Mel Hopkins

1 hour ago, ProfD said:

I refuse to believe white folks conducted the entire transatlantic slave trade without some level of cooperation from Africans.

1) It wasn't Ghana back then it was African territories but notably Benin gets the side-eye because they have said they sold their captured adversaries to the Portuguese. I'm not disputing that they didn't sell Africans I'm disputing that they sold millions. 

2) As I mentioned, just like the British sent folks to the americas who had trouble with the law to be indentured servants  - the same was happening on the continent ...but there's was no chattel slavery so according to some reports folks were sent to work off their debt, others were temporary workers who the elite took payment for. There was a lot of activity of imprisonment or those who lost the battle going to the Portuguese until it wasn't.

The Portuguese got greedy because they learned human trafficking was such a lucrative business they moved in.  But initial reports like this one says they took their kidnapped Africans to Brazil.  This is article summarizes a lot of what I've read and heard about traffickers in Africa.  

Also what I posted below aligns with the story a friend told me about. She now lives in the Netherlands but she came from Angola a Portuguese colony on the African content and she told me the stories of kidnapping,  enslavement in her own ancestry. 

In fact, this is why I don't believe the Africans where all in and selling each other.  

Portugal, Angola, and the Portuguese Colonial Legacy

Portuguese Angola (Portuguese: Angola Portuguesa) was the first European colony on the African continent, established in 1575 by Paulo Dias de Novais Wikipedia. It became a key part of the Portuguese Empire’s overseas territories, lasting until 1975 when Angola gained independence after decades of armed struggle Wikipedia+1.

Colonial History and Economy

The Portuguese initially sought trade with African kingdoms like the Kingdom of Kongo, but quickly shifted focus to the Atlantic slave trade. Luanda and Benguela became major hubs, shipping millions of enslaved Africans—primarily from the interior—to Brazil and other Portuguese colonies Portugal.com+1. While early Portuguese settlers aimed to farm and mine, the colony’s economy was dominated by forced labor and resource extraction Portugal.com.

Resistance and Conflicts

Portuguese expansion faced fierce resistance from African kingdoms such as Ndongo, Matamba, and the Kingdom of Kongo World History Encyclopedia+1. The Angolan Wars saw shifting alliances, with local rulers sometimes fighting against each other to resist Portuguese control. The Imbangala, a powerful warrior group, also challenged Portuguese authority historyrise.com.

Modern Colonialism

After the abolition of slavery in the 19th century, Portugal adopted a model of direct administration. Plantations for coffee, cotton, and other exports expanded, and forced labor was replaced with contractual obligations Portugal.com. Repression, censorship, and marginalization of the local population fueled nationalist sentiment.

Independence and Aftermath

The War of Independence (1961–1974) was one of Africa’s most violent decolonization struggles. The Carnation Revolution in Portugal in 1974 led to the Alvor Agreement in 1975, granting independence to Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mozambique Wikipedia+1. However, the transition was unstable, and civil war erupted almost immediately, lasting until 2002 Wikipedia+1.

Legacy

Today, Angola is a Portuguese-speaking African state with deep cultural, linguistic, and historical ties to Portugal. Portuguese remains the official language, and the colonial period’s impact—especially the slave trade—remains a sensitive and contested part of both nations’ histories Portugal.com. The relationship is marked by both economic interdependence and unresolved historical grievances.

In summary: Portugal’s 400-year rule over Angola shaped the country’s economy, society, and politics, leaving a legacy of exploitation, resistance, and enduring cultural links that continue to influence the modern state.

What is the disconnect for you? Why do you refuse to believe Is it impossible that the people Africans were trading with wouldn't kidnapped people too. 

My disconnect is knowing about the human trafficking that is going on right now. Epstein Island and the huge and elite network that goes all the way to the European royal circles. I refuse to believe these parents gave up their children to be trafficked - which is why I have a hard time believing Africans took money for their fellow neighbors - even though some did.  Also the Social system the "white" people have constructed to keep Black people in bondage for all these years and we still haven't found our way out of it, short of warring internally is another reason that I doubt Africans would willingly put themselves in that cycle. I guess I give the Africans  a pass and none to these "manifest destiny" folks -

But my tone could change when I finish this class

  

15 hours ago, Pioneer1 said:

Cynique.........which one of THEM gave White people a pass to say "nigger/nigga"????

