With the new year, we have to step forward and do things that will bring about change. On Friday, I will be announcing some of the things we can all do. The beautiful thing is that these actions being called, if acted upon, are capable of changing the way of the world, not just of Africa. See, the world will go the way Africa goes. If it dies, the world dies. We can save the world by saving Africa.
Please check back on Friday, noon Eastern Standard time.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Palin Voted for Obama?
Is it possible? Could it have been? A few days ago I ran into a person that ended up having close ties to Governor Palin and we started talking about different things, among them the presidential election. As we were talking she let me know that Palin has disclosed to a few close friends that she actually voted for Obama instead of McCain. I couldn't believe it at first, I thought she was just pulling my leg. I had told her about how I think the Obama African policy will not change much in actually improving the lives of millions of disadvantaged Africans. She said it probably would have been worse under McCain and that Palin actually voted against McCain because a lot of areas would have been worse should he have been elected. That, she said, was not the only reason why she did so, but it was a big factor.
With the relationships between the two camps during the campaign, it's not unimaginable that she would vote for her opponent, although I seriously doubt it.
But, once again, is Obama really going to curb the imperialistic and oppressive policies of the US in regards to Africa? Will the exploitation of labor and resources end or be drastically reduced during his tenure as president? Would it have been significantly different had McCain been president? I doubt it.
With the relationships between the two camps during the campaign, it's not unimaginable that she would vote for her opponent, although I seriously doubt it.
But, once again, is Obama really going to curb the imperialistic and oppressive policies of the US in regards to Africa? Will the exploitation of labor and resources end or be drastically reduced during his tenure as president? Would it have been significantly different had McCain been president? I doubt it.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Salvation of the African Continent
Grim news is all that welcomes one who endeavors in the search of information about the goings-on in Africa. Fighting eruptions here and there, famine, exploding populations, pirates, and despots. We have leaders that take power with promises heaped upon promises but only deliver a steady dose of oppression and corruption. Fattening their own pockets, they forget their human-ness, invincibility creeps in and fools them into believing they can hold on to power forever. In their attempt to cling on to their perceived salvation vine they commit atrocities that ensure there can’t be any turning back for them, hence they trudge on, crushing any obstacles in their path, all the while failing to notice that all their energies are now allocated to staying in power and not in advancing their nations. What can we do? Will we listen to any more promises? Will we develop an Obama complex?
Where will the salvation of the African continent come from? Africans? Europeans? Chinese or Indians? Where will salvation for the cradle of mankind come from? In what form will it emerge? Most importantly, where and when will it arrive? Rest assured, however, this salvation is neither man nor woman. What will save us is more than a desire to be more than we are at the moment: beggars. What will save the African continent from the misery of poverty, violence, famine, and such is a shift in perception. Not in the ruling class, not in the affluent, nor in the intellectuals, but a shift in the mentality of the hoi polloi. The masses.
Time after time we see the common masses swayed by selfish politicians and charismatic leaders who care nothing about the people they profess to be looking out for. The masses flock like schools of fish to wherever the leaders’ ignorant and biased currents send them. Sometimes that wherever is an open dolphin or shark mouth. They follow because of hope. A noble reason, indeed. And it would be, as it is something we all aspire to, but misplaced hope is as good as no hope, if not more dangerous.
The masses need to realize that material need is an illusion we cannot allow ourselves to entertain any longer. Our countries produce enough to feed everyone, the problem is that some animals feel that they are more equal than others. Just because one sleeps in the farm house and the other sleeps in the barn does not make one more equal than others. For the sake of the farm, all animals should be equal. Equal in regards to the law. Equal in regards to education. Equal in regards to the value to the state. An equal value.
A shift in perception of the world around us. The world which includes race, tribe, religion, and political affiliations among many others. What endears us to each other is the need to belong and survive while retaining our differences. Why do we hang on to our differences to the point where we are blinded and fail to perceive that which is common in all humankind? We need to realize that those that separate us do not have our interests at heart. They divide so they can conquer. They conquer so they can enrich themselves. They do so because they regard themselves more equal than others. Their happiness, their survival is more important than the rest of the people. We fail to see that. When we shed our perception of differences and work on our similarities to build our communities, we would have accomplished phase one of our journey to freedom.
