September 2010
Photo by Joe Delano
Our AIM is to celebrate and share our differences. We publish a monthly magazine that highlights “Africans In Motion” i.e. Fellow Africans that are inspiring, driven and successful in their various fields. For more information please contact AIM Network Cell: 612-205-9828 Email: aimminnesota@gmail.com www.issuu.com/aimminnesota
CONTENT Feature Story Alita’s Travels
Health Fashion
G-Spot
Evil
Mind your language
Contributors
Linda Khumalo Feature Story AIM Contributor
Fashion www.Utamaduniwear.com Photography by Uchefotography
By Evalyn Githina
EDITOR’S NOTE
Dear Friends, We are on the other end of the summer break and even though we took time off to recharge the inspiration kept coming. We kept hearing of and seeing great achievements by our peers i.e. young Africans at home and abroad doing great things. This is how it should be. Every country in the world is going through tough economic times and despite all the problems that these financial straits cause, the people in charge are still expected to create jobs and keep everything going despite these hurdles. Millions have lost their jobs and despite that, their families still need food, shelter, clothing and education. These are the challenges of our lives and despite them and because of them we still have to keep doing. In this issue of AIM Magazine, Eddie Mandhry reminds us of these realities and the ways in which we can overcome them. Alita shows us the spirit that perseveres despite the hard times the girls of Brilliant Future endure and Dr. G bares his soul to his step son so that a family’s bond is strengthened despite hardship. The journey continues despite the hurdles and sometimes these same hurdles reveal a strength that we did not know we possessed. Keep on keeping on. All the best, Eva
E By Linda Khumalo
FEATURE STORY – EDDIE MANDHRY ddie Mandhry is an entrepreneur with a global reach. He is of Kenyan, Ethiopian and Omani descent and the founder of TANO Design. TANO promotes social justice cultural awareness through innovative design concepts
on apparel and iconic posters. There is much more to Eddie than meets the eye and our friend Linda Khumalo asked the questions that reveal where Eddie has been and what he plans for the future.
Where do you work and what position do you hold there?
Photo Credits Joe Delano
Though I reside in New York City, I am the Director of Global Kids Inc., Washington D.C. Global Kids is a human rights educational NGO that works to promote civic engagement, global awareness and the respect for human rights. Our primary clients are urban youth from marginalized metropolitan communities. We strongly believe that young people regardless of their income or background have the capacity to inform policy at the local national and international level.
“….young people regardless of their income or background have the capacity to inform policy at the local national and international level.” What does your job entail? In addition to managing youth and leadership development and human rights education programs in Washington D.C., I direct an annual Institute on International Law and U.S. Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), the pre-eminent independent think tank in the United States. The program brings 30 dynamic youth to the CFR New York to engage policy makers practitioners and academics on issues such as nuclear proliferation, global climate change, human trafficking, the crisis in Darfur, the concept of neutrality in humanitarian intervention, to piracy off the coast of Somalia. We also expose students to the various agencies working to promote justice, peace and development around the world and have them interact with professionals working with agencies such as the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, Doctors Without Borders, and the Center for Transitional Justice among others. One of the principal aims of the program is to encourage young people to investigate the connections between their own lives and those of others and have them think critically about the dynamics of foreign policy making.
Where and when were you born? I’m a product of the seventies born and raised in Nairobi by a single mother who is by far my greatest source of inspiration.
By Linda Khumalo
FEATURE STORY – EDDIE MANDHRY
“In reality America is a mixed bag of opportunity and adversity.”
When did you move to the United States? I came to the U.S. in 1997, somewhat naïve, starry eyed and eager to make it big in America. Like many who aspire to move to America or Europe, I can honestly confess that while growing up in Kenya I was taken hostage by the Hollywood glitz and the glam projected on the silver screen on MTV videos, or shows like the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. In reality America is a mixed bag of opportunity and adversity. My transition to the US was made possible thanks to the collective support of numerous family members and my close friends from my time at St. Mary's School and a generous scholarship from Hampshire College in Amherst Massachusetts.
