Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Breaking The Silence: Voicing The DRC's Plight

It is another year and another October. This month all across the globe students, activists and educated global citizens on the situation in the DRC will be gearing up to speak out. Activites to educate the public vary from location to location, but if you would like to get involved or want to know where you can get information first hand, check out Congo week.org..

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Congolese Students say no to the silence on Congo War

According to Congoweek.com

The Congo is the greatest humanitarian crisis in the world today where nearly 6 million people have died since 1996, half of them children under 5 yrs old and hundreds of thousands of women have been raped all as a result of the scramble for Congo's wealth. The United Nations said it is the deadliest conflict in the world since World War Two. However, hardly anything is said about it in the media. Can you imagine 45,000 people dying each month and hardly a peep from anyone in the age of the Internet? This is literally what has happened and continue to happen in the Congo. There is a media blackout about Congo and no worldwide resolution to end the conflict and carnage there.



There is a very exciting development among students and community activists throughout the globe. In October 2008, students and community activists from the US, Canada, England, Belgium, Germany, France, Brazil, Jamaica, Norway, Korea, Ghana, Mali, South Africa, Columbia, etc. etc, organized events dealing with the Congo (films, lectures, demonstrations, and more) in their communities and on their respective campuses. We called the undertaking "Break the Silence" Congo Week where 35 countries and 150 university campuses participated in a week of activities in solidarity with the people of the Congo.

The purpose of the Break the Silence Congo Week is to raise awareness about the devastating situation in the Congo and mobilize support on behalf of the people of the Congo. Congo Week II will take place from Sunday October 18 to Saturday October 24, 2009. The key organizers are students from North Carolina A&T , UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Greensboro, University of Maryland, Howard University, Bowie University, and Cornell University.

We are hopeful that you will be able to participate and/or help in the following manner:

1. Connect us with people in your network who may be able to help us in this effort.

2 . Help us reach out universities and communities in your area or throughout the globe to participate. Any help you can provide in this regard will be of great help.

3. Join us by becoming a key organizer on your college campus or in your community to either host an event or series of events, or spread the word about Break The Silence Week. We definitely can provide support for speakers, movies, and programs.

4. Make suggestions as to how we can make the event a grand success.

Let us know if you would like to join us in breaking the Silence. We need the WORLD to join us, we know we can't do it alone.

Call our headquarters at 1-888-584-6510 to get more info about our effort or email us at support@congoweek.org.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Falling Whistles



According to Falling Whistles Facebook group info...

Falling Whistles is a small window into our world's largest war.

Less than a year ago, laying in Titu Prison, 5 boy-prisoners spoke of the whistleblowers.

Abducted in Congo and too small to carry a gun, boys were given merely a whistle and sent to the front lines of battle.

The sound of their whistles calling together was meant to frighten the enemy away. Failing that, their sole duty was to receive the bullets with their bodies.

With falling whistles, their only choice was to feign death, or face it.

The world is changed by those who speak up. Whistleblowers. Rarely understood in their time, history looks back and calls them courageous.

Around the world, the sound of the whistle means stop. Pay attention. Speak up and say the same.

Make their weapon your voice and be a whistleblower for peace.

Buy a whistle here:
http://fallingwhistles.bigcartel.com/

Them.
http://www.fallingwhistles.com/

Contact Info
Email: jonathan@fallingwhistles.com

Website:
http://www.FALLINGWHISTLES.com

Office:
The FW Campaign HQ
Location:
657 Indiana Ave
Venice, CA

CONTRE LA VIOLENCE Kinshasa, DRC

I saw this posted on Facebook and it was very inspiring for me. Network and collaborate with others to bring awareness to the Congo. Watch & Listen.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

The DRC Clothing Co. Blazes the Digital Renaissance of Consciousness

The DRC Clothing Co. & NuFacesNC took over The Hart-Witzen Art Gallery located in NoDa - Charlotte's Arts District for a night of photo-consciousness.

The Photo.Conscious Edition had an open wine bar, catered food, live art and body painting and a photo shoot all as the back drop for the most unique party experience you will have had.

While you were enjoying the performances and requesting hip-hop classics from the DJ, the DRC Clothing Company conducted a photo shoot displaying their Spring/Summer lines.

The theme for the evening was spreading awareness of the current conflicts in several African nations. A portion of the proceeds went to benefit deserving charities. Look for their next event coming soon. We'll keep you posted.





Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Amanda Diva/9th Wonder Nappy Luv 7.5


National and regional Hip-Hop and R&B talents share stage with graffiti artists and poets to bring awareness to the conflict in the Congo.
NuFacesNC.com and the DRC Clothing Company announced Wednesday March 11, 2009 that recording artist, author, poet and media personality Amada Diva will host Nappy Luv 7.5 in Charlotte , NC on Saturday April 11, 2009 and in Raleigh , NC on Sunday April 12, 2009.
Nappy Luv 7.5 is an annual event series that molds music, art, dance, fashion and poetry in to one festive occasion. This year's efforts are aimed at bringing attention to the technological resource based war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Amanda Diva is a multi-talented Columbia University graduate that made her debut on Nickelodeon at the age of 12 on the sitcom My Brother and Me. After graduation she hosted shows on MTV2, VH1 and SIRIUS. In 2007 Amanda Diva replaced Natalie Stewart as a member of the group Floetry on their tour. Most recently Amanda Diva released the free EP Spandex, Rhymes & Soul in March 2009.
The Charlotte stop for Nappy Luv 7.5 is being billed as "The Photo.Conscious Edition and will be held April 11, 2009 at the Hart-Witzen Art Gallery and Theater at 116 W. 36TH Street in the city's arts district, NoDa. A who's who of Charlotte 's politically engaged socialites, tastemakers and creative class will enjoy an open bar catered event featuring live performances and art before partying the rest of the night away while models wearing fashions of the DRC Clothing Company conduct a photo shoot in the background.
On April 12th the show moves to the Lincoln Theater in Raleigh, North Carolina for Nappy Luv 7.5: The Bloody Tech-Knowledge-Y Concert featuring host and performer Amanda Diva, Hip-Hop artist Median, Grammy Award winning producer 9th Wonder, urban folk starlet Jocelyn Ellis featuring band Alpha Theory, soulstress Lizh, and many more.
NuFacesNC.com is a social-networking community web site akin to Myspace or Facebook but with a regional focus. As with these sites, NuFacesNC.com allows members to register profiles, upload and share photographs and videos, chat with other members, and update blogs. In addition, the site also features original content. NuFacesNC.com offers graphic design, videography and video editing services as well.
The DRC Clothing Co. is the brand of choice for urban-minded, socially conscious young adults who seek apparel that appeals to more than just a sense of style. Founded by Congolese-Americans Eric B. Ndelo, and Roderick B. Vakala, along with international street culture enthusiast Antonio T. Mercer and Taj Polite; the brand fuses the urban aesthetics of global street movements with Pan-African cultural principles and designs.
CONTACT:
Taj Jamal Polite
NuFacesNC.com
Phone: (980) 230-9222
Fax: (800) 757-9079
taj@nufacesnc.com
www.nappyluv.com

Nappy Luv 7.5


North Carolina radio stations join in as awareness gala and concert
gives revelers opportunity to affect the environment by bringing dead
cell phones to events.

Charlotte, North Carolina, March 24, 2009 – On April 11 & 12, 2009
national recording artist and poet Amanda Diva will join Grammy-Award
Winning producer 9th Wonder, his artist Median, Jocelyn Ellis and
others in an effort to bring attention to the wildlife and humanity
being threatened by the world’s thirst for consumer electronics.

Nappy Luv 7.5 is an annual event series that molds music, art, dance,
fashion and poetry in to one festive occasion. This year’s efforts are
aimed at bringing attention to the technological resource based war in
the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Coltan is a metallic ore used in the making of such consumer
electronics as cell phones and lap tops. Over 80% of the world’s
supply of coltan can be found in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Illegal mining of coltan occurs largely in wildlife-protected areas
throughout the Congo. Not only does the activity in these areas
threaten the natural habitat of the wildlife, there is a human cost as
well. Most mining is done by hand and by women and children.

The cost is not only seen abroad. The average life span of a cell
phone in the U.S. is less than 18 months resulting in hundreds of
millions being replaced yearly while fewer than 10% are re-used or
recycled. Cell phones contain hazardous materials and the “e-waste” is
dumped in to landfills throughout the U.S.

Radio stations on the campuses of UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University and
North Carolina State University have begun asking their listeners to
party with a purpose by showing up to the events with dead cell phones
that can be recycled.


About Nappy Luv 7.5

http://www.nappyluv.com

The Charlotte stop for Nappy Luv 7.5 is being billed as "The
Photo.Conscious Edition and will be held April 11, 2009 at the
Hart-Witzen Art Gallery and Theater at 116 W. 36TH Street in the
city's arts district, NoDa. A who's who of Charlotte 's politically
engaged socialites, tastemakers and creative class will enjoy an open
bar catered event featuring live performances and art before partying
the rest of the night away while models wearing fashions of DRC144k
conduct a photo shoot in the background.

On April 12th the show moves to the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, North
Carolina for Nappy Luv 7.5: The Bloody Tech-Knowledge-Y Concert
featuring host and performer Amanda Diva, Hip-Hop artist Median,
Grammy Award winning producer 9th Wonder, urban folk starlet Jocelyn
Ellis featuring band Alpha Theory, soulstress Lizh, and many more.

Buy Tickets for Charlotte Nappy Luv 7.5: The Photo.Conscious Edition:
http://www.groovetickets.com

Buy Tickets for Raleigh Nappy Luv 7.5: The Price of Tech-Knowdege-Y:
http://www.etix.com

For all info check out: http://www.nappyluv.com

CONTACT:
Taj Jamal Polite
NuFacesNC.com
Phone: (980) 230-9222
Fax: (800) 757-9079
taj@nufacesnc.com
www.nappyluv.com