Why African British?
We use the term African British as a legal definition used to refer to the community previously mislabelled as Afro-Caribbean, Black British, UK Black, Coloured and Black. It embraces all British nationals with antecedents originating directly from Africa or indirectly via African diasporic communities, such as those in the Caribbean and South America. Our ideological position is that we are we are Africans in Britain - stakeholders and residents but not subjects.
Is Ligali a reparations organisation?
No. We are a Pan-African human rights based organisation focused on challenging media misrepresentation and facilitating community healing by self empowerment and the securing of justice for Africans. Whilst we believe that Africa is due reparations from the perpetrators of the Maafa we do not campaign for them nor beg for apologies and financial compensation.
Is Ligali biased against Africans from the Caribbean?
No. As part of our progressive Pan-African agenda we seek to reclaim our cultural identity, spiritual focus and socio-political sovereignty. Part of this reclamation is the rejection of backward terms like "West Indian", "Coloureds", "blacks", "Afro-Caribbean" and "People of Colour". These terms were created by others as labels to define African people.
Does Ligali have a religious agenda?
No. But whilst we are a secular organisation we do seek to work in tandem with an Africentric spiritual ethos. It is our view that a return to the indigenous spiritual beliefs and many of the traditional healing practices and rituals of our Ancestors are essential in order to provide a solution to many of the issues facing African people worldwide.
Does Ligali hate non-Africans?
No. The Ligali position on non-Africans is simple. We work with all those that are willing to support our Pan African human rights agenda. We strongly oppose those who are racist and anti-African.
Ligali is based in the UK, is it public funded or government sanctioned?
No. Although we are an African British organisation in reality this simply means we are a Pan African organisation based in Britain. Whilst in the most instances we are prepared to accept donation and grants for our existing work, we are not prepared to compromise our ability to hold an uncompromising stance when challenging pan-African human right abuses and ethnicity based inequality. Our primary work is on issues affecting the African British community who are within our direct sphere of influence. Our strategic objective is to facilitate the improvement of socio-political conditions for all worldwide.
Does Ligali believe in western democracy?
No. But we do believe in the right for all people to self determine under accountable democratic systems of self rule no matter where they are in the world. It is our view that the existing model of democracy as practiced by western nations such as the UK and the US is fundamentally corrupt and has little moral legitimacy.
Is Ligali a ‘black’ nationalist organisation?
Yes and No depending on your definition of ‘black’ nationalism. No - because we do not seek to establish a seperate nation inside the UK. Yes - because we do support our right to self govern under a Pan African framework inside the UK.
Does Ligali have a bias in favour of African women?
Yes. Whilst we would not describe ourselves as a ‘feminist’ movement for cultural reasons, we do believe it necessary to have a specific policy that seeks to help address the socio-political imbalance that continues to oppress African women on the Continent and throughout the Diaspora.
How Can I help Ligali?
There are many ways you can help each of the sections below provide practicle examples.
Media Watch
If you have watched a programme/film about Africa or just listened to a radio show / topical debate, please write a review for our media watch section stating the date, time, presenter, topic, etc and your opinion. Every time there is a debate on the radio, we should have a review within 48 hours giving details of who said what and when this is also so we can hold anti-African offenders to account.
African History Month
If you know about any events occurring in our community that are not already on our African History Month website then please submit the details online for us. It should take less than five minutes but helps us immensely.
Ujamaa Directory
Without a trusted network of Africentric business’s we can rely on, we will almost certainly be unable to wisely spend our money investing in and developing our own economic prosperity. At least once a fortnight non-Africans make submissions to our directory and we have to delete them.
Admin / Volunteer
We need at least two commited Africans to work as personal assistants. Internet access is a must, someone dedicated to our community’s empowerment, reliable and meticulous, able to travel at least once a week for a face to face meeting, but confident enough to work unassisted for at least two days a week. This can be a very intense and stressful role, it is immensely rewarding but not suited to those with commitment issues.
Investigative journalists and/or writers
Our news section is too heavy with bad news, we therefore need some self motivated writers who can seek out positive stories and organisations in our community and write short articles including interviews for publication on our website.
Event reporter
We need a couple of people who can attend our various community events with a digital camera and mp3 recorder and write a report/article of what occurs for those of us unable to attend.
International Correspondent
If you still have good links with our family back home then we need writers who could give our community a monthly international update of what’s happening on the ground outside the UK. Especially information on grass roots organisation that could do with our support. We are a Pan African organisation so we would like stories about what is happening in any country where African people reside. From Canada to the Seychelles, whether it occurs in the Caribbean or on the Continent we want to know.
National Correspondents
Do you buy a weekly gazette in your area? Please send us some of the stories affecting our community that have not made national news. From Wales to Manchester it is important that we make links with all of the Africans in Britain not just those resident in London.
Media Activists
This role cannot be stressed enough, we need people to call into our media institutions such as Colourful, VOAR, Galaxy and leave the LBC and BBC London shows alone. Every time a phone call or interaction is made solely to our media rivals it is a nail in the coffin for our own community media.
Newsletter Manager
Our newsletter is very widely read but its supposed to be a monthly publication, we need someone who is willing to take responsibility for putting it together to a strict deadline and ensuring that all the contributors submit their elements on time.
Passings Editor
This is a difficult and depressing job but we would like an article for every future youth murder, racist killing or passing of a revered elder in our community remembered on our public website. Too many of our people have violently passed recently and we have not recorded it appropriately. It is our responsibility to cover this news with dignity and respect, instead of just relaying on the output of a callous, insensitive media.
Griot Archive
We urgently need someone to go around and interview the elders in our community archiving their experience and wisdom.
Community Outreach Officer
Do you have the skills to engage with Africans in our community who still believe they are ‘black’ with all the negativity that brings? Too many of us are isolated and unaware of the existence of others with the required skills and experience to empower ourselves. From lone parents to disaffected young people, we need a small team of people who can go to those in need of help and offer support.
Event Organisers
We try to hold a couple of main events a year and several social – cultural gatherings to break bread and reason. We want to extend into healing sessions which will include development circles for our young people and also men and women both separate and together. From parental support, self employment to abuse and mental health, the format will always be simple, the benefits immense. If you can help lead with this by finding venues, co-ordinating with marketing then please let us know.
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