Thursday, August 30, 2007

Soccer Fever

The 2010 World Cup of Soccer is not but a little under 3 years away but I still can't seem to stop thinking about it. The whole world's attention will be placed directly on the most diverse and most beautiful continent in this world but the sad part of this is that only 5 African nations are going to be represented at these festivities; very depressing.

The 2010 World Cup of soccer is not but a little under 3 years away but I still can't seem to stop thinking about it. The whole world's attention will be placed directly on the most diverse and most beautiful continent in this world but the sad part of this is that only 5 African nations are going to be represented at these festivities; very depressing. I've always wondered why Africa is only allowed to send five countries when other continents are allowed just as much even though they don't have half as many countries. There are 205 countries bidding for a spot in South Africa and a quarter of these cuntries are from Africa. Come on FIFA, give us a break for once! Among the 53 lucky nations is my mother land Ghana, the Black Stars of Africa. Their previous World Cup achievments has layed a very strong foundation in the hearts of all Ghanaians and they are expected to follow up such a magnificent achievement with another great showing on the world's stage come 2010.I guess the reason why i can't seem to relieve myself of the 2010 fever is because I'm playing soccer for Nipissing University, a team with just 4 African players, resembling the ratio of the African countries able to participate in South Africa. There are 2 Gambians, a Zambian, and a Ghanaian (me) so with a team like ours we're sure to do great things this year in the OUA (Ontario University Athletics). Soccer fever is running through my blood and only the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa can heal me. Go Africa Go!
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Tuesday, August 14, 2007

The MP's Mother


Is there too much freedom for criminals in Africa?! This is the question I asked myself this morning as i was reading a headline story on the BBC News website labeled 'Gunmen seize Nigerian MP's mother. ' The headline caught me by surprise and made me raise an eye brow, i would have raised both eyebrows if i had the ability to. I shook my head, had a little giggle and said to myself: "only in Africa!!"

Imagine seeing such a headline in a Canadian or American newspaper for example, the next line after that would either be: Gunmen shot dead after police encounter or Gunmen, believed to possibly be terror suspects, found and arrested. The second option is what you would probably see in the Canadian paper. American's don't tolerate garbage like this at all. I would never ever imagine hearing on CNN that Barack Obama's mother has been taken by gunmen who are against his believes to not legalize same sex marriages; it would be a national emergency. We hear about kidnapings and abductions in North America and these cases are dealt with very seriously, sometimes holding the top spots in our daily 6 O'Clock news broadcasts but i guess there are more important things to worry about in Africa. We have to worry about our cabinet ministers who are stealing government money and sending their children to rich private schools abroad, so when there are 'important' issues like that, what time will we have for gunmen and gangsters who are ruining the mother land?

It starts off as 3 gunmen involved in an armed robbery or kidnappings but this leads to militia and eventually civil warfare. Criminals have too much freedom in Africa (yes this is a generalization but a lot of criminals aren't dealt with), even though the ones who are caught are punished like savage animals.

What ever happened to strikes and protests, the peaceful ways of getting an important message across to those who hold power? This cannot continue. Read more!

Friday, August 10, 2007

Interview Number Three

This is the third and final interview. The interviewee is one Miss. Pamela A; she's 17 years of age and has lived in Africa for a considerable amount of time and has also lived in Canada and the United States for extended periods.

Afrika:
I understand that you have lived in more than one country, can you share with us where you have lived and which one of those places you would consider your 'home'?
Pamela A: I've lived in Ghana, Brooklyn, USA and Canada and I would consider Ghana to be my home because I feel at rest when I'm there plus thats where I grew up

Afrika: Do you consider yourself to be an African, Canadian or a mix of both and why?
Pamela A: Africa! I still have my African customs...I'm just living here..thats all
Afrika: As an African living in Canada, what disadvantages are presented to you due to your status as a non-white?
Pamela A: Jobs, there was a time when I applied for a job at a clothing store and, well, there was only white workers, and after applying with my friend who was white, and had no job experience, i didn't get a call back for an interview but yet she got the job but then got fired a few weeks later. I'm sure i was more qualified and would have done a great job. I still think to this day that I didn't get it because I was black
Afrika: Do you believe that there is still racial profiling?
Pamela A: Yes, and there always will be because there are always going to be stubborn and arrogant people out there
Afrika: Being an African living in Canada,do you believe you possess more advantages than a youth in Africa?
Pamela A: I absolutely do because from my experiences living there, i came to the conclusion that even though there are eager people there who want to be educated, they cannot afford the proper education
Afrika: You have traveled and have absorbed a lot; do you see a significant difference between the lifestyles of the youths in Africa, specifically Ghana, and those in North America?
Pamela A: Of course there is...like education. the kids here treat education like it's nothing. In Africa, getting education is a not a right but a dream!