ALL OF THEM!!!

13 hours ago, admin said:

If it wasn’t for those two groups, one would probably really if ever hear the word in public.

EXACTLY!  I never say that word - in fact my daughters still censor rap around me - They will say, "I don't think you're going to like that one."  Seriously, if rap artists didn't put it in their songs or tv shows it would be taboo.  

2 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

Both groups are similar but many of those in the FBA movement don't believe that they or most Black Americans descended from slavery.  They believe most of us descended from Black people who were already here in the Americans

"Between nine and fifteen thousand years ago, scholars believe that a land bridge existed between Asia and North America that we now call Beringia. The first inhabitants of what would be named the Americas migrated across this bridge in search of food. When the glaciers melted, water engulfed Beringia, and the Bering Strait was formed." ( Mack 1.1)  We just walked on over to the Americas. 

There were Black people here before Columbus It was easy to migrate to the Americas - heck most indigenous people and Hawaiians were Black first.. Heck "erry body" was Black. I truly believe that is the only way would could initially survive the UV rays from the sun.
 

-

 

On 3/29/2026 at 8:47 AM, Pioneer1 said:

Another group says FBA

I'm assuming this stands for "Foundational Black Americans" and ADOS  American Descendants of Slaves? 

What is the difference? Or is the difference because they (Black People) were never slaves in the Americas?  If yes, while those Black people weren't slaves, they weren't citizens either. They were Stateless and had no rights or protection under the U.S Constitution until the 13th and 14th Amendment.  

On 3/29/2026 at 9:12 AM, ProfD said:

Millions of Black people were not kidnapped.  Moving that many people requires coordination.  African leaders were selling people as if they were pieces of gold.

I have to disagree. Some Africans were reported to be sold because they were imprisoned or had debts. But the Portuguese literally built a fort at what is now Ghana's shoreline because they had already invaded West Africa and had to fight other invading Europeans who headed to the continent to get goodies. But we are talking about the 1400s. This was just the beginning of what historians call the Atlantic Slave trade. 

 Elmina Castle

"In 1482, Portuguese traders built Elmina Castle (also called São Jorge da Mina, or Saint George’s of the Mine) in present-day Ghana, on the west coast of Africa. (Mack 1.1 Portuguese Exploration..")

But the millions of enslaved Africans wasn't sold by Africans, that was the British, French, and Spain until they finally got out of the human trafficking business.  Then the newly minted Amerricans started a second middle passage - and imported a few million more. By the time of the Civil war there were four million Africans in the southern states (also why they lost) ...Africans selling Africans is white propaganda to deflect from the truth of the slave trade that harmed so many lives. The reason why historians know they trafficked all those Africans to various Carribbean islands and the Americas is because of the hubris of the white man who kept-effing records. Like Thomas Jefferson who had a list of his 600 slaves, they kept records everything!

2 hours ago, Pioneer1 said:

I wish AfroAmericans had more interests and effort in this particular matter.

We do have interest! There a many Black people interested in diplomacy.  But it would help if we all vote so we can get in an executive in the oval office who would appoint us. 
 

Linda Thomas-Greenfield - Wikipedia

Championing Equality at Home and Overseas: African Americans Leading at the UN

On 3/28/2026 at 3:18 PM, Pioneer1 said:

But then again, maybe saying shit like that is one of the reasons WHY he's your "ex"....lol.

 

No, that's one of the reasons I married him. He had this annoying sense of humor but it helped me loosen up a bit.  Then he went and cheated on me - (after I had the twins) and treated me like the side-chick.  I took him back but then he said one thing that hurt my feelings so bad that I was done.  I ran and got my name back and probably decided then that I would never marry again. Shoot, I barely even dated anyone seriously. But enough my sob story.   I think you both said the same thing because most men have different goals than women -Some women can live a lifetime alone and men can't imagine a life without someone in it.

On 3/29/2026 at 6:04 PM, richardmurray said:

have you seen this? I am going to apply, working on my screenplay  will you take part?

if not at least share

I haven't. Thank you for sharing! I probably won't. I am working on my first screenplay but it's historical fiction. 

