Tukutu! A Tribute of Love!

If he finds out I'm writing this about him, I bet he would get mad at me! Because, like Mama, I still see him and all my younger siblings (especially those I helped Mama babysit) as my babes - even though they've all grown up. Tuku, please forgive me, I just can't help myself:-).

I love my family (PERIOD)! Life is too short. By the time we are done chasing "the paper" it's too late and then we suddenly realize that we haven't made time to appreciate our loved ones. As I get older and wiser (hopefully), I tend to take few moments amidst my crazy-busy life to appreciate my mom and siblings.

He was born not so long ago as he is the 7th out of 8 children. I still remember him being called affectionately by Mama (Tukutu). His eyes were so distinctly dark and white when he peered into your face - with innocence and frailty. He was a lavished babe as Daddy returned from the US just after he was born. He got the best of baby toys any of us ever owned in our baby lives. His favorite was a green suit with the number "88" written on the back - that our favorite neighbour "Gibbo" called him "88 pekin". Many of my days with him was spent carrying him on my back (poepoeing), playing with him, rocking him to sleep (etc) whilst Mama go about preparing food or so. As refugees in Ghana, we spent some unfriendly times together as I scolded him many days when he didn't do well in his lessons.

Today, I've never been so proud of my not-so-li'l one! He's grown into a handsome prince charming. As he works assiduously toward stardom, I patiently lie in wait for his glory-day. I adore him and I love him very much. And I wanted to let the WWW witness the depth of my love for him. He's no other than Abraham Fynn (AKA F1). Join me in promoting his talent: TUKUTU!!! I'll always love you - MWAH

    

VOTING TIME IN CANADA

Stop talking American politics and do some self-reflection. Wake up Canada - this might help: Voting Right for Dummies. GOOD LUCK!

11 YEARS IN CANADA - OOOPS BLACKS ARE HISTORICAL IN BC

Well, so I find with learning about Aboriginals in Canada. The same amount of time (11 years)  it took me to finally learn about people of African descent in Canada who are usually not seen as "legitimate Canadians". And now, TING the lights have gone off! Its 5am in the morning, I'm on discovery lane  - James Douglas' mother was from British Guiana. Then, the Domino Effect sets in - one link leads to another - the first black family, invited by Governor James Douglas, settled in Vancouver Island (and other parts of Canada West) since 1858. But, then I happened upon the Vancouver History Website - I am still trying to understand why these significant historical moments are conveniently absent from the website? Not even Rosemary Brown is mentioned - interesting! Ohmmmmmm keep pondering too, hopefully it might motivate you to re-write your story, after you've had a glance at Hogan's Alley; Africville and African-Canadian Online. On a slightly different note, did you know that the UN passed a Resolution in December 2010 making 2011 the International Year for People of African Descent? Well, be in the know...don't take 11 years...at least I'm writing my story, what about you?

           

WHITE LIE: WESTERN EDUCATION HAS NEVER BEEN SUPERIOR...

Have you ever stopped to tease your brain and ask why you have the perspectives you have? Well, people ask me all the time, why do I have so many degrees and I simply say to them because I love education - it has absolutely nothing to do with money or greed. But I guess the real reason is to prove to the "powers there be" that anybody can acquire the highest form of education provided opportunity is granted. I strongly believe that most educated people have used their education to oppressed, exclude and create class systems that self-perpetuate their kind. My best evidence comes from the Father of Black History in America Dr. Carter G. Woodson's The Mis-Education of the Negro:

When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his 'proper place' and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary.

No surprise that everywhere "they" went "they" were breeding "zombies" - a school system that is mimic after theirs but yet find a way to distill that learning by making policies that compel educated individuals from other cultures to write "standard exams" before they can be allowed to work in their closed system. AND good luck if you do not follow their way of thinking or writing style -  then you're not intelligent enough to receive their "blessings". BUT the funny thing is, the reverse almost never happens...why? Well, thanks to my friends Jo-Ann and Tyler for sharing these videos. While you're at it, you better believe it that as a Liberian from the continent, I have contributed so much to society that millions around me will never be able to do in all of their existence. This is not being "arrogant" (as "they" would say when "threatened") but the establishment of history on the WWW.

      

ME DO) GHANA PAA

Jeez - my life is a whirlwind right now...but I had to stop to smell the roses. Me do Ghana paaaaaa means I LOVE GHANA TOO MUCH in Twi (a local Ghanaian language). Trying to explain why I love Ghana will defeat the purpose of watching the video link below - it's just beautiful... Maybe I should explain myself a little - I'm certainly not referring to Google Trader but the lush untapped talents Ghana and the continent as a whole has Aiyeekooooooo!!! Ah, I thought to juxtapose it with LipDup:-)!!! Did you notice that these videos featured two of my Alma Maters? Yep you guess right - University of Ghana and UBC are two GREAT Universities.

 

AN INDESCRIBABLE INERTIA: PASSION!

All my years of studying pure science never prepared me for Jacqueline Chong's Tedx Talk. How could Sir Isaac Newton's Law of Inertia or the anatomy of the nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord) be related to my passion? Of course, everything is connected to the brain (silly me) but sometimes it's hard to make the connection except when Jackie uses her power of creativity. She is fascinating!

How did I stumble upon this genius? Well, I love the way I discover and learn new things every day. The best part being, the most intriguing things I learn are in no way connected to what I started out peering into. For example, someone suggested that I check out the Passion Project. Whilst browsing the website, I realize my very own friend Tirini is behind the Passion Manifesto (another brilliant idea) - no surprises though because she is a great inspiration. Then, I hopped on to Jackie's video, couldn't help but listen. Then, I thought, why not share it with the WWW, for obvious reasons. Not only do I relate to Jackie's proposition that passion surpasses "human trafficking, drug abuse, illiteracy" but that I also fully understand the infectious nature of passion. That, when you believe in something it percolates your entire being - and until you can submit to that thing, your happiness is at risk.

Well, I have fulfilled my duty - by sharing my thoughts with you, now it's your turn to take some action - over to you.

MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN

It's 3am in the morning - I'm up working (as usual). Since I don't watch TV my computer serves as an extension of my brain, including deciding what information feed deserves ingestion. Searching news feeds, I come across this 8.9 Earthquake followed by a massive Tsunami in Japan - GOSH - HEART WRENCHING! My heart, soul and spirit are with the people of Japan even as they struggle through yet another unforeseeable natural disaster.

 

Weblinks
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8375389/Massive-tsunami-hits-Japan-after-earthquake.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6ye4__1cto&feature=fvwkrel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4coi8rgULZ4&feature=player_embedded#at=54

Japanese Quake Person Finder: http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/

Japan Today: http://www.japantoday.com/