The next thing we need to demand is that the governments move back to the side of the people. Peaceful revolutions can change governments but only temporarily. So can armed revolutions, but they are temporary too. I’m not saying these are not needed, but we need to do something different after either one of these has taken place. None of them can be applied in all places or times. Either one of them is suited for a particular time and place. That is not our concern, however. Our concern is what to do once a revolution has taken place. How do we make sure that what took so much effort, sweat, sorrow, blood, and tears lasts and does not fall prey to crooks out for their own good?
We have to remove the influence of so-called developed countries. They keep giving aid to keep us out on the street as beggars. Not many people would like to see a beggar on the street rise and, not only move into their house, but also require an equal share of their wealth and say-so. It is better for the beggar to remain on the street where he is no threat and to keep him there they keep giving him a quarter here and a dollar there. As long as the beggar knows there’s a handout coming to him while he is sitting there, he will not risk losing it while pursuing such radical ideas as to sit at a table as his benefactor’s equal. This is how the developed world treats Africa. Threatening to pull economic and/or military aid any time an African country begins to demand its rightful place at the table. There should be no more equal countries than others. All countries, large or small, are equal in so far as their sovereignty, security, and welfare are concerned.
After the revolution, the people need to distance themselves from imperialist nations and band together with countries with similar needs to their own. We need to abandon a financial system we pretty much have no idea about. We have to throw the yoke of incentive-induced demands and the burden of never-ending loans off our shoulders. We need to focus on the people, to encourage people to produce for their land, to be active members of society, driven not by an illusion of monetary wealth that eludes most, but by love of country and family.
Where will the salvation of the African continent come from? Africans? Europeans? Chinese or Indians? Where will salvation for the cradle of mankind come from? In what form will it emerge? Most importantly, where and when will it arrive? Rest assured, however, this salvation is neither man nor woman. What will save us is more than a desire to be more than we are at the moment: beggars. What will save the African continent from the misery of poverty, violence, famine, and such is a shift in perception. Not in the ruling class, not in the affluent, nor in the intellectuals, but a shift in the mentality of the hoi polloi. The masses.
Time after time we see the common masses swayed by selfish politicians and charismatic leaders who care nothing about the people they profess to be looking out for. The masses flock like schools of fish to wherever the leaders’ ignorant and biased currents send them. Sometimes that wherever is an open dolphin or shark mouth. They follow because of hope. A noble reason, indeed. And it would be, as it is something we all aspire to, but misplaced hope is as good as no hope, if not more dangerous.
The masses need to realize that material need is an illusion we cannot allow ourselves to entertain any longer. Our countries produce enough to feed everyone, the problem is that some animals feel that they are more equal than others. Just because one sleeps in the farm house and the other sleeps in the barn does not make one more equal than others. For the sake of the farm, all animals should be equal. Equal in regards to the law. Equal in regards to education. Equal in regards to the value to the state. An equal value.
A shift in perception of the world around us. The world which includes race, tribe, religion, and political affiliations among many others. What endears us to each other is the need to belong and survive while retaining our differences. Why do we hang on to our differences to the point where we are blinded and fail to perceive that which is common in all humankind? We need to realize that those that separate us do not have our interests at heart. They divide so they can conquer. They conquer so they can enrich themselves. They do so because they regard themselves more equal than others. Their happiness, their survival is more important than the rest of the people. We fail to see that. When we shed our perception of differences and work on our similarities to build our communities, we would have accomplished phase one of our journey to freedom.
The next thing we need to demand is that the governments move back to the side of the people. Peaceful revolutions can change governments but only temporarily. So can armed revolutions, but they are temporary too. I’m not saying these are not needed, but we need to do something different after either one of these has taken place. None of them can be applied in all places or times. Either one of them is suited for a particular time and place. That is not our concern, however. Our concern is what to do once a revolution has taken place. How do we make sure that what took so much effort, sweat, sorrow, blood, and tears lasts and does not fall prey to crooks out for their own good?
