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.

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.

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.

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.

Obama Drama...Again

This still annoys me the most and I can't believe that people are STILL talking about this...Obama's place of birth.

Despite the fact that there is indisputable evidence that he was born in Hawaii (a STATE of the USA), and there is NO evidence to show that he was born elsewhere, this debacle is simply ridiculous. Look at this video from CNN International. Obama had to even release his long-form birth certificate even though he released his short-form birth certificate back in 2008.

Whatever many of you may think the reason is, some agree that this is only issue because our president is black. Yes, I said it. It is because he is a black man with an African father.

I know many people don't like to involve race in this issue, but I think it plays a big part. As far back as I could remember, I don't think any president's birth place has been questions but Barack Obama's. All because his last name is not your "typical American last name" does not mean he wasn't born in the United States. You don't have to be a Smith or a Johnson to be American; not all Smiths or Johnson are American.

What vexes me the most about this uncanny dilemma is that is it distracting people from the actual issues within the United States, like unequal education, urban/rural poverty, health care, and the list goes on. Americans, when are going to actually focus on the issues and not someone's religious or ethnic background and any other inborn attribute a person could have? We are a country of 300 million people of every single ethnic and social background on the planet. What really matters is what our president can do for the greater good of the country.

Again, I repeat, this is all because the president is black. I know there are some white people that would not like to hear this, and maybe I might even get some hate mail. But everyone, ask yourself, why is this an issue? Should it be an issue? Who is bringing it up? What is their purpose? I am sure once you find the answer, it would point to the fact that Obama is black and of direct African extraction.

Nigerian Man/Korean World - Part 4

People who follow me on Twitter probably have an idea of what this is going to be about. And the second largest group of readers I have (South Koreans) might find this intriguing.

In one of my documentary classes here in Korea, taught by a renowned documentarian, I went through one of those awkward experiences. If you are a minority in any way, any where on this planet, you know what I mean.

I have felt this in the past, and to be honest I thought I was over really feeling like the minority a long time ago, since I had been the minority almost everywhere I have been/lived in my life. I'm Nigerian-American, so a minority in the greater African-American community and in Nigeria and the United States - pretty much the majority of circles anywhere on the globe. Today it was made the most apparent ever in my life.

The documentary we watch was Marlon Riggs "Tongues Untied," a film about the experience of the gay African-American male. Not only am I the only black male in this class, but I am also the only black male in this school. And, of course, every single person in this class was staring at me, looking for answers. And I was not about to be the token.

The situation was so awkward I couldn't even focus on/enjoy the documentary. A part from the film containing extremely graphic imagery (which I am sure made EVERYONE feel awkward) and there were several racial slurs used that I am unsure if the majority of the class understood the implications of these words. The teacher asked me how I felt about the documentary, and me being the person I am, explained exactly how I felt - awkward. I told him I felt the stares from others in the class and I truly felt like a minority and I hoping that no one asks me questions today. Overall, I couldn't enjoy or learn from it like I would like to. And, yes, I said this in front of the class because I think it was important for them all to know.

I think living in a homogeneous society, Koreans maybe don't fully understand what it feels like to be a minority unless they have traveled/studied abroad, which made it important for me to state my feelings. I also think it is even harder to understand how it is to feel like a minority every day of your life. Of course, like I try to see every experience, maybe this extreme sense of awkwardness is a blessing. Maybe I could use the misunderstanding of otherness as an angle to my work. Maybe even the main angle. Maybe the story I tell could be more inside looking out than outside looking in, utilizing the theme of otherness.

Even though this experience might not be enjoyable for some, in fact many, this experience was again interesting and made me learn more about myself and my self-value - another reason why I think it is important for us all to travel abroad and take ourselves out of our comfort zone. This situation was extremely uncomfortable for me and I would prefer it would not happen again, but I learned from it, which makes the situation invaluable. If it were to happen again, maybe I'll be more comfortable, but like I said, I hope it doesn't.

Rem Koolhaas is in Love with Lagos

Some people who are close to me know I have a secret love for architecture. As a child, for a period I really wanted to be an architect. Then I noticed the amount of math involved and the dream faded quickly.

However, I am still in love with architecture and urban planning and one of my favorite names in the business is Rem Koolhaas, a world-renowned Dutch architect and a professor of Architecture and Urban Planning at Harvard University. Seriously, this guy has some of the sickest buildings I have seen, and if I am blessed with tons of money, I would love for him to design my house. (BTW, he has a building on the Illinois Institute of Technology's campus, for my Chicago peeps. During the day, pretty much anyone can walk in and see this rather chic and colorful display of academia.)

So, what does this man have with Lagos? Well, I discovered there's an entire documentary that was made nearly 8 years ago about his Lagos love, rightly and simply titled "Lagos/Koolhaas." Below is a bit of it I found on YouTube.



More interesting than this video was also some of the highlights in the description of the documentary on the filmmakers' website. This stood out to me:

"...In most North American cities we grumble about the traffic and turn up the CD. In Lagos, traffic jams are such an overwhelming feature of the city that they have become a key marketplace. When the cars stop, the trading begins. Or, as Koolhaas's report puts it, "the ubiquitous traffic jam: lulled in congestion, captive to the road's breadth, and thriving with entrepreneurial activity.'"

This is such a brilliant insight to an urban situation or problem and goes directly to some of the things I have told people that feel more comfortable not leaving their city (sometimes even their neighborhood). When we go outside of where we have been most of our lives, we begin to see different perspectives on life. Of course, Koolhaas has cool in his name, so his insight was not surprising to me.

I think what is more important is someone of his prominence in the world of architecture and urban planning is looking to Lagos (a city that is getting closer to world class status, but still has a lot to fix up in regard to infrastructure) as inspiration to solve problems in already world-class metropolises. Is this showing the Western World that Africa is not as backward as they think? Maybe it even shows that it is more forward or progressive than the West?