Star-finding, trailblazing, observing, discovering, learning and most of all, encouraging and urging the female pursuit of traditionally male academic fields of study...and some other things as well.
South Africans are back to their xenophobic expressions of loathing, again! Outside a cathedral in central Jo'burg which is now crowded due to a displacement of Zimbabwean foreigners within the city, a sewage truck decided to "accidentally" spray large amounts of filthy water on the Zimbabweans whilst they sat out in the street during the day. The truck drove past as it did so and from the accounts of the involved, the liquid (whatever it was) smelt horrendous. It couldn't have been good. It was obviously a prank. A way of humiliating these people who have done no harm.
When will South Africans quit it with the hatred of foreigners? The Confederations Cup is this month. Let's see how they'll handle that influx of foreigners
This is prevalent in almost every single reference to the African continent voiced from the mouth of an American regardless of their race. They seem to experience trouble in speaking of Africa in terms of its constituent countries. This seems petty, no I take that back. There is nothing petty about it. They have no trouble remembering or pronouncing countries in Europe such as France, Germany and England. Doubtless, they find it easy to mention exact countries in South America - the most popular, for them, being Brazil. The land of small bikinis, low-cost plastic surgery, sexy women freely available to foereign men for sex, warm weather and pretty beach fronts all year round.
Ah, but Africa. Poor, impoverished, hungry, war-torn Africa. One unified clump of a continent. So uniform, it's as though the countries themselves are states such as the fifty-two that America recognises as part of the United STATES of America. Is this where the confusion lies? They somehow draw parralels between America and Africa. No, it can't be. Surely they know it is a continent.
On Macon D's stuff that white people like blog, he gave me a hint as to what could perhaps be the reasoning behind this perpetual mistaking:
Craig had just returned from working with the Peace Corps in . . . I was about to write "Africa," but in light of yesterday's post, I'm going to resist that lazy American tendency, and work my brain a few seconds longer to come up with the specific country. . . okay, I remember. He'd been working in Benin.
Ah, so I get it now. Apathy. That's all it is. Their lazy to either remember or pronounce or find out what country is being spoken of in every case. I know Oprah does it all the time. Whether it is to come across as intelligible enough for her audiences or she simply has a hard time letting go of the apathy that hinders Americans (and others in the world for that matter) from being particular about Africa and it's constituent nations. When referring to ongoings at her Leadership Academy which she knows very well is in South Africa, she simply spoke of her "school in Africa". Oh, Oprah. This is where you let me down, lady! It all sounds perfect just perfect until you start going on about taking trips to Africa and the animals in Africa. (sigh)
Anyhow. Let them see their own mistakes and rightfully administer corrections. Because I don't really care about American ignorance anyway (despite the fact that I'm ranting about it). Life is full of contradictions that way.
"Why?" one may ask.
Probably it is a manifestation of the highly romanticized idea propagated in Western mainstream media about the jungles of Africa, the animals and safari one can enjoy on arrival in the Motherland. Alot of them often arrive in Africa hoping to see the animals right away not realising that in the presence of civilization, animals must be kept in captivity or enclosed behind strategically-placed fencing as is the case with the Kruger National Park and many others around the continent.
I clearly recall being handed a colouring book on a commercial airline as a kis (think it was British Airways, can't really rememeber) and it contained colour-in pictures of kids from all around the world expressing their respectic heritages, cultures and traditions through their dress. Each setting clearly conveyed which country was represented by each image. Netherlands was a young Dutch girl wearing clogs and standing in front of a windmill, Australia was a boy playing with a boomerang in the outback with a kangaroo somewhere in the vicinity. Then it came to Africa (sigh) and lo and behold we had the typical jungle setting. An Africa boy wearing a Madiba-style shirt and safari hat. Foliage hanging over with a giraffe and lion in his background. I was, naturally, a little confused. This isn't Africa I thought. Not the Africa I knew personally. Too young to know of course the stereotypes applied when it comes to Westerner's view of those from foreign countries.
Perhaps its also the fact that for an American tongue many of Africa's countries are difficult to prounounce. Again that comes down to apathy. How can a things such a mental laziness be acceptable at all?
Previously quoted as to saying that he was a demon. A recent statement was released that he was not responsible for the leakages from Rihanna's mobile but we all know that he was responsible for something else. You know what, this story is stale. It's so stale it's starting to grow mould and release a tremendously foul odour.
Here's the video in which he claims very jollily after letting e'body know when the next album gon' be droppin' that he is not in fact a monster.
Well, all, alright. I take back my words. Nothing in his tone was remorseful I am to say. He doesn't strike as the kind of boy that would express deep emotions sincerely. Ah, well. This is turning into one laborious, dragged-on saga.