We have to remove the influence of so-called developed countries. They keep giving aid to keep us out on the street as beggars. Not many people would like to see a beggar on the street rise and, not only move into their house, but also require an equal share of their wealth and say-so. It is better for the beggar to remain on the street where he is no threat and to keep him there they keep giving him a quarter here and a dollar there. As long as the beggar knows there’s a handout coming to him while he is sitting there, he will not risk losing it while pursuing such radical ideas as to sit at a table as his benefactor’s equal. This is how the developed world treats Africa. Threatening to pull economic and/or military aid any time an African country begins to demand its rightful place at the table. There should be no more equal countries than others. All countries, large or small, are equal in so far as their sovereignty, security, and welfare are concerned.
After the revolution, the people need to distance themselves from imperialist nations and band together with countries with similar needs to their own. We need to abandon a financial system we pretty much have no idea about. We have to throw the yoke of incentive-induced demands and the burden of never-ending loans off our shoulders. We need to focus on the people, to encourage people to produce for their land, to be active members of society, driven not by an illusion of monetary wealth that eludes most, but by love of country and family.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Still We Rise...Divided
It's a shame reading about the riots in the Nigerian city of Jos that has left hundreds dead and thousands displaced. Why do we let politicians use our religious difference to divide us and make us kill our fellow brothers and sisters? If religion is being used to those ends, how much do we really understand about religion? Are we in religion because of its earthly or spiritual prizes?
Well, we continue to notice, dwell, and act on our differences while we refuse to see that which binds us together. I may not look like you, talk like you, walk like you, or laugh like you, but I'm still a person nonetheless. I may also not speak your language, hold the same beliefs, come from your region, but that does not make me any more or less than you. Open your eyes and see the deceitfullness and evil of many people we call our leaders. Open your eyes and then and only then will you be able to see the way and decide whether it's the right path for you. It's okay to follow, but follow with open eyes so you can have a second opinion about where you are headed. Lift up your eyes and see the pinnacle of the mountain that is our goal. We can only reach there by holding hands, not chopping off hands. We have gotten this far, stay here this long, and we can only leave here soon enough by our own decisions and actions. And these involved working together despite our differences.
We will never regain the glory we inherently possess if we continue to bathe the earth with our own blood. Don't fool yourself. You are a claypot made from the same clay as all the other pots in the shop. You may look different, have different markings and different paint, etc. but you are still made from the same clay as all the other pots around you. When you destroy them you are destroying more than a part of yourself...you are destroying yourself. You destroy yourself, you destroy your future. No Future.
Wake up, open your eyes and rise to the occassion.
Freedom is coming tomorrow, get ready prepare for your freedom.
Well, we continue to notice, dwell, and act on our differences while we refuse to see that which binds us together. I may not look like you, talk like you, walk like you, or laugh like you, but I'm still a person nonetheless. I may also not speak your language, hold the same beliefs, come from your region, but that does not make me any more or less than you. Open your eyes and see the deceitfullness and evil of many people we call our leaders. Open your eyes and then and only then will you be able to see the way and decide whether it's the right path for you. It's okay to follow, but follow with open eyes so you can have a second opinion about where you are headed. Lift up your eyes and see the pinnacle of the mountain that is our goal. We can only reach there by holding hands, not chopping off hands. We have gotten this far, stay here this long, and we can only leave here soon enough by our own decisions and actions. And these involved working together despite our differences.
We will never regain the glory we inherently possess if we continue to bathe the earth with our own blood. Don't fool yourself. You are a claypot made from the same clay as all the other pots in the shop. You may look different, have different markings and different paint, etc. but you are still made from the same clay as all the other pots around you. When you destroy them you are destroying more than a part of yourself...you are destroying yourself. You destroy yourself, you destroy your future. No Future.
Wake up, open your eyes and rise to the occassion.
Freedom is coming tomorrow, get ready prepare for your freedom.
