Westernization Or Scare Tactics?

A growing problem I am realizing is what terminology to use while blogging. Especially terms that describe a person or group of people. The integrity of my blog is based on using correct information no matter what my personal view is of the situation. While reporting on Somalia I keep running into words like insurgents, militants, and pirates. I was researching, I found that there is a story behind everything and they are stories that make you think twice about the terms we use to describe people.

Conflict Diamonds And The Kimberly Process: Part II

Leaders in the global diamond industry have lashed out at the Kimberly Process (KP) for allowing Zimbabwe’s blood diamonds to reach the consumer market. The diamond trade monitor has faced criticism for how they define ‘blood diamond’ and this very definition is what they hid behind when they decided not to ban Zimbabwe from international trade last year. There was wide support for a ban on diamonds coming from the Chiadzwa mine because of abuses. However the KP refused to ban them because there is no conflict currently in Zimbabwe.

Stopping Desertification in the Sahara

The headline reads what seems to be something not possible.  According to architect Magnus Larsson – anything is possible.  He has proposed a 6,000 km ‘wall’ be built from Mauritania in the west of Africa to Djibouti in the east.  His theory would keep desertification at bay possibly saving human lives and cities.

African Union Summit Begins Today

The 13th Annual African Union Summit begins today in Sirte, Libya.  The theme of the summit, “Invest in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security”, is just one of the major topics to be discussed by the heads of states of the continent.  Additional issues concerning the summit include discussion on strengthening the role of the AU in the prevention, management and resolution of election disputes and violent conflicts in the world’s poorest continent. They will also explore ways to prevent unconstitutional changes of government and to strengthen the capacity of the AU to deal with such situations.

Michael Jackson: Loved By All

Wow.  Where does one begin with this?  When I first think of Michael, my thoughts race to when I was in elementary school and my parents got tickets for his Bad concert.  I still remember I had on my Jackson head band and t-shirt.  My older brother was sporting Michael Jackson Ray-Bands and we were so excited, we found it hard to express ourselves.

Kenya Also Rejects Somalia’s Plea

This past weekend, Somalia’s parliament spokesperson, Sheikh Adan Madowe, called for neighboring countries to send their troops and help them fight Islamist insurgents.  Unfortunately, his plea has garnered no military support and the country’s state of emergency status has relatively been ignored by the African Union.

I have been researching and blogging about countries in Africa for just about a year now.  And I think the hardest thing to deal with (and there are a few) is the lack of response from the international community.  People scream out for us all across the African continent, but their cries always fall on deaf ears.  It’s hard to admit that governments just don’t care, which means people don’t care.

What About Environment?

You know, a thought occurred to me recently.  My blog is mostly about the politics of African countries, especially the countries in the midst  of political turmoil.  I rack my brain constantly about possible solutions for helping the cultures of African countries and I haven’t really been able to come up with something feasible for a stay at home mom to do that isn’t already being done.

We haven’t been looking at the environmental aspect of African countries.  Their carbon footprint is tiny, however they endure the same global warming as the rest of us due mainly to the U.S., China, and India’s massive pollution problems.  Perhaps finding a way to help through the environment is key – such as teaching farmers how to farm and preserve their soil instead of eroding their land.

Who Am I?

Since I began researching countries in Africa, I began to grow more and more cynical.  I was for the first time forming a distrust of my country.  I began looking at everything differently and assuming there was a conspiracy with everything if it didn’t make sense.  I began to heed my parents theories on the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  I started fine tuning my listening about our government – went back and reviewed our American history beginning with the slave trade.  I found a trail of corruption, oppression, conspiracy and just plain evil.  Once I moved from my American history to African history I grew more upset.  I grew upset the more I read about the colonialism and corrupt dictators.  But what was most upsetting was learning what is apparently the American government rule:  Unless we have a stake in something we turn a blind eye.  I realize its not feasible to help everyone across the globe,  but why must we pretend that third world countries do not exist unless they have something we want?  I found myself becoming a person I’m not – a person so distrusting in anything good and right.  I was becoming a person that didn’t believe.  My frame of thought always was to believe in something – anything and everything.  If we don’t believe how will things change?

Africa and the IMF

The International Monetary Fund claims to be an organization that lends funds to countries or its members which includes all nations except Morocco.  However, based on basic, limited research, the organization seems to be an attempt to control nations through money.  A nation can borrow money if they are willing to take certain government actions.  The actions are a claim to protect the nation from borrowing again.  One of these actions is for a nation to sell all of its’ assets then it can borrow.  The IMF has been blamed for not being much of a help to third world countries – Jamaica is such an example.

Of the 185 countries that participate directly with IMF are represented by a 24-member Executive Board.  Are all countries really represented fairly?  There is a  Board of Governors in which all countries take part – but what about the countries that do need help?  Are they not meeting some said requirements?

In early March 2009, IMF hosted a conference to discuss financial objectives for African countries.  In essence, it was concluded that Africa and the global community needed to come together and recognize help was needed in Africa to further progress.  What was really determined?  What was said at this conference that the global community didn’t already know?

One of the biggest problems I have in trying to help the peoples of Africa.  To make an impact, one person just can’t achieve such a feat, however people from across the world would have to unite to help solve these issues.  My question is how do you get citizens to take their focus off of things like high gas prices and the never ending battle to accumulate more than the next person to re-focus on those who live each day in desperation.  I could be wrong, however, I do not know where it is written where any culture deserves more than the other.  We’re all humans and the people of Africa did not ask to be born there, just like l didn’t ask to be born in the States.

Westernization in Africa?

I recently read an article discussing what might be a true problem plaguing some countries in Africa. It has been rare for me to read from an interpretation of someone who does not think that western models are always the way to go. Since forced colonization during the ‘scramble for Africa’ period, the peoples of Africa have been pressed to form governments and societies based off of western civilizations. But have we really not thought that this way may not be the best way for the countries of Africa? Very similar to how democracy doesn’t work in countries like Iraq?

GM foods in Africa

I’ve been researching genetically modified foods with an emphasis on how they can help countries in Africa. People all over the the continent are experiencing food shortages, famine, and undernourishment. It seems logical. You have the United States ready and willing to send almost 600,000 tons of gm grain and seed to countries in Africa – what’s the problem?

What About Africa?

So, ‘What about Africa?’ you may say. What’s the big deal, everyone has problems especially now in the United States with an approaching recession and downward spiral of the housing market. But everyone has problems, right?