Do you have any siblings? My parents separated when I was young. I’m the first born with two sisters who I grew up with in Kenya and four siblings from my father’s side of the family who live in Oman. I’m amazed that Facebook plays such a prominent role in keeping my siblings and I connected. One of my younger sisters is a corporate attorney with Bell Dewar in Johannesburg South Africa. I’m particularly envious of her given the fact that the World Cup was being hosted there. My second sister lives in Nairobi and will be enrolling in high school this year.
What drew you to the field of International Relations? Looking back, growing up in a multicultural family shaped my global outlook. I recall listening to personal narratives about why and how members of my extended family fled Ethiopia on foot during the era of Communist dictatorship under President Mengistu Haile Mariam in the quest for freedom from oppression.
In retrospect, TV and radio and film would also have an enduring impact on me. Weekly programs on Kenyan TV such as Dunia Wiki Hii (The World This Week), Mambo Leo (Issues of
www.tanodesign.com
Photo credit - Joe Delano
the Day), CNN’s News and World Report, and Voice of America radio brought the world of politics into our home. I vividly remember crowding around the TV to witness the release of Nelson Mandela, and was permanently scarred by the images of massacred victims of the Rwandan Genocide. All this helped crystallize my interest in world affairs.
It is no secret that a lot of us leave Africa to pursue a tertiary education in the West but end up falling short for various reasons, including the realities of basic day to day survival in the West. Take us on your journey to and through Hampshire College, London School of Economics and Columbia Business School. Did you encounter any obstacles, if so, what kept you going? When I arrived at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1997 I had no idea I was joining in one of America’s most liberal and progressive academic institutions. Since its inception in 1975 it has remained a hotbed of social activism and political thought. In 1997 it became the first American college to divest from apartheid South Africa. And in 2009 became the first to divest from Israel for its occupation of Palestine. Four other neighboring institutions, UMASS, Amherst, Mount Holyoke and Smith College were part of a consortium where students were allowed to cross register. This made the pioneer valley a vibrant learning community.
My year at LSE [London School of Economics] was intense. Graduate programs in the U.K. typically last one year. On our first day of enrollment we had to sit a surprise diagnostic exam on international relations theory. So much for a welcome party! That rough start set the tone for the rest of the year. Many hours and nights were spent poring over assigned readings in the library and writing papers and preparing for seminar presentations. Aside from the rigor, LSE is an exceptional institution thanks to the diversity of the faculty and student body. Classmates came from every corner of the world and from every profession. Some of my colleagues were former intelligence agents, investment bankers, diplomats and humanitarian workers. I made friends that I will most likely keep for life.
The Executive Education Program at Columbia Business School was an intensive crash course in non-profit, fiscal, personnel management and organizational strategy. Taking classes while
By Linda Khumalo
FEATURE STORY – EDDIE MANDHRY
employed fulltime is challenging but well worth the effort in terms of boosting credentials and elevating competencies.
You have held internships at impressive and world-renowned organizations like The Hague and the Aga-Khan Foundation. What did you learn during your time there? If you ask any Kenyan if they have heard of Aga Khan they will most likely say yes, making associations with Aga Khan High Schools and hospitals. His Highness the Aga Khan, through his Aga Khan Development Network has committed colossal amounts of his fortune to numerous infrastructure and social development initiatives in Kenya and beyond. Coincidentally, I was born at the Aga Khan hospital in Nairobi, making me one of the thousands of beneficiaries of Aga Khan programs in Kenya. While volunteering at their headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland I learned that the foundation is involved in a wide range of programs around the globe. I specifically provided support for the documentation of a project that helped develop education infrastructure in Khorog, Tajikistan.