45 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

Come on now....
If you're looking for a young man....there are less expensive and time consuming ways to find one, than that.....lol.

OMG! Do you know that my ex-husband said the same exact thing LOL! 
|
I'm not on the campus this semester. I've only registetered for asynchronous online classes.  

2 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

Yep.
Most people don't know that this is where the word "slave" comes from....the Slavs

I was included. I didn't know until this semester.  I'm taking this awesome history class at my local university.

3 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

White people can still listen to their music or talk shows on the radio and so can Latinos!

 

We can too! That is still our medium. But I get your point, we don't have the other media.  Heck we barely have newspapers!

1 minute ago, Pioneer1 said:

Russia and China apparently support it.

Weren't the Russians, and Ukranians Slavs? The Slavs were enslaved  back in the 9th and 10th century. If they supported it , it would make sense.  The U.S. kicked China out of the U.S. country in the 19th century.

"In 1882, Congress took up the power to restrict immigration by banning the further immigration of Chinese." 

On 11/8/2024 at 9:38 PM, Troy said:

AI is already creative and this seemingly will only get better over time.

Except LLM /GEN AI like Chat GPT and Gemini will respond they are co-creating based off of what we share.. Now, Claude is different. LOL (I'm afraid of Claude ) But Claude creatively processed our conversation and showed me a pattern I missed.  I'm thankful for that - because it brought clarity in how this government works!

UN backs resolution calling slave trade ‘gravest crime against humanity’
 

A memorial sculpture by Sandrine Plante-Rougeol in Bordeaux, a historic slave-trading port, where the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade remains central to debates on recognition and reparations.

(AFP - GEORGES GOBET)More

We  have black owned radio stations  and cathy hughes' urbanone network. Better for the imagine. Bump the boob tube! 

On 3/23/2026 at 4:56 AM, Pioneer1 said:

It's getting to the point that every time I see an article about a new Black television show, I start skimming over the words until I see "Netflix" in the article because I know that's where I'll have to go if I want to see it.

Also you can stream TubiTV.  A lot of our creative work, films, tv series,  documentaries are airlng on Tubi and the creators also get paid. (I don't know how much though) you don't need to sign in either all you need is a browser and internet connection. BUT Tubi is owned by Rupert Murdoch.  

On 2/17/2026 at 4:51 PM, Pioneer1 said:

But to answer your question, yes....you are an AfroAmerican because MOST of your ancestors are of African descent from chattel slavery.
Nearly all AfroAmericans have SOME White and Native American ancestry to various degrees.

 

Actually I don't have any chattel slavery on my maternal side probably because of the "white' foremother... My paternal ancestors got their papers, land and were recorded in the first census in the late 1700 before slavery ended in America...It's kind of weird to see how both sides of the families avoided slavery or got their freemen papers - but I think that's why I don't suffer from the trauma of enslavement - Still, I identify as Black although my ancestors were white, mulatto, black, indigenous or colored.  I think if folks start digging for their roots (I have, thanks to finding a cousin on my father's side)  many would find they migrated to the Americas long before chattel slavery was a thing.  

1 hour ago, Troy said:

Yes, and these arbitrary divisions make fighting amongst ourselves so much easier.  

I agree.  These folks refuse to believe other "Black" people have different journeys.  And let us not forget about Black people in the "original packaging" sometimes other   Black Americans.  This entire argument reminds me of the Horror Flick "The Blackening's" question, "Who is the Blackest?" 

@ProfD here's what ChatGPT had to say and I verified through YouTube and Medium.

 

If the question is “Are there Black-owned AI companies using Gen-AI?” — yes, many.
If the question is “Are there Black-founded frontier model labs like OpenAI or Anthropic?” — not yet at hyperscale.

But there are early-stage labs building toward that future, especially Lelapa AI and CDIAL AI, which are developing language datasets and models — exactly the stage OpenAI started at before becoming a frontier lab.

The barrier isn’t talent; it’s access to billions in capital and compute required to train foundation models.


 

28 minutes ago, ProfD said:

Black folks have to figure out how to commodify intellectual property instead of giving wealth away.

