In this country not of my own

In this strange country

I feel the weight of one hundred years of oppression
One hundred years of misery
One hundred years of solitude

In a country far from my own

I feel the weight of one hundred years of colonization
One hundred years of beating
One hundred years of rape

In a strange country far from my own

I feel the weight of one hundred years of displacement
One hundred years of forced labour
One hundred years of rebellion

In a strange and far-away country

I reminisce over many sun-kissed days
The custard apples in my mother’s hands
And the vibrant laughter that echoed in the hills

In this deafening country

I despise the silence
I despise the rotten smiles
And I long for kindness that has the power to heal

In this country with people not of my own

I long for the still quiet waters
And the roaring mountains
That dared to be

In this country not of my own

I long for people to wake up
To quit talking about post-colonial discourse
And realize that we are still living in a colonial era

In this country not of my own
I long for many things

Oscar Grant: A Case of Pre Meditated Murder?

I've been thinking a lot about the issue of Oscar Grant, watching the YouTube clips over and over again and wondering what could have gone on in the police man's mind and make him reach the conclusion that it was alright to reach for his gun, cock it, and shoot Oscar Grant in the back. I know about police brutality. We see it on the news almost every day. But this was not a case of police brutality. This was a case of cold blooded murder. What is worse, was the excuse given. To me, mistaking a gun for a taser would have been the same thing as mistaking a gun for a cell phone. That is beyond ludicrous to me. They do not look or feel the same, they do not work the same way, you do not hold them the same way let alone in the same hand and you surely do not get up to position yourself, and cock it if it's a damn taser! This officer should be sentenced for first degree cold blooded murder!

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.