My time at the Hague Appeal for Peace was invaluable for I was involved in doing a significant amount of follow-up after the Hague Appeal Conference that brought together dignitaries such as former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Queen Noor of Jordan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and an astonishing array of civil society representatives from every continent. As the saying goes, collectively we can move mountains. The scourge of war plagues humanity’s conscience. You can call me idealistic, but I strongly believe that promoting conflict resolution and sustainable peace should be our common obligation and aspiration.
“…the challenge lies in nurturing our human capital, building strong institutions and most importantly holding our leaders accountable to us.”
“
… There really is no blue
print for success and I
constantly challenge myself to grow. If I had to give advice: Never give up and always use setbacks or failures as stepping stones towards fulfilling your dreams!
” ” ”
Africa’s abilities and achievements are still generally ignored and underestimated by the rest of the world. In your opinion, what can be done to improve Africa’s image? We as Africans need to actively deconstruct the pervasive narratives that portray us as uneducated, impoverished and naturally inclined to violence and war. Beyond being misguided, such stereotypes, often couched in racism and ignorance tend to reinforce geo-political and economic paradigms of development that enable corruption and aid dependency. They also neglect African-grown solutions to African problems. The West, and increasingly China, is perpetually pre-occupied with Africa’s natural resources. I think the challenge lies in nurturing our human capital, building strong institutions and most importantly holding our leaders accountable to us.
Advances in communication technology will make it easier for us to project an alternative perspective. I'm constantly amazed by the dynamism of African talent and creativity. Film makers like Wanuri Kahiu, new media activists like Ory Okolloh, writers like Binyavanga Wainaina and journalists like Parseleo Kantai are doing the continent proud by challenging the status quo. Around the continent there are a multiplicity of examples of great things happening in the areas of governance, economic development and innovation. We must take hold of the narrative, so as to create and project the image we’d like people to have of us.
Tano Design (www.tanodesign.com) is such an altruistic and noble idea, what prompted you to launch it? A lot of what we spend our hard earned money on tends to lack substance. I am no exception. People certainly have the right to buy whatever they want with their money. However, at Tano Design we are trying to promote conscious consumption by selling products that have a message but also help support grassroots initiatives through our charitable campaign Tano Touch.
By Linda Khumalo
FEATURE STORY – EDDIE MANDHRY
What has been your greatest personal achievement so far? You can name more than one. Upholding the work ethic, sense of empathy and compassion that was instilled in me by my mother. No one’s perfect, we’re all a work in progress. Another would have to be launching Tano Design, after many months of planning and saving, finally taking the initial leap felt great.
Looking at what you have accomplished in your life, what advice would you give the younger Eddie Mandhry who is still in High School in Nairobi? That’s a tough one. There really is no blue print for success and I constantly challenge myself to grow. If I had to give advice: Never give up and always use setbacks or failures as stepping stones towards fulfilling your dreams. I recall saving every rejection letter I ever got from colleges, scholarship granting bodies and potential employers. They motivated me to work harder, improve and excel. Think critically, don’t believe what everyone tells you, always seek out and examine the facts prior to making your own judgments. Aim high, it’s the only way you can exceed your potential and expectations of those around you.
Read as many
autobiographies as you can starting with Nelson Mandela’s, they are a goldmine of wisdom. Speak out and stand up for what is right. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said "we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends". Enjoy life, we only get one chance at this journey, we might as well try and make it memorable.
What are your daily must-read websites, if any? I’m an early riser and my first order of business is to scan global news headlines. I find these pages to be indispensable: Day Life www.daylife.com the Economist, www.economist.com the BBC www.bbc.co.uk, Jeune Afrique www.jeuneafrique.com. I recently started using Google Reader. It aggregates all the headlines from sources defined and customized by you onto one single feed. It’s nothing short of brilliant! To keep up on design trends I monitor on Design Indaba www.designindaba.com and Int’l Design Network magazine (IDN).