Maya has been steady trying to raise awareness about the reality of the conflict in Sri Lanka. That it was more an attack on innocent civilians than it is a ploy to take down the Tamil Tiger movement who sought to establish their own independent state. She's asked Oprah to do something about having talks with authoritarian figures whom she obviously has direct connections to Michelle Obama ---> President Obama.
Genocides hardly go unnoticed but hardly anything is ever done by the international community. Too busy with their own affairs. Even their ploy to bring aid to foreign countries is just a way of avoiding madrass education that breeds terrorist behaviour.
If you're like me and haven't been 100% clued up on this conflict. Here's some help for you: wikipedia article
The media claims that the war has ended with the killing of Velupillai Prabhakaran - the head of the Tamil Tiger movement. Is it official? Time will tell.
Kudos to Maya for having a social concern and responsibility for a mother nation.
Now some of us are really having a hard time getting over the fact that the most complimented, least criticised and widely-hyped up Adam Lambert did not take the title. Did it spell an end for the demise of his would-be career. Of course not. Not only are record companies lining up to offer him a deal, Queen guitarist Brian May is considering making Adam a permanent feature in the band's performances. Yep, yep, yep Freddie Mercury has been incarnated!
Softmedia had this to say:
As fans must know, Lambert and American Idol winner Kris Allen sang with the legendary rockers on the grand finale of the eighth season. Apparently, guitarist Brian May was so impressed with Lambert’s “flair for the dramatic,” as well as his great vocal skills, that they’re seriously considering making their time onstage more than just a one-time thing. Again, as noted above, nothing has yet been determined – what’s clear at this point is that, even if Lambert does not become a fixture with the band, some sort of collaboration is to be expected.
“Amongst all that furor, there wasn’t really a quiet moment to talk.” May is quoted as saying by the aforementioned e-zine. “But [drummer Roger Taylor] and I are definitely hoping to have a meaningful conversation with [Lambert] at some point. It’s not like we, as Queen, would rush into coalescing with another singer just like that. It isn’t that easy. But I’d certainly like to work with Adam. That is one amazing instrument he has there.” the legendary guitarist further explains.
But I have to ask myself what that song Latifah sang with Lil Rounds was all about. Cue the Rain? But their diva swaggers were blazing, the crowd was going full speed. They had them pumping. Nice work, ladies.
As expected Susan made it all the way to the final of Britain's Got Talent and there is a great chance she might win it. What could be standing in her way?
She's been a fresh burst of hope and a wonderful bubble of uniqueness. Who else has singlehandedly made themselves this famous within such a short space of time by going viral on the internet. And I have to say that she's looking lovelier than ever after having her eyebrows plucked, her rowdy brunette mane trimmed and coloured and some great clothes put on her. Great improvements.
Adam Lambert did not win? Adam Lambert did not win! Adam Lambert was not pronounced American Idol 2009. How could this be?
Is it that Kris was the All-American boy American was looking for and that Adam's punk/emo look was just too deviant for mainstream America's tastes. The black nail-polish and Aretha Franklin-esque singing on rock songs was just too much it seems or did Adam's supporters just get too complacent. I don't know but all I can say is that sitting in the living room with a blanket over myself at 4am yesterday morning, I was left flabbergasted after Ryan Seacrest made it known that Kris Allen had won the show.
On the bright side, there will definitely be an Adam Lambert album. It would be very surprising and even suspicious to find out that there is not a single record company in the US that is willing to sign him on. This guy is Freddy Mercury, Michael Jackson and Prince all wrapped up in one. He could be a legend, just give him about 25 years. A real performer. Not that Kris doesn't have talent because from a musical standpoint, he certainly does. I liked his rendition of Heartless - that was truly original and way better than Kanye's original version. But Adam strikes me as having more spunk, stage presence and confidence.
There is hope. Nothing to fret about. Look at what David Archuleta has done. Never mind that. Jennifer Hudson was removed before the top 5 - we all know what's become of her. Winning American Idol is only an official pronouncement of your claim of the title and the fact that you will automatically be given a record deal once you're off the show. The real success that comes after the show is dependent on numerous other factors: a good measure of luck, having the right connections and perhaps even destiny. Who knows? But it's still suprising to see that the individual that was praised the most and to whom everyone had aforehand crowned as this season's winner has lost to a humble 23rd old college student from Conway, Arkansas.
Just goes to show. Nothing is ever certain and it really aint over til the obese madame belts her ass off!
Trailers never usually catch my attention as much as this one has. I have no idea when I will get the chance to see this considering my global positioning but I am looking forward. It looks like it's going to be very good like Slumdog Millionaire slamming you with every emotion imaginable all in the span of about 90 minutes.
