Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Oct. 14, 1982, edition 1 / Page 18
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Comments Tony Blacks Who Beat Slavery If only about 20 percent of the African slaves reached the United States, the natural question is where did the other 80 percent go? According to Allen Counter and David Evans, two Black scientists from Harvard University who have traveled deep into the South American jungle for almost a decade, the en slaved Africans were taken primarily to South America, Central America and the Caribbean. The flood of notoriety that followed Alex Haley and his history-making book and television mini-series, “Roots,” has made all of America more interested in their ancestry. Just as inquisitive as Alex Haley is Dr. Allen Counter, professor of Biology at Harvard University. While on a trip to Brazil in 1971, Dr. Counter discovered that a tribe of pure Africans was living in the jungles of Surinam, South America. They were the proud descendents of rebel slaves who were brought to Dutch Guiana by Euro peans, but mutinied and fled into the bush for freedom. as l tamed with Counter and Evans on an upcoming television special called “The Vanishing Tribe,” I realized that these two committed scholars had made one of the most unique anthropological discoveries ever: The only Africans in the world who had defeated the whites, and as a consequence, had preserved the only European-free African-pure culture. After years of curiosity and numerous voyages into the remote regions of this South American country, Allen Counter and David Evans have co-authored a book, “I Sought My Brother” (Mit Press, $19.95). “The reason we named the book “I Sought My Brother” is that it is so appropriate; it comes from the old poem that says: ‘I sought my friend and my friend forsook me. I sought my god and my god eluded me. I sought my brother and found aU three, ” Dr. Counter explained. In exploring the Djuka tribe, the North American African-American team found a people who for 10 generations have lived free in the deep forest of Surinam in Northern South America. These Bush people, as they are also called, have lived in peace with very little contact with the outside world. Ten generations have kept Africa alive in the I New World. 1 But the establishment has kept their history and existence a secret also. “They fought a 100-year guerilla war. People often talk about the Vietnamese fighting for 30 to 30 yean. Can you imagine a group of Blacks fighting oo the run for 100 years-and winning, defeating whole armies, and our growing up and not hearing anything about it?”, Counter asked on the program. However, the Bush people have pre- , served their history. In every village, story tellers keep their legacy alive. They never tire of telling how their rebel ancestors broke out of bondage, con quered the forest and fought the slave holders to a standoff*-nearly driving. v. them into the sea.. The climax to this history of rebellion is how their forebearers' war skills forced a Dutch colonial government to sign a series of unique peace treaties that guaranteed their independence and free dom and even provided this tribe of Afro-South Americans with an annual, financial stipend. In other words, they militarily humiliated the slaveowners’ armies. Other than the lesson of not surrender ing to oppression of any kind, there are other contemporary implications for the 30-million Afro-North Americans living in the United States. Does the fact that the Djukas have never been enslaved and have never internalized their enemies’ emotions account for the fact that they do not genocide (black-on-black crime) one another? David kvans told the village leaders of this concern. “In the United States, the African people there have no records of how we were when we came over, and it’s only been a little more than a hundred years since we were slaves. We have strayed from the African ways in that we do great harm to each other. I don’t see that here, I have not heard of that here, and this is what we want to take back and to show them, that these people have fought for almost a century, and defeated the white man and chose to live here as they see fit.” The Bush people are a lesson and a model for all races. For example, in the film, “Da Buwan,” the medicine man teaches a boy that to become a man, he must build houses, hunt, make boats and lead a good life. “A good life.” Think about the wisdom in those three words. Have our machines, drugs, stress and racial polarity provid ed us with “a good Hfe”? A good life lies in the knowledge of who you are and wberejrou’re from. The Bush people know that their slave routes led to South America, but their roots lie in Africa. “Tony Brown’s Journal,” the televi sion series, can be seen on public television Sundays, on Channel 58 at 6:30. It can also be seen on Channel 42, Thursdays, at 10:30 p.m. Please consult listings. “Matt Houston” Airs Sunday Night When a world-famous couturier is murdered dur ing one of his own fashion shows. Matt Houston is called in to investigate on behalf of the designer’s top model, who happens to be a chief suspect and an old girlfriend, in “Matt Hou ston,” airing Sunday, Oc tober 17 at 8 p.m. on WSOC-TV, Channel 9. In “Deadly Fashion,” Valentine St. Clair, a fa mous designer who is hated by just about everyone who works with him, is killed at a fashion show introducing his newest line. Christina Berenson, St. Clair’s top model, is the chief suspect. But before Lt. Novelli ran charge her with the crime, Christina hires Matt Hou ston to investigate. What Matt uncovers is a long list of additional sus pects, including: Vera Martin, St. Clair’s assist ant, believed by many to be better at her job than her unpopular boss; Marvin Garth, St. Clair's business partner, set to inherit a million-do liar corporate in surance policy; and Vales “Dallas’7 J.R. tries to push his mother and Bobby into a decision that would open Jock’s will, on “Dallas,” Friday, October 15 at 9 p.m. on WBTV, Channel 3. Bobby and J.R. agree that it is time for their mother to get out and meet old friends. When she de cides to attend the Oil Baron’s Ball, J.R. tries to push her into finally wind ing up Jock’s affairs. He then tries to coerce Bobby toward the same goal. Donna and Ray's long-de layed honeymoon is post poned when they have to go to Kansas for Amos Krebb’s funeral. Pam’s concern for Lucy’s depression prompts her to tell Bobby about his niece's condition. J. R. uses John Ross as a pawn to win Sue Ellen back. Cliff cau tiously accepts Marilee Stone’s offer. OTT AftmBBTO <ro® mst K«r MXSflLAHD <SM®®<©M TO (feAUlit mftatnSfMYft ka DeBraken, the design er’s ex-wife whose com pany is about to go under because her ex-husband re-1 fused to bail her out of debt. Lee Horsley stars as Matt Houston. Also star ring are Pamela Hensley, John Aprea, Dennis Fimple.'Paul Brinegar and Penny Santon. Guest stars include Christina Ferrare, Brit Ekland, Mr. Black well, Vic Tayback, Carol Lawrence and George Wyner. Matt Houston” airs Sunday, October 17 at 8 p.m. on WSOC-TV, Channel 9. LAST WOK'S BEAUTY "MISS TAMARA FORD" Recleved A COMPLIMENTARY CASE OF "MM|» From |Charlotte, NC TMnfc A — -■ a mill 9 o/ jf CHARLOTTE / POST Advertisers 111 Whatever Look You Desire And Can Wear Well. ' Stop In And Ask For NELf.1 L Nell Kennedy, Hairstylist 4 SPECIAL! #HHn W/Conditioning Treatment 5h $3»w 'I'm Coming Out Salon Of Beauty' 1541 West Blvd. Bus. 334-874* • Home 833-43*7
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Oct. 14, 1982, edition 1
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