What books, if any, are you currently reading? I have the not so great habit of reading multiple books at the same time. At the moment I am reading Say You’re One of Them by Nigerian author Uwem Akpan. It is an extremely powerful and moving collection of short stories about the lives of children around Africa.
Thanks to the World Cup, I felt inspired to re-read In the Fog of the Season’s End by Alex La Guma, a phenomenal and at times wrenching book about the struggle against apartheid. And Hiroshima by John Hersey, the short but powerful book which compassionately takes you into the lives of a handful of survivors of the August 6, 1945 dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
www.tanodesign.com Tano Design aims to promote cultural awareness, political consciousness and social justice through creative design concepts. The idea is the synthesis between a passion for design and a belief in agency and the respect for human rights. The word Tano, which means five in Kiswahili, represents the 5 values of Tano Design: Dignity, Confidence, Advocacy, Innovation, & Social Justice.
TO:
John Smith
FROM:
Albert Johnson
DATE:
21.11.2009
RE:
party
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Sed ornare, felis vitae commodo gravida, est orci gravida augue, eu iaculis quam turpis vitae ante. Aliquam erat volutpat. Proin quis sapien nec ligula pulvinar placerat. Morbi tristique. Sed fringilla, leo sit amet sagittis tempor, dui libero
Yellow Ambition
Red Ambition
Mariguz
POETRY Robert writes because it's therapeutic. He is a proud father of two, and a network engineer by trade (20 years+).
A Tiger in the woods We all seem so shocked at Tiger's actions Much like the travesty with the split of the Jacksons'
Robert says “I am blessed to have the life the Lord above has given me and mine. -Rob -
He's a man there's no question So why are we all so hard on his transgression I'm definitely not in agreement with what he did But all of us have secrets some open and some hid So his has been exposed and many are saddened Then there are others who'd rather play Madden So please take a deep breath and please realize That there are 2 children involved who still have lives
Send in your comments or poetry to be published to: aimminnesota@gmail.com
They will forever and always be known as his cubs Especially when they realize money doesn't replace love Michael Jordan, Jesse Jackson...well Tiger had to be next Another brother skipping out on home for meaningless sex Yes I know they're sorry for what they've done Men who are used to winning but not this one The women stay for one reason or another But I'd sleep with one eye open my confused millionaire brothers
About the author…………. Live. Love Progress. Eat. Love. Pray. "My brother says that if I feel what I write then this must be me. This is me. “My Pain. My Tears. All My Love." – A.W Wachira I write about life's simple complexities http://a-dubw.blogspot.com/
-A. W. Wachira
Tiyumba Dance Class Whether you've been dancing your whole life, or just want a fun new workout, try African Dance with Fatawu! Wear something comfortable - leave your shoes and inhibition at the door! WITH LIVE DRUMMING! Saturdays / 11-12 Noon Monday's / 6:00-7:00 pm 2609 Aldrich Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408 COST: $12 drop-in session / $60 for 6 classes www.tiyumba.com
By Evalyn Githina
MIND YOUR LANGUAGE
W
hat language do you speak? What language identifies you? Language is an important aspect of cultural identity and how we communicate. It varies greatly depending on where we are and with whom we communicate. People that
belong to a tribe and that speak the tribal language identify themselves differently as opposed to those who just claim to be of a certain tribal heritage.
Language is also an important factor as far as culture is concerned. Nowadays however, most of us identify ourselves as descendants of tribal languages and we have lost that connection to the culture associated with the language. Urbanization and the modern educational system have made no accommodations for tribal language and have contributed greatly to the erosion of tribal language. Sadly that is also a sure sign that the culture is also fading.
Tribal languages are defined by the history and environment of the place that they develop. The language defines what people eat, their work, their seasons and is a reflection of the culture and ceremony. I remember learning to speak the language of my tribe and I remember the melody of it, the sensibility of it and the mannerisms that were a part of how we communicated. There is also a feeling of community that is felt by people that speak the same language and if we let ourselves lose that connection with our ancestors, relatives, neighbors and all the other aspects of spirituality that go along with it, we lose an important aspect of our souls.
