A place for Huey

Excellent overview/analysis of the developing situation in Mali and an argument in favor of France's intervention. It is written by Gregory Mann, historian of francophone West Africa. He is a Professor of History at Columbia University. http://africasacountry.com/2013/01/14/france-in-mali-the-end-of-the-fairytale/

The question of who has or should have the responsibility to protect Africa preoccupies my studies on contemporary issues on the continent and is especially relevant to recent developments in Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Congo, and the Central African Republic. I often refer to an essay titled Who is protecting Africa: Sovereignty, Validation, and Africa’s International Relations on this blog because the assignment for the essay helped me to identify African political theory and "war/peace studies" as areas in the larger African development discourse of particular interest to me.   In the essay, I assert that because the sovereignty of African states, both internal (relation betw een states and its citizens) and external (inter-state relations), is at the very least contested, at the extreme, viewed as nonexistent, and largely believed to be fragile and/or weak, the question of who protects African lives, livelihoods, and the environment continues to be pertinent to developments...

A couple of ideas/ readings/thoughts driving this poem: 1. I often reflect on Gabrielle Union's letter to herself in the October Issue (2012) of Essence Magazine in which she writes to her younger self/ other women about loving her "deep Mahogany skin" and generally, colorism in the Black community and in Hollywood. Everytime I post A Letter from the Young, I think of it. 2. I just read this article on BBC about colorism in Africa: Africa: Where black is not really beautiful . My problem with the general debate on colorism in Africa, which I have heard many others echo, is with this notion that women and men who bleach their skins are more insecure, less conscious, have more self esteem issues, and/or are more susceptible to subscribing to the "white supremacist mentality" than the rest of us. In some circles, they are even vilified. I truly believe that this is unfair. Firstly, saying that African women/men who bleach their skin do not love being Black or...

I just came across an article published in the Guardian in October 2012 which reads, " Haiti to join the African Union: Why not...? ". In it, Afua Hirsch discusses Haiti's historical and emotional ties to the African continent and the case for its membership in the Union. I am more excited than surprised by Haiti's observer status in the AU (which I did not know of prior to the read) and case for membership. Pan-Africanist philosophy and just my understanding of the African Diaspora/migration story always espoused, at least for me, the notion that Africa/being African is indefinitely beyond Africa's land mass. The union between Haiti and the AU is deeply symbolic of this tale. These were some particular highlights of the piece for me : "More than any other Caribbean nation, Haiti occupies a special place in the affection of many Africans and members of the African diaspora. The country endured decades of still prescient punishment for daring to overt...

good kid, mad city, mad world  I was recently at a meeting where an important person advised another important person that "is easier to build peace than to prevent conflict". I nodded in earnest agreement, even murmuring to myself that this man is deep. But today, after watching the video below, of a woman talking about the election results in Ghana, I am wondering if that man's assertion is true, if it even makes sense. What do we really mean by peacebuilding? Can you build peace? When are we ever not in conflict? What is conflict prevention? I guess at heart, I am wondering if I am or can ever be a true pacifist like civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. Can I revere Che, Malcolm, Toussaint, and Yaa Asantewaa and be a pacifist? Aren't these individuals defined by and great because of their militancy and relentless struggle "by all means necessary" in an unjust world? To be clear, I am not necessarily concerned with the election and post electio...

Palmwine music or highlife is one of my favorite genres of music. It is traditional folk music with intoxicating instrumentals. I am especially reminded of this genre of music because I am reviewing a paper I wrote on Palmwine music around this time last year for my Twi class. I want to add a little here about what this music is, especially its role in traditional storytelling and in capturing the Ghana's spirit during its independence. The paper I wrote with this information, however, was handwritten in Twi so I will need some time to translate and transcribe it but when I do, I will definitely post it. After all, it is my blog, I post 'em as they come :).

