INTRODUCTION AND MISSION STATEMENT
We are a group of concerned African Diaspora bloggers who discuss problems that affect people of African descent, create solutions and action plans to solve those problems, and enact the plans using internet resources. We plan to use these methods to network with other organizations, working on similar projects and moving in the same directions, to provide life improving services to people of the African Diaspora. We want to change the world and we can do it with your help.
Everyone has a value in this project whether it be contributing ideas, finding resources, doing research, connecting with bloggers, contacting the media, recruiting other members, spreading the word, connecting us to other organizations, or signing petitions. Every African Diaspora blogger is IMPORTANT and VALUABLE to our cause.
No one is a leader and everyone is a leader here. We are all independent bloggers here and we want to stay independent. Participate as much or as little as you want, when and how you want. We hope that together we can improve all of our lives and CHANGE THE WORLD!
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GUIDING VALUES
These are African values written in Swahilli and English
Umoja (Unity)
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Nia (Purpose)
Kuumba (Creativity)
Imani (Faith)
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OBJECTIVES
To bring about social and pollitical change that benefits the African Diaspora by using Media activism--using media and communication technologies for social activism. Media activism includes publishing news on web sites, creating video and audio materials, collecting online resources, spreading information about issues, spreading information not available by mainstream news, and net-based campaigns.
We plan to use media activism to achieve the following:
Internet activism (using communication technologies such as e-mail, web sites, and podcasts to enable faster communications of campaigns and deliver messages to the African Diaspora and the world);
Transforming every African Diaspora blogger into an internet activist;
Persuading and giving members of the African Diaspora online tools and resources to change their lives;
Teaching for social justice;
Writing letter and email campaigns to organizations, news media, and government;
Online petitions;
Political campaigning;
Economic activism (e.g., boycotts and preferential purchasing); and
Online community building.
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AREAS OF CONCERN
Civil Rights
Self-Esteem and Self-Knowledge
Education
Crime
Drugs
Media Image
Racism
Sexism
Physical and Mental Health
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VISION
We envision a world where all people of African descent know and have pride in their history, culture, talents, and beauty and have equal opportunity for happiness, health, freedom, and self-empowerment. We envision a world where people of the African Diaspora are motivated to utilize our freedom and feel empowered enough to use the tools of education, enlightenment, technology, online activism and other innovative strategies to create programs and provide services that bring about positive change in the lives of the African Diaspora.
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HOW TO BECOME A FRIEND OF THE AFROSPHERE BLOGGERS ASSOCIATION
If you are not a person of African descent (Black) then we would like to network with you but you can not have an account on the ABA forum. The ABA Forum is a private workspace for people of African descent to develop self-determination and self-empowerment campaigns.
Individuals of non-African descent may join one of our many social networking sites, like MySpace, as a friend. Each site has a forum where ABA members and non-member friends can network, find ways to work together, and collaborate on activities that are in everyone's best interest. Everyone is welcome on the social networking sites as friends and we look forward to working with you on these dedicated sites.
You are also welcome to visit and have discussions with us on the Solutions Blog at http://solutionsforourpeople.wordpress.com/ and all of our individual member blogs.
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HOW TO BECOME A REGISTERED MEMBER OF THE AFROSPHERE BLOGGERS ASSOCIATION
1. If you are a person of African descent (Black) please fill out the "Want to Join the ABA" form below or on the front page of the forum at http://afrospear.jconserv.net/
2. Your membership request will be forwarded to the ABA Recruitment
Committee. After visiting your blog/website the Committee members will announce whether any of them will vouch for your membership. If at least two members vouch for your membership and there is no serious opposition then you will be welcomed as a member of ABA.
3. A welcome message will be sent to your email address with details about how to get involved with the group. The welcome to the ABA e-card will contain a welcome message, instructions to join the ABA Forum at http://afrospear.jconserv.net , and a link to the main section of the forum where new members must go to learn about ABA and how we function. You must complete your profile on the forum especially with your blog or website address.
After these steps you will become a full member of The Afrosphere Bloggers Association! If you are a new member and you have not gone through this procedure then you have probably not registered as a member of ABA.
ABA LINKS
ABA Member Forum
The Solutions Blog
ABA FAQ
ABA Member Blogs & Websites
Afrosphere Links
Afrosphere Online Paper
Afrosphere Map
SOCIAL NETWORKING GROUPS
Care2.com Group
Change.org Group
Facebook Group
Myspace Group
Black Planet Group
CHAT SERVICES
New Chat Room
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Subscribe to THE SOLUTIONS BLOG by Email |