The illusion of globalization and urbanization is that we have to give up our tribal heritage in order to succeed. The way we live, our relationships with each other and with the environment are pushed aside by the modern economies that we let take priority over our everyday lives. The English and Spanish languages are important because they unite all the peoples and allow for the exchange of ideas and ease the path for commerce by allowing for easier communication.
There are over 7000 languages in the world and each one of these is a means of preserving culture, maintaining societies and is the best resource for understanding the environment in
which it was developed. Coincidentally, the degradation of culture and the environment seem to be taking place simultaneously. In addition to this loss we have more crime, substance abuse, more diseases and a general increase in the discontent over the quality of our lives.
The Ojibwe, a Native American tribe, the Chulym of Siberia, the Tuareg of Mali and many more tribes are making great efforts to preserve their languages. These efforts include using modern technologies to preserve mostly oral languages in a written format so that schools in the indigenous areas can use these languages to teach math, science, history and many other subjects and so that translation programs can be created so that people can use the tribal languages on computers. Hand in hand with these efforts are initiatives to preserve tribal knowledge of medicine, history, astrology and biology.
Each one of us is responsible for preserving our culture and indistinguishable from that is the language. So please mind your language and be a steward for its preservation. E tigwo (right)?
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By Evalyn Githina
M
HEALTH - OHM OR BUST! editation is a practice that is often met with disdain and that is snickered at as being quirky. What most people do not know is that there is no downside to meditation. There are numerous physical, spiritual and psychological benefits to this practice.
Physically one is able to… Increase exercise tolerance and improve performance in athletic events Have a deeper level of physical relaxation. Reduce high blood pressure and provide significant relief from asthma Decrease muscle tension and relax the nervous system Normalize weight and harmonize the endocrine system
Psychologically meditation… Increases creativity and emotional stability Improves learning ability and memory Helps reduce aggressiveness and reduces road rage Reduces need and dependency on drugs, pills & pharmaceuticals Helps reduce sleep deprivation and helps cure insomnia
Spiritually, meditation enhances the ability to… Help keep things in perspective and provide peace of mind and happiness Have a deeper understanding of yourself and others Bring body, mind, spirit in harmony Have a deeper level of spiritual relaxation Change attitude toward life and help you live in the present moment
Considering all these benefits, the real question is why are you not meditating yet? All you need is 15 to 20 minutes in a quiet space. Meditation is also completely free and requires no special equipment, and is not complicated to learn.
For a successful mediation session you need to… Make time to mediate – all you need is 15 to 20 minutes Find or create a quiet, relaxing environment – turn off your cell phone, iPod and/or TV
Sit on level ground - sit on a cushion if the ground is uncomfortable. The important thing is to keep your back straight, as this will help with breathing later on Relax everything - keep searching for parts of your body that aren't relaxed Let your attention rest on the flow of your breath – take deep breaths and incorporate the belly to ensure deep and full breaths
And most importantly‌ Silence your mind -train your mind to focus on just one thing at a time, the next step is to practice focusing on nothing at all, essentially "clearing" your mind. This is the most challenging aspect of mediation and that bears the greatest rewards.
Keep practicing meditation and remember, practice makes perfect! Maintain a consistent mediation schedule and before you know it, you will be a more Zen version of you!
Namaste!
