WHY DON'T I DRINK COFFEE?

On the night of February 24th, I tip-toed into the back of the darken classroom because I was a bit late. I quickly unloaded myself with heavy winter gears and personal effects. I docked in on the wide table in great anticipation to see Black Gold: A Film About Coffee & Trade. I had read the excerpt two-weeks earlier and if you know me by now, you will know that I wouldn't miss viewing this documentary simply because I am passionate about global disparities. And when it comes to Africa, nothing else matters, yes in deed I'm Afro-Centric!

As I sat there, so many thoughts kept pacing back and forth in my minds eyes. Not only do I very well relate to these issues because it was barely a decade and a half ago that I found myself in similar situation but I feel the need to continuously contribute my "two cents" as a citizen of the world. I keep hearing people say, "you are not gonna change the world" but which is better? To sit supinely and do nothing or at least try? This is reality, every day common people all over the world are trying to make a difference even though their efforts will probably never be recognized. Regardless, people are naturally passionate about their interest, and whether there is an incentive or not, some of us will continue to do for it is what complete our purpose in life.

So back to the "raging thoughts" tumbling up and down in my mind's eyes as I sat there watching Black Gold. They ranged from the General Disagreements on Tariffs and Trade, Western Trade Organization, Unfair Trade Coffee House, persistent apathy amongst university students in Canada, and worse of all, poor perceptions of Africa in the West. Well actually, the lists was longer but I refused to end up in the mental ward constantly thinking about Africa's complex issues and how to innovate ways to contribute towards positive change. So, I settled on this thought - why don't I drink coffee?

Actually, it was not this thought provoking documentary that stimulated my desire to not drink coffee, but rather a childhood experience. Once upon the time, when my Mama didn't have much she mandated us (her children) to value education. One way I heeded to my mother's wisely advice was by staying up late to study - as young as I was. There were two things to try - kola nuts and Nescafe (come to think of it, the nuts had caffeine equally potent as those found in coffee to suppress sleep for "x" number of hours). One particular event will distant me from coffee forever. I remember, I was in 8th grade or so, I had a final exam coming up and so I bought a tin of Nescafe for the week. It was said amongst us "nerd" those days - that if you wanted it to work well, then you must go espresso-style  - black coffee no sugar no cream - (even though I had no idea what an espresso was back then).

Now you have to understand that the need to stay up was important for me because in addition to waking up 2 AM most week-days to help my Mama make pastries for extra income, I had to find a way to keep my eyes open to study - 4hrs of sleep per night was too luxirious. Well, by the end of the week, my breaking point was set. I will hate coffee for the rest of my life because I literally overdosed with it. Even the smell of it from other's breathe turns me away. After watching Black Gold, I begun to appreciate more the benefits of not drinking unfair trade coffee. So, I encourage you to hold-off on the addictions a little bit, before you run into the coffee shop every morning, afternoon and night (and God knows how often) why not pause and ask yourself, how are the farmers doing?

Subject Heading: Inquiry - AfriCom True Mission in Africa?

On Tuesday December 9, 2008 at 12:14 am, I put fingers on the keyboard after I had found out about the US African Command: Africom partly because Liberia was the only African country (then) that once again agreed for the US to exploit the continent (see the history of Firestone Rubber Plantation).

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am not sure where to begin. I'll try to be very brief. I remember as a little girl caught up in Liberia's bloody civil war gradually fueled by over 130 years of oppressive regime grounded in the history of the American Colonization Society's (ACS) repatriation of "freed" black slaves to Africa; longing for our so-called "Step Mother" - America to provide assistance. It would be over 12 years of brutality, after America has repatriated all of its citizens and displaying of dead bodies in front of the American embassy in Mamba Point before America would try to help Liberians. The excuse was, "we don't want what happened in Somalia to happen in Liberia," as if Liberia and America has the same history as Somalia and America.

My concern is, when did America start caring about Africa? It is rather sad that our leaders (men) would sit there again, ignore African people's rights to participate in decision-making and be a part of this so-called mission to protect and assist Africa. I don't know why it is called AfriCom when in fact, it appears that only Americans are employed with this mission.

