---Go to UnityFirst.com for the following story---
"To Stand and Fight" -- Stephen Smith writes an article about the recent Indiana Pacers incident. He says, "There are moments in time when it is made abundantly clear how differently Caucasian people and conscious descendants of enslaved Africans view this world. The latest illustration of this social dichotomy is the recent fight in Auburn Hills, Michigan."

---America's oldest-known African Burial Ground and South Africa's "Freedom Park" are linked by common struggles, kindred spirits, says Barbara Masekela, South Africa's U.S. Ambassador---This Fall, one week after H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, president of Nigeria and the chairperson of the African Union, made the first official visit by an African head of state to the African Burial Ground in New York City, the Hon. Barbara Masekela, South Africa's Ambassador to the U.S., stood at the podium on the African Burial Ground surrounded by the Boys and Girls Choirs of Harlem. "We have gathered here at a very important event. But it is not an event, it is a process," she told the audience assembled on the October afternoon for the festive tribute, "Africans in the Americas: Celebrating the Ancestral Heritage," sponsored by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. "We remember our ancestors - not on a single day. We remember them every day and we try to approximate what they have given us to show the best of what Africans are," she said. Ambassador Masekela had journeyed to the African Burial Ground in lower Manhattan for a special ceremony that would link the ancestral African resting place in New York City to the African ancestors in South Africa's Freedom Park. "A visionary undertaking," Freedom Park narrates the story of South Africa's ancient, pre-colonial, colonial Apartheid and post-Apartheid history. In 2004, South Africa marked the 10th anniversary of the country's first democratic elections. Freedom Park, a place of pilgrimage, renewal and inspiration for South Africans and all peace and justice-loving peoples of the world, is about reconciliation and nation building. What connects Freedom Park in South Africa, thousands of miles away, to the African Burial Ground in Lower Manhattan is that both are symbols of the struggle of humanity for freedom and dignity-the African Burial Ground ancestors from slavery and the South African freedom fighters from Apartheid. In 2003, Ambassador Masekela, the sister of jazz great Hugh Masekela, made history as the first Black woman to be South African Ambassador to the U.S. During Apartheid, she had spent 27 years in exile. The historic African Burial Ground, is the site where nearly 20,000 colonial 17th and 18th-century African men, women and children are buried. "The African Burial Ground is a bridge for Africans here with Africans on the Mother Continent," said Howard Dodson, the chief of the Schomburg. "And the presence of African leaders on the site acknowledges the bond between Africans in the Diaspora and Africans at home."

---Radio today: THIS WEEK ON "GREATNESS BY DESIGN"- XM CHANNEL 169---
Blanche Williams, National XM Satellite Radio Talk Show Host welcomes to GREATNESS BY DESIGN, OMAROSA MANIGAULT STALLWORTH to share her newest ventures, along with regular feature ASK HARRIETTE with Life Coach and Author, HARRIETTE COLE. On Wednesday, December 15, 2004 Blanche welcomes the niece of Zora Neale Hurston, LUCY ANNE HURSTON, to share her newest book, SPEAK, SO YOU CAN SPEAK AGAIN: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston, an interactive collection of photographs, poetry, articles, cards, handwritten notes with a CD of her speaking and singing. That and much more this week on GREATNESS BY DESIGN, airing live coast-to-coast every Monday & Wednesday from 12:00noon-1:00pm/EST and 9:00-10:00am/PST on XM Channel 169-THE POWER, XM Satellite Radio's premiere 24 hour African-American Talk Channel.

---Top diverse authors receive Myers Book Awards---A Boston-based center and national network announced its 20th annual list of award winning books and authors, recognizing contributions to advancing understanding of the multifaceted complexities of, and possibilities for building communities and a world that works for all of us equitably. The Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights, established in 1984, announced on December 11, 2004, on the occasion of world-wide commemorations of Human Rights Day, winners of the Myers Outstanding Book Awards in Buffalo, Chicago, Greenville (NC), Miami, Oakland, Tampa, Washington (DC) and Boston. The books speaking both to erased history and today's history-making were selected by a diverse panel of reviewers from across the country. Some are written by journalists and professors, some by individual authors, and some by "engaged collaborations of organizers," said Dr. Loretta J. Williams, the Center's Director. For a complete list of the winners and to see their books, click here or go to UnityFirst.com.

---MUSIC MIX: Chris Marsol's NEW CD Rockit Science stands out---
Just 25 miles East of California's famed Golden Gate Bridge, in the small quiet town of Hayward a young upcoming artist practices his guitar in his room while singing a song he just wrote for his debut album entitled "ROCKiT SCIENCE." Marsol moves from rock guitar and Hip-hop beats to innovative song writing and memorable melodies. ROCKiT SCIENCE incorporates all the styles Chris loves ranging from the Stones and Prince to Elton John, Boyz 2 Men and the Carpenters. Hear Chris strumming his guitar, playing the piano, telling stories, rapping, yelling, and everything in between. No two songs on this album are alike. There are simply no rules for this exciting and innovative debut... expect the unexpected. "If you think about space travel, we use very simple materials made here on earth and from that, we're able to accomplish the impossible. Likewise, the album's title, ROCKiT SCIENCE, is about taking our ordinary mundane experiences and exploring emotional places we've never been before." Let us know what you think of Chris Marsol's new CD….send your thoughts to info@unityfirst.com.

---Urban Nutcracker in Boston---
BalletRox founder and artistic director, Anthony Williams presents the 4th annual Urban Nutcracker at The Strand Theatre in Boston from December 17 to December 19, 2004. Considered Boston's newest holiday tradition, BalletRox' Urban Nutcracker celebrates the city's diversity, unites people and communities, and provides new opportunities to dancers of all skill levels and backgrounds. For tickets and information, send an email to rootzpromo@aol.com or call Ballet Rox at (617) 524-3066.