QUOTE FOR THOUGHTS

It's been a busy semester! I felt good performing with the African Dance Ensemble before delivering my end-of-semester lecture. I know I have to mark final research papers and submit students' grades in the next couple of weeks but you know what? It was time to sit and relax with friends/colleagues and students after 14 weeks of teaching and learning. My favourite quote for the night:

"The reason why we don't know marginalized people is because we 'f%^&ing' marginalize them!" Paul McArthur, 5 April 2012

Happy Easter everyone!

SILENCE? IGNORANCE? - INDEED A KILLER: PERSPECTIVES OF KONY 2012

When a video goes viral it becomes the talk of the "Internet town". Critical minds and ignorant people alike flood in to watch, comment and "spread the disease". I had the opportunity to watch the video two days ago. My initial instincts were very different. Before you start "hating", put on your thinking cap, reflect for a bit and allow yourself to be rational just for the moment and space in time. OK, here we go...

I would like to start off with a comment I scooped from Yahoo News: "Kony 2012 backlash begins with Acadia student's blog" in response to Grant Oyston's critique of Kony 2012. I first must acknowledge Grant's bravery and insight - we actually need more 19 year olds of this sort gracing our planets. The comment reads: 

So what he is saying basically is there are more problems in Uganda than just Kony? Go figure. Argue, Debate, Discredit but get Kony's name out there

Well, I'm sorry, unless we accept that our minds are robotic (vis-a-vis controlled by others), gone are the days when we (especially Africans) can only passively ingest Western media garbage. This is high time the world wakes up to the dawn of critical self-learning at no cost by virtue of the so-called Internet technology revolution.

Regarding the above comments, it baffles me how, despite access to rich knowledge and information in this part of the world, we can still somehow manage to allow ourselves to be ignorant. Or we are just good at being selective in deciding which and who rights should be advocated for. The last time I checked, Article 3 (1) and (2) of the Optional Protocol to the Conventions on the Rights of the Child (CRC) states:

States Parties shall raise the minimum age for the voluntary recruitment of persons into their national armed forces from that set out article 38, paragraph 3, of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, taking account of the principles contained in the article and recognizing that under the Convention persona under the age of 18 years are entitled to special protection.

Each State Party shall deposit a binding declaration upon ratification of or accession to the present Protocol that sets forth the minimum age at which it will permit voluntary recruitment into its national armed forces and a description of the safeguards it has adopted to ensure that such recruitment is not forced or coerced

Evidently, the United States is conveniently not a State Party (including not being State Party to Conventions on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) a great advocacy that could go VIRAL) but certainly Canada is. Where am I going with this argument? Well, I'm thinking about double standards and hypocrisy. Take a look at these three examples: Kony 2012; Omar Khadr and Ishmeal Beah - do you see what I see? How can we claim to be in a civilized era of human rights yet we can still manage to peck rights in order of what lies the media tell us? How is justice and equality for Omar Khadr any different from justice for Ishmeal Beah and Jacob in Kony 2012? It is obvious to me that a child's right as enshrined in the CRC (and any other legal instruments) means a child's right - irrespective of whether he or she was born in Africa or raised by parents who support terrorism. The fact here remains, they are all at-risk children needing the same amount of "VIRAL" advocacy such as seen in Kony 2012.

OR

When it comes to Africa, it has to be romanticized, sympathetic and sensationalized by those who claim privilege to power, control and authority? How about if we changed the so-called International Criminal Court (yet again, the US is not a signed member to the Rome Statute - another excellent advocacy strategy for American world changers) list filled with "African monsters" (the irony) to something more realistic as in those complicit of war crimes (George Bush, Tony Blair, Stephen Harper, Benjamin Netanyahu and their cronies)? At this juncture, my only frustration is not only with the complete lack of positive leadership amongst African leaders, it is also with the positive correlation between continuous and selective ignorance and increase in information technology which leads to over dominance of one group yet persistent human rights violations of another group. 

All the best with Kony 2012, but I refused to allow my person including my brains to be manipulated when I can think critically to foster my ability to be a better advocate for children's rights.

SHALOM

"TELL THAT TO THE TREES STILL SORE OF HANGING LYNCHES..."