As a survival of careless decisions being made by African men, resulting in war, internal conflicts, internal displacement and all forms of violence against African people especially vulnerable women and children, I would request an audience with the leader of this mission. I came to law school purposely to advocate for vulnerable women and children in Africa. For far too long we have been sidelined, ignored and neglected while the powerful elite make decisions that are detrimental to the masses. I guess this is an opportunity for me.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Veronica

Within a matter of hours - I received a response from the Directorate of Outreach:

Ma'am

We appreciate your taking the time to contribute to the USAFRICOM blog, and empathize with your concerns. We agree that basic human rights, especially among vulnerable populations, are important.

The programs that we provide to our African partners are based on their requests for assistance while supporting our U.S. foreign policy. Consequently, as we work to build security capacity of our African partners, we include elements that impart respect for human rights and the rule of law, as these are integral toward establishing security forces that gain the respect of and protect the people. 

However, questions regarding U.S. foreign policy and matters relating to the issues of vulnerable women and children in Liberia are best referred to the US Department of State. We are tracking down the appropriate person to address your concerns about woman's and children's issues in Africa, and will pass that information to you soon.

Thank you for writing,

Later, I was connected to the "right" person and we exchanged couple of emails. Though I failed to follow-up as time went by, I often thought about AfriCom engagement with Africa. Today, working on a completely different research project, what did I come across? The Strategic Importance of Africa an article written by Paul Michael Wihbey and Dr. Barry Schutz, US State Department Expert, Office of Analysis for Africa, on 6 April 2001 in Africa Analyst. Rather than rant let me paste few quotations below for your per-usual. You can access the full article by visiting the Institute of Op-Eds: 

"Western and global perceptions of Africa, have regrettably, been characterised by such terms as 'basket case' and 'train wreck.' African states which had been expected to develop substantially at independence in the early 1960s, have tended to stagnate or actually decline. Today African states are embroiled in at least six or seven insurgencies. African governance has been labelled irresponsible and usually corrupt. On this basis, it is easy to fall into the category of 'Afro-pessimists' who see Africa as a hopeless case for investments"

"Underneath the wars and the insurgencies are economies in free fall. The origins of African economic stagnation were in colonial policies and, worse yet, attempts at state control by post-independence governments. Most recently Africa states have been hamstrung by international financial institutions such as the IMF and World Bank, which have attempted to bring bloated systems back to lean, market-centered economy."

"The major African supplier, Nigeria - and growing west African sources from Senegal to Angola - provides the US with alternatives to heavy dependence on the Persian Gulf and on politically sensitive wilderness areas like Alaska...West Africa is the swing production region that allows oil companies to leverage production capability to meet the fluctuating world demands... West Africa oil is of high quality, is easily accessed offshore, and well positioned to supply the North America market. And, production in the two oil-producing states (Nigeria and Angola) is expected to double or triple in the next 5 to 10 years. Already Nigeria and Angola together provide as much oil as to the US as Venezuela or Mexico, making it of strategic importance." (Is this the same Mexico whose citizens are branded as "illegals" in America?)

"Perceptions that Africa is of no strategic interest to the US are also engendered by pervasive African government corruption that reaches down to the base levels of society. South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has called for an 'African Renaissance', that acknowledges African responsibility for African problems. The new US administration can help Mbeki achieve such a goal by framing a new strategically oriented policy that facilitates African economic and political development. among the measures the US should consider are:..."

You tell me what your conscience is saying...

It's all in the Family!

There are so many things to be grateful for - for instance - Mubarak stepped down, Southern Sudan Independence Referendum passed etc. However, though I try my very best to shield my family from "media frenzy" it is really cool seeing my niece and nephew perpetuating our family traits of intelligence, innovation, artistry, exuberance and positive energy. I had to share their you-tube videos with you...they are the cutest things ever - they bring me so much joy for the mere fact that, unlike most Liberian kids, they have the opportunity to be in North America where opportunity for personal growth is at their door step. Watch out for them:-)! AND The best part is, unlike my sister, their dad is their "producer."

   

By the way, I forgot to mentioned, Patricia has written two short stories - she and I are working on publishing them - hopefully soon.

Happy Belated Natal Day: Bob Marley - My Lion in Zion!!!

