THE GREENSBORO TIMES 15 Black Women Leaders > from page 10


the beast of burden. “We are still positioned socially to not only work like a slave but


to also remain powerless, broke and broken,” says Dr. Venus. “What I have learned from my own experience of living on the streets by the age of 16, eating out of trash cans, and being subject to damn near every sort of violation is this: the way to claim your power is to heal and have your own money.”


Dr. Venus is on the last leg of her national tour based on her best-


selling book, The Black Woman Millionaire: A Revolutionary Act That Defies Impossible. “The book deep dives into the healing required to be your own boss and to charge what you are truly worth. During the 4-hour workshop-like tour stops, I cover proven business training we used to gross over $4 million in five years. We did it through healing,” states Dr. Venus, who has been featured in Forbes, Ebony, Black Enterprise, on ABC News, CBS News, PBS, in Glamour magazine, and Diversity Inc.


“It’s time for black women to never have to put up with crap for


a paycheck. Or stay in any sort of terrorizing relationship because we need the money. We have access now that our ancestors could never have known to pray for. It’s not only our time, it’s our turn.”


America Military in Africa > from page 13


rica,” he said. Mr. Becker doesn’t believe China is attempting to dominate Africa and China’s economic interaction with African countries— while fl awed—is fundamentally different than the relationship between Western capitalist corporations and Africa. “But, the U.S. sees that if African countries are developing their own economic bilateral relations with other major powers, that negates the prospects or possibility of the U.S. having unipolar domination,” he said. America is also competing with France, a former colonial power, which has pursued an aggressive military policy in its former African colonies over the last decade, said analysts. They say the current moves by Ameri- ca and Western powers is a reminder of the fi rst scramble for Africa from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. “Likewise, here we are 150 years later, and the scramble is on once again,” Mr. Becker pointed out. In recent months the U.S. held military exercises with African militaries in Senegal, Niger and several African countries. In March, the U.S. gov- ernment signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement with Ghana in West Africa, which drew widespread criticism, condemnation and street dem- onstrations. The implication is if a government is moving in a direction that Washing- ton disapproves of, America can influence its connection to the military and facilitate a coup d’état, Dr. Horne argued. These fears are not unfounded considering America’s checkered past in Africa over the last 60 years. The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency or- chestrated internal strife and discord toward destabilizing African nations and propping up puppet regimes beholden to it. The partnership with African states allows U.S. Special Forces to rou- tinely come into African countries. Consequently, Mr. Becker explained, the U.S. will have more of an influence under such an arrangement. “Wherever American troops or military bases are located; that is a funda- mental negation of sovereignty for the government that is hosting these bases,” said Mr. Becker. America marginalizing the sovereignty of other nations has been its mo- dus operandi worldwide. The U.S. has used its military might to assert her interests on others. “AFRICOM arrogates to itself the right to carry out military operations of all types—not just on the ground—but especially using air forces and drone technology,” Mr. Becker observed. A U.S. Army Special Forces weapons sergeant observes a Niger. The U.S. government maintains its “partnering” with African nations in a war on terror and militant extremism. The problem has been rising in Af- rica as other battlegrounds have been diminishing for extremist groups, officials contend. “Terrorism is not necessarily new to Africa,” said Dr. Pate. However, she explained, the U.S. took keener interest in working with governments to counter terror groups when more localized movements began linking up with global networks that espoused anti- U.S. ideologies. Countering extremism in Africa was only a concern when the problem was no longer local, she said. “At best, I think you can consider that rationale to be incoherent … it’s akin to trying to ride two different horses going in different directions at the same time,” Dr. Horne said.


“For example, in Libya, the United States overthrew the Gadhafi regime which was fighting religious zealotry and by overthrowing Gadhafi , the United States helped to strengthen religious zealotry … and strengthen so- called terrorism.” Dr. Horne said in some ways the U.S. is enabling the same forces it claims to be fighting. Soe observers of African affairs say Africans should solve problems beset- ting Africa and discourage foreign militaries. Along with regional govern- mental bodies, there is the continentwide African Union representing all 54 nations. The AU, however, is in a precarious position, said Dr. Horne. “They de- pend upon financing from the international community, which includes the United States of America,” he said. “Therefore, it’s not, from their point of view, diplomatic or tactful to be in the forefront criticizing the United States on the one hand and then seeking funding for their peacekeeping on the other hand.” It was predicted in a June 2011 Final Call article that if the Libyan leader was eliminated and the U.S.-NATO coalition won, it would strengthen the hand of outsiders in Africa but result in setback for the continent. Britain, France and the United States bombed Libya in 2011. In every in- stance in the 21st century the colonialists and imperialists are once again invading, occupying the Middle East and Africa and assigning their mili- tary incursions noble causes. For Libya it was to “protect civilians” under a United Nations resolution. “Of-course that turned out to be a lie, it was for regime change,” said Mr. Becker. Libya was targeted because it possessed huge oil reserves and Mr. Gadhafi nationalized Western corporations, using the wealth of his country to sup- port a united Africa that would not be a foreign geostrategic playground. The destruction of Libya was an accelerant for old colonial powers us- ing militarism, invasion, bombing, and occupation to reassert control over Africa. U.S. military involvement in Africa came to the attention of Americans in the early months of the Donald Trump’s administration when U.S. soldiers were killed in Niger. The secret presence in the Sahara region of Africa became exposed with controversy that ensued after the deaths. The incident happened amid changes in the U.S. National Security policy. “Despite the defeat of ISIS’s physical caliphate, threats to stability remain as terrorist groups with long reach continue to murder the innocent and threaten peace more broadly,” said a Defense Dept. report on its website. “It’s clear that the U.S. government is using the issue of terrorism or more specifically the purported fight against terrorism as a pretext for major ex- pansion of the U.S. military footprint throughout Africa,” said Mr. Becker.


Spencer’s Vintage > from page 1


of consignment shop, we are not the flea market, over crowed space you may find in other areas. Not saying it’s anything wrong with those spaces, I just chose to give the shopper and clients a different type of experience.”


And what an experience it is! From Fainting Couches and Picasso


Pieces to fine art and Jewels. Spencer’s collection spans several decades with eclectic pieces mixed within. Once you step inside you will feel and see the difference. Spencer’s is also accepting consignments and you can text a picture to 336 579-8449. Spencer’s is open Tuesday thru Saturday 10am to 6pm and extended hours for downtown events.


“Hours sometime vary especially if I am out with a client looking


at a piece, so I always recommend to call before bringing any items. We do offer a truck service that clients are able to use and pay the service fee.”


When visiting feel free to park at the Veterans parking lot and be


prepared to see what makes Spencer’s different. “When you visit us you must find the Bombay Armoire full of Ms. Betty’s Blueberry Goodies. We have also hosted private showings and small gatherings. Spencer’s is THAT SPOT where clients and shoppers are special.”


Spencer’s is located 225 Summit Ave. in downtown Greensboro,


with parking located across from the store. Call 336 579-8449 for more information.


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