Gosh! I had to post - scary!!! All I could think of is Boonaa Mohammed's Green Card. This  ABC News tells it all:

Dad Rejects Daughter's Black Boyfriend

A STROKE OF SERENDIPITY

Well, 2012 happened two months ago. I neglected to wish you happy new year, not of my own volition, which would be classified as "uncouth" behaviour, but certainly one of ineluctability. I must confess that 2012 started on a hard-pressed entry (as if my life has ever been idle); notwithstanding, I dismiss any claims of denial to own up with the least amount of excuses and justification. Without further ado, I say HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my amazing fans who by the sound and spelling of my full name - hasten their fingertips to the edge of their computers to GOOGLE. Without a doubt, jubilation surmount any pre-existing fears magnetized by popularity as your visits hiked from 2,000 last year to 4,000 this month. Thank you so much! Please come again for you can rest assure that there will be at least one fresh new critical thinking every month. 

Be aware, you can search all the indexes and databases for VPF but you will not find me on social media. I respect the streaming forces behind facebook, friendsters, myspace, hi5, twitter and yelp (to name but a few), it is just not my cup of tea. I manage and maintain two blogs, and my company websites (EV Research, the Journal of Internal Displacement and EV Research Learning Institute) - that's already a "body full" - if you know what I mean. Somehow, I finally managed to fall for the TWITTER - not for personal use but for my company. Now, my challenge is getting a small fraction of Justin Bieber's 17 million fans to engage with the intellectually stimulating ideas I post. Believe me, this is not a petition, but a fact:-)! However, you are free to interpret it your way (as you always do).

So, I have completely deviated from my topic. As an "academic freak" I have been taught to always make sure that my ideas are coherent and in line with the topic's objective. Also, without completely derailing, good writers have the compunction of deciphering a "hook" at the onset of translating their thoughts into "New York Times Best Sellers". Not so fast, I'm not there yet! However, cognizant of the fact that I have not "spoken" with you since the beginning of this year, I reasoned it would be effectual to digress just a little. Enough with my detractors - let's get on with it!

It so happened on February 16th during my class, a student notified everyone of the AAAS conference which was taking place for the first time in 30 years outside of the US in Vancouver's own Convention Centre. I was kind of encouraged to attend but I had initially planned to catch up with the numerous back piled of work I had on my to-do list. Then, the next day, I got a confirmation from a good friend of mine - it was another invitation to the AAAS Annual Meeting. You know what? The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 13:1 "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established". Thus, I reprogrammed my mind to attend the Plenary Section: Science is Not Enough, mainly because of Hans Rosling. 

I am utterly intrigued by this genius' ability to translate complex scientific statistical facts into the most "laywoman" understanding (note: not "trivial" but "understandable"). I thought to myself, what opportunity to meet such great mind. I made my way down to the Convention Centre well in time to register and get seated in a hall filled with close to 2,000 people. After the event, I was not disappointed! You want to know how? At the end of the event, I manoeuvred my way to the stage only to give Hans Rosling a BIG HUG since there was no other way I could have expressed my ecstasy. And I did!

The excitement is not over yet! My friends and I kept the discussion going, only to find ourselves at a sumptuous Thai restaurant by the end of the evening. With great laughs, provocative thoughts and occasional flirts with waiters and waitresses, it was 10pm. The last order call was made and it was time to say good bye to Feb 18th 2012, never to see this day again. We said our goodbyes and I hopped on the Canada Line as quickly as I could to get home. In few minutes, I am at the Marine Drive Station anxiously tearing and opening every orifice to find my bus pass as the connecting bus approaches. While, I was frantically searching, my phone rings with an "unknown" number. I immediately rejected the call because I simply don't pick up calls from "unidentified" callers. In split second, it rang again. Well, earnestly I'm not a phone person, my phone doesn't ring for days, my only rationale was, someone has found my bus pass. My instinct was right!

Here is where the "serendipitous stroke" comes in. This lady (whom I later called my ANGEL) calls from the airport, she's just hopped on the train and there she finds my bus pass on the seat she was going to sit on. Luckily for me, I always write my name and phone number on the back, that's how she was able to get a hold of me. BUT here is the best part - I nearly boarded the bus because I could have easily explained to the driver that I just couldn't find my pass and most likely he would have let me on - partly because it's late and I'm a female. This much I know of Vancouver bus drivers (KUDOS!!!). But I didn't, and my ANGEL called just in the nick of time and within minutes we arranged to meet on the platform of Marine Drive Station as the train headed North. I ran upstairs, cold and shivery, yet patiently waited for her train to arrive.

