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Mainstream perspective is to disrespect elders & ancestors- Natalio Wheatley

Natalio 'Sowande Uhuru' Wheatley claims he was ridiculed for wearing African clothing by some one at HLSCC
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While speaking on Black History Month, which is currently being observed in the United States, co-host of last evening February 2, 2012 radio talk show “Umoja” Natalio ‘Sowande Uhuru’ Wheatley said there was a need to honour our elders and ancestors rather than ridicule them.

“The mainstream perspective at the moment is really to disrespect your elders and your ancestors. Even just putting on traditional African clothing, I put on my shirt, African prints and what not and I went to the college and a young brother laughed. First he said oh you is an island man now, which was an interesting comment in itself and then he went from island man and said oh you is an African now and I remember when I was young that was supposed to be very insulting...not knowing that if you look at history with the correct lenses that is something to be honoured by,” Mr. Wheatley said.

“The main stream view right now is, I mean you wear a shirt from any other particular group or anybody else wearing a particular shirt from a particular nationality or culture and it is not ridiculed in the way you will be ridiculed. I mean I didn’t say anything to anybody, I just walked around in the clothing and all of a sudden I am a target for ridicule, just for wearing the clothing. I mean I didn’t say take off your shirt that you are wearing, you should be wearing a shirt like mine, I didn’t say anything like that,” Mr. Wheatley added.

The talk show co-host and public activist, who unsuccessfully contested for an At Large seat with the People’s Patriotic Alliance (PPA) at the November 2011 elections in the Virgin Islands, noted that it was ironic that, “people don’t know a thing about Thanksgiving historically and we honour it, Halloween comes and we honour it, we honouring the Easter bunny all types of stuff.”

According to Wheatley, there is need for us to honour our elders and our ancestors since there is nothing wrong with that.

Meanwhile, this year's theme for Black History Month is "Black Women in American Culture and History".

17 Responses to “Mainstream perspective is to disrespect elders & ancestors- Natalio Wheatley ”

  • billy b (03/02/2012, 13:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Black History is also an American celebrated event, (and you honoring it) what's your point??? Don't we honour our ancestors every year the first week in August?? (EMANCIPATION) What we need to focus on it not allowing expats to come in a change or custom. I mean, maybe I'm missing something, I dont get your point. Someone please set me straight.
    • billy b (03/02/2012, 13:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      and don't we also celebrate cultural week where we pay homage to our forefathers? I just think there is a time and place for everything. Do you think it is appropriate to wear the heritage dancers outfit to work or church or where-ever??
      • billy b (03/02/2012, 13:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Lighten up wheatley, don't be so sensitive. I'm sure the student was just making a joke, why do you have to enterpret that as ridicule?
        • tell dem brotherman (03/02/2012, 18:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          no need to lighten up ah ting...deeds young people aint know ah ting but we history..keep pressing it sowada
    • @ Billy b (05/02/2012, 13:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Black history month is celebrated by anyone who thinks it's important. In the UK it's October. Some people don't recognize it in the states. that is their right. Sowande thinks it's important so he celebrates. If you don't, good for you. Keep it moving. Also, anyone who has paid any attention to august festival would know all the history and culture has been sucked out of it. culture week is great but black history month covers a broader historical perspective and includes more than just history within America or any single country. You are smart enough to understand this so don't be so contrary. Bless you!
  • black boy (03/02/2012, 13:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You so right my brother tell them
  • Thinker (03/02/2012, 14:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sowande you're right but let them keep up the ignorance! You stay on track, know your history and it will only be beneficial in all you do.
  • Craziness! (03/02/2012, 16:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sowande you right. Don' study dem mockers and haters. You a FREE man. You could where what de hell you like. To the fool who got a problem with expats coming in. That's not the issue. The issue is raising our own children to respect everyone, including themselves. It's not about false or foolish 'pride' in our Tortolan-ness that makes us think we BETTER than other people - it's about knowing who we are, where come from, so we can figure out where we should be going.
  • ccc (03/02/2012, 18:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    to god be the glory.....
  • People of African Descent (04/02/2012, 04:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    As people of African descent we do not need a month to celebrate our history we should celebrate our history every day by teaching it in our schools and by inclusion of our Afrocentric culture in our every day life. Please do not allow ignorant brainwash individuals to discourage you from this positive act. Clearly these individuals need to be educated about their history. Many of the people who would comment negatively follow a ghetto or criminal culture wearing clothing that represents many of the things that reflect the negative aspects in the Black community. As it relates to Black history month in the US, Morgan Freeman said it best by pointing out that African American history should not be relegated to one month, it should be taught every day in American life. The wearing of African regalia is a positive thing. For me, it represent that you know your roots and shows patronage to our ancestors.
    • @ People of African Descent (05/02/2012, 13:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with your post, but I think it is important to note that celebrating a week or a month is not contrary to institutionalizing your history in school. Celebrating education week is not a substitute for learning every day. Celebrating a birthdate does not mean you don't celebrate life year round. But I do agree that we need it in the curriculum.
  • mother earth (04/02/2012, 11:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Go positive black man preach on!
  • The wild thing! (04/02/2012, 17:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think this young man has a lot of devils to fight as he is young going through in his life where he is confused on his heritage. The older u get the clearer it becomes young man! At some point u will get it together.
    • You're confused (05/02/2012, 13:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I know him and he is far from confused. What do you know about him. Are you one of the devils he has to fight? Try being an angel for a change. Love over hate!
  • the wild thing! (09/02/2012, 10:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    no hate just speaking from the outside looking in: it just seems a lot of our young men are having some form of an identity crisis!


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