That is exactly what I'm working on because the fee structured tools are already available.  The challenge is when Black people have  low self-esteem and want to be in the "room" so bad so they appear for the brain drain nstead of saying, "I'll appear. My speaking fee is..." or I'll license my systems and frameworks for X dollars."  Once we get paid we can finance our on Labs. 

On 2/17/2026 at 3:05 PM, ProfD said:

I know there is no shortage of Black computer programmers, engineers, scientists & mathematicians, etc., running around

Nope but Dr Blackwell made it possible!

On 1/24/2026 at 1:38 PM, Pioneer1 said:

Miss "AfroAmerica" can feature light skinned contestants but not Miss Black America, in my opinion ofcourse.

What if its true according to a birth certificate, I've recently located,  that my great great grandmother born in 1880 was 'white' by way of her Britsh mother and her father was indigenous (Blackfoot) but I'm Black Black Blackity-Blackity-Black-Black American not Afro-American?  I'm not light-skinned which just shows that none of those labels matter.  It is just how you identify.  I identify as Black as does my mom and daughters. 

On 1/29/2026 at 11:04 PM, Troy said:

Because after spending so much time with it, I know that I can almost always get the answer I need. Sometimes it’s modifying the prompt or providing information that you don’t want it to forget. Again, I can give it a 500 word prompt with some pretty involved tasks and Gemini will respond brilliantly and sometimes I can give it a prompt. That’s just one sentence and it’ll make a mistake.

I don't disagree but dang sometimes GEN AI can be ridiculous especially Gemini.  I was fighting with it and it deteriorated. I skipped over to ChatGPT to get my images done right.  By the way, NotebookLM produced the slickest Pitch Deck ever.  I see now that each version has its strength.- 

On 1/29/2026 at 5:16 PM, Pioneer1 said:

SHE should be the one demanding investigations into voter fraud.....of the Republican districts.

I still don't understand why the other republican candidates didn't demand Kemp leave his seat as Secretary of State when he chose to run.  I hate to admit though I don't hate him as governor.  He really did get Georgia through COVID-19 and if I remember correctly we emerged in the black. 

25 minutes ago, ProfD said:

greed.  A whole lot of humans had better figure out how to stop depending on someone else to write that check.

Yep! Not sure if true but I've read  that is how Black People survived the Stock Market Crash in 1929 They didn't just sell their labor, they sold goods too -and since they weren't allowed to Bank they had cash!  But yes, trading needs to be back on the table.  I don't mean bartering either but trading for goods and services like the stock exchange.

People participate in the economy as holders of assets, not as employees.  We definitely need to pivot!

37 minutes ago, ProfD said:

As the late Biz Markie rapped in The Vapors..."sorry Mr. Lee but there's no help wanted."

Here I AM

22 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

Georgia and Atlanta is the Black economic capital of the United States.
There is no reason that state should be governed by redneck conservatives.

Naiiled it! And guess where the majority of Black people live? FULTON COUNTY!!!

On 1/14/2026 at 11:41 AM, ProfD said:

The only people exempt from being unemployed as a result of AI are those who work in trades i.e. blue-collar workers. 

 

For example, a plumber or an electrician will always have a job.

Oh, and unfortunately, many have already been replaced to some degree due to IoT and sensors, which reduce the need for repairs.  But the argument is NOT AI vs Humans...It's about those who write the check and how they choose to use their money,

For example, trades are not exempt from disruption.

AI, IoT, and sensors already:

• Reduce emergency repairs through predictive maintenance
• Automate diagnostics (“the system tells you what failed”)
• Enable remote monitoring that replaces some inspection labor
• Shift work from repair → installation + oversight
• Reduce total labor hours per job
•  

I know this because I'm an editorial consultant to the inventor who designed a system on a chip (SoC) AI  to know when a part is about to wear out before it causes a problem.  

However, this does not eliminate trade, but it changes the volume, timing, and skill mix of the work.

So fewer call-outs, fewer apprentices, fewer “learn-on-the-job” roles—especially at the lower end.

Once again, hourly rates diminish, possibly to the level of gig workers.   It might be too late for us to change course, but I assure you our current problems have nothing to do with Artificial Intelligence.  We, humans, are solely to blame for this current predicament.