The Pope and Condoms - Oh No!

File this musing as "things that make you go hmmm." Or things that make you go WHAT? It's about the red-loafer wearing pope saying condoms make AIDS worse. And of all places to say this scratch-of-the-head notion is to say it in a continent (Africa) where AIDS is an epidermic.

Did I mention this was the Pope's first trip to Africa? What a way to bring good tidings I say. I find it confounding that he will bring his standards of vow of celebacy to preach chastity is the only way to solve the AIDS crisis.

This shows the ignorance of many about the wonderful continent. Millions who have died of AIDS there didn't do so because they couldn't get enough SEX. Many were women who have been married to just ONE HUSBAND and many of these women didn't know they had AIDS while they were pregnant from their cheating husbands, so the virus went to the children. And the cycle continues with children dying of this horrific disease.

So if the Vatican wants to solve this problem. How about start with educating girls and women. I remember hearing a famed author saying "educate a man, educate an individual, educate a woman, educate a community." You might start in empowering these women about their bodies and futures and it might come in the courage to tell the jokers to have some CONDOM SENSE. And their communities will thrive instead of being ravaged by the virus which leads to many deaths and worse economic status to those left behind.

And then you might want to start donating money to hospitals who can't keep enough medicines for HIV-infested individuals to lead as normal of lives they can and not see it (the virus) as a death sentence.

The Pope says AIDS can't be cured using condoms? Ok what does he propose (besides abstinence)? I've given him a couple of pointers in this blog, it's time for him to build upon them and care about the lives of Africans and not some religious dogma.

Tags: Pope In Africa, AIDS, Condoms

Yes, I Speak English - I'm Supposed To

Ok, we have a President named Barack Obama; you would think people would have got a clue that just because a name is perceived "unique" like mine (or the President's) doesn't mean the recipient is less American.

Seriously!!! Sometimes I wonder how my parents handled ignorant perceptions as African students in America in the 70s. So here they have an American-born daughter and folks (especially those who look like her) asking stereotypical questions just because of her name like what dialect did she grow up with or act surprised if the answer is "English."

Oh "I noticed you speak English so well!" And of all places, someone in South Florida telling me I speak English so well - seriously! That was what happened to me this afternoon while taking care of some personal business. I mean South Florida where you could hear Creole, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Patua, and sometimes, English depending on what neighborhood you find yourself had the unmitigated gall to be telling me he thought I would answer "Swahili."

Ok, first of all, Swahili is one of Kenya's dialects - not the "OFFICIAL LANGUAGE" (to the surprise of the culprit) and my parents are not Kenyans. And by the way, my parents of diverse tribes (which within itself will make me write a book someday) had to get along with a common language i.e. English.

So please, next time you see my name don't assume. Well, assume I could hold my own in a communication in the English language (and a language you won't know), and I humbly say, better than most since my parents were strict on not speaking in "slangs."

Cholera Outbreak In Zimbabwe

I know we (Americans) are so focused on this election that sometimes we might get insular, forgetting what's going on in other parts of the world. But I would like to divert your attention just a bit in an effort of joining some other folks in the blogosphere to shed light on some human condition once a month (it might be more on this site). The issue I'm shedding light on is that of cholera which is claiming lives in Zimbabwe.

Many might have known of the country earlier this year through the country's contested elections from the regime of Robert Mugabe (the dictator). But what I find appauling is the disease taking the lives of people is not getting the same attention. According to some doctors in the area, cholera has already taken 120 lives and the number keeps growing. Zimbabwe authorities claim they've treated 500 people.

But to this writer, I say you cannot just focus on the cure when major steps in prevention by fixing the collapsing sewage system would save more lives. This is a domino effect since the water shortages will lead to starvation and later, death.

I hope with this little spotlight, more officials will take heed and lend a helping hand to the country of Zimbabwe.

Tags: Cholera in Zimbabwe

Africa Rising

I've said it before, I'm not all "America" or black issues all the time, I'm diverse as is my background. Africa holds a special place in my heart and is my roots (literally). As one family member told me a few months ago, "you are an african-american; embrace both sides." I never thought I didn't embrace both sides; gee my name and/or look always has someone questioning where I'm from.

Anyhoo, I digressed. The image of Africa in the Mainstream Media (MSM) is normally that of abject poverty or chaos but there is a vibrant market of 900 million consumers that isn't being tapped. Also, it is a great place for fashion, music, and all things arts. Not to talk of a growing business world.

This has led to the creation of Africa Rising! It was founded by Nigerian Journalist Nduka Obaigbena, who stopped by one of my favorite shows on NPR last Thursday. He along with Nigerian fashion designer Fati Mohammed Asibelua aka "Momo" spoke about bringing the show which started last month in Abuja, Nigeria (featuring Rihanna) to the Kennedy Center in DC last Friday.

Well it was a picture of who's who of Black America, Africans, etc. For more info, check out Africa Rising's website!

Tags: Africa Rising, NPR, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Momo, Nigeria

Ante Up For Africa

In this celebrity-obsessed world we live in, I'm an admirer of a handful (maybe close to two handfuls) of such celebrities. I’ve always felt fame should be used for something worthwhile and those who are famous for doing nothing don’t hold my attention (I’m not going to give such people credit by naming them).

