Wednesday, May 25, 2011

China's Double-Edged Economic Sword

Since in the US it is still Africa Day and the UN is using the day to promote awareness of Africa and it's economic growth, I thought this video from CNN International is rather fitting.



In short, this makes me think of China's economic involvement in almost every African nations, a much bigger impact than many European countries and the US at the moment. During one of my interviews for my upcoming documentary on the Korean perceptions of Africa, Africans and African-Americans, one person stated, while watching an episode of Current TV's Vanguard titled "Chinatown, Africa," that China's involvement is making Africa better. This video questions the price. If South Africans are at risk of losing their jobs (and they live in Africa's strongest economy), doesn't that widen the gap between the rich and the poor and lead to future economic problems?

Already, many African countries are faced with this extreme gap between the wealthy and the impoverished and are working to close it. Could China's "it's strictly business" policy in Africa further expand this gap? Or is it really helping?

Sunday, May 22, 2011

The Next Global Music Wave?

Nigerian music is already widely popular in Africa, but since major Nigerian artist Dare (pronounced DA-RAY) has his sights outside of the continent, maybe Nigerian music will be the next understated music wave (like Korean Pop, which is popular on every inhabited continent, but it's not something you'd here in mainstream media).

I'm not just saying this because of Dare's thirst for international fame, but because there is another popular Nigerian artist who has been recognized by a famous hip-hop icon. Check out the video.



Some critics mark this collaboration as a new beginning and a new sound for Nigerian Pop. D'Banj has been featured on BET and even the Nigerian duo P. Square have been interviewed by Wendy Williams (how you doin'?). What do you think? Is this the beginning of a new wave?

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Africa's Middle Class

Several times, I have written about Africa's up and coming middle class (or in some cases returning middle class, since many who are in middle class have relocated to Europe or North America). Since many African nations have seen significant growth in their middle class sector, places to cater to this group are sprouting all over, like malls, fast food restaurants, and classier bars. Here's an example in Nairobi, from CNN International.



Now, don't get me wrong. Many of these places have been in Africa for a long time, but some have fallen to decay or completely closed due to many African nations losing their middle class to political unrest. However, some have survived and are seeing a new or returning class and more of these places that mark the existence of a middle class are popping up.

Aside from commercial venues, certain industries that define an upper middle class are booming as well. One in particular is cosmetic plastic surgery. I just read an article about plastic surgery in Kenya (currently there are five plastic surgeons in Nairobi). What is most interesting to me is not that there are plastic surgeons in Kenya, but that they schooled in UK or North America then returned seeing that there is a market for plastic surgery (usually they school there and stay there). On top of that, some are even teaching plastic surgery at the University of Nairobi.

Cosmetic plastic surgery is no only booming in Kenya, but in Nigeria (despite it's conservative culture), South Africa, and Ghana (but more so for medical tourists than Ghanaians). Maybe this may mark the end of Africa's "brain drain?" It might be too premature to say that, since it doesn't look like Africa's middle class is returning in troves currently, but with all this new and returning developing, definitely a new middle class is emerging.

A Broad Generalization Leads to a Big Oversight

This morning, I saw another article on rape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I know. Hearing about rape in what is considered by the UN as the "rape capital of the world" can be overbearing, but this article was rather interesting.

A source in the BBC News article stated the situation in the DR Congo is bad, but there are other angles that were not considered in the study conducted by the American Journal of Public Health. One factor (a very important one) that she said was not considered was the women who report they were raped to get free health care, since many people in DR Congo live at or below the poverty line and can barely afford health care if not at all.

As I read the article, I was not surprised that this was to clear up a massive generalization. Of course, when it comes to Africa, even in educated circles, we tend ignore several factors that could lead to any results. Yes, the DR Congo has a high rate of sexual violence, but, as we have seen time and time again with African situations (Libya, Ivory Coast most recently), they are far more complicated than numbers and statistics. Once we begin to understand the diversity on the world's second largest continent and how each country has unique problems, then maybe we won't have overgeneralized errors and more scientific studies of situations in Africa.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Traditional Rape?

My friends and fans know that I try to show the positive side of Africa, since usually the negative is what is mostly discussed. However, I am trying really hard to have a balance on my blog to show the diversity withing this immense continent.

Here's a video from CNN International about a ethnic group in Kenya where rape is a part of a tradition.




I am not a supporter of anyone being forced to do anything they don't want to do. As a kid, when my aunt would force me to eat grits (which I can't stand until this day), and would have me sit at the table until I finished them, I sat their with my arms folded, defiant, for three hours. She gave in and let me go. I told my mother and my aunt never did it again (my mother is not into forcing children to do something either).

Far worse than my grits experience, forcing a child to have sex is the most disgusting thing universally. I am an advocate for cultural relativity, but this is one of the moments that I say "Hell, no!" I have said yes to a culture in South America that traditionally eats those that have passed away, believing it's rude to the spirit to inter the body or leave it around (even though I would NEVER do that). For the most part, even if I perceive a culture to do several things that I feel are morally wrong, I understand that they may see things that are in my culture that are morally wrong. But forcing a child to have sex is one of the most disgusting thing to do. That is not acceptable anywhere and I am glad someone is taking a stand to this.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Sesame Square...Located Somewhere in Lagos

It looks like this month, Nigerian children are going to ask how to get to Sesame Square. Take a look.



This is just another example of how everyone thinks education is compulsory to achieve success. I already sad my piece earlier today when talking about Tsehai Loves Learning, a children's program in Ethiopia. I don't need to say more.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Ethiopia's Sesame Street

Okay, it's not Sesame Street, but it has the same values and goals as the popular show. It's called "Tsehai Loves Learning." Take a look at this interview from CNN International's African Voices with it's creator, Bruktawit Tigabu.



I seriously watched the entire segment (roughly 22 minutes) because I think it is necessary for us to understand that as much as education is compulsory in many developed countries, it is the same in many other countries as well. I'm also tired of seeing so many of the same images of Africa (which I have been for a long time, as all of you know). However, since I have been in Korea, I think it seems more paramount, since the only images of Africa here have been animal documentaries and those classic images of poverty from UNICEF. Yes, it bothers me that that is all I am seeing. Even in the US the images of Africa are (finally) becoming less generalized.

Anyway, this interview tells people a lot about Ethiopia. Like many African nations, there is more that one language spoken in Ethiopia - 80 to be exact. That in itself shows the diversity within Ethiopia and on a greater scale on the African continent. Plus, looking at the people in this piece, one who is not familiar with Ethiopia people can see they do not look stereotypically "black." As I had stated during a presentation back in Chicago, Sub-Saharan African peoples are anthropologically the most diverse group of people in regard to skin tone and hair texture.

Anyway, despite the details in this interview, the main point is rather interesting. Education is important. Even though many in Ethiopia may be poor, many poor Ethiopians do not wish to be poor forever - and proper education is the key to raising your standard of living. Thanks to Bruktawit Tigabu, it can become a reality to many Ethiopian children.