CAUSE Kids: A Campaign to "Save" Africa

I don't usually post twice in one day but I just had to. Check it out.

"The perfect gift will not be under your tree this year, it will be in West Africa. Give the gift of lasting joy to an African family." (http://www.causekids.ca/christmas2008)

It's outrageous I know, but it is also a real advertisement. Targeted at "good" Canadian families who "really want to make a difference" and "help save Africa." Well, you know what? We don't need saving, let alone "lasting joy" from you! A couple of months ago, the New Scientist Magazine (not that I'm a big fan of science) reported a survey on the happiest people in the world and you know who they turned out to be? Nigerians! YES! Surprise surprise! NOT North America, or Europe or Australia, but NIGERIA! So really, African families don't need your gift of "lasting joy" ok? And then the BBC article on the survey says "The survey confirms money does not buy happiness." As if we didn't know that already. Unfortunately, CAUSE Kids is not the only problematic organization around. I see so many advertisements like these on an everyday basis calling out for people to help and save Africa. Most international and non-governmental organizations have very problematic ideologies that only feed and foster the oppression of people from non-western countries. And frankly, I'm getting really sick of it. If you want to take a look at the article on the survey I've posted a link below.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3157570.stm

Riding the Rocket is NOT the better way!

NO ONE should have to wait one whole hour for a bus! Especially on a cold cold snowy winter's night! Yuh heard?! Last night I thought my toes would literally freeze up. And they almost did. This particular bus that I take home everyday is notorious for keeping people waiting but yesterday I think it must have hit it's best record yet with ONE HOUR! Well, in actuality there were two buses in one hour. The first one arriving after thirty five minutes quickly filled up as was to be expected and who knew the next one would take so damn long?! Downtown for goodness sake? And what makes this whole thing worse, is that it is not an irregular occurrence. Some particular streetcars are also infamous for this! Arriving after half an hour and all three of them turning out to be suddenly full! It's absolutely ridiculous! Can anybody say structural violence?? The TTC system really needs to be revamped so that it can actually work! Because as of now, it's not working and Riding the Rocket is definitely NOT the better way! I don't know why anybody who has the power to do something about it, does not realize this. Probably because they don't have to take the TTC on a regular basis. I am up to my neck sick of waiting and waiting in the cold for that long! Especially now that temperatures are dropping. What are people supposed to do? Seriously, the TTC needs to get it's act together! The current one is growing old and it won't be too long before people have had enough.

The World’s Greatest Poet

You say the World’s greatest poet is William Blake
I say the World’s greatest poet is a sistah with no name

You say the World’s greatest writer is Shakespeare
I say the World’s greatest writer is Zora

You proclaim Karl Marx to be the World’s greatest theorist
I proclaim Audre Lorde

You say the World's greatest speaker was Martin Luther King
I say it was Sojourner Truth

You insist on giving me Rudyard Kipling and T.S Elliot and Walt Whitman
But what about all my African sistahs whose voices were stolen from them?
What about the pieces of scrap paper on which they struggled to write on?
While their husbands beat them mercilessly
And their colonizers brutally raped them
What about them?
What about them?

You say the World’s greatest poet is William Blake
I say the World’s greatest poet is a sistah with no name

YES! You heard right...I'M BACK!

Alright. I know that some of you out there (I won't mention any names Karen) are kind of annoyed with me for not having written in so long and gosh where do I start? Well, I think filling y'all in on my life since August will take me a couple of blog posts so let me just start by giving an apology for my unintended and abrupt absence. I've never had a year like this one at school where I am actually fighting for time to breathe. It's crazy! Anyway, I'm just glad because it's my last year and after this I'm free baby! Well, not so much but you get my drift. So anyhoo, I'm very super excited to be catapulted back into the blogging sphere now that I have a three week break! Yay! And for now, I think I'll just wish my fellow Kenyans a happy Jamhuri day! Oh yeah and Congratulations President Elect Obama! YEA-UH!