Ta ta ta dum dum dum da da da her train finally arrives. She's on the second car in her beautiful white winter jacket as she had instructed. I stretched out my hand as the doors slide opened and reached out for my pass. I jumped, laughed and blew kisses at her as the doors glided. I kept waving at her as her beautiful smile and gesture vanished slowly into the dark underground tunnel. This same angelic image is etched on my memory forever even as I playback the scenario in my mind this moment. Later I would connect with her to express more gratitude. Not because I couldn't buy another tickets for the remainder of the 11 days in the month, but because I have come to value (not obsessed with vanity) everything I own in life. Unlike some who may have wealth handed down to them; I have to work for everything I've ever known to own in life. So, it means a lot to be responsible and take very good care of whatever I own. Nevertheless, in instances like these, when my human nature gets the better part of me, I am ever so grateful for ANGELS. 

The same happened to my Sister-in-Law over the Christmas holidays when she and my two beautiful nieces were visiting from California. So excited to take the skyride up to Grouse Mountain to play in the snow with the girls, she forgot her phone on the bus. Can you believe it? Yes, we picked up her phone in tact, 3 days after from Translink Lost and Found? Vancouver has its bouts like any city across the globe, but sometimes I want to say, it is the most expensive city in North America but with honourable people!

WHAT THE "FRACK" IS GOING ON...MERRY NEW YEAR & HAPPY X-MAS

How is everyone holding up? I hope you're taking some time to enjoy your holidays... For me every day is a working day so holiday is only a concept:-). But you know what? I happened upon this really cool song - I think you should check it out, it's called the "Fracking Song"? What better way to spend the holiday than spreading the message. I can hear someone saying, "get a life Veronica". Ha ha ha but I do have a life, in fact the most fascinating anyone could ever dream of. Anyways, I wish you a wonderful 2012!!!

 

PEACE ON EARTH GOOD WILL TO WOMEN:-)

STOP LOOKING TOO FAR...IT'S RIGHT HERE

You know I'm out of words. The stereotype is "not in Canada". It only happens "there", in "third world" countries. We are too "rich and civilized"! Well, try telling that to the people of Attawapiskat. Canada is an illusion (hey don't bite yet...slow down). I know it's "better" here, oh excuse me "racism is less in Canada", and immigration laws and policies are fantastic. Wait a minute! why should there be any allowance for racism, discrimination, exclusion, oppression, imperialism, and "royalty"? Well tell me it's part of the human condition (I know, I know, I know). But of course then, you must stop pretending that it's only Africa that these issues happen. It occurs in our backyards every day. living in a country where 90 per cent of the time people are in doors and 5 per of the time in their cars; leaving little or no accommodation for community building and sense of belonging, it's tough. Well, if you do get to meet an aboriginal, it's almost like a special honour because their stories and existence is so far removed from "royal throne" of Canadian parliament, supreme courts and edifices of authority. Well, I am trying to make a point, but I guess I'm not good at it so, here you go:

Red Cross workers arriving in Attawapiskat with aid | CTV News

It's interesting the amount of racist and discriminatory comments out there amongst Canadians about this situation. Rather than thinking about the root causes of the problem they are locked down in "forced relocation", "$70,000 has been provided for each person since 2006", "where did the money go" "ask the Chief 93 million is a lot of money", "imposing Western lifestyle and urbanization on this community" etc. Why don't you just ask the inhabitants of Attawapiskat what do they really need and for once stop this imperialistic, racist and paternalistic attitude. Gosh, what a world - sometimes. It just hurts!!!! Well, maybe Serena and her sister can help steer us toward hope in dealing with this systemic issue rather than resorting to "quick fix".

GOING BACK TO MY ROOTS

Ask me what it feels like going back home where there is no electricity or tap born water after living in the West for over 10 years? I'd say it is very difficult. But ask me, how do I feel about going back to my roots, I'd say GREAT! You want to know why? Because Liberia/Ghana/Africa is my home. No amount of challenge, frustration and struggle can ever deter me from fulfilling my moral obligation. That is, contributing my quota to engineer social change on the continent. Thus, the story is about picking to my heels to Liberia and Ghana for 4 consecutive weeks to teach, research and do business

My joy knew no bounds as I stood before fellow Liberians at Cuttington University's Graduate School of Public Health and Buduburam Refugee Camp's Christian Center for Leadership Development and Counseling to impart knowledge and skills for sustainable development. Who knew that after all these years, I will be returning to the refugee camp I once received ration at - but now in the capacity of the Director of Flowers School of Public Health Sciences and Science to deliver the keynote address to 141 graduants of CCLDC? Well, I'm still trying to be the change I want to see in the world. See Ghana Daily Graphics of November 17, 2011.

Daily Graphic Newspaper, November 17, 2011