Africa on New York's Runway

Over a week ago was the fabulous (yes, I did use that word) Africa Fashion Week in New York. This annual event was directed and created by Nigerian-born fashion entrepreneur and owner of the fashion agency Adiree, Adiat Disu. Hopefully, by the end of the week I will have a review of this fashion presentation, from a guest blogger. Meanwhile, I'm going to do two things: feature one of the designers that were present and put in my commentary (of course).

The designer I would like to feature (which had one of the few, if not the only, line for males) is South African Stiaan Louw. My favorite attribute about his clothing is you can see the influences of traditional attire from various cultures across the continent, yet it has a modern and forward vibe. I can see a bit of Nigeria, and a bit a of Egypt and of bit of Sudan and of course South Africa in many of the pieces. The colors are brilliantly muted, giving the lyrical drapery of the garments sense of masculinity. Finally, it LACKS prints, which seem to be the standard when one thinks of African clothing. The pictured outfit is one I'm considering for inspiration for my style (it's from Joburg Fashion Week 2011).

What do I think about Africa Fashion Week in New York? Well, I think it is brilliant. It is one of the BEST ways to bring the talent of Africa to the Western world (especially the United States, since the views of Africa are still very narrow/one-sided). Having a taste of Africa in your own country ends the excuse: "Oh, I can't learn about Africa because it is too far/I don't have the money/I don't have the time." There are things that relate to each person in this nation that have a taste of Africa in it. If you like spicy food, go to a West African restaurant. If you love fashion, go to Africa Fashion Week. If you like to dance, go a to community center and see if they offer an African dance class. If you're in business, check out the stock markets in Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, South Africa, any African nation. If you're bored and online, Google or Wikipedia an African nation (or even read some of the posts on my blog). Whatever it is you like to do, it's in Africa, just like it is in the United States, South Korea, the UK - anywhere. You just have to open your mind and get out of your damn box (yes, I said it). Stop making excuses and do it!

Push By Becca

I don't know what it is about this Ghanaian artist, but she's HOT. Check out her song "Push" featuring Trigmatic and King Ayisoba and some Ghanaian celebs.

Andrea Lewis Goes IN on Racists

Ex-Degrassi star Andrea Lewis and her girl go in on racists on YouTube. Racists on YouTube are hella annoying, no lie. Despite the silliness of this video, they do pose a question that I'm sure many have asked: "Why would you need to post your racist comments on YouTube?"

The Next African Hollywood Star Reality TV Show

I don't have a problem with this, apparently this is a scam, according to the president of the Actors' Guild of Nigeria, Segun Arinze. What do you think?

If this is not a scam, I could see the potential problem some people might have...as in taking the good actors away from Nollywood/Ghollywood, but I see this more as an opportunity to market the world's second largest film industry, based on movies produced, to the United States. Of course, I totally support anything that could potentially make Americans more globally aware.

Luanda is the World's Most Expensive City?

Yes, it's true. According to the Mercer cost of living survey, Luanda, Angola's capital and one of the fastest growing cities in the world has made it's mark as the world's most expensive city. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time that an African city has made this list (not saying that African cities are cheap to live in, because many are not). Second to Luanda is Tokyo and third is N'Djamena, the capital of another African nation, Chad. Check out this report from CNN International.

How did a city of an emerging economy, after just shy of a decade of an end to one of the world's longest civil wars become so expensive to call home? Well, Angola is in the top five in regard to being a major oil producer in Africa, causing people from all around the world to invest. Then add in China's massive involvement in redeveloping the infrastructure causing even more expats in need of housing at an international standard. Angolans are becoming wealthier, people moving in to Angola have money, and real estate and commodities of an international standard are currently scarce. Of course, this drives prices WAY up. Despite the fact that Chinese workers are constructing everything at an fast pace, the pace is still not fast enough for this rapidly growing economy.

Now as for N'Djamena, I don't fully understand how it got to be number 3, but I can guess because of the lack of infrastructure and that it is in a landlocked country, getting anything of a international standard is beyond difficult (Angola has ports, roads, railroads and overall far better infrastructure, even though it's currently being redeveloped). Someone might have to explain this to me. Please?

People in Soweto GETTIN' IT

Just watch this video from CNN International and tell me if you can keep up with the pace. I know I'll need to practice.

I'm already thinking of playing Shangaan electro at a party. And the producer behind it, Richard Hlungwani, seems to be having too much fun with his job. I tried really hard not to laugh or shake it. Anyone want to start a dance crew?

Kenya Airways Expands Service Across Continent

Sub-Saharan Africa's largest airline is spreading it's wings to be one the first to have more flights across the continent. Maybe this would start lowering the prices for international travel within Africa? Check out this video from CNN International.

Meet Angolan Singer Bruna Tatiana

I've been listening to more and more of music from Angola, arguably Africa's fastest growing economy. Check out this video from Bruna Tatiana (and she's nice to check out, too).

Men in Love

I don't even know where to begin with this movie. (Literally, after I typed that last sentence, I unconsciously sighed.) Men in Love is a Nollywood film starring Tonto Dikeh and John Dumelo, two famous actors in West Africa. This movie, though...

Okay, I guess I'll simply break this movie down in the easiest terms:

1. Man cheats on wife with a ton of women.
2. Wife catches him with his secretary and whoops her ass, then threatens to leave her husband.
3. Man stops cheating and he and his wife have make-up sex; everything's cool.
4. Man meets old friend.
5. Old friend invites man to dinner; old friend reveals he's gay and in love with man.
6. Old friend drugs man at a party then rapes man.
7. Man wakes up knowing he was raped and pissed, but doesn't know he's been "charmed" by the old friend.
8. Man cheats on his wife with old friend; wife catches them having sex.
9. Wife discovers man has been charmed after praying/crying at a church for 5 days via divine revelation from the pastor's wife.
10. Pastor's wife has a prayer vigil and the charm is lifted from man.
11. Wife and man live happily ever after.

