The National Afrikan People’s Parliament
'People Empowerment for Self-Determination!'
'Taking Responsibility, Effecting Solutions'
12 commonly asked questions about the NAPP
1. Why do we use the term Parliament?
The term parliament means:
1) A governing or representative body of a nation or people (which is what we are aiming to establish).
2) The term has proven to be very effective in publicity and promotions.
3) The intention, emphatically, is not to emulate European styles of parliaments, but to develop our own, vis a vis authentic Afrikan traditions and Ma'atian (just) principles.
2. What is the Parliament? What will it look like?
The Parliament is/will be what we make it; defined by our own vision, needs, mission and actions. It is a test of our capacity to define ourselves and take control of our destiny.
3. Can the NAPP work, given that similar efforts in the past have ‘failed'?
Emphatically, yes! But this will depend entirely on our own individual and collective commitment, discipline, patients and determination. Attending meetings when called, volunteering our services when needed and making sure we complete allocated tasks within reasonable timeframes and to the highest possible standards, will guarantee success.
4. Why did these other efforts fail?
A number of reasons: personality clashes; Ideological conflicts; petty squabbles; disregard for or lack of structure/protocol; non-accountability; impatience; indiscipline; egotism; lack of commitment; infiltration; agent provocateurs; mavericks; loose cannons; not ready; lack of capacity/resources; negative mindsets ie ‘Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome'.
5. How can we avoid these pitfalls in the future?
With: 100% faith, commitment & determination; clear protocols; Institutionalised conflict resolution; strict disciplines, including accountability; dissolved egos; vigilance - guarding against infiltrators, agent provocateurs, mavericks, loose cannons, etc; respect for NAPP structures, protocols, systems, etc; capacity building; a sense of professionalism; a positive approach - refusing to accept failure. See also point 3.
6. Will the NAPP have any POWER?
It will be as powerful as we make it. "POWER is the Capacity to effect your Will." The questions therefore are: Do we have the Capacity? And: Do we have the Will? The capacity and will to do what? To unite, organise and build! If we can do this and mobilise ‘The People' (from all walks of life) behind us, the NAPP Will have real POWER.
7. Is the NAPP just another ‘talking shop'?
NO! NO! NO! The slogans captioned above emphasise the action-based ethos of the NAPP, ie towards problem solving and self-empowerment. Our motto, "Commemorate, Evaluate, Organise to Liberate," means, we will be gathering the data of our past to assess the present and organise a future programme of action for total liberation.
8. Isn't this just ‘intellectualising'?
Establishing the NAPP means ‘building a nation' with all this entails; ie building institutions of self-governance, economic self-reliance, education, defence and security, health, social welfare, science and technology, etc. and defending and protecting our people's interest, which cannot occur within an intellectual vacuum. The process must therefore be intellectual as well as practical. One without the other would be futile.
9. But, I'm tired of the talking! It's time for action!
Yes! But, what action? By whom? When? How? Why? Have we the required resources? How do we acquire same? How are we going to tackle: gun and crimes, deaths in custody, DNA profiling, teenage pregnancy, prostate cancer, the bombing of Libya, trance-racial fostering and adoption, the ‘prediction of extinction' of Afrikans in the UK by 2050, etc? The answers to these and many other questions require a great deal of consultation and planning (ie talking and listening) and a huge amount of patience. NB. Patience is a virtue.
10. Will the term Afrikan not alienate people from the Caribbean?
When Afrikans in the US decided to call themselves, ‘African-American,' many others objected. One generation on however, it's become universally accepted. The NAPP's ethos demands that we practice Kujichagulia (self-determination) ie to define, name, create for and speak for ourselves, instead of the self-defeating convention of leaving this to others.
11. How are we going to reach our people in remote areas (eg Wales)?
Our Ancestors say, "To count sand, you start from where you stand." Let us get to the people in close proximity first; then we can go after those in remote areas. Once we are sufficiently organised, mobilised, strategised and resourced we will be able to reach them.
12. But the NAPP is a massive task. Can we really achieve it?
Of course we can! The journey of a thousand miles begin with the first step. We must dare to take that first step and we must remain devoted, united and organised. Yes, there will be trials and obstacles, but we must: "Look beyond the limitations and see the possibilities."
Unite, Organise Now or Perish!
Rise, You Mighty People!