ALBA: A viable key to African diaspora self-determination
Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA): A Viable Key to African Diaspora Self-Determination
Raleigh, NC - Ma 2, 2007 - In his intellectual and timely re-examination of the scholarly works of two well-known Afro-Caribbeans in his dynamic book “In-Dependence from Bondage: Claude McKay and Michael Manley: Defying the Ideological Clash and Policy Gaps in African Diaspora Relations” (ISBN 978-1592214655, Africa World Press, 2007), author and former Jamaican public servant, Lloyd D. McCarthy makes the case that the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) was a dream of these two men and, if successful, could well be the kind of initiative that shows the masses of the South, the African Diaspora and the world’s poor how to cooperate to achieve self-determination and deeper democracy.
According to McCarthy, globalization — the spread of American Capitalism — is being discredited around the world as ordinary working people and those representing them become aware, that although the “Cold War” has ended, the return of militarism is being used to advance the interest of big corporations and global elites, while human development and wealth distribution is more acutely skewed now than ever.
“In-Dependence” From Bondage pairs novelist/poet, Claude McKay (1890 - 1948), whose innovative works ignited the Harlem Literary Renaissance, and Michael N. Manley (1924 - 1997), the Jamaican politician whose ideas, and revolutionary political activity lifted the political awareness of the people of the Caribbean, as well as internationally in the form global relations. McCarthy illustrates that both men were committed Internationalists who advocated greater economic, cultural and political cooperation among peoples and nations worldwide-for everyone’s benefit; not just for the profit of a few multinational corporations.
“McKay and Manley, through their art and politics demonstrated a firm belief in the inter-connections of the world, as well as preserving equality and justice for all people irrespective of race, color, or class,” says McCarthy. “They viewed international politics from a historical perspective; they shared a common vision of ordinary people asserting their democratic rights for liberty and equality; and they both expressed deep concerns with how power was distributed in society and between societies."
As such, McCarthy surmises that both Claude McKay and Michael Manley would have supported the political and economic initiative called the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) with its plans for education scholarships for Latin America and the Caribbean, a Social Emergency Fund, Development Bank for the South, a Regional Petroleum Company and shipping, airlines and telecommunications plans.
The ALBA is being led by Venezuela with first members being Bolivia, Cuba and Nicaragua.
Through ““In-Dependence” From Bondage”, McCarthy examines the impact of globalization (capitalism) on human development in the African Diaspora, as led by corporations, imperialism and the global elites. He differentiates the dominating political ideology of the developed nations of the North, with the oppressed and developing nations of the South, and the policy gaps that continue to undermine the struggle for self-determination of people in the African Diaspora.
McCarthy successfully illustrates the historic crossroads of social change facing the entire global community and the corrective tactics currently being considered. He provides deep explorations into the writing of McKay and Manley and their well-documented common awareness despite differing historic periods, professional backgrounds and intellectual traditions.
McKay and Manley’s strident call for an adherence to the continued struggle for self-determination echoes through the pages of “In- Dependence” from Bondage.” McCarthy has produced a significant contribution to broad studies of the African Diaspora and the collective solutions required for international relations and the masses survival of globalization. A profound perspective that bridges the generations, this will be considered the blueprint for the future of social, political, and economic issues worldwide.
About Lloyd McCarthy
Lloyd McCarthy was born in Mandeville, Jamaica. He is a former Jamaican public servant having held the titles of Director of Land Policy in the Office of the Prime Minister and Senior Director of Land Administration in the Ministry of Environment & Housing. McCarthy is currently an urban and regional planning consultant, and holds a Master of Arts degree from North Carolina State University, with a focus on political science and African Diaspora Affairs. McCarthy currently resides in Raleigh, NC with his wife and two sons.
“In-Dependence from Bondage” (ISBN 978-1592214655, Africa World Press, 2007) can be purchased through local and online booksellers.
For more information, visit www.in-dependence.com.
Caribbean contact: http://www.caribbeanwhoswho.com/ (Sharon Coward)
Publisher contact: www.africaworldpressbooks.com (Angela Ajayi, Editor).
US Publicity contact: www.readerviews.com . Review copies available upon request.
