African-American issues

Below you will find an IM conversation between Shauen Pearce and myself. Shauen is the Co-Director of the Youth and Militarism Program of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, and was one of the first African Americans to go on a, FOR delegation to Iran. I am the second African American to lead a delegation [Ed.: Pat Clark was co-leader of FOR's first delegation in December 2005]. Given the politics of race in the U.S. - which seems to be different from my experiences around the world - I asked Shauen about the nature of experience of being Black in Iran and what I should expect when arrive in Tehran. I thought our exchange would provide good insight on what is means to viewed as an African American on foreign soil.

Sekou: sup. . . would like to hear your experiences as black person in Iran?

Shauen: yo!

Well, the most memorable is when people came up to me and yelled, "AFRICA" and I said yes, by way of N. America.

Our own Rev. Osagyefo Sekou will appear at 10pm EDT tonight on the Blackademics radio show discussing FOR's upcoming peace delegation to Iran and his new position in social justice ministry at Middle Collegiate Church. You can listen on WPFW 89.3FM if you are in the Washington DC area, or online at WPFW.org.