the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington DC, in what can only be called “Cultural Appropriation” at its worst Democrat lawmakers including Nancy Pelosi , Chuck Schumer, Kamala Harris, and New Jersey’s own Cory Booker took a knee in the Capitol building for a photo op in an attempt to show solidarity with the black community over the death of George Floyd wearing Kente cloth. .
“There is more Kente fabric in this picture than at a Ghanaian traditional wedding,” pro-life activist Obianuju Ekeocha said. And went on to say on twitter,”I had to say something about the American politicians shameless and ignorantly using the Kente fabric as a prop in their virtue signaling.”
Although Kente cloth is now identified with the Akan people in West Africa, and particularly the Asante Kingdom, the term originates from the neighboring Fante. Kente cloth is closely related to Adinkra cloth, which has symbols stenciled into cloth and is associated with mourning.
As one of the prominent symbols of African arts and culture, Kente cloth has been embraced by the broader African diaspora (which means people of African descent wherever they might live.) Kente cloth is particularly popular in the United States among African-Americans and can be found on all types of clothing, accessories, and objects. These designs replicate registered Kente designs, but are often mass-produced outside of Ghana with no recognition or payment going to the Akan craftsmen and designers, which Boatema Boateng has argued represents a significant loss of income to Ghana.
The Ultimate History Project also emphasized Kente cloth’s history with the Ashanti people, which is “strongly tied to the history of the slave trade”:
From the ancient history of the Ashanti Kingdom, to the Pan-African spread of tradition during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, to modern day interpretations and use of cultural heritage, the Kente cloth is both symbolic and representative of the history of the Ashanti people.
Ashanti Empire economy depended on the gold trade in the 1700s, by the early 1800s it had become a major exporter of enslaved people. The slave trade was originally focused north with captives going to Mande and Hausa traders who exchanged them for goods from North Africa and indirectly from Europe. By 1800, the trade had shifted to the south as the Ashanti sought to meet the growing demand of the British, Dutch, and French for captives. In exchange, the Ashanti received luxury items and some manufactured goods including most importantly firearms.
From 1790 until 1896, the Ashanti Empire was in a perpetual state of war involving expansion or defense of its domain. Most of these wars afforded the opportunity to acquire more slaves for trade. The constant warfare also weakened the Empire against the British who eventually became their main adversary. Between 1823 and 1873, the Ashanti Empire resisted British encroachment on their territory. By 1874, however, British forces successfully invaded the Empire and briefly captured Kumasi. The Ashanti rebelled against British rule and the Empire was again conquered in 1896. After yet another uprising in 1900, the British deposed and exiled the Asantehene and annexed the Empire into their Gold Coast colony in 1902.
America vs democrats 2020! It’s that simple!
Hmmm, but a hypocritical photo opp with a Bible in your hand is ok. Wake up
Fraud !
This is a political stunt that’s all it is so bullshit. They want all the votes from the blacks and minorities please.
I’m not taking a knee for no one. How do you like those apples. If you don’t like it stick up your ass. I’m standing proud. Taking a knee has nothing to do with what’s going on in the world. Yes do we need to fix a few laws training yes and the story. That’s what it’s all about changing laws.
All the evil racists on this blog, beware! Not bending the knee = silence. And silence = culpability in perpetuating oppression of LGBT, minorities, women and others. We will report you to your bosses and colleagues so that they know you’re racist!
making threats on a public forum is not very bright
a mindless gonad has spoken !
listen dr evil ie…mindless gonad , tokenism and virtue signaling accomplishes nothing
I want to see footage of all of them gracefully standing up again!
So very true we don’t need to threaten anyone. We don’t need to take a knee. You don’t even need to stand. Come together peaceful work together and change some of the bylaws. I think we all agree, that just may help everyone. Because all lives matter, All colors matter all races matter, all religions matter. My family always treated everyone equally. I will never ever had any issues.
The police are going to lose a lot of power. They will be walking on eggshells. No more harassing people, all people, how many of our lawn Forssman across the country needs to go to charm school.
Trump is appropriating Juneteenth (Which marks the end of slavery in America) in Tulsa, scene of a massive race riot 99 years ago. He’s an insensitive jerk.
sorry it got switched already and until yesterday you had never heard of Juneteenth
“lawn Forssman ” You need to go back to school for spelling.
Hmmm, but a hypocritical photo opp with a Bible in your hand is ok. Wake up
Are you talking about President Clinton?
https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/president-bill-clinton-waves-his-bible-followinn-a-church-service-at-picture-id51550362?s=612×612
This has nothing to do with Trump. This has to do with changing and making corrections to our first responders are trained. Some of them just don’t know better. Yes we do have bad apples here and there. They are all not bad. Most of them are pretty damn good in caring to help people. And this is not just for African-American people. There are plenty of white people being miss treated but it just doesn’t make headlines. Do you have many white cops miss treating white people hey look you have white law officers that go after white skinheads and beat the hell out of them and no one says anything, that’s because those skinheads are so racial more than anyone else. So go figure. Let’s get to the looting and rioting I don’t look too good does it. Look at the majority of people that are doing that looks pretty bad don’t it .
Did anyone notice that when Trump held up the Bible, he had it upside down and backwards. Yup, the back cover was facing out and the page markers where hanging out of the bottom when they are on top. The Cheeto in Chief must not be familiar with the good book.
Who knows maybe he’s not religious, change is happening for the better. So just relax.
When the police walk on eggshells, the criminals will run amok. It’s called the Ferguson effect. Get ready for more days like Chicago experienced over Memorial Day weekend
Now might be the time to go into the knee pad business.
Back in the 60s The riots in Newark were crazy. The mayor came out with the fire department.
Plenty of us had learned of Juneteenth, James. Tradition of Excellence, and all.
no you didnt you saw it on CNN yesterday and you are virtue signaling today
What about Aronsohn fist pumping at the Black Lives Matter rally? Oh man, you can’t make this shit up
Nope. Mrs. Baker’s history class, RHS, early 90’s. Lesson on the reconstruction period. Teaching us about when Emancipation occurred. (Most of the class thought it was the Emancipation Proclamation, she taught us that it took years. Good teacher, that one.)
Did anyone notice that when Bill (I never had sex with that woman) Clinton held up the Bible, he had it upside down and backwards. Yup, the back cover was facing out and the page markers where hanging out of the bottom when they are on top. The former President who never met a female he didn’t sexually attack must not be very familiar with the good book.
https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/president-bill-clinton-waves-his-bible-followinn-a-church-service-at-picture-id51550362?s=612×612
The phony reunion! They will do anything to get some votes