Monday, November 24, 2008
The role of "The Elders" in Africa
Recently, several members of the group so-called "The Elders" were refused entry into Zimbabwe. I, most definately, do not endorse the Mugabe regime. I, in no way, see it as beneficial to the people of Zimbabwe or the advancement of the African continent. Mugabe represents the old, dying lion who tries to hold on to power knowing that his youth and vitality have left him and younger lions know it too. He know at any moment a young lion will tear him up if he doesn't relinquish his power. However, he knows that he is finished should he be forced from the top spot. This makes him roar louder and use all tools available to him to discourage his challengers. Sooner or later, the game will be over. Unfortunately for Africans, and especially the Zimbabweans, that time is taking much longer than is necessary.
Having said that, I feel that Mugabe is much braver than many Africans. We should not be pushovers. I am not endorsing being defiant and always saying no to what western and eastern countries say or suggest to us, I am just saying that we need to bring ourselves to their level. There is still this level of master and servant when it comes to the relationships with western countries. I feel that African countries are always begging for more aid and they are willing to do whatever it is their 'masters' ask of them for it. We need to stop being beggars. We are their equal. We make their economies run. We provide for them. They need us. We need them. Mugabe has stood level with the West and they are making him more of a monster for it. He might have chose the wrong way to do so, but he, nonetheless, did it.
This week he did it again when he stopped Koffi Annan, Jimmy Carter, and Graca Machel from entering Zimbabwe to assess the situation there. Assess?????Who on earth doesn't know what's going in Zimbabwe? Zimbabwe is an economic disaster, not a warzone. The damage done is knowledgeable to anyone remotely interested in that country, let alone the so-called experts.
I am against groups, such as The Elders, who think they know what's best for everyone and they go around raising money and padding their pockets while the people they are supposed to be looking out for go on starving and dying.
Although they might not realize it, The Elders are old lions and lionesses trying to hold on to their positions while refusing to acknowledge that their time has already passed by. What such people should be doing is grooming up the next generation. They are only interested in themselves and how they can retain influences gained in their former positions. Mugabe realized this, after all they say criminals know each other, and kept them out of Zimbabwe. They have not helped any place and they have not raised their voices to stop the atrocities in Congo. I refuse to even acknowledge anyone who professes to care so much about Africa and has no clue as to what is going on in Africa's largest, oldest, and longest-running genocide. We should examine groups such as The Elders and try to find what their motives and driving motivations are. I know who they are and what they accomplished, that was a different time. Today is different, we need a new breed of leaders. We need to raise ourselves. To respect ourselves. That, not old lions and lionesses who still link us to a past we are more than ready to leave behind.
Having said that, I feel that Mugabe is much braver than many Africans. We should not be pushovers. I am not endorsing being defiant and always saying no to what western and eastern countries say or suggest to us, I am just saying that we need to bring ourselves to their level. There is still this level of master and servant when it comes to the relationships with western countries. I feel that African countries are always begging for more aid and they are willing to do whatever it is their 'masters' ask of them for it. We need to stop being beggars. We are their equal. We make their economies run. We provide for them. They need us. We need them. Mugabe has stood level with the West and they are making him more of a monster for it. He might have chose the wrong way to do so, but he, nonetheless, did it.
This week he did it again when he stopped Koffi Annan, Jimmy Carter, and Graca Machel from entering Zimbabwe to assess the situation there. Assess?????Who on earth doesn't know what's going in Zimbabwe? Zimbabwe is an economic disaster, not a warzone. The damage done is knowledgeable to anyone remotely interested in that country, let alone the so-called experts.
I am against groups, such as The Elders, who think they know what's best for everyone and they go around raising money and padding their pockets while the people they are supposed to be looking out for go on starving and dying.
Although they might not realize it, The Elders are old lions and lionesses trying to hold on to their positions while refusing to acknowledge that their time has already passed by. What such people should be doing is grooming up the next generation. They are only interested in themselves and how they can retain influences gained in their former positions. Mugabe realized this, after all they say criminals know each other, and kept them out of Zimbabwe. They have not helped any place and they have not raised their voices to stop the atrocities in Congo. I refuse to even acknowledge anyone who professes to care so much about Africa and has no clue as to what is going on in Africa's largest, oldest, and longest-running genocide. We should examine groups such as The Elders and try to find what their motives and driving motivations are. I know who they are and what they accomplished, that was a different time. Today is different, we need a new breed of leaders. We need to raise ourselves. To respect ourselves. That, not old lions and lionesses who still link us to a past we are more than ready to leave behind.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Situation in Congo
Congo, the beauty that is the tragedy of a continent. A tragedy that, it seems, the whole continent has chosen to cast a blind eye towards for the past several hundred years. Why does it happen in Congo? Why does it go on unseen?