Based on the novel Push by Sapphire, Precious is the story of a poor, overweight African-American woman battling abusive relatives and a pregnancy borne of incest. Enough said. My heart is already getting hit. Real life. You think you have problems huh?
So guess who's back for the second time. Dear Beloved Marshall himself (note the irony please, note it without fail!). But this is hilarious. Absolutely, gob-smackingly funny. He only ever seems to take the mickey out of one section of the populace however - the white American. Dare he write a single lyrics badmouthing any African American musician, actor, sportsperson or entertainer while Dre is busy assembling the instrumental in the studio.
Sarah Palin, Amy Winehouse (and her partner-in-crime, Blake Fielder-Civil), Jessica Simpson (and her man), Ellen Degenerees (and her um, woman Portia de Rossi), Lindsay Lohan (and her ex, umm, female DJ with Smooth Criminal-esque hat always on head), Bret Michaels, Kim Kardashian and Britney Spears (and her ex-man, Kevin Federline) have been made the centrefold for Slim's current ridicule. Not that he has ever left Britney alone though. He's been going at her since the Marshal Mathers LP. Who could forget this all-time classic - "Won't the Real Slim Shady please stand up, please stand up, please stand up..."
And his 2003 comeback in which he delivered his familiar trademark parody raps.
What's with the random references to Star Trek and the Rain Man . Quite arbitrary. But how could Fox News' most inflexible conservative not resist putting a word in just for us to let him know how exactly he's interpreted Slim's latest video.
Bill O'Reilly of course has already taken his usual anti-rapper route by claiming that "Eminem is obviously on an obscene rant about Sarah Palin," and that the video is "Totally obscene. Totally inappropriate. Nothing good about it."
Let's not take this too far. We've always known Eminem as the King of Comedic Rap. For years he's entertained us with his incredible ability lyrical ability and satirical poeticism. He may have issues with Kim Mathers and his Mother (poor woman) - is he a misogynist? Probably not. Is he obscene. Probably yes but there is worse to be said about the obscenity and lack of morality present in other sectors of mainstream media. Comic relief is much needed especially at a time such as this.
It could only be Mtv. '50 Cent The Money and the Power' is hilarious. We have 50 with his mobster-wannabe gestures and dress attempting to be some kind of fly black rendition of the Trump himself. Fast-talking hustlers, hard-looking women, a white boy speaking project slang all competing to become 50's apprentice. Who aside from the contestants on this show would take this laughable nonsense seriously? Well, just like most the other so-called reality shows on telly it's highly entertaining. The stupidity of men is merely there to be made fun of and to find humour in.
The price one must say for nonconformity is enormous. Anger from those who fail to overthrow you. Accusations of devious wiles, walking the world alone with the hatred of other weighing you down only for the moment. Those of us that do not conform are strong like blocks of steel ready to shake off the disgust of those who cannot understand us. Fear of no man.
When you do not feel the rage they do but simply smirk and whir a delicate few decibels of laughter at the ones who consider themselves normal. They say that I am mad, that I hallucinate, that I am stupid and do not belong in the world. Wisdom enough I have to understand that an assault on my person is actually an insult to one's self. Insecurity of the other is thrown upon me like a wet blanket that once law in the kennel of a rotten old bastard dog, I throw it off and stand tall like the fierce black queen of Africa I am. A valorous young woman with a future resembling the luminescence of a supernova. They point fingers in my face, try to lower my Highness. It's all just folly - they don't see the beast in me. Every negative epithet obliterated at the gnash of each canine and incisor sharpened to perfection. With flawlessly subdued rage simmered down to a peaceful simmer, my stature multiplies in size - only growing bigger. Don't feed the beast - you shall only create a monster.
Shock horror. American Idol top 7 singer Lil's been taken out of the competition. Alongside Anoop Desai who made a sneak entrance into the top 13 as a result of the judges wild-card choice. I don't get it. Is it the voters? She started out so strong. A season favourite. The judges save was totally wasted. Using it on Matt Giraud was a mistake. Lil would've stayed a while longer. Well, what's there to complain about. Adam Lambert is the obvious winner. That being said they might as well end it quick. I don't see it happening any other way. But. Let's not get too speedy. Suprises may loom. Who really knows?
