IANA Blog- July 2024

 Blog

Happy July,

It definitely feels like it has been up-and-down as I help IANA get ready for the convention in August. During this month, I got to go to one of my friend’s events in Oakland. It was a Paint and Plant event. We get to choose our own pot and design it. I figured it would be fun to do, especially considering the last time I planted anything was in Elementary school.

My friends from an organization known as the Committee for South African Solidarity were planning this event all week, along with another friend from high school. They had plenty of donated flowerpots, plants to plan, soil to use, along with paint markers for the painting. I already knew what I was going to design for my flowerpot. I also wanted my pot to represent me and my views a little bit.

The first part of the design is the continent of Africa. I then divided it into the Pan-African colors Red, Black and Green. Of course I added Africa, because that’s what I am, but I also added the Pan-African colors, because I am an advocate of Pan-Africanism and I always dream of a united Africa.

There was more room on my pot, so I added the Black Power fist. I added the fist, because the fist represents the power within the people. Originally, I was going to make it Black, but then I added the Pan-African colors, because just like I want to see unity with not just African people, but the African diaspora. That includes Black Americans, Africans, Caribbeans, Afro Latinos, etc., because “they” don’t want to see us unite. “They” want to see us divided and that we are stronger together. 

I then added Oakland, California, and added the number 510. I added these, because that is where I was born and raised. California is painted in gold in reference to its nickname, the “Golden State.”

I was trying to think of what else to add, luckily I decided to add the Sankofa symbol. I remember learning about the Sankofa symbol years ago, even learning about how the word comes from our rivals in Ghana. Sankofa represents “looking back” and learning from the past to inform the future. I have found myself looking at my past multiple times, whether it be what I did right or wrong, but using what I did to reflect my future.

I was trying to figure out what to put for my final design. I tried to design the Anioma symbol. I added the Anioma symbol, because of course, that is where my family is from. I thought it was a great way to finish off my pot.

My flower pot came out great. Everybody was loving my pot, some thought it was the best designed pot at the event and that meant a lot. Being part of the event was fun and it is definitely something I’d do again. I’ll make sure I let everyone know about it too.