4 The Hampton Roads Messenger Editorial


Remembering the History and Current State of African Americans


eradicate the Moors, which explains why the Mayans, Native Americans and other people of color dwindled to the brink of extinction or disappeared after Columbus arrived.


In 1507, the first continuous


English settlement was established. When the English arrived in the New World the “Spanish” influence could be seen from the Chesapeake Bay to the tip of South America. This influence was from the Moors who had traveled to the “New World” throughout the period when they ruled in Spain.


English ships BY ANGELA JONES In 2015, it is really time for African


Americans to consider where we are in this country in relation to other citizens. If anyone feels that African Americans are being treat fairly in this country, that is great, they should continue their blissful existence with their head firmly planted in the proverbial sand. For the rest of us, who are dealing in reality, it is not enough to recognize our plight; we should devise a plan to remove ourselves and our future generations from the merry-go-round of inequity for African Americans in the United States. The following is a synopsis of what we have endured.


In 711 A.D. Muslim Moors from


North Africa, mainly Morocco, crossed the Strait of Gibralter to arrive on the Iberian


Spain, Portugal, Andora and part of Northern France. Hannibal, born in Carthage, Tunisia, a city in North Africa. He was one of the greatest military commanders of all time and was considered the “father of strategy.”


the Muslim Moors ruled Spain and other parts of Europe


From 711 A.D. until 1492 A.D., graciously


bringing technology and architecture to the cave dwellers. These developments allowed Europeans to move out of the caves and into lavish dwellings with water running to their cities for the first time. The architectural prowess of Moors can still be seen in buildings such as the palace fortress Alhambra which stands today in Granada, Andalusia, Spain.


in their


In 1492, Moors ended their rule last


European stronghold,


Granada, Spain. Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain expelled the remaining Moors that year with the ultimatum to convert to Catholicism or


face the consequences. Some of


these Muslims followed their ancestors to what is now the Americas where they were pursued by Christopher Columbus. It is documented that


Christopher Columbus was


accompanied by a Muslim navigator. Why else would the Catholic Spanish royal family commission Columbus to go to the New World? Certainly not to look for Asia. The plan was to


Peninsula, which included


continued to arrive with indentured servants of all races; however, in 1620, a ship brought approximately twenty individuals from Africa who represented the first “Africans” in the English Colony. The Moors were considered Native Americans.


The European indentured servants were to provide free labor until the period of their servitude expired. The colonists had a difficult time


servants


controlling their because


from anyone indentured


away and colonists could not tell them


they would run else.


At one


point, the European servants actually conspired with servants of color and burned Jamestown. In 1640 a Virginia judge hearing a case of three servants who ran away to Maryland decided that the Dutch and Scottish servants would be sentenced to serve an additional year after their original period of servitude; however, the African servant John Punch, who ran away with them, would serve for the rest of his “natural life.” Many believe that this was the beginning of slavery based on skin color in the English colonies. The rest is history, a history that included years of indescribable


torture during


slavery, lynchings, church bombings, segregation, and Jim Crow. The thirst for free labor never truly ended; new tactics were discovered to enslave the


hearts Americans.


As for the current state of African Americans, we need only consult recent news reports, which show the difference in the unemployment rate of African Americans, as compared to the rest of the country; the difference in affordable housing available to African


Americans; education for the African state of American


youth; the disproportionate number of African Americans incarcerated and the number of unarmed African Americans being killed by police.


Philosopher George Santayana


is credited with the quote “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” African Americans should heed this warning and ensure that each one of us not only remembers this history, but also passes our history down to future generations. In this case, a history lesson can be the greatest gift of all; a gift that can secure a better state for generations to come.


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and minds of African


Volume 9 Number 6 Safe Travels FROM PAGE 1


cards than what you expect to use, in case you lose your wallet," advised Luke W. Reynolds, Chief of the FDIC's Outreach and Program Development Section.


And, Reynolds suggested taking


two credit cards, each with a different payment network logo on the front, such as American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa. That is to increase the likelihood, particularly when you are travelling internationally, that you can pay with plastic


Note: Using your credit card at an


ATM or in a bank to get a cash advance can cost you substantial fees.


Consider other alternatives to


cash. Debit cards, which can be used at stores and at ATMs, deduct funds automatically from a bank account. Prepaid debit cards, which are generally not linked to your bank account, allow you to load a specific amount of money on the card for purchases and ATM cash withdrawals. With these or other alternatives,


research the potential


costs, limitations on their use, and your protections if they are lost or stolen.


Don't flaunt your cash, bank cards, jewelry or other valuables. "When you travel, modesty is not only the best policy, it may also deter a robber," said Michael Benardo, manager of the FDIC's Financial Crimes Section.


If


possible, leave your jewelry and other valuable items in a safe deposit box at your financial institution or leave expensive items at home. Pickpockets thrive in certain communities, so don't ever leave your purse, wallet or keys out in the open. Consider hiding extra money under removable insoles in your shoes and putting your credit card in your inside pocket or a waist pack under your shirt or jacket. "You could take a backup or ‘emergency' credit card with you, but make sure to lock it up in the hotel safe," Benardo added.


In general, it makes sense to keep your cash, cards, wallets and passports in separate places. If you have a travel companion and you share the same credit card accounts, it may be a good idea to carry one card each from different accounts so you can avoid losing all your cards at once.


Pay your bills


February 2015 before you go,


especially if you're going to be away for two or more weeks. Doing so will eliminate hassles when trying to pay bills from the road, which could include finding a secure Internet connection to log into your financial accounts. You'll also avoid the risk of forgetting to make a payment during your trip and incurring late fees.


Make a list of key numbers and copy important documents in


case


they get lost or stolen. Your list could include phone numbers for your credit card companies, banks and insurance companies. Consider scanning and e-mailing


this if a merchant


doesn't accept cards licensed or issued by a certain payment network you want to use.


list along with a


copy of your driver's license and (if you're going abroad) your passport identification page to a secure place, such as your own e-mail address or the e-mail of a trusted friend or family member.


If you are traveling outside of the


country, make additional preparations. Notify your bank and credit card companies where and when you will be traveling so that transactions won't be denied based on incorrect assumptions that your credit or debit card has been stolen. Also remember to verify that any credit card or debit card you plan to use can be used internationally.


"Transaction fees and other


costs can add up, so do some advance research," Reynolds added. "Identify what you will be charged by your credit card issuer for foreign transactions and consider using a credit card to charge expenses instead of converting your cash to local currency. But also be cautious of offers by overseas merchants to process a credit card transaction in U.S. dollars because that may result in additional fees."


Unless you only plan to use


plastic, become familiar with the look and the value of the local coins and bills so that you don't get short-changed or cheated. If you are planning to visit Europe and you do not have one of the new credit or debit cards that contains a computer chip for security purposes, you may want to request one from your financial institution. That's because many European merchants no longer accept magnetic stripe cards.


For more tips about traveling abroad, including a checklist before you go and how to stay safe in certain countries, see the U.S. State Department's


main Web site on


international travel at travel.state.gov/ content/passports/english/passports. html.


Established 2006 Angela Jones, Publisher Chris Parks, Editor


Rae Willis, Graphic Designer Ida Davis, Contributing Writer


PO Box 10414 ● Norfolk, VA 23513


Sales and Information 757-575-1863 info@hamptonroadsmessenger.com Copyright pertaining to contents of this edition. All rights reserved.


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