Oromo Youth & Family Development

03/26/2025

02/18/2025

Malcolm X (May 19, 1925 - February 21, 1965)
Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska. In his early years, Malcolm experienced extreme racism, spent years in the foster system and served a sentence in jail for larceny and breaking and entering. While in jail Malcolm joined the Nation of Islam and after his release, he became the public face of the organization. He led countless demonstrations and spoke publicly, both nationally and internationally with a focus on empowering Black people. Records at the National Archives related to Malcolm X includes Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) case files and recordings of his speeches and debates.

https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/individuals/malcolm-x

02/18/2025

Muhammad Ali (January 17, 1942 - June 6, 2016)

Born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky, Muhammad Ali is consistently ranked as one of the greatest boxers of all time. At the age of 18, Ali traveled to Rome, Italy to participate in the 1960 Olympics. He won the gold medal in light heavyweight boxing and returned to the United States to pursue his professional boxing career shortly thereafter. It was also around this time that Clay became a member of the Nation of Islam, announcing his name as Cassius X, then Muhammad Ali in 1964.

In 1967, Ali had been reigning world heavyweight champion for three years when he publicly refused to be inducted into the American military during the Vietnam War. As a result of his actions, boxing officials decided to punish Ali by stripping him of his titles and suspending him from the game of boxing. During his suspension from 1967-1970, Ali became an activist and toured around the world speaking to civil rights organizations and anti-war groups.

After 1970, Ali regained the title of heavyweight champion after defeating George Foreman in a match known as "The Rumble in the Jungle." He continued fighting until 1981, ending his career with a 56-5 professional record.

Black Power records at the National Archives related to Muhammad Ali consist of the court case (Clay v. United States) relating to his refusal of induction for the Vietnam War draft. There are also records of FBI surveillance of Muhammad Ali in various parts of the country and his time spent with the members of the Nation of Islam. Also, a motion picture, sound recordings and several photographs of Ali at State Dinners and meetings with sitting presidents.

https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/individuals/muhammad-ali

02/18/2025

People in Black History
This page serves as an index to the prominent figures featured throughout the Black History Portal webpages.
People are listed alphabetically by last name.
Clicking on the linked content will direct you to an individual's page, or records within the National Archives Catalog.

This page serves as an index to the prominent figures featured throughout the Black History Portal webpages. People are listed alphabetically by last name. Clicking on the linked content will direct you to an individual's page, or records within the National Archives Catalog.

11/14/2024

Here is a compilation of U.S. government organizations that citizens can engage with on social media to promote human rights:

# # Federal Agencies and Departments

- U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor ( on Twitter)[1]

- U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) ()

- U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division ()

- U.S. Commission on Civil Rights ()

- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ()

# # Congressional Committees

- House Foreign Affairs Committee ()

- Senate Foreign Relations Committee ( and )

- Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission ()

# # Independent Federal Agencies

- U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom ()

- National Endowment for Democracy ()

# # U.S. Representatives to International Bodies

- U.S. Mission to the United Nations ()

- U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Geneva ()

# # Key Officials

- U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues ()

- Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism ()

- Special Advisor on International Disability Rights ()

To effectively engage with these organizations on social media:

- Follow their accounts and share/retweet important human rights content
- Tag them in posts about relevant human rights issues to bring attention
- Respond to their calls for public input or comments on policies
- Share personal stories that illustrate the importance of human rights protections
- Amplify campaigns and initiatives they promote related to human rights

By interacting with these government entities on social platforms, citizens can help shape the conversation around human rights and potentially influence policy decisions. However, it's important to engage respectfully and constructively to have the most impact[4][5].

Sources
[1] Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-civilian-security-democracy-and-human-rights/bureau-of-democracy-human-rights-and-labor/
[2] The Advocates for Human Rights: Home https://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/Home
[3] Human rights in United States of America - Amnesty International https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/americas/north-america/united-states-of-america/report-united-states-of-america/
[4] About the ACLU | American Civil Liberties Union https://www.aclu.org/about/about-aclu
[5] Citizen Participation | National Democratic Institute https://www.ndi.org/what-we-do/citizen-participation
[6] [PDF] Agencies, Social Media, First Amendment.pdfhttps://www.acus.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Agencies,%20Social%20Media,%20First%20Amendment.pdf
[7] How To Promote Human Rights: 10 Examples https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/how-to-promote-human-rights-10-examples/
[8] Promoting Human Rights in the United States - Berkeley Law https://www.law.berkeley.edu/experiential/clinics/human-rights-clinic/projects-and-cases/promoting-human-rights-in-the-united-states/
[9] About Us - Human Rights Watch https://www.hrw.org/about/about-us

Investigate: Our researchers work in the field in 100 some countries, uncovering facts that create an undeniable record of human rights abuses.