Asa [asha] The Revolution of African Soul

I have decided to make this post very short because it's very late but I still feel the need to blog about her. Over the past couple of days, I have been privileged enough to discover Asa pronounced [asha] and listening to her music evokes a feeling I can only describe as intoxicating. This girl has got SO much soul! Her voice is so full of emotion and passion. If you want to hear for yourself, check out 'jailer' and 'so beautiful' and 'bi'ban'ké' (my personal favourites so far). I can already tell she is going to quickly rise. She is truly unique in her genre and I believe that we are just in the beginning of witnessing a complete revolution in African soul. You go Asa!

Colonialism: a thing of the past?

Colonialism is a thing of the past. It’s the older generations who are responsible. It happened eons ago, get over it. There’s no point of being angry. It’s no longer relevant. Nothing can be done about it anyway.

These are words I’ve heard too many times; especially of late. I really don’t understand why it is so hard for people to simply pick up a book or even just open their eyes and realize that in actual fact, Colonialism is NOT a thing of the past and it is still very much relevant in today’s social, economic and political climate. The matter of the fact is that economic arrangements were created by former colonial powers to maintain control of their former colonies and dependencies after the colonial independence movements. This is how for example Kenya – Africa’s largest and the world’s third largest producer and exporter of black tea – can produce tea and have it sold back to us for a higher price. This is how; that despite the amount of tea that is produced in Kenya, the revenue is quite negligible in comparison. The same goes for a lot of other countries in Africa. Private, foreign business companies including multinational corporations continue to exploit the resources of post-colonial peoples, and this economic control is akin to the classical, European colonialism.

Furthermore, this business of Western countries feeling that it is their duty to get involved in other countries’ matters that don’t involve them is beyond me. Such nations behaving like colonial powers and dictating what must or must not happen in a foreign country is just another form of economic imperialism. If you want an example, just look at what transpired during Kenya’s recent elections. Western nations felt it was their business to express their views on what was happening in Kenya and even go as far as to say what should or should not happen in Kenya. The result? A conference held by Kofi Annan to “convince” a.k.a force into place a new system of government with a prime minister which is completely alien to Kenya. Soon with the way things are going, we’ll have a King and a Queen!

Finally, I don’t believe that it is solely older generations who are responsible. As far as I am concerned, our purpose here on this earth is to rectify the mistakes of our ancestors and make sure that we do not repeat those same mistakes. Therefore, if there are still systems in Kenya that continue to support a colonialist structure, WE are all responsible for tearing down those structures and refusing to support them. If there are laws in Kenya that still privilege foreigners over Kenyans themselves, it is OUR responsibility to ensure that these laws are done away with. If there are still major land distribution inequalities, it is OUR job to ensure that the land is equally divvied, so we can all look forward to a better, honest and just future.

'WANTED' The Movie: Racist? Fascist?

'You're WANTED. To join us. A lethal and somewhat 'secretive' operation that lets no one get in it's way that is void of all reasoning so it is harder to question us. Oh yah, and if you want to join us, you have to be a man since there is only room for one woman (a dangerous assassin with lots of tattoos and scars to prove it). This is also preferably for those who feel worthless and feel like they're not doing anything 'real' with their lives.' The message is clear from the beginning of this movie. Especially in the context of the current global political climate.

Seriously. What are we being subjected to? I am honestly so SICK and TIRED of hidden political agendas and racist undertones in mainstream Hollywood movies. Why can't I just go to a movie and enjoy it without being constantly put down and being told that I'm a loser? Is it too much to ask? Personally, I have always been a fan of Angelina Jolie movies - from her days in Gone in Sixty Seconds and Tomb Raider. So naturally, I was looking forward to seeing another action flick with her despite bad movie reviews and friends' advice not to see it. Well, let me be the one to say this. DON'T GO AND SEE THIS MOVIE IF YOU HAVEN'T' ALREADY! Unless of course you want to understand what I am talking about. As though the atrocious dialogue, bad acting and far fetched stunts were not enough, they have to go and describe one of the prominent characters in the movie who 'just happens' to be black and is played by Morgan Freeman, as "just a thug who can bend bullets." This line is delivered by the main character who 'just happens' to be white and is played by James McAvoy.

