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?