Eleven Important Reasons for Developing Independent Afrikan-Centered Institutions in America

Eleven Important Reasons for Developing Independent Afrikan-Centered Institutions in America

1. We are responsible for developing our own children and communities.

2. Independent Afrikan-Centered Institutions are an example of Self-Reliance.

3. Institutions instill values and commitments. Either we teach our children to serve our interest, or others will teach them to serve theirs.

4. Independent Afrikan-centered Institutions provide a new vision of reality and serve as a model of new possibilities.

5. An institution at its core, is a group of people unified and organized around their common interest and common objectives. This core group can become the basis for developing other projects such as food co-ops, newspapers, political action and economic development.

6. Our children need to see us taking hold of our own destiny and running things. Independent Afrikan-Centered Institutions are an example of self-determination.

7. An institution is a concrete manifestation of what we know and believe. Knowledge is only useful to the degree that we can employ It to transform our condition. An institution is not an abstract theory, it is working model that tests our ideas.

8. Independent Afrikan-Centered Institutions create jobs for our people.

9. Independent Afrikan-Centered Institutions create and institutionalize songs, rituals, celebrations and observances that become a part of the social fabric of our community.

10. Independent Afrikan-Centered Institutions provide our children with a reflection of themselves.

11. We need "Liberated Zones" that are dedicated solely to the uplifting of Afrikan people.

From the Parent Handbook of NSOROMA Institute, Detroit, MI.