written on Saturday December 9 about an event at Teachers College on the same day

I received a broadcast e-mail from Janice Robinson announcing “the UMOJA! Supplementary Education Expo as we call the Harlem community to ACTION this Human Rights Day weekend.” Who was the exact organizer was not clear to me but I thought it was something I should explore.

It was announced as a 10 to 4 event at the TC Cowin Center. I arrived at 11:30 during the showing of a video announced in the e-mail message as The premiere viewing of the youth-produced documentary video, “UMOJA! We Are One: Creating Peace in Our Community”. The video chronicles the relationships between African immigrants and African Americans in Harlem, exploring the tensions, issues and opportunities as viewed through the eyes of the youth.” The ground floor of the auditorium is at least ¾ full. The audience is mostly black and young. I do not count more than a handful of whites.

The video is in English with French subtitles. Some quotes I picked up:
“I don't care if you are green, yellow ... we are all brothers”
“by producing this video ... antagonism between continental Africans and African-Americans”
“Harlem is our home”
The credits list the “youth producers”

The video is followed by a panel discussion with a moderator and six participants. The moderator introduces herself by name and age (15) and ask the participants to do the same: they are all between 15 and 17. Some quotes from their answers to questions asked by the moderator:
“I wanted to educate myself about the [conflict between Africans and African-Americans]”
“It is important you learn about what is happening ... Harlem will not be Harlem [if gentrification continues as it is happening] ... what is changing ... what is not changing”
“It does not matter what color you are ...”
“[they only teach you some things in school] things will remain hidden ... you have to find out.”

[this panel is extremely well orchestrated. These students have been very well instructed and rehearsed. They appear quite comfortable {no sniggering, joking, or other forms of nervousness}. Some of the questions could have been heard in an oral exam but the stakes here are clearly not school stakes. I am reminded of a talk show with journalists and politicians/experts. The pedagogy here is similar to the one Rosemarie Rizzo-Tolk used in the Westside High homeless video]

The moderator then invites for the audience to ask questions. Some quotes
“the history they teach in school is never about Africa. We must find out by ourselves.”
“I am from Cuba and people joked because I spoke Spanish. You must wear your culture so that people can learn from you.”
“education is key ... nobody can change you but yourself”
“I am Black, not African-American. Only immigrants from Africa can be African-Americans. I don't know that I come from Africa.”

One white woman is particularly noticeable, standing at the back and, from time to time, coming to the front to give whispered directions to people who then pass them on to the moderators. “We have to wrap it up.” W.W. tells the moderator that the video will be sent to everyone.

Moderator:
“we must give a round of applause to Laura who looks white but is Black really.”

Announcer
“break out group”
“health screening”
People start leaving
“wait wait ... [introduces a man from Sierra Leone who was ambassador from that country to the United Nations and hold other positions]”

Announcer:
“workshops”
“room changes”

W.W.:
“people who must be acknowledged ... staff ... [names] ... collaboration with IUME ...”

People leave.