Remember When the UN Pissed Me Off? More on That Story...

So there has been an update to the post/story about the recent rapes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Should I still be pissed at the UN? You decide.

Here We Go Again...Nigeria's Super Eagles in Another Mess

What words can describe this? Only one: STUPID. After Nigeria's Super Eagles lost to South Korea's team during the 2010 World Cup, the Nigerian government attempted to intervene and punish the team for their performance throughout the group round (which was rather ridiculous until the their game against South Korea). Of course, government intervention in football affairs are against FIFA rules and regulations and the Super Eagles could have faced exclusion from the 2014 World Cup. The Nigerian government quickly backed off.

Now, we got a NEW kind of drama, which is this time (apparently) more internal. Supposedly, some of the coaches for the Super Eagles have stolen a reported $8m during the 2010 World Cup from the team. I heard this and a HUGE sigh of disgust came out of my mouth without any thought.

If they did, each one of them should be ashamed of themselves and deserve jail time. Nigeria's government is notorious for money games like this and you would hope that athletic teams would at least be more honest, especially a national team, in hopes of showing progress.

However, there is a possibility that they did not. As you read the story, the underlying possibility that the Nigerian government is trying to find another way to punish the team for their performance is evident. I am going to keep everyone posted on this hot mess.

Soaps Connecting Nigeria and Brazil

Brazil and Nigeria have had many cross-cultural exchanges for nearly three centuries (mostly evident in Salvador, Brazil and Lagos, Nigeria), and almost all of them have shaped the contemporary cultures and subcultures within those countries. This is definitely a more contemporary example of how two different countries have a lot in common.

Dear Senate, Please Fix This Hot Mess

Here we go again with this same stupid, dumb, low-level, crazy, twisted, racist hot mess. This is one of those games by our U.S. government that seems to me like a form of discrimination on case that is supposed to RESOLVE a past discriminatory measure.

In short, over a decade ago, a case was settled out of court for minority farmers (mostly black) who have been denied farm loans based on their skin color. Each of the farmers who filed claims were supposed to have received their monies based on the settlement back in 1999. However, as CNN.com reports, many of them filed their claims too late and did not receive their piece of the settlement. Too bad, right?

Well, folks, this is where it gets interesting and where I got mad. This video and corresponding article has more details.

Diaspora of the Week - Black British

This is probably one of the most interesting terms that I have heard in a long time. Why? It's various meanings.

In a contemporary sense, Black British refers chiefly to a British resident of Sub-Saharan African decent. However, I have discovered that their all others meaning to this term, and some are still in use today.

Black British can also refer to all ethnic minority groups in UK (which is no longer widely used, but is around, contextually). More specifically, it can also refer to those of South Asian decent along with those of Sub-Saharan African decent.

Now that the definitions are somewhat clear, I found some interesting historical information about some race riots that have occurred in the UK (primarily in England). Most of them usually involved those that are Black British in either the contemporary definition or the definition that includes those of South Asian and Sub-Saharan African decent. Some of them are actually very recent, but not as severe as the ones in the past.

I thought these cases were interesting to bring up since we tend to neglect some of the racial incidents that have occurred in Europe involving those of African decent. I also thought it was interesting since South Asians were/are also a part of the term "Black British."

The questions I have for all of you is:

1. Why were/are South Asians considered "Black" in the UK?
2. What similarities (after reading some of the cases) do the riots have in comparison to those in the US?
3. Why are race riots in the UK not talked about as much as those that occurred in the US and in South Africa?

Moving on from the race riots, there's plenty more. I must discuss the cultural/sub-cultural differences of the Black British (the contemporary definition) compared to the mainstream. In all, it is very similar to African-American culture, but there are some striking differences, based on how the Black British culture developed and evolved:

• Black British English (BBE) is heavily influenced by Jamaican English, mainly because many of the Black immigrants to the UK are from Jamaica.
• Black British music (which it is NOT called, by the way) is heavily influenced by reggae.

The similarities to the African-American community are just as striking, however. The disparities in employment and crime compared to their white counterparts are comparatively as great in both communities (even though the crime rates in the UK are significantly lower than they are in the US). Also, many successful Black Britons are in the entertainment business in some way, just like many of those in the African-American community. (I must note that there are many that are successful in virtually all employment sectors as well in both and all aspects of the African diaspora. Don't get it twisted...)

To learn more about the Black British, I found blackpresence.co.uk to be rather helpful.

Marriage Dance in the Christian Faith

Christianity is a BIG portion of the African-American culture. It has pulled the slaves through slavery, helped the Civil Rights workers pull through the insanity of de facto and de jure segregation, and it has grounded many African-Americans today.

Yesterday, my friend found this video with married couples dancing. I found this to be hopeful for those who wish to be married and beautiful for those who are married. This is I think a Godly way enhance and prolong a marriage because it a loving bonding experience that is being presented to an entire congregation.

Some argued that this is not church appropriate. I would like to hear your thoughts on this aspect of a married couples' ministry and tell me how you feel. I must also point out that this is at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago (the church President Barack Obama used to attend).

I'm Back and Turning the Light on Nigeria

Sorry, peeps. I know it's been a few days since I have posted something, but this week has been INSANELY crazy. I've met many new students this week, from literally every corner of the world, and they all have fascinated me with their personalities and expected contributions to the art community, which was the main solace during the craziness.

Anyway, so today I read an interesting editorial on President Goodluck Jonathan's proposal to improve the power sector in Nigeria (the comments on the editorial were just as great, btw). As many who are familiar with Nigeria's embarrassingly frequent blackouts (Nigeria is the world's 13th largest oil producer), this major problem has been addressed with resolutions that were never followed through. Sadly, the last proposed measure was not followed through due to the former president's ailing health which resulted in his death.

Hopefully, President Jonathan's measure will follow through and keep Nigerians in the light. As many economist have already projected, if Nigeria can improve it's infrastructure while re-diversifying its economy and rejecting its over-dependence on oil, it will be on a light speed track to continuing to be one of the Next 11.