Aida's blog.
Please be careful and aware of what’s going on in the West re: censorship of anti-imperialist narratives rn y’all. It’s scary but we look away at our own peril. Accounts and perspectives that do not follow the US-NATO line are being targeted. Please tell your people and challenge this shit, challenge war and strive for peace. xo
https://asawinstanley.substack.com/p/twitter-is-censoring-reporting-on
“This collection of photographs, pamphlets, educational material, newspapers and other documents was assembled by Chris Searle during his involvement in the Grenadian Revolution 1979-83. The originals are currently held in the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton, South London.”
“It is dedicated to the memory of Jacqueline Creft, one of the leaders of the New Jewel Movement and Minister of Education in the People’s Revolutionary Government from 1980 to 1983.”
The Collection
“NATO is a danger to world peace, to security, so we are in the task of how to reach agreements with social movements, not only in Latin America, but in all continents, to eliminate it. If nothing is done against NATO, it will become a permanent threat to humanity.”
https://en.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/news/world/evo-morales-launches-global-campaign-to-eliminate-nato/
I became aware of the music of Zilo Groove in one of the most inauspicious places in the world: my twitter mentions. The message promoting his music looked like spam; indeed, it appears he had been spamming various twitter accounts to promote his albums.
Phishing scam or guerrilla marketing? There was only one way to find out. I bless my stars that I decided to click. I was introduced to “Afro Sal-Soul,” a musical genre that Zilo Groove claims to have created, combining “hip-hop, African music, Afrobeat, salsa, jazz, dance and electronic music.”
You would be within your rights to be skeptical, but the music speaks for itself. The “I Love My African” music video reflects Zilo’s musical roots in both Douala, Cameroon and New York City, USA. You either love or hate the DIY spirit that Zilo exudes.
My favorite track by Zilo Groove is probably Venez Danser, a groovy and emotional number.
Finally, there are his more experimental/electronic albums. House and Techno Scrolls has a track called “Fidel Castro Techno Blues” which, going on just the title alone, is amazing. Also worth mentioning is the album Just Horns, Bass, and Drums which is true to its name. The opening track to that album is a spacey tune called “Pregnant in Red,” also an amazing title.
As I’m writing this little review, I’m realizing that I’ve listened to a lot of these albums now! Zilo Groove’s music is not for everyone, as he can be a little goofy at times and the production feels spotty. Despite that, there is a buoyancy and real musical talent that keeps me coming back to these songs. Perhaps you will enjoy this under-rated (or not rated at all) artist and his message of love and grooviness.
“Domenica enjoyed the Sunday afternoon all dressed in white” ❤
ain't nuthin' you can do BUT LOVE no it's tru, ain't nuthin' you can do BUT LOVE i loved my fare share that means i paid my dues hear me well i'm alright in these blues ain't nuthin' to tell cept LUV u know the kind that keeps you UP? yup - i know it, hell i made it, 'sup? what is the flipside of paradise? nice ladies never tell, no nope BUT LOVE keeps us alive, so well
“We have to express that we are gravely concerned about the possibility of a war in Europe and an extension of this armed confrontation to other regions of the world.”
“The U.S. does not want peace, unless it be the peace of a conquered Russia. That is why there is no obvious end to the escalations and counter-escalations. The U.S. and NATO see opportunity in the war they have been trying so hard to provoke.”
Aida’s note: Hi y’all! Hope this is finding you well. In the frenzy of media coverage surrounding current events, I noticed a CNN article detailing the news that the oil and gas company Shell will be exiting partnerships with Russia’s state-run energy company Gazprom in the wake of Russia’s invasion. In the article, a Shell executive is quoted as saying: “We are shocked by the loss of life in Ukraine, which we deplore, resulting from a senseless act of military aggression which threatens European security,” said Shell’s chief executive officer, Ben van Beurden.
This allusion to “European security” immediately reminded me of a talk that Kwame Ture gave at Howard University in 1972. Circumstances have changed, but I think the geopolitical analysis is spot on and it’s helped me understand the role of NATO on the world stage. You can check out the entire talk at the hyperlink, but I have transcribed the relevant bit below. Hope this is helpful to someone! – xo Aida
America is in what is known as NATO. NATO is the combined military strength of all the Western imperialist countries. America, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, etc. They all come together and they integrate their armies, navies, air forces.
Can you imagine what that’s like, man?
That’s NATO.
That’s NATO.
You understand that?
At any given time, they can control…whew, lord, that’s frightening to think about, yeah.
Well, Russia and the Eastern socialist countries have what is known as the Warsaw Pact. Now, the Warsaw Pact is the same thing that NATO is. You have Czechoslovakia, Poland, Russia, all the Soviet Socialist Republics in this. So, now you know what we’re talkin’ about now. They mighty powerful too.
Now, NATO is imperialistic. Imperialistic.
Warsaw Pact is socialist. They say they are. They say they are. They say they are.
And these two groups, who have dialectically opposed philosophies, are talking about coming together militarily.
When they talk about European security, that’s what they’re talking about. That’s all they’re talking about. You hear them all the time talking about European security, that’s what they’re talking about.
Now, it is very important for us, Africans and socialists, to understand how is it possible for a socialist system and an imperialist system to put their military might together? And if so, against what? Against what?
Now, we have to examine that. They’re talking about European security. Nobody is against European security. Europe should be secured. Everybody’s agreeing. I’m for African security. I’m for Asian security. I’m for European security. It’s a necessity.
But, this European security is not Europe geographically. You understand me. You understand me clearly. Ya hear me? It’s not Europe geographically. Cuz America ain’t in Europe, ya hear me? Canada ain’t in Europe, ya hear me? Australia ain’t in Europe, ya hear me? Iceland ain’t in Europe, ya hear me?
They talkin’ bout white man security. Hear me well. Hear me well. They talkin’ bout white man security. They talkin’ bout white man security. Irregardless of ideology.
Aida Rends