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Time to Talk: A Panther in Africa with Jim Beal
Friday 4/15 7:30
free to the public

 
 

A Panther in Africa, is the story of Pete O'Neal, one of the last exiles from the time of Black Power, when young rebels advocated black pride, unity, community service and sometimes violence. Facing gun charges in Kansas City in 1970, O'Neal fled to Algeria, where he joined other Panther exiles. Unlike the others, however, O'Neal never found his way back to America. He moved on to Tanzania, where for over 30 years he has struggled to continue his life of social activism – and to hold on to his identity as an African-American.

A Panther in Africa, made by Aaron Matthews and part of the P.O.V. PBS series, is intented to spark discussion. Jim Beal, a trainer, community organizer and Certified Business Continuity Professional and Consultant, will lead a discusson after the movie.

 

official website

A Panther in Africa shows a complex view of O’Neal. He is able to reflect on the excesses of 1960s radicals and his own past as a street hustler, yet remains unapologetic about his Panther past. Even as he has worked to build a new and socially constructive life in Tanzania, O'Neal remains very much the man shaped by his youthful struggles – and very much an American.

In 1991, Pete and his wife, Charlotte, who followed him into exile, founded The United African Alliance Community Center (UAACC) in Tanzania. The organization sponsors an international exchange program for underprivileged American and Tanzanian teenagers. Conversations with visiting white Americans from Alabama leave him uneasy about the country's willingness to face its recent history of racism. Inner-city black teenagers from Kansas City — whose sojourn to rural Africa includes a ceremonial welcome by local tribes people — don't share O'Neal's enthusiasm. They complain of boredom and the lack of fast food, and adamantly assert that they are Americans and not Africans. They eventually warm up to their hosts, but O'Neal frets that he is increasingly remote from American realities.

Jim Beal has extensive national and international experience with major corporate and non-profit organizations. His practice provides diversity training, crisis management, and business continuity services for the public and private sectors with a particular focus on faith based and community service organizations. He has led special philanthropic efforts for major corporations addressing children’s safety, disaster recovery and community building.  After an honourable discharge from the US Navy, Jim moved to Paris, France for six years, working for two major international corporations.  In Paris, while providing management consultation services to two African publications, he experienced the threat of day to day terrorism during the Algerian revolution.  Jim has also taught in the New York City Alternative High School system and presented at numerous colleges.  
     Jim has a Master's Degree in Developmental Psychology and has also worked as a therapist with major mental health organizations in New York and Virginia.  
     Married with three grown children, Jim has been a resident of Columbia County since the early 1990’s.

2004 87 Minutes

  

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