Congo has been cursed by its richness, its natural resources. Since the days when rubber was the hottest natural resource on the block to today when coltan is the hottest thing and it's abundantly found there, individuals and nations have come to Congo for riches. While industrialization has its side effect the increase of greenhouse gases, the side effects of this intrusion has been blood in Congo. I can honestly estimate that Congo's lush rainforests have been watered, for generations now, by its sons and daughters' blood. If you ever go to Congo and you eat fruits or vegetables, remember that blood, more than anything else, watered them.
Unfortunately, vegetation is not the only thing to have been watered by that which gave strength to many in their heyday. Hatred has increased. Greed has increased. Misery has not been hindered from reaping from that which should have been instrumental in building a great nation. I would like to point my objections to people that feel instability in Congo was a result of the flowing in of Rwandan refugees fleeing their country's 1990-1994 civil war. Instability in Congo was there before that. Western powers, on several occassions had to send military aid to Mobutu because he was pro-west.
Lumumba was Congo's best chance at democracy, at prosperity. But, like they did Thomas Sankara years later, the west's choice at the time was to eliminate that chance. A prosperous, democratic Congo that is almost wholly dependent on itself is an idea the western world is not ready to embrace let alone 40 years ago. Congo, through it's Gold, Diamond, Coltan, Coffee, and other natural resources could single-handedly erase poverty on the African continent. However, it has not been able to even lift itself up because of incompetence of its leaders coupled with policies and influences of the Developed Nations Vampires.
After Mobutu, Congo has found itself unable to step out of the deal it made with, unknown to it at the time, the devil. Laurent Kabila thought that the western-backed Rwandan and Ugandan forces were doing so to rid the region of a great instability in Mobutu's regime that was harboring FAR (Forces Armees Rwandaise "Rwandan Armed Forces") and Interahamwe members who were regulary making raids into Rwanda. What he failed to notice was that the West had already calculated the potential mineral wealth and its importance in sustaining its economies. The western cronies, Rwandan and Ugandan goverments, were ready to do its bidding much as Mobutu had done thirty years before when he was still the West's "best hope" for Africa against communism.
When he realized what had happened and demanded that the former friends and comrades respect his country's sovereignty by removing their armies, he was assassinated. In his place is his son who won a legitimate election and is now helpless to battle that which sent his father, and millions of his countrymen, to the after-life.
With the recent fighting it can only add to the toll and misery.
Congo has been cursed by its richness, its natural resources. Since the days when rubber was the hottest natural resource on the block to today when coltan is the hottest thing and it's abundantly found there, individuals and nations have come to Congo for riches. While industrialization has its side effect the increase of greenhouse gases, the side effects of this intrusion has been blood in Congo. I can honestly estimate that Congo's lush rainforests have been watered, for generations now, by its sons and daughters' blood. If you ever go to Congo and you eat fruits or vegetables, remember that blood, more than anything else, watered them.
Unfortunately, vegetation is not the only thing to have been watered by that which gave strength to many in their heyday. Hatred has increased. Greed has increased. Misery has not been hindered from reaping from that which should have been instrumental in building a great nation. I would like to point my objections to people that feel instability in Congo was a result of the flowing in of Rwandan refugees fleeing their country's 1990-1994 civil war. Instability in Congo was there before that. Western powers, on several occassions had to send military aid to Mobutu because he was pro-west.
Lumumba was Congo's best chance at democracy, at prosperity. But, like they did Thomas Sankara years later, the west's choice at the time was to eliminate that chance. A prosperous, democratic Congo that is almost wholly dependent on itself is an idea the western world is not ready to embrace let alone 40 years ago. Congo, through it's Gold, Diamond, Coltan, Coffee, and other natural resources could single-handedly erase poverty on the African continent. However, it has not been able to even lift itself up because of incompetence of its leaders coupled with policies and influences of the Developed Nations Vampires.