That’s why Don Cheadle is one of those celebrities I hold in high regard. He deserved the BET’s 2007 Humanitarian award, the Peace Award (along with his buddy, George Clooney) last December among other accolades for his incredible work he’s doing in Africa particularly in Darfur.

So today, Cheadle, the self-proclaimed “actorvist” continues his great work by mixing it up with a little play – World Series Poker to aid the genocide victims in Darfur. Tonight, the annual “Ante Up For Africa” commences with various participants such as famed gambler Charles Barkley, who’s lost millions for his habit (at least now he’s doing it for charity)and other athletes along with some Hollywood celebrities engaging in their love for poker but the proceeds go to two worthy causes. Again, a tip of the hat to Cheadle.

More information can be found here: Ante Up For Africa

Tags: Ante Up For Africa, Darfur, Don Cheadle, World Series Poker

Where Are You From? Exactly.

A few (maybe a lot) of things have ticked me off over the years but none as folks asking me ridiculous questions and making assumptions about my heritage. You see I have the fortune of having African parents. I use the term "fortune" loosely; I would not change my parents for anything - they have provided me a gift of seeing different parts of the world and to be clear of who I choose to be; that experience is one I will forever cherish.

But on the other hand, sometimes I've wondered how would it have looked like if I've just been what some folks consider a normal black person who's ancestry cannot be traced for a hundred generations. That way I wouldn't be subjected to the ridiculous questions, the assumption of being so different a la exotic. Gosh! I feel for Barack Obama - the brother had to prove his birth certificate recently. Being raised in a multi-cultural family have left me with various questions, made me aware of folks stereotypical assumptions, and sharpened my wit in the process.

I would share a few of those generalized albeit ignorant statements I've heard over my short life: "Is your name Asian?" Or the name becomes Spanish with folks assuming the "j" sound in my first name is silent. "You've spent time in Africa but you speak English so well?" And don't get me started when folks spoke very slowly when I was a teenager and young adult thinking I wasn't fluent in English after I was introduced.

Forget English, I thought I've heard everything until in a former workplace about a couple of years ago, a White lady started speaking French when the receptionist introduced her to me when I came into the lobby. So now my name is no longer perceived as Asian, Spanish, but French. How did I respond? I smiled and told her I haven't taken French since the nineth grade so the language is quite rusty; English would be just fine. The look on her face was priceless and the receptionist had to hold the laughter and her thoughts till the said White lady left the lobby.

"You must be lucky to be in America. (I got that a few months ago also in the workplace - Hel-lo I was born in America, you dope)." Okay I didn't call the guy a "dope," it would have gone against my home training, but I was thinking about it. That particular statement came after the person asked what kind of name was my name.

The most ignorant of them all is still a statement from my college campus over eight years ago while I waited in the shuttle bus to go to another campus: "You're light-skinded (looking at me up and down), I thought everybody from Africa is like Amistad." Ok, that one left me tongue-tied for some seconds and dumbfounded before I told this black woman bus driver, "there are White Africans" just to give her the same shock she just gave me.

Perhaps that experience might be the reason I don't wear shorts and sleeveless tops except during the dog days of summer in the already hot and humid Florida because people really get to see how "light-skinded" I am, which normally starts a conversation. Even a couple of my relatives noted yesterday that they hardly see me in dresses. I told them I do wear dresses. Then the daughter (it was a mother and daughter hassle) said, "okay you do, but only in the fall when you can wear knee-high boots with the dress." That got everyone in the room laughing - gosh, you gotta love family.

But I digress, what is it about folks to want to single you out for looking "different" or having a "unique" name? I can handle it well from people of a different hue; but I've found it surprising that for the most part, those folks have studied a little bit about other cultures.

For example, a few years ago, a Latino colleague of mine and I went to check out an Ethiopian restaurant that was getting a lot of press. But guess what? You could spot only a handful of folks who are black in the restaurant and the restaurant was in a pretty black part of town. So when I hear dumb comments from people who look like me; I'm almost tempted to fly off the handle.

It got me thinking why black folks don't want to know about other cultures especially from the one they came from. And people wonder why there is such division with African/Caribbean/Haitian Americans with Black Americans. Yes I used "Black Americans" since in a year like 2008, some blogs and notable Media outlets still beg the question "do you see yourself as Black or African American?" Who freaking cares? I've read some pretty interesting stuff with that particular question and it really makes me shake my head that there is a long way to go not just with relationships among different races but among ourselves.

Tags: Barack Obama,Race, African American, Africa

Africa Progress Panel

One of my goals for this blog is not just to highlight what's going on in America but for what's going on around the world. And one of such places in the world that hold a special place in my heart is Africa.

Many in the media are quick to report the negative things such as unrest in Kenya but what about the positive news? Those kinds I'm sorry to say, are far to come by unless you're a person who takes time to read other news reports rather than what the Mainstream Media feeds us, repeatedly.

So today, it was with great delight to hear former U.N. Secretary Kofi Annan talk about a quite new initiative with other global leaders called the Africa Progress Panel. It was to show the opportunities available in the continent and to make her a viable player in global affairs. Another leader joining Annan on this initiative is former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

I will be featuring stories like this in the future and in the meantime take a listen on this link with the Secretary and tell me what you think.

Tags: Kofi Annan, Africa Progress Panel