Did my citizen duty yesterday. Went on down to the voting station to cast my votes for the national and provincial legistlative authorities. Stood in line for about an hour. Went into the booth and made my two mark. A secret of course though I can say my choice was based on moral conscious, intuition and a touch of feminist consciousness. Though I am not entirely liberal, it is important to bear in mind whether or not a candidate and her/his party is mindful of individual human rights. Poverty, energy issues and job creation are of importance too but a party that has its eye on making sure equality and free choice are taken into consideration has my full attention. Women are still an oppressed people in a country not willing to put aside strongly oppressive cultural beliefs. Gays and lesbians still not afforded the the assurance of safety in a society that shows such potent disdain for men and women unlike them in terms of sexual preference. These are all factors I considered when making my decision. After hearing the results thus far. I can say that I predicted the result quite correctly and am content about the vote I made. About the president. Well you know how I feel. Neither contempt or gladness. Just nonchalance.
So there's been immense hype generated lately by the middle-aged spinster Susan Boyle who recently partook in an audition for Britain's Got Talent.
She may not look like your average diva - graceful, stylish, "attractive" in the general sense but one can't deny that the woman's got some incredible laryngeal powers. What a pure and brilliant voice! Suprising to most considering the package. But this is why I have an affinity to her. From her appearance alone she was misjudged as untalented, incompetent yet she is anything but. Inspiring! Truly inspiring. Perhaps there is some advantage to being an underdog in one's field of competition. Who expects you to win, to emerge out tops? Barely anyone. Which is why your success always ends up as a complete surprise. I'll be glad to see her go on to do well as a professional singer. She deserves it. Her talent and spirit have taken me over.
Love this Woman!!
Charting a record-high of approximately 45 million views on YouTube we have the draling Susan...beautiful!
Stumbled across yet another fascinating piece of work. Santogold nee Santi White. Grabbed hold of the album and I'm loving it to the extreme. Electronica-infused beats layered with finely processed alternative soul vocals topped off with some eccentric i-stand-out-like-a-sore-thumb-and-i-don't-give-a-damn lyrics. We have Santigold. She's just brilliant period. That's it. Stand out tracks for me have proved to be the funky 'Unstoppable' and the futuristic 'Starstruck'.
A new one to love and certainly keep looking out for. Comparisons have been made between her and M.I.A. Although I do see a similarity in their very idiosyncratic sounds, there is the distinct difference. Mainly a result of seperate musical influences and childhood environments. One from the UK the other from the US. But both of course carving their own pathways in the most innovative ways imaginable. This is what I call an artist. There women are slowly starting to revolutionise the role female artists play in the music industry. Santigold is the future.
The connection is being annoyingly slow but I don't mind of course. A cool rush of fresh perspectives and unique vibe just came over me. Janelle Monae. Too much spunk and way too much cool. I'm entranced. She has offered me a brand new hope in what I was simply beginning to give up on.
So, it seems like it is set in stone. Jacob Zuma shall most likely be the next president of South Africa. This is a truth I have not been so readily willing to acknowledge for very obvious reasons. He even went to the length of making an appearance at Rhema Bible Church last week Sunday to propagate his agenda. As was expected some did obviously walk out on the whole farcical charade. What can I say. The masses are blind as bats. It's too late for Cope to make a difference. The ANC shall win the 2009 General Election and a massive brain drain or middle class exodus shall occur indefinitely.
Well well well, Ms Jones as per usual. Strutting her stuff. She's so consistent even at 60. The clothes looked fantastic too. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week looked like a fun ride!
How proud I was to watch the critically-acclaimed Slumdogg Millionaire claim the Oscar for Best Picture among a myriad of other Oscars in several different categories. Even more glad to hear that the child actors in the film have had their lives completely transformed and on a different path because of this movie. As is the case in many developing countries all over the world. There exists a very small percentage of the elite class who can afford the luxury and comfort of a wealthy middle to upper-class life and right at the pit of the social pile is the majority of the population...struggling through dire circumstances of poverty. The divide between rich and poor only intensifies as time passes. India is no different of course. If political corruption, mismanagement of government spending, megalomaniacs with dictatorial leanings ruling nations continues to bring lack of progress in the social and political frameworks of the poorest countries in the world. Then art should surely provide a means to transcend the devastation of lack. I don't want to see African-American actors flying to African and poor Asian countries to play African characters. I want to see local men and women used to characterise stories filmed by American and British productions companies. If more of Africa's resources are utilized surely changes no matter how slight can be made to the livlihoods of many. Filming itself provides a boost to a nation's GDP. It's important for filmakers to realise how much development and change can be brought about within poor nations through the movie industry which spoils millions a year. Money which only circulates within the business itself making rich men even richer. Yes, this may be another quixotic appeal from a young African but taking from the example of perhaps one of the most successful motion pictures of 2008, it is evident that the business of film can easily be assigned to take on philantrhopic quests in places of the world that need this kind of charity the most.
.jpg)