Yesterday, 6 February 2011 Robert Nesta Marley would have been 66 years old if his life wasn't cut so short. There are few good men in my life and Bob Marley is certainly one of them. My deep love for one of Africa's strongest revolutionary leaders started when I quite "thinny whinny." I remember way back when, in the early 80's when it was vacation time in Bardnersville Eastate, Monrovia, Liberia. Kids from everywhere (the community, far-away boarding schools or abroad) would converge in Area B Parking Lot to play - some skipping rope - chanting "Mary Mack Dressed in Black..." (oh yes, Liberia is the perfect colony of the US) others playing kickball, basketball or tuning up the "ghetto blaster". 

What were the songs lined-up - Boy George Culture Club - Karma Chameleon (by the way I love Boy George too); Alpha Blondie Brigadier Sabari, Michael Jackson Beat it/Thriller (lots of MJ - of course, he is #1), Lionel Richie All Night Long, Whitney Houton How Will I know, Smokey Robinson One Heart Beat, Stevie Wonder Part-time Lover and the list goes on (we were "typical African kids" in the "hood" - you know what I'm saying???). But my fondest memories were when we grouped around the boom-box miming Bob Marley's War, Rat Race, Positive Vibration, Redemption Song, I shot the Sheriff, Get Up Stand Up, Buffalo Soldiers, One Love, Could You Be Love, No Woman No Cry and the whole nine yards from Soul Train or Motown.

Later did I know that after 20 some thing years, I will end up in Canada and Bob Marley will resurface in my life. His genuine passion to see Africa/Africans as one will be the driving force behind me scrapping my skull to grow my natural twist as well as preaching pan-Africanism everywhere I go. Bobby I can't pay you for the strong African values and identity you have helped bestow upon me. So today, I stand to proclaim that whatever you started I am committed to not just carrying your baton but also passing it on to the next running mate. I love you and you will forever be my HERO.

NB: Darn come to think of it...I really do miss my childhood - what some might mistakenly call "poor Africa" those were the best times of my life!

The Age of Unequals: An Evening with Richard Wilkinson

As a post-graduate student of the University of Nottingham, I had the rarest opportunity to be taught by Professor Richard Wilkinson. For those of you who do not know him, he is the expert on Social Inequalities, the brain behind the UK's Black Report, and the concept of the Social Determinants of Health (along with Sir Michael Marmot). His presentation in Vancouver, on December 13, 2010 is very much worth listening to:

Say what? From Calculus to Law?

Math Club Lecture Series
The MCLS is an open-topic student-run series in the spirit of the computer science UDLS and the Ted Talks. 

Abstract: This presentation will be about my transition from pure science to arts, then social sciences before law. It will highlight the various motivating factors along the way that shifted my professional trajectory to what it is now. By the end of the session, students will learn to be open-minded and not be afraid to take risks especially when it comes to education. It will be an informal session (no power-point) where students will be able to engage/interact with myself on a somewhat personal level.

Date: Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Venue: MATX 1100 (Math Annex 1100)

Time: 3:00 pm
Refreshments will be provided. Feel free to come!

WHO SAID THERE IS NO HOPE IN THE WORLD? TRIBUTE TO JASON CAO AND NAM NGUYEN

You might say this is not the norm but it very much is, except that more of such stories don't make it to the media. Being a magnet for positive energy (regardless the age of the "giver"), I had to pay my respect to Jason and Nam, especially because we live in a society that live and breath on NEGATIVES. Actually, it was 12-year old Nam's wisdom that poked the happy "bell bubble" from my eyes: "distraction is the enemy of the mind...although, I'm still young but my mind is strong and my dream is big." Most grown-ups with so much opportunities and privilege cannot even allow themselves to be so self-motivating and strong...I say return to the young for "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength..." (Psalm 8:1-2).

To 9-yo Jason, what can I say? You are part of the reason I still believe in positive change. It took you 15 seconds to "whop" your teacher in a chess game? What I can't really understand is that you are self-taught - how do you do it? You know, I had my first chess board when I was  in the 10th grade way back when in Liberia. I was at least 5yrs older than you but I remember so well, I taught myself too. For many days, I would take my game board to school to play with my friends after school. Though there were no championships I could enter, I kept my interest in the game. The last time I played was last month - me and my Mac Book Pro. You guess right, MBP "whop" me three times.in a row. After reading your story, I'm "fired-up" for another game with MBP - don't have your hopes up - cuz I think I'm gonna get "whoppen" again.

KUDOS to you two for sharing your gifts and talent with me and the WWW. More success to come!!!