By Gerald Montgomery
G-SPOT – A LETTER TO MY STEPSON
Dear Son, First let me start by saying that I do care about you as well as your future. Every child deserves, not just a father, but their biological father. And you are no exception. So you have every right to be angry about your father’s absence in your life. But just as the Bible says, “be angry and sin not” you are completely responsible for how you choose to manifest that anger. I too was angry and perplexed about my missing father and the poverty to which he damned me. Early on in life I'd wondered what I did to merit his rejection, but eventually realized if he was never in my life it couldn't possibly be my fault. I expressed this anger, this hurt through words- beautiful meaningful words in the form of poetry and rhyme. I recreated the world in my own image with pencil and pen- the paper was my universe! I drew images as beautiful as they were meant to be seen. I chose to excel in school and be the most respectful young man I could be. I chose to guide my friends towards the most rational decisions my young mind could fathom, keeping them and myself out of as much mischief as possible. Not to say that my youth was without folly or bad choices, but that I wasn't notorious for bad behavior. In contrast, you have chosen to deal with your anger by rebelling against your mother. By pitting her against [me] her husband so that she shields you from my discipline and expectations. You rebel by bringing home less than acceptable grades, breaking curfew at will, neglecting your chores, following the crowd and by dividing my family! Every child deserves a father, but not every child gets the perfect father. The family you get is the family you have! And when YOU believe the family you have isn’t good enough then do what I did and make your OWN family, in which you are the man of the house, when the time comes. But until then, PLAY YOUR ROLE! I am as disciplinary with your sisters, my daughters, as I initially set out to be with you when you were their age. The only difference as far as I’m concern is the gender; they’re girls and you’re a boy. But the bottom line is that since you are not my biological son the rules I have to play by were, and still are, a bit different. There is only so much I can do without the consent of your mother, as it should be. Everybody (and I do mean everybody) was so worried about what kind of stepfather I would be that I was only allowed to be perfect- instead of just being the kind of father I was going to end up being. I also had the fact that
I’m Black American and your mother’s family is Liberian working against me, but I have since then gained most of their trust. All the twists and turns an adult goes through throughout the stages of his or her child’s development helps to make him or her into a father or mother. I believe I was not properly afforded that right; the right to make mistakes with my pride and dignity intact so that I evolve as a father. My wife had six years with you to work out some of the kinks as a mother, but I was expected to take everyone’s advice and be perfect from day one! However, as you have seen over the years, I raise my voice (whether rightly so or not) at your sisters, my flesh and blood, when I feel they are behaving badly. I spank their hands and I put them in the corner, much like I started out with you some 11 years ago. And they still appreciate and embrace me, even after I’ve just rebuked them. And if you’re wondering, yes, I do believe disciplining a child is at the foundation of loving that child (Hebrews, the 12th Chapter). Just like then your mom doesn’t always appreciate “my kind of training.” And just like then she interferes at times. But unlike then I now have solid ground on which to stand and I can push back when she tries to distract me from fathering, as all mothers sometimes do because their type of love is much more tender than the father’s love. Back then I absolutely needed her total support, or at least I felt that I did. Now I have the law on my side, so to speak. Now I feel I am allowed to make a mistake or two with your sisters and learn from it; with you no one would afford me the opportunity. At the most opportune times I was reminded how much I didn’t know about parenting or how wrong my paternal judgment was (as if mom was always correct in hers). Fortunately for your sisters your mother has matured in recent years as well; relaxing her hardcore stance by giving me room to be dad. Back then I felt the world was watching me, judging me harder than the biological father who abandoned you many years prior. Yes, he is the one who abandoned you, not me. As imperfect as I may be I’m still right here. As difficult as it may be for me at times to sort through the facts as they have come to be, I still remain a man through it all. I still stand as the only father you have every really had, whether you accept this fact or not. Like I said, every child deserves a father but not every child gets a perfect father. Be angry and sin not. Deal with your feelings towards your absentee father the right way; by proving us all wrong. Grow to be the man he wasn’t and the father you wish that I could be. Show me how the ideal father should be by behaving like the ideal son. Give me all the respect you would want if you were a father until my own pride chokes me and I fall humbly to me knees. You’re 17 now so I am allowed to ask this of you. Iron sharpens iron, so let’s be better because of it!