10/26/2024

The Borana people have a unique and sophisticated calendrical system that has been in use for centuries. Here are the key aspects of the Borana calendar:

# # Structure and Timekeeping

- The Borana calendar is a lunar-stellar calendar consisting of 12 months and 354 days in a year[1][3].
- Each month has 29.5 days, making it about 10-11 days shorter than the solar year[1].
- The calendar does not have weeks, but each day has a name. There are 27 day names that are recycled, with the first two or three names used again at the end of each month[1][3].

# # Astronomical Observations

- The calendar relies on astronomical observations of the moon in conjunction with seven particular stars or constellations[1][3].
- The seven stars used are Beta Triangulum, Pleiades, Aldebaran, Bellatrix, Central Orion, Saiph, and Sirius[1].
- The Ayantu, or timekeepers of the tribe, observe the phase of the moon and determine the days and beginning of each month[1].

# # Months and Stars

The 12 months of the Borana calendar are associated with specific stars or lunar phases:

1. Bittottessa (Triangulum)
2. Camsa (Pleiades)
3. Bufa (Aldebaran)
4. Waxabajjii (Bellatrix)
5. Obora Gudda (Central Orion-Saiph)
6. Obora Dikka (Sirius)
7. Birra (full moon)
8. Cikawa (gibbous moon)
9. Sadasaa (quarter moon)
10. Abrasa (large crescent)
11. Ammaji (medium crescent)
12. Gurrandala (small crescent)[1][3]

# # New Year and Cultural Significance

- The Borana new year starts when a new phase moon is seen side by side with the Beta Triangulum[1].
- The calendar is deeply integrated into Borana culture, with various rituals and ceremonies timed according to its observations.
- For example, the Dhibaayyuu ritual, an annual thanksgiving ceremony, is performed as a New Year celebration according to the Borana indigenous calendar[4].

# # Historical Context

- The Borana calendar has been claimed to be based on an earlier Cush*tic calendar developed around 300 BC, though this connection has been disputed by some researchers[1][3].
- The Namoratunga, an ancient astronomical observation site located in Kenya, is believed to be connected to the Borana calendar system, although this connection is also debated[1].

The Borana calendar demonstrates the sophisticated astronomical knowledge and cultural practices of the Borana people, integrating celestial observations with their social and religious life.

Citations:
[1] https://thinkafrica.net/the-borana-calendar-and-how-it-works-existing-from-300-bc-until-today/
[2] https://medianorthkenya.wordpress.com/2018/08/17/the-borana-cultural-festival/
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borana_calendar
[4] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311886.2021.2011540
[5] https://journalofethnicfoods.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42779-022-00160-5

08/25/2024

06/09/2024

IYYAAFANNOO
Jiraataa Ameerikaa Magaalaa Minisootaa kan ta'e obbo Ahmad Abdulqaadir waxabajjii 5, bara 2024 waaree booda saa'atii 10pm tti mana bahee achii buuteen isaa dhabame.

Namni kun waxabajjii 5 bara 2024 waaree booda dhabamuu isaa dursee, naannawa sa`aatii 10pm tti mana obboleettii haadha manaa isaa dhaquudhaan turtii xiqqoo erga godhee gara mana isaattideebi`ee, Obboleettima Jaartii isaa tanatti bilbiluudhaan “Heloo Assalaamu aleeykum, dhaamsa tokko (Maallaqa) mana keessan firiijii gubbaa kaa`ee jira. dhaamsa san fuudhiitii haadha manaa tiyyatti naaf kenni. ijoollee tiyya amaanaa! ijoollee tiyya amaanaa!” jechuudhaan bilbila addaan kute.

Erga sanii kaasee achii buuteen isaa hin argamne. Namni nama kana argitan lakkoofsa suuraa irra jiru kanaan nuuf bilbilaa jedha maatiin.

Maatii irraa...

06/09/2024

Author: Kristin Goodwillie
Published: 6:27 PM PDT October 5, 2022
Updated: 6:59 PM PDT October 5, 2022

SEATTLE — With opioid-related overdose deaths on the rise, Seattle and King County officials are urging people to get trained on and carry Narcan. The Seattle Public Library is planning training for staff who volunteer.
One box has the potential to save a life.
"It's just one push, one dose," said Claudia Heiden, who keeps Narcan in her car. "You never know when there's going to be an overdose."

It's ready to be used at a moment's notice.
"It makes me feel really good inside to know that if I did see somebody overdosing, I could help them and I'm prepared," said Heiden, who has been carrying it since 2016.

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-king-county-health-officials-urge-people-to-get-trained-on-carry-narcan/281-910e4b60-0423-46c2-af36-98c2ab5cf4b1

06/06/2024

“Depression is common among people who have a chronic disease such as cancer or diabetes. Fortunately, depression is treatable even if you have another medical illness or condition. Learn more about chronic disease and depression.”

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/chronic-illness-mental-health?

. .

Borana Global Media. BORANA MEDIA NETWORK (BMN).

06/03/2024

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/documents/health/publications/depression-in-women/depression-women_508.pdf