After Mobutu, Congo has found itself unable to step out of the deal it made with, unknown to it at the time, the devil. Laurent Kabila thought that the western-backed Rwandan and Ugandan forces were doing so to rid the region of a great instability in Mobutu's regime that was harboring FAR (Forces Armees Rwandaise "Rwandan Armed Forces") and Interahamwe members who were regulary making raids into Rwanda. What he failed to notice was that the West had already calculated the potential mineral wealth and its importance in sustaining its economies. The western cronies, Rwandan and Ugandan goverments, were ready to do its bidding much as Mobutu had done thirty years before when he was still the West's "best hope" for Africa against communism.
When he realized what had happened and demanded that the former friends and comrades respect his country's sovereignty by removing their armies, he was assassinated. In his place is his son who won a legitimate election and is now helpless to battle that which sent his father, and millions of his countrymen, to the after-life.
With the recent fighting it can only add to the toll and misery.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
What Obama's win for the presidency might mean for Africa
Following Senator Obama's win in the North Carolina primary and narrow loss in the Indiana primary yesterday, I began to wonder what significance, if any, his win for the presidency in November would mean for Africa and Africans.
Firstly, I don't think there is any doubt that Obama is African. His name, father, roots, skin, racial association and many other factors all point to his Africanness.
Secondly, having established his Africanness, it is now highly probable that an African is about to be president of the world's lone superpower. For some unknown and freakish reason Europeans have been able to accomplish it but so far other continents have had no luck in following suit.
Thirdly, will Barack Obama follow suit of his predecessors in the continuation of the exploitation of his motherland at the hands of his adopted homeland? Is there a possibility of a conflict of interest? If so, to what extent will it affect his obligation to look out for the best interest of America and its people?
Having asked these questions, I have to say that I know little about Obama to really know where he stands. However, my heart and my head tell me to follow him because he is a man of principle and character. Where I come from we measure a man's wisdom from the soundness of his decisions and not from the loudness of his voice. The same can be applied to women. And to those that think I'm leaving out their cats, dogs, bunnies or any other animals or plants, you can apply the same principle too.
I believe he will make a sound decision in how he deals with Africa, however, in whose favor will it be?
America and other developed countries NEED african raw materials about the same if not more than they need the oil. However, a large chunk of the materials is gotten at the expense of Africa's well-being. I'm especially talking about cash crops and minerals. How will Obama help to end, or at least curb, the violence in Africa?
I hope in this area he will not be another Clinton, the cowardly lion of dealing with Africa.
Firstly, I don't think there is any doubt that Obama is African. His name, father, roots, skin, racial association and many other factors all point to his Africanness.
Secondly, having established his Africanness, it is now highly probable that an African is about to be president of the world's lone superpower. For some unknown and freakish reason Europeans have been able to accomplish it but so far other continents have had no luck in following suit.
Thirdly, will Barack Obama follow suit of his predecessors in the continuation of the exploitation of his motherland at the hands of his adopted homeland? Is there a possibility of a conflict of interest? If so, to what extent will it affect his obligation to look out for the best interest of America and its people?
Having asked these questions, I have to say that I know little about Obama to really know where he stands. However, my heart and my head tell me to follow him because he is a man of principle and character. Where I come from we measure a man's wisdom from the soundness of his decisions and not from the loudness of his voice. The same can be applied to women. And to those that think I'm leaving out their cats, dogs, bunnies or any other animals or plants, you can apply the same principle too.
I believe he will make a sound decision in how he deals with Africa, however, in whose favor will it be?
America and other developed countries NEED african raw materials about the same if not more than they need the oil. However, a large chunk of the materials is gotten at the expense of Africa's well-being. I'm especially talking about cash crops and minerals. How will Obama help to end, or at least curb, the violence in Africa?
I hope in this area he will not be another Clinton, the cowardly lion of dealing with Africa.
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