Experience Another Side of the G-Spot Columnist… Order a copy of his latest book: “MEMS, Rips of Rhapsody”! Published by Publish America “I am neither distracted by wealth nor diverted by poverty; having sampled the former and gorged on the latter. My mind’s eye, though not a perfect twenty over twenty, is far from dim; having matured beyond seeing only the shadows of silhouettes and reflections of truths, now strong enough to glare at the SUN Himself through squinted lids. These are the memoirs [or MEMS] of my journey from [Plato's] cave. These are my Rips of Rhapsody!” –Author, Gerald A. Montgomery
What people are saying about this book: “A contemporary philosophical masterpiece which challenges the pillars of American society; a must read for inspiring poets and philosophers” -Anonymous source “Gerald is Spot but fearlessly poignant ethnicity
at his best! It’s a much different read than Gstill the same beloved writing style. He’s in this one; asking then answering the most questions regarding spirituality, politics, and for the African-American perspective.” –
Anonymous AIM Magazine reader
“Loved it all! His Truth Experiment exercise is a real treat!” –Anonymous reader.
Words lifted from the Book:
Order your copy through this link to publisher’s website.
http://www.publishamerica.net/product95686.html
Subsequently, since the first Americans uttered aloud what is most certainly a cosmic truth (that being the equality of men) it remained necessary to import a labor force of beings believed to be “less than men”. Hence the plot to dehumanize the African; to liberate him from his humanity and simplify his existence to a life of peonage. And at every turn the morality of the people cried out on behalf of the African, declaring his humanity alongside him. And each time, the “necessity” would return to denounce it; be it in the form of slavery, segregation or
disenfranchisement. –excerpt, Politics section
Makes a great gift for: Christmas Birthdays Mother’s/Father’s Day Graduations
FELABRATE!! The Cedar Cultural Center presents the Twin Cities Celebration of the Life and Music of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. This will feature the Chicago Afrobeat Project and DJ Danny Singelman!!! Friday, October 15th at 8pm Cover: $10 The Cedar Cultural Centre 416 Cedar Avenue Minneapolis, MN
By Evalyn Githina
SPEAK, HEAR, SEE NO EVIL
There are items that we use in our everyday life that we cannot simply do without. We hardly put any thought to how they came to be and who invented these everyday life savers. Whenever you use your toothbrush, drink a cup of coffee, or even go to a university, you are enjoying an invention of the Muslim world. These and many more inventions are detailed in 1001 Inventions Book: Muslim Heritage in Our
World, 2nd Edition. There is also an exhibition making its way through London, Istanbul, New York and Los Angeles to start that allows for people to experience the original items and a firsthand view of the brilliant minds that created the things, institutions and or theories that are the basis of all that we cannot live without more than a thousand years later. The top 10 such inventions are Surgery, coffee, flying machines, university, algebra, optics, music, toothbrush, fountain pen and hospitals. For more information on the exhibition near you and or to purchase the book, go to http://www.1001inventions.com/1001inventions/home
Nas and Damien Marley - Distant Relatives I did not question the collaboration once I heard what the theme of the album was. We all understand the connection between Nas and Damien Marley; they are both conscious musicians who speak to the troubles of the Islands, the Americas and Africa. In this album, they musically offer a better hope for what all these places could be, how we could all be better and they even cover some of our current pitfalls. This is all done with great lyrics and harmony and through some innovative collaboration with artists like Amadou and Mariam, K’Naan, Joss Stone and Lil Wayne to name a few. I could not put this album down and kept replaying it over and over to discover new layers to this story that I had not noticed before. The message is we have a precious history that we have no knowledge of and a precious future to preserve, so we need to get to work if we are to live up to our potential. That is my take. You should take a listen and discover something new for yourself.
Alita is blessed to be able to travel for work, passion and pleasure. These travels take her to countries in Africa and South America. While on the road, Alita is witness to a great many adventures. She pens these encounters in the most amazing way that captures our hearts, transports us to the regions she is visiting and traveling through and she unwittingly brings us face to face with all she encounters on the road. Alita shares these writings with her friends and family and AIM Magazine is honored that she has chosen to share this series of stories with us. Thank you Alita!