Afrika: Why do you think youth today are running away from their heritage and absorbing only that of the Canadian society’s?
Pamela A: i think this is due to the workings of the media. The only time Africans get to shine is during black history
Afrika: What is one word you would use to describe Africans?
Pamela A: Bold! When you think Africa, we're warriors. we're not afraid to push for what is ours. we will always be fighting.
Afrika: What is one word you would use to describe North Americans?
Pamela A: I believe They are open hearted
Afrika: When you think of the name Africa, what comes to mind?
Pamela A: Development
Afrika:
Finally, who would you be supporting in a football match if it was between Canada and Ghana?
Pamela A: Definetly Ghana, thats a very simple answer. By the way, I believe Ghana will win the 2010 world cup in south Africa, that team really did well in Germany and I know they will only do better this time around.
Afrika: Amen to that sister. Read more!

Friday, August 3, 2007

Interview Number Two

Interview 2 with Mr. S; an 18 year old male from Nigeria, a student at York University; residing in Canada for the past 11 month.

Afrika: Before coming to Canada, where did you reside
Mr. S:
I resided in Nigeria, that is where I was born and grew up.
Afrika:
Do you consider yourself to be an African, Canadian or a mix of both and why?
Mr. S: I consider myself to be a "pure African" because that is where I was born, bred, and that is where I received all that i have today (my achievements etc.)
Afrika: After coming to Canada, what disadvantages are you meeting due to your status as an African abroad?
Mr. S: Probably the stereotypes about Africans and also the fact that non Africans (the whites in general) see Africans as people who do not have much.
Afrika: Do you plan on living in Canada the rest of your life or do you see yourself returning to Nigeria?

Mr. S: I plan on going back to Nigeria because I want to impact and improve my own country with the knowledge that I've received here. I believe I am only here for a better education and I plan on going back to Nigeria in the next 4 or 5 years.

Afrika:
Are
you familiar with Nigerian politics or even the general activities going on in back in Nigeria
.
Mr. S:
Yes everyday. I make sure to check and read up on the happenings of my own country, for example the Nigerian website where i visit daily: www.nigeriannews.com

Afrika: Why do you think youth today are running away from their heritage and absorbing only that of the Canadian society’s?
Mr. S: well, most youths, when they watch t.v they only see the negative parts of Africa, I mean as a youth you don't want to be associated with those negatives and therefore we abstain from our heritage. I also blame the white community for portraying such images and creating such a stereotype on Africans.
Afrika: What is one word you would use to describe Africans
Mr. S: Exquisite; civilization started in Africa, not too many countries can boast of that.
Afrika: What is one word you would use to describe Canadians
Ms. P: Friendly; they are very accomodating.
Afrika: When you think of the name Africa, what comes to mind?
Ms. P: I see Africa as a continent that has a lot of needs and despite the fact that it has a lot of social unrest, people still go there to live and there is still a lot of money in Africa
Afrika: Alot of Nigerians have been associated with scams. Does that effect your pride at all?
Mr. S:
Nope, not at all because in the bible Jesus says "let the man with no sins step forward."; No one is perfect in this world.
Afrika:Why do you think Africa, apart from being so rich in natural resources,remains poor todate?
Mr. S: The western world is always exploiting our people and we still fall into their traps. Lets take a look at the war in Dafur, the weapons all come from the Western world. they are influencing us to kill ourselves so we may be easily exploited.
Afrika: If you were to compare the youths in Africa to those abroad, perhaps here in Canada to be specific, what can you say about them
Mr. S: There's basically no difference. I guess it all depends on how one is brought up; there's actually no difference
Afrika: Who would you be supporting in a football matching if it was Nigeria competing against Canada?
Mr. S: Definetly Nigeria...DEFINETLY!!!
Afrika: The 2010 FIFA World Cup of soccer is quickly approaching, and seeing that South Africa is the host nation, what effect will it have on the rest of the African teams
Mr. S: I believe that an African team will win the cup because we have the home support. I can see Ghana taking the cup. Read more!