The story line is ludicrous, poorly thought out, unbelievable and it becomes clear who this movie is intended for and the purpose it is meant to serve. 'The Fraternity' is supposed to be a 'brotherhood' if you will, of assassins who get their orders from a loom. Yes you read right, a loom. Apparently, this loom is supposed to contain a 'code' which they decipher and somehow magically find the names of the people they are supposed to kill. And for what? Apparently to serve destiny. As though this isn't absurd enough, the main character feels the need to address the audience as 'losers' when he says "Six weeks ago, I was a loser just like you" and the finishing line of the movie towards the audience "What the fuck have you done lately?" As though the only thing I need to do with my life in order to feel accomplished is become an assassin and kill people. It is over the top with all the propaganda being thrown at the audience disguised as just an action flick with Angelina Jolie. Another line that manages to be surreptitiously sneaked in is "Kill them all and let fate sort out the mess" This is also delivered by the main character as he plots his revenge.

What is more puzzling to me is that Common would choose to be in a movie like this. Up until now, I had so much respect for Common as an artist who tells and speaks the truth. To think that he, knowing full well what the movie is about and it's intentions, would accept such a role is quite disappointing. Then again, how much choice do we really have nowadays?

Contentment

Rarely, do I ever get the feeling of absolute contentment. But now I have and suddenly feel the urge to blog about it. But I shan't attempt to explain it with words. Tracy Chapman's "Happy" is one of my favourite songs of all time along with Meshell Ndegeocello's "beautiful" and "liliquoi moon." "Happy" describes my exact sentiments at this time and was a source of inspiration a year ago for a poem I wrote called 'queen of song'. I shall let you experience it for yourself if you haven't already. Enjoy!



Queen of Song

How you intoxicate me with your song
I am lost in the depths of
Your perfectly-composed melody
Your words lift me so high above
I lose all sense of myself
Your whispers carry me effortlessly
Through the night
I cannot think, I cannot speak
No words to describe your divine voice
Queen of Song let me drown
In your unruffled sea of sacred rhythms

Still, I am here

I feel tired. So tired. But this is a different kind. Not the type of tiredness that can be overcome by a night of sleep or a couple cups of coffee. Nor one that can be cured with a simple vacation to the tropics. No. This is another profound tiredness. One which I have felt only rarely in the past. But which of late, has permeated itself through every single vein in my body and which has settled itself into every single nerve ending. I feel it in my bones and limbs as I walk, I feel it in my words when I speak, I feel it in my soul, so heavy. I feel it everywhere. It has become like a looming shadow waiting in the background for the opportune moment to prance on its prey. It leaves no body part untouched and feeds off the insanity that goes on around me and inside me. Slowly and silently, it chokes and stifles the voice within. They fight to death. They fight to death. They fight to death. Yet, I am here. Somehow, I am still here.

blog name change

hey, it's me and I'm back! (wow! two posts in one night!) Only, because I found earlier today that there is someone else out there with the same blog name - "Akili Ni Mali" - who in fact is now in my favourite blogs sections - and now I must throw in the towel and change the name of my blog. I assure you however it is only the name which is going to change. The content will still remain the same. So after a long tiresome perusal and search of different names, I have decided to go with the name "Nervous Conditions" Please note however that the name is not originally mine. A while ago, I was lucky enough to read an awesome book by Tsitsi Dangarembga called "Nervous Conditions" which I am guessing she borrows from Fanon's "The Wretched of the Earth." In his work, Fanon says "The condition of the native is a nervous condition" and in her book, Dangarembga explores the psyche of the colonized in a post-colonial setting in Zimbabwe through two teenage girls - Nyasha and Tambu - one of whom has been abroad and the other not. I thought it was an amazing book which was very well written! I saw myself so well-represented in both of those characters and I think she does the story justice. I am really looking forward to reading the sequel which is currently on my summer reading list. Because of this, I have decided to go with this name because it represents me, what this blog is about and any other colonized persons who feel their condition is a "nervous condition." It represents daily struggles, thoughts, the outcomes of a colonized mentality and a process of resistance which for me is mostly in writing and through which I am able to gain a true consciousness of my identity.

leaving on a jet plane

aahhh it's almost time to go and there is still so much to do! Thankfully, the huge tasks are mostly out of the way. I have been blessed enough to go to Guadalajara for a five week exchange program to learn art and politics in contemporary Mexico! And I am SO excited and thankful! Still, while trying to mind my own business and run the many errands I have, Toronto never fails to remind me why I am so eager to get away for a couple of weeks. As if being followed (literally) wasn't scary enough, some woman on the streetcar decides to cut her eyes at me as if I had stolen her grandmother! Seriously! What is up with that? What is up with people thinking they can just show you attitude like they are at their mother's houses? What happened to manners and being polite?

