I hope this doesn't come off as a hoaky kind of ideas.

How much appeal would it have for the people of Africa? Do they have any interest in Jazz? The same can be said for Iran, Persian poetry is the source of many of the Walt Disney stories. The people of Iran need our support for them to take control of their own Government, should we have a Disney Fest to support the people's of Iran?

There just doesn't seem to be enough of a relationship between Jazz and the people of Africa. Many of the people of Africa don't view African Americans as even being the same race. Technically, they aren't. Just like I'm not Finnish, German, Scottish, or Irish; I'm not even a half breed.

African Americans made Jazz, and Rock n Roll for that matter. They have reason to be proud of their own accomplishments without oweing to their remote ancestry. In the extreme, we may all owe a caveman somewhere for our musical talents; or in my case, my lack of musical talent.

OVERPOPULATION is the key word.

"When will they ever learn", Prejudice breads warts,stop blowing hot air up your ass just to hear yourself speak. some people think "Star Trek", was a bad idea because too many blacks, Asians, and Russians were on the show.Why is ignorance tolerated?

I wouldn't say assist Africa, but encourage African to build a Unified Africa through regional agreements or a United States of Africa. The idea isn't new at all! it was first launched in 1924 by Marcus Garvey. This led to the well-known Pan African Movement in 1940's. Recently, many African leaders have been considering the idea, as a key to solve conflicts in Africa and a path to development. Many thinks that a United States of Africa will solve the education, agriculture, infrastructure and health issues in Africa. This is worth trying!

Absolutement! Europe has the right idea, even if it is only economic. When will the Arabs realize that they are all arabs, (even the israeli's). Even the America's should unite to be United Countries of the America's. (North America, Central America and South America. The trouble with all of these alliances is that the real root of the problem has not been dealt with and that is hatred, jealousy and revenge. Pearson had the right idea in sending in a United Nations army of peace, to police the trouble spots. But the biggest flaw is that if the whole planet does not back the peacekeepers there is no clout or enforcement to this peace army. But then what do you do with the psychopaths that deal in killing, torture and winning at all costs. Don't believe it; consider how a great idea like the olympics has degenerated into a nationalistic medal war, winnable at any cost.

Africa could use improvement, but I have to point out that junk was right when he wrote that jazz didn't come from Africa. Jazz was created by black Americans and was derived from European style music more than from African. I know it may not really matter, but it bothers me to see myths perpetuated.

Duh!!Since the original first Afican Americans did not originate in the America's. (i.e. North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean); I wonder where they came from. Maybe that's why they are called "African Americans". Sounds like an idea. Also I don't believe that the A.M.'s came here empty headed (like children). Check out the "kalimba" and the "origine of the banjo"; not to mention hand percussion drums. A little research wouldn't hurt. Also wash your feet before you stick them in your mouth. In addition "free speech", doesn't mean talking stupid.

No way. Before we go globe trotting to solve other countries problems, we need to get shit squared away here first. Plus, without interest, or some communal reason why we need to help Africa besides the fact that people have a soft spot for it, there's no real reason to. If a country cant support itself, if it tears itself apart, not by outside force, but by inside, then let it deal with itself, or become nothing. Something new will rise in its place when the dust settles. We can deal with that when it happens. Thats natures way of survival.

You mean like ignore it and it might go away. It doesn't effect me so: Why should i care? How about; I'm not affeted by aids or global warming. Ignorance is not bliss, (simply put you can't ignore or hide anymore from the world's problems). Sounds like a pretty depressing scene. Yea if we all ignored it. But positively speaking this thing we are doing right now, right here is extremely powerful. The internet will only help dispell misconceptions and bullshit. I can understand how pissed off you can get because we do have a shitload of problems. But things are happening, believe it or not. The U.S.A. has just had an election that was won by a candidate that used the internet for the first time in history. Africa is not the only problem or the most important problem it just seems to me to be a micro-representation of the worlds problems, (like an aquarium) Like aids, global warming, animal extinction, war, energy/economy. Not to mention how adaptable people are to change (even though we seem hate it). Keep making me think.

Yeah, but we should face the problems on our front. Let our community thrive, and survive before turning to help another. In survival, if we are the workers, we help ourselves to make it first. Homelessness, AIDS, Cancer, etc. Smallpox was fought here, then their. You don't have to abandon them, but i wouldnt pull resources that we could use here, and send it somewhere else. Its not the best speaker that makes the business run, but the actions involved over many fronts.

I do plenty of research. I'm not denying the credit that African Americans deserve for creating jazz, I'm just pointing out that, culturally, they were really Americans. Jazz was developed by African Americans that were born and raised in America. In most cases, they had never even visited Africa and neither had their parents or even their grandparents. They spoke English as their only language or possibly French due to the New Orleans influence. I have Chinese ancestory myself, but I'm an American. If I invent something, would you say that China was the "mother" of my invention? I wouldn't, because I'm not from China, even though my ancestors were.

Also, jazz isn't simply derived from African music. I'm not saying that there was no African influence in their music, but it was only part of the story. Have you ever heard traditional African folk music? They didn't have saxophones, clarinets or trumpets. Don't underestimate the European and American influences in jazz.