over. the fact that this post has garnered so many passionate responses highlights how the aim in itself is still clear and not blurred.
happy saturday everyone from sunny tanzania
–A
Angie, thanks for your questions and comments. I appreciate your opinions and you have “no enemies here”… lol! Here is my take on your comments and questions:
1. I agree that at first there was some confusion with the concepts: “AfroSpear/AfroSphere/Blackosphere”. I hope it’s pretty straight forward now, especially since the Afrospear Forum has changed their name to the Afrosphere Bloggers Association. I truly hope we can now move forward from continually having this discussion to clarify what each are. Personally I don’t see what the confusion was/is… two different structures, two different sites, two different group of moderators, two different formats… I would say now that those who are still confused… want to be. For me this discussion is tired, played out and a waste of time and energy. We have said time and time again that we are two different cells, among many, with a common goal…. the upliftment of our people. Let’s move on.
2. This is a blog page. The moderators submit a post and whoever wants can comment and discuss the topic/issue… like on any other blog. We talk about “membership” to the Afrosphere NOT the Afrospear blog page. There is no membership requirement to this Afrospear page. NONE! I don’t know how much clearer it can be than from what FS stated in his point #2. See above: Membership & Overmanagement.
3. awww… the question of moderation. All I can say is that I am still for it. Angie, I notice that it has been enabled on your personal blog page also. I don’t agree that it “slows down the dialogue/discussions” here, but that is just my opinion. We are pretty quick to approve comments here. The moderators discussed this issue before and we understand the pros and cons of enabling it. There is no doubt that it has saved us and the page from descending into demonizing blog wars and/or opening up the door to disrespectful behavior and dissention. No system is perfect but it is an issue which we will revisit. (Btw… i don’t believe in censorship. You have the right to say and post whatever you want… on your own blog page).
4. I agree that the page needs to incorporate more editorial focus. However I think a system of having a topic/issue assigned to a specific day of the week would be limiting and onerous. I like the idea that Sylvia (and subsequently Hathor above) had suggested in starting a carnival with rotating subjects. I suggest that it be monthly, with a specific date for links to be submitted on the topic, so it can be posted on a specified date. I am working on this idea and hope to have something posted real soon. In between the carnival posts, other “random” posts on topics and issues can be submitted and discussed. The best of both worlds?
So where do we go from here? There were many suggestions which gave us ideas to reflect on and certainly incorporate. I love the logo! It’s time to get to work to move this thing forward and remember it’s a marathon and not a sprint. It’s still a process which we will get right and wrong. I want to reiterate what Aulelia said:
“so many people have put blood, sweat and tears into this which is a beautiful thing. i think the key thing to remember is the aim. as long as we don’t lose sight of our aim, the growing pains are just an obstacle that can be stepped over. the fact that this post has garnered so many passionate responses highlights how the aim in itself is still clear and not blurred.”
“1. I agree that at first there was some confusion with the concepts: “AfroSpear/AfroSphere/Blackosphere”. I hope it’s pretty straight forward now, especially since the Afrospear Forum has changed their name to the Afrosphere Bloggers Association.”
mark bey: I am with ASA on this one I do not understand why folks were and are having a hard time understanding the concept of different communities working seperately from or even the same perspective but as a different orginization. If folks can understand the concept of different churches in different communities as well as differnt social orginizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Naacp and the urban league that all work work black improvement well then it shouldnt be a problem understanding different afrosphere communities working torwards the same overall goals to bring relief from the suffering of black people the world over.
I have to admit that it was explained clearly by the moderators of this blog, so I kind feel ASA when he said those who dont understand dont want to. Or those who didnt understand the concept of different afrosphere communities working on their own didnt want to understand, were being difficult or refused to read the think tanks thoughts on this matter.
Anyway for futher clarification the ABA forum http://afrospear.jconserv.net/ which folks must register to access is a PRIVATE WORKSPACE for african diaspora bloggers to come together in total honest without any white people or non black bloggers adding thier 2 cents. Their are some things we must say to each other that will from time to time get downright vicious, but they need to be said in my opinion. Also Im not talking about blatantly hurtful or disrespectful behavior either.
However we consider ourselves humans first and welcome all progressive thinkers no matter what color they are as long as they arent just trying disrupt our progressive actions by insulting other people with impunity. For this reason we have created the solutions blog http://solutionsforourpeople.wordpress.com/ which will be a public blog used to inform the public about the launch of specific campaings and innitiatives.
We also envision the solutions blog as a place were all folks can contribute to our ongoing campaings whether that be with research, activism, possibly funding later on down the rode and suggestion about how we can take our activism and campaings to a higher level. On all of our blogs we will encourage honesty, thoughtfulness and hard hitting debate which I love.
Also it should be understood full well by all that the ABA is not in the business competing against this think tank in any way shaper or form. WE consider ourselves as cogs in the machinery that will deliver black folks their freedom the world over.
Brotha Asa:
1. The comment moderation is set on my page because I was getting a ton of spam. That’s the only reason. I got tired of deleting wacky posts about a bunch of nonsense. Is that the issue here? If it is, I understand. But somehow, I don’t think that’s the issue. But whatever… It’s not that big of a deal for me. I’m simply explaining why the comment moderationis set on my blog since you pointed it out. If you feel that comment moderation is appropriate and needed here, then that’s certainly cool with me.
2. I think that it is wise for you guys to understand why people were/are confused about the two names. Yeah, some people are just trying to keep up drama and confusion. But there are some, like myself, that were confused by the names being so similar. Sorry… It’s straight for me now. I understand that Afrospear and ABA are autonomous and independent of the other. I’ve understood this every since it was clearly clarified for me a couple of months ago. But don’t think that everyone is just trying to be difficult when they don’t get it. Remember everyone was not present at the genesis of this beautiful project.
I know that there were haters present from jump. But everyone is not a enemy of this effort. Believe that. You must.
3. I never thought there was a membership requirement here. But when you use the words “membership, members, member” it implies that there is something to join. Asa, I’m completely clear on this. But I have to admit that I understand how others get lost in understanding the AfroSpear’s intent.
Forgive me for paying close attention to words/symbols/messages and how they can be interpreted/perceived. I guess it is because I am literally a student of communication. Plus, I naturally, as a woman, pay close attention to details. I’m sure that I am being over analytical. So, please forgive me, and receive my comments as a sign of support.
You have a blessed week. Stay encouraged.
Angela