The Afropolitan Network:::

Why Justice Must Be Served

2009-11-14T11:37:00+03:00

A high school friend had just graduated from medical school and was now a doctor in a Kenyan hospital. Her voice broke every time she told me of the people she saw at the local hospitals. Thus began my email conversations with the wonderful women at the Gender Violence Recovery Centre of the Nairobi Women's Hospital. I learned that in just a little over two weeks (December 27th 2007 to 13th January 2008) the hospital had seen 100 victims of sexual violence: 40 of them were under 18. Children. The youngest of these was only four. A baby.

via www.kenyaimagine.com

Mrs.O - Follow the Fashion of Mrs.O: What & Who She's Wearing - Marking Veterans Day

2009-11-13T11:51:22+03:00

via mrs-o.org

Holli's ramblings: The Modern Mission

2009-11-13T11:18:20+03:00

In a random European Airport, under the harsh lights, at some ungodly hour, somewhere between the comfort of home and the great unknown, a group are huddled together for reassurance, uniform in cotton t-shirts, with big eyes and sturdy backpacks from Bass Pro Shops. Eager beavers, goats before the slaughter. Their thick backs bear the inscription ‘Malawi 2009’. Their armour is weak for the journey they have yet to begin.Characteristically pudgy and pale, stodgy raw sausage ankles push out from under sensible cotton trousers and long modest skirts, stuffed into Dr. Scholls and Tevas for comfort. Their packs, like them, are stuffed, taut. Unscented sunblock, mosquito spray and bed nets; and ‘little gifts for the children’- and Dairy Milk fruit and nut bars for themselves. For strength. They are jovial, yet a tangible nervous energy hangs over them like animals devoid of instinct, when the forest around them knows there is danger ahead. They have no idea. They decide to sing.They hover, docile and domesticated around their guide. He is confident and all-knowing. He has actually BEEN TO AFRICA before, and he will lead this unprepared motley crew into the wild. His cheeks are a deeper red than the others, his enthusiasm rehearsed. He knows what lies ahead, but has pledged himself to a make believe cause…The bland mass are willing but not able, well-meaning but insincere, sheltered and softened by processed foods and years of inactivity. They have emerged from the warm dark cave where they’ve been nurtured on clean running water and Starbucks, electricity and mod-cons, the frivolity of Hallmark love and television emotions.There is not a muscle in sight. The sinews of these creatures have never strained. Never pulsed against the enemy that awaits. Poverty the rat will mock them and eat it’s children with wanton fangs, and these soft bellied creatures will weep and mourn and look up to the Hosanna they’ve had inscribed on their XL tees. Cheek flesh will tremble, hot tears will well up and spill uselessly on the dry crusted surface of the African slum.And the naïve smiles painted on their blank faces will be replaced. Temporarily smudged. They will return a few weeks or months later, believing they’ve been changed forever. Licking their wounds they will retreat. They will cling limply to the belief that something has changed. That their mission has had a higher purpose… They will remember the bright saucer eyes in the tiny brown faces atop spindly limbs, and believe there was connection, love, hope… while countless faceless rats scurry underfoot.When our group are back in their warm caves, baking Pilsbury chocolate chip cookies, the trip to the wild will slip into a pocket of memory, a conversation for tea. A flash reflection before excess and indulgence overcome them once again. Swallowed by mountains and mountains of things. You might also like: From Mojos to the WWF - a lifetime of suspicion of religion A day in the life ... married into a Ga compound in Accra Notes from the Edge - Liberia today LinkWithin

via hollisramblings.blogspot.com

I like this post from my newest e-pal, Holli's blog Holli's Ramblings

Sweet Love by Wahu (Kenyan Baby)

2009-11-12T08:32:17+03:00

via www.youtube.com

How to Write about Africa | Granta 92: The View from Africa

2009-11-11T04:42:02+03:00

Always use the word 'Africa' or 'Darkness' or 'Safari' in your title. Subtitles may include the words 'Zanzibar', 'Masai', 'Zulu', 'Zambezi', 'Congo', 'Nile', 'Big', 'Sky', 'Shadow', 'Drum', 'Sun' or 'Bygone'. Also useful are words such as 'Guerrillas', 'Timeless', 'Primordial' and 'Tribal'. Note that 'People' means Africans who are not black, while 'The People' means black Africans.

via www.granta.com

What will happen to Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe after 'Precious'?

2009-11-11T04:34:12+03:00

Hollywood: Same As It Ever WasEven with Oscar buzz and box office success, “Precious” isn’t likely to blow up the careers of its female stars. Black actresses still have a hard row to hoe. Just ask Angela Bassett—and Cicely Tyson. By: Stanley Crouch | Posted: November 9, 2009 at 12:14 PM

via www.theroot.com

Kuweni Serious!

2009-11-10T09:17:41+03:00

via www.kuweniserious.org

Food Stamps Will Feed Half Of US Kids, Study Says

2009-11-03T10:04:06+03:00

via www.huffingtonpost.com

90% of Black kids in America.. this is tragic. So much for developed nation.

Mozambique holds poll, Guebuza expected to win

2009-11-02T08:00:00+03:00

via www.nation.co.ke

Being a Christ Follower

2009-11-01T08:00:00+03:00

via www.salttribe.org

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope

2009-11-01T08:00:00+03:00

I love this!

Remember I did a post on William Kamkwamba waaaaaay back in January 2008?? Almost 2 years ago.

Well Mr. Kamkwamba the little 14 year old boy who built a windmill by looking at a photo in a science book, is doing quite well. He has a book out chronicling his journey from his village in Mali to boy genius in an elite academy in Africa and the Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Lets support homegrown African ingenuity and buy bu his book, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope

Also check out his blog!