Interview with Wole Soyinka, Africa's literary giant and human rights activist and Ed Cayce(forgive the mispelling), photographer and journalist concerning the Niger Delta crises. Soyinka discusses how the exploitation of the Niger Delta people can be traced to the local government leading up to the Nigerian federal government at large. He also expresses his point of view on the controversial militant group, MEND (Movement for The Emancipation of The Niger Delta)while Cayce discusses his photos and personal experience in the region.
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Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
I dream of Africa
I dream of Africa
Gold dust carried
By winds with
Ancient secrets
Against my skin
Nubian heat
Darkens my neck
In a land of legendary Queens
And skyscrapers made
Of the same dust
Beneath my sandaled feet
I dream of Africa
Riding on a camel's back
Me in a shawl
A man in turban
Handsome as the desert
My companion
In a never ending
Journey on sand
I dream of
Places like Zanzibar
A land as beautiful
As its name
Were black men and women
Stand tall and lean
Unlike in other places
I’ve been
Except maybe Ethiopia
And Burundi
The best names are in Africa
I dream of
Crowded spaces
And bargaining customers
Market women
And area-boys
Places where inscriptions
On buses are common
A typical west-side story
In my dreams
I am in a South African
Safari
And the animals are with me
There is no invasion
Of territory
For here
Man and beast
Is evolved in unity
The cries of freedom rings strong here
The joys of freedom ring true here
When I envision
A dream-a goal-a destination
I end up in Africa
Gold dust carried
By winds with
Ancient secrets
Against my skin
Nubian heat
Darkens my neck
In a land of legendary Queens
And skyscrapers made
Of the same dust
Beneath my sandaled feet
I dream of Africa
Riding on a camel's back
Me in a shawl
A man in turban
Handsome as the desert
My companion
In a never ending
Journey on sand
I dream of
Places like Zanzibar
A land as beautiful
As its name
Were black men and women
Stand tall and lean
Unlike in other places
I’ve been
Except maybe Ethiopia
And Burundi
The best names are in Africa
I dream of
Crowded spaces
And bargaining customers
Market women
And area-boys
Places where inscriptions
On buses are common
A typical west-side story
In my dreams
I am in a South African
Safari
And the animals are with me
There is no invasion
Of territory
For here
Man and beast
Is evolved in unity
The cries of freedom rings strong here
The joys of freedom ring true here
When I envision
A dream-a goal-a destination
I end up in Africa
Monday, December 15, 2008
Chevron Aquitted-Update
Sadly, on December 1st Chevron was aquitted of the human rights violation charges brought against them. This is a recent statement from JusticeForNigeria:
“The fact that Bowoto v. Chevron made it this far in the process is a victory in and of itself, because it means that we have demonstrated that there is a clear pathway in the US court system for holding corporations accountable to the rule of law. This is the first time a case against a company for aiding and abetting human rights violations overseas has even gone before a jury. And although we are disappointed that the plaintiffs did not prevail in this case, we are heartened by the fact that we are now entering a new era in the United States and abroad where people have seen the results of unregulated corporate excess (in the financial system and elsewhere) and want corporations to be reined in to prevent serious harms. Bringing this case to trial in the United States is a step on the path to corporate accountability. In the near future, corporations will no longer have a free ride to do operate with impunity in ways that are destructive and dehumanizing,” said Laura Livoti, founder of the group Justice in Nigeria Now."
I guess a little positive spin is what is needed right now...
The issue in the Niger delta has become increasingly complicated with the growing number of armed militias who pose a threat to the general public. Because of this, innocent people who have suffered and continue to suffer because of environmental degradation due to oil spills and acts of physical voilence are being overlooked. It has become common to blame local governments, greedy armed men and everyone else for the problems in the region when we are dared to be reminded that people are hurting. We wouldn't be where we are now if these problems had been handled appropiately even as early as 10years ago.
When will the Nigerian government-the governments in Africa start caring for its people? If they don't care about us can we expect some judicial system outside of our borders to?
“The fact that Bowoto v. Chevron made it this far in the process is a victory in and of itself, because it means that we have demonstrated that there is a clear pathway in the US court system for holding corporations accountable to the rule of law. This is the first time a case against a company for aiding and abetting human rights violations overseas has even gone before a jury. And although we are disappointed that the plaintiffs did not prevail in this case, we are heartened by the fact that we are now entering a new era in the United States and abroad where people have seen the results of unregulated corporate excess (in the financial system and elsewhere) and want corporations to be reined in to prevent serious harms. Bringing this case to trial in the United States is a step on the path to corporate accountability. In the near future, corporations will no longer have a free ride to do operate with impunity in ways that are destructive and dehumanizing,” said Laura Livoti, founder of the group Justice in Nigeria Now."
I guess a little positive spin is what is needed right now...
The issue in the Niger delta has become increasingly complicated with the growing number of armed militias who pose a threat to the general public. Because of this, innocent people who have suffered and continue to suffer because of environmental degradation due to oil spills and acts of physical voilence are being overlooked. It has become common to blame local governments, greedy armed men and everyone else for the problems in the region when we are dared to be reminded that people are hurting. We wouldn't be where we are now if these problems had been handled appropiately even as early as 10years ago.
When will the Nigerian government-the governments in Africa start caring for its people? If they don't care about us can we expect some judicial system outside of our borders to?
World's AIDS day-clip that serves as a reminder
of the many lives being lost every day due to an easily preventable disease. It seems to me that lack of knowledge and poverty are two of the greatest enemies in our 'fight' over the disease. I took an HIV test a few days ago, and was glad to find out I am negative. I am ashamed to say that it was the first time I took the test but have decided to do it more frequently now. It's very important that people get tested and not take things for granted-especially people of African descent because we are the ones suffering the most. Stay Safe!
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