Can you see my problem with this movie? If not, maybe you need to watch it yourself (there are two parts).

I found this movie entertaining, but there are two things that I just feel I need to discuss. On one had I have the spiritual aspect (no Nollywood movie would be complete without some diabolical ploy being extinguished.) On the other hand, I had this portrayal of homosexuality, which has it's negative overtone (which I have discussed how this is taboo in many black communities before).

This spiritual battle, if you will, is interesting. I knew the old friend (Alex) used some kind of evil magic based on this one thing: no one (gay, straight, bi, smart or stupid) would EVER fall in love with their rapist. Period. That was a dead giveaway. If you were a rape victim and you knew your rapist would you fall in love with your rapist? I think not.

Now, the homosexuality message is worrisome. Even though I think this is the first time I think I have seen two straight men act gay well in Nollywood movie, the message about homosexuality is worrisome - and I am not talking about the overt message that it is a sin. The part that bothers me is it has the undertones of the reasons to support the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda, a bill that still sits in Ugandan parliament, waiting to be passed or vetoed due to international intervention. This movie seems to say homosexuals are rapists, use black magic and cannot control their lusts, even though the movie really showed a diversity of gay men.

Since Nollywood is not only Africa's largest movie industry but the second largest in the world based on the amount of movie produced, this message can and will (if not already) reach Uganda and can be used (if not already) by the bill's supporters. Now if this movie is used as a tool to cause the death of thousands of Ugandans, the producers would have some bloody hands to wash.

Before anybody starts to say something crazy, let me tell you I do not support ANYONE being forced to do something against their will. Period. Rape is forcing someone to have sex. I do not support rape under any circumstance; there's no justification for it.

Anyway, regardless of what you may think of homosexuality, there are two things we can all agree on: murder is murder and ignorance can lead to hate.

Back from Korea

Even though I have been back for exactly 2 weeks to the minute, I would like to finally announce I am back from one of the most intellectually enriching experiences of my life.

I have talked about the benefit of studying abroad before in detail, but I feel as if I should touch on it again. I have been to several countries and a total of 5 continents, and I plan to go to more countries with in the next few years. I've me people from over 100 countries in and outside of the United States and I feel I have become more globally aware.

This world is increasingly becoming smaller, which makes the knowledge of the world outside of your community more valuable and vital. Jobs are becoming exports. More and more companies are becoming international, having offices in several countries. Most of all, the Internet is connecting people thousands of miles apart. Ignorance is becoming (if not already in some places) the new taboo.

In Korea, and many of you have read my posts, I encountered a lot of ignorant people, especially when it came to being a black man. Yes, the vast majority of people in Korea are ethnically Korean, and the ignorance most of the time does not come a from racist place, but simply lack of knowledge and experience. One person I met, who was fascinated with African-American culture, especially that of the mid-twentieth century and earlier, stated he was not ignorant because he had educated himself via travel. He's been to Canada and France and had many experience with black people.

I don't think simple experiences is not only it, but the willingness to arrive at a new place with an open mind is key. I think the reason why my experience in Korea was mostly positive was because most of the Koreans I met where genuinely open minded and curious. Of course they had their assumptions, but those changed as they learned more. In the US, especially with people who are non-Black, more than half of the time they seem to be stuck in a certain way of thinking instead of allowing mental fluidity. The dude in Korea went to these countries with and open mind, expecting anything and nothing - the best way to have a fulfilling experience and the way I approached Korea and my travels in Brazil.

I suggest all of you to travel to another country, especially one that you perceive or assume is greatly different from yours. Go with an open mind and you may even discover there are things better, worse, or even similar to your home country. And don't let money be an issue. There are several ways to travel within even the tightest budgets. It just takes creativity and the right connections to make it happen.

Birth of a Nation

Unlike the overtly racist film from the turn of the 20th century, as of yesterday we can celebrate the formation of the world's newest country, South Sudan. I say this as a digest my freshly finished coffee, which could possibly come from this new nation in the next decade or so.

The creation of this country came from a referendum in January that was overwhelmingly voted for by over 90% of the people of then southern Sudan, based on years of bloodshed and millions of lives lost. The hope is to bring peace to this region. Check out this video from CNN International.

Now, this new country faces several problems. It has emerged as one of the poorest nations in Africa and has very little infrastructure and a high mortality rate. It's economic potential is great, but only with prudent fiscal management and a lack of corruption. Plus, there is oil, but much of that is on the new border, in which disputes still exist.

I'm really excited to see how South Sudan will be a year from now. I hope when I am sipping my coffee then, I can proudly say that its from a peaceful and successful South Sudan. Or even better, I'm in a quaint coffee shop in Juba, South Sudan's capital.

Meet Kenyan Musician Stella Mwangi

This catchy song song "Lookie Lookie" by Kenyan musician Stella Mwangi should be played in the clubs, don't you think? And doesn't sound like Nicki Minaj, just a little?

What's Up Africa

Seriously, I'm in love with this vlog by Amsterdam-based journalist and producer, Ikenna Azuike. In usually less than 5 minutes, Ikenna gives the low down on entertainment and news in Africa and it's diaspora and some current African fun facts (along with a bit of his goofiness). Check it out!

My favorite thing about this weekly vlog is that it shows, despite the popularly chanted stories of extreme poverty, corruption, and AIDS/HIV, that Africans are definitely far more. Ikenna's vlog is as colorful and diverse as the African continent - and that says a LOT. Plus, as one of my friends commented, he's also easy on the eyes...