Linda's Blogspot

Delbert Blair in Conversation with African-Centered Scholarship: Comparing His Ideas with John Henrik Clarke, Cheikh Anta Diop, Ivan Van Sertima, and Molefi Kete Asante During the twentieth century, a number of scholars and educators challenged long-standing narratives that minimized Africa's role in world history. Among them were John Henrik Clarke, Cheikh Anta Diop, Ivan Van Sertima, and Molefi Kete Asante. Delbert Blair is often mentioned alongside these figures because he also encouraged audiences to reconsider Africa's historical and cultural significance. Although these thinkers shared an interest in restoring Africa to the center of human history, they approached that goal in very different ways. A Shared Commitment to African History All five men believed that Africa's contributions to civilization had been underestimated or overlooked. They encouraged people of African descent to study African history, languages, philosophy, science, and culture. Each argued that u...

Delbert Blair Delbert Blair (1939 – June 23, 2021) was an American lecturer, educator, engineer, and researcher known for his work in metaphysics, holistic health, African history, and consciousness studies. He was the founder and director of the Meta Center in Chicago, Illinois, where he presented educational programs on spirituality, nutrition, ancient civilizations, and alternative interpretations of science. Early life and education Blair was born in 1939 in the United States. He studied civil engineering before pursuing a career in education and public lecturing. Prior to establishing the Meta Center, he worked in engineering and developed interests in biology, nutrition, history, and metaphysical philosophy. Career Blair founded the Meta Center in Chicago as an educational organization devoted to the study of human potential, holistic health, African history, spirituality, and consciousness. Over several decades, he delivered lectures throughout the United States and internationa...

Exploring Delbert Blair's The World Within: Consciousness, Ancient Wisdom, and the Search for Hidden Knowledge For more than four decades, Delbert Blair inspired audiences through lectures on African history, metaphysics, holistic health, and human consciousness. While many knew him from his presentations at the Meta Center in Chicago, his book The World Within brings together many of the ideas that defined his life's work. Rather than presenting a conventional scientific or historical argument, the book invites readers to consider reality through a spiritual and metaphysical lens. It challenges assumptions about human potential, ancient civilizations, and the relationship between the physical and unseen worlds. The Meaning of "The World Within " The title refers to more than a hidden place beneath the Earth's surface. Blair argues that the greatest unexplored frontier is the human mind and spirit. According to Blair, modern society devotes enormous resources to e...

​ A Guide to Harmonica Lessons in New York City ​ By LJ Dabo ​There is a unique magic to the harmonica. It is an instrument built entirely on breath, acting as an immediate bridge between an artist's inner state and the acoustic world. Portable, remarkably expressive, and deeply rooted in the history of blues, folk, and jazz, it remains one of the most accessible yet profound tools for personal musical expression. For those walking the vibrant streets of New York City looking to master this pocket-sized powerhouse, the local landscape offers exceptional, dedicated mentors. ​Whether your goal is to articulate the emotive, bent notes of traditional delta blues, navigate the sophisticated modal shifts of modern jazz, or simply learn how to clean up your single-note execution in a quiet room, finding the right space and structure is essential. Below, we break down the premier institutions and private studios in New York City offering dedicated harmonica frameworks, along with their...

  From Heritage to Prosperity:  South Africa’s Creative Potential ​South Africa stands at a crossroads, where the weight of history meets the urgent need for a stable, prosperous future. While the nation’s challenges are often the subject of global headlines, there is a powerful, largely untapped engine for growth already in existence: the country's vast cultural and creative wealth. ​By scaling the creative industries, South Africa has a unique opportunity to generate "massive and visible" jobs, moving beyond promises to create tangible economic dignity for its people. ​The Power of Cultural Assets ​The vibrant beadwork of the Zulu, the intricate pottery and textile designs of the Xhosa, and the broader spectrum of South African art are not merely aesthetic expressions—they are profound economic assets. ​I have seen the amazing traditional clothes of the Zulu, the incredible headpieces, and the stunning craftsmanship. Similarly, the Xhosa aesthetics are breathtaking...

  UN Open Source Week 2026: A Summary of the Global Forum ​UN Open Source Week 2026, held from June 22 to June 26 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, served as a premier global forum for advancing open-source collaboration. The event was dedicated to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Digital Compact, bringing together over 2,600 participants from more than 120 countries to bridge the gap between high-level policy and practical digital implementation. ​Event Overview ​The week was structured around five thematic days, each focusing on critical aspects of the global digital ecosystem. Rather than a sequential series, the program utilized this daily thematic approach to foster deep dives into specific technologies and policies: ​ June 22: UN Tech Over A kickoff event focused on practical collaboration, featuring a multi-day hackathon where participants worked on open-source solutions for challenges including AI governance, geospatial ...