By Alita Watson
ALITA’S TRAVELS
The night I arrived in Accra, Ghana was playing Uruguay as a final chance for Africa to stay in the World Cup. The capital city was joyful mayhem, everyone in the streets singing, trumpeting, drumming and dancing…before the game even began. It was a splendid night to bring someone, a dear friend at that, to Ghana for the first time. We sat above the ecstatic crowd, drinking wine and eating tempura, as the gigantic screen on the street blared just 200 feet down. The first goal brought a roar I have never heard in my life and you could feel the heartbeat of Africa, hungry for their long-awaited win. Ghana should have won. Lost by a penalty kick (I didn’t know what that even was before watching this game), which simply didn’t seem fair after the three-hour relentless battle; the Black Stars were the true winners in the hearts of these proud citizens, that celebrated until dawn. I flirted our way onto the tiny plane going to Tamale the next morning, “Hanson” who knows me well after my 9th trip to Ghana, told me I was putting the weight of the world on his shoulders by requesting the last two stand-by seats. I told him that 46 of Ghana’s finest future leading women awaited our arrival, and he couldn’t refuse me! It is so very sweet arriving here, looking for familiar faces that greet me with pure joy and hugs as we strut off the small tarmac. Driving through the surrounding villages that are just waking up with mothers sweeping, children chasing, animals crowding, pots boiling…the sun hits everything and makes it all look like a honey covered dream. We hit a goat suddenly, which has never actually happened to me…they always barely escape, we breathe with a sigh of relief and the animal casually trots away. But this time, there was a thump, gasp, and shriek from Julie and me; the Ghanaian driver looked back at us as if to say “hey don’t worry; someone will eat well this morning.” The day started to grow hotter; I always seem to forget just how hot it can get in the north. There is a consistent glaze of sweat and gold dust that sticks to it, so much so that I actually look Iike I have a tan as opposed to freckles impossibility for redheads); I almost get sad when it washes off at the end of the day. But not quite. I have been laughing a lot since I arrived, there is humor in so many fabulous things that would seem insignificant in writing…those of you who have been to Africa know the things I speak of in regards to mannerisms, customs, and just plain random silliness. Yesterday was our first day with the girls; they read us poems and sang their new “Brilliant Future” song. I was thoroughly impressed, proud, and touched by each of them. Especially by the newest addition to the group, Shamsiya, age twelve. I learned that Shamsiya had in all regards, become a servant since she was sent to live with her uncle in town, and after her family had became too poor to care for her in the village. She held her head low and fought to crack a smile as I wrapped my arms around her and tried to make her laugh.
She wrote this poem, titled “The World of Children.” “The world of children. The elders always envy the world of children. They think our world is full of fun. But this is not always so. For when a child breaks a glass, she is surely to get a punishing. When a child does not do well in spelling, she is sure to get a dressing down. When a child doesn’t do her washing, she is surely to go without.” But when uncle breaks a glass, everyone says “oh well.” When uncle gets his spelling wrong, auntie says “oh, he is just tired.” You see the world is not always full of fun, for we never have a good enough reason for our mistakes. Julie and I have committed to making Shamsiya our special project, to show her that being a child, can also be fun. Today Julie started teaching human anatomy and my blind student Suriaya went to all ends to make it to class; traveling by herself on two different “tro-tro’s,” walking 10 blocks in unfamiliar territory, then arrived apologizing for her tardiness. This girl is fierce and fearless, and has more clue than anyone what surrounds her at all times. We are on our way to SWAD (only non-African food in site) for some hummus and shitt-o (wicked spicy chili sauce), to discuss the day and make a plan for each of these shining stars. The week has just begun, and I’m drinking in every moment.
Love, Alita
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