Dr. Miracle? Really?

"Every Black woman in America lives her life somewhere along a wide curve of ancient and unexpressed angers.
My Black woman’s anger is a molten pond at the core of me, my most fiercely guarded secret. I know how much of my life as powerful feeling woman is laced through the net of rage. It is an electric thread woven into every emotional tapestry upon which I set the essentials of my life—a boiling hot spring likely to erupt at any point, leaping out of my consciousness like a fire on the landscape. How to train that anger with accuracy rather than deny it has been one of the major tasks of my life."

-Audre Lorde

These words ring true for me today and every single day of my life! Thank you Audre Lorde! Although in this post, I am not going to rant about the rude man at the Mexican consulate, or the condescending attitude from the bank teller or the white woman at Tim Hortons who thought it was alright to take my order without asking. No. What is and has been most with me the last couple of weeks has been the extremely offensive, racist, sexist advertisement 'Dr. Miracle' that for whatever reason, is still being given airtime! If you have not already seen it, please watch it before you read any further, so you can understand what I am talking about. (I've attached it below)



Perhaps you might think this a follow up to my last blog and in some ways it is. I recently just wrote a paper on the violence and internalized racism that is involved with black women's hair. Why is everybody so obsessed with black women's hair and making it straight??? Just let us be!!! Ugh! This advertisement was already offensive enough until someone thankfully pointed out to me the "even on hair like yours" line. I mean, could it get any worse? Apparently, yes.



Implying that black women's hair can only be 'cured' with a miracle that involves the process of making it straight! Thankfully there are some people engaged in similar struggles like mine. The spoof for the ad was the best part of my day!



However, going back to the subject of anger I came across this profound message by Dr. Renita J. Weems that every person dealing with anger should know.

"It takes time to figure out that anger is a gift from God. Anger helps you set boundaries for yourself. Anger helps you speak up and say when enough is enough. Anger is supposed to make you want to do something about the wrong all around you.
It’s taken years for me to accept the fact that I’m one of those women who feels deeply. Which is both a blessing and a curse. It takes time to learn how to train one’s anger, to aim it at the right target, and to keep the collateral damage to a minimum. Perhaps that’s what the Bible means when it says, “Be angry, but sin not.” Aim with precision." (Dr. Renita J. Weems)

first post: random thoughts

1. Thank you for visiting my blog. Please stay tuned! More interesting and thought-provoking posts to come!

2. "Akili ni Mali" is an old Kiswahili saying that means "knowledge is wealth" and I truly believe that the only way change in this world and true spiritual, mental and emotional wealth can come about is through learning our erased histories, unlearning, and through the decolonization of our minds.

3. Mia Michaels is a true walking genius! How many of those have you been honoured to witness? (I've just been watching SYTYCD) She really is insane!!!! (meaning good) If you want proof, just watch any of her routines.

4. Yes, I just used the British spelling on the word 'honoured' and will continue to use British spelling because that is what I am used to since the British decided it was alright for them to come and steal our land and our people and teach us this foreign language.

5. The name 'Judy' is dead. Please refrain from using that name. If you call me Judy and I know you know I changed my name, I simply will not respond.

6. I just wrote a paper on hair. Here is a profound and interesting quote I found while researching for the paper that I think is worth posting.

"Two psychiatrists argue that the process of grooming hair is not only painfully for black girls, but the end result is that black female children look simply acceptable rather than beautiful. One of the Grier and Cobbs’s conclusions is that girls receive the message that their hair in its natural state is undesirable; otherwise they would not have to endure the pain of getting their hair straightened. The psychiatrists also discuss the differences of hair grooming processes between African American and white women. For example, even if white women endure pain while grooming their hair, the result is that their beauty is enhanced – a beauty, the authors argue, that is already celebrated even before they enter the hair salon. In black women, on the other hand, not only are their features uncelebrated, but they must also submit to the humiliating pressing comb to be deemed presentable." (Banks, 2000)