Just lots of questions and ideas. As a Black woman in America, I have said at least a dozen thousand times during these past four years that I want a man like Obama. I know that I am not the only one. There have been many articles published about women and the Obama/Michelle paradigm/effect. There is even a web series called Finding my Obama . As much as or even more than his political views, policies, and decisions, the endearing nature of Obama's relationship with Michele and his children has captivated the world, especially the world of women. This post is about my honest curiosity about how the Obamas' relationship and the narrative about this relationship that was sold to us played a role in Obama's election and reelection and how this relationship speaks to a generation, specifically my generation, about sex, love, specifically intimate love, and politics. A conversation with my male cousin this past Saturday is especially pertinent to this post. Him and I had a v...

For too long in the history of Africa, Africa has spoken through the voice of others who are microscopic. Africa, like other continents, is always in transition cum transmogrification. Its map, fortunes and history have changed overtime. It must be noted that African history reveals both continuity and change. Many traditions and institutions have always been carried forward, but changes and new ideas are constant. Africa is the second largest continent, is the most central with most of its land mass in the tropics. Today, it is divided into more than fifty countries with a population of over 660 million. Environment influenced the people's modus vivendi as they struggled to adapt. The survival of the communities and individuals were tied to the apron string of the land, as the majority of the population worked as farmers and herders. The fauna coexisted with humans. Where there was a need for space, food and other animal product, people encroached upon the fauna....

My cousin asked me not too long ago about my perspective on Africa's development. His exact words were, "it's an exciting time to be in Ghana. The country is teeming with possibility. We are on the move - Africa is on the move. It's like the dawn of independence all over again, except this time we'll get it right. Do you share my optimism, or do you think it's misplaced?" Although I had a reflex response to the question at the time, I wanted to give the question more consideration and told him that I have to do more research on the topic. This is in essence my response to his question after some thought and reading. The question of Africa's development trajectory is hard to answer because firstly, I am not yet in an expert capacity to give a credible, technical answer (so feel free to contribute). Secondly and primarily, the question presents for me many conflicting opinions, perspectives, and a contradictory narrative whose nuances I am not sure...

  So this video above of the prodigy Kelvin Doe has been circulating on the web. The video speaks for itself. My fascination is with his host/mentor David. I think that from what we can surmise from the video, he embodies this idea that Toni Morison speaks of: “I tell my students, 'When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else. This is not just a grab-bag candy game.” A lot of us can't be Kelvin. I can't be Kelvin and that is okay, maybe even great. But I want to be David. I think a lot more of us can be David.

A question of African immigrant political incorporation in America Having left my predominantly liberal/progressive college campus, following the U.S. electoral campaign at home with my conservative Republican father was surprisingly exciting, informative, and challenging. A bit more knowledgeable and reflective today than I was four years ago, I was more informed, engaged, and truly interested in the process and not solely the outcome of this year's elections. In addition to fostering a healthy tolerance for Fox news and a deeper understanding of American history and politics, being back in my home city of the Bronx and living at home during the electoral period highlighted an issue I had not considered before: the question of how Ghanaian immigrants in America, and by extension African immigrants in general, relate to the political process and politics in this country. Or more broadly, immigrant political incorporation in America. This is some of what I have been thinking...

I came across this question and answer with one of the foremost thinkers on African political theory today, Professor Kevin Dunn. This man's work is critical, honest, and insightful. My favorite book on African political theory thus far is a compilation he co-edited called Africa's Challenge to International Relations Theory. Here is what he had to say (source: https://matisak.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/ugandas-nightmare-joseph-kony-and-lords-resistance-army/): Uganda’s nightmare: Joseph Kony and Lord’s Resistance Army Posted on   31/03/2010   by matisak LRA forces are responsible for thousands of causalities, terrorism, torture, mutilation, rape, sexual enslavement, training of child soldiers… According to Human Rights Watch   Lord’s Resistance Army   killed at least 321 civilians and abducted 250 others, including at least 80 children, during a previously unreported four-day rampage in the Makombo area of northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo in De...