The Afropolitan Network:::
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Pundits
Posted: September 30, 2008, 1:35 am by Beve
First check out this great mini-documentary on Ory Okolloh. If you don't know who she is she's Kenyan Pundit, and was a crucial voice during the Kenyan Elections Crisis, he blog being one of the go to sites for updates and news during the great time of uncertainty.
Second, check out my other blog that I've cranked up into high gear. Its called Afropundit and its a blog for people of color to come and post/vent/wax philosophical about politics/culture etc. So far we're focused on the US Elections. If you're interested in doing a guest post, let me know. Got four people on board so far.
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Danny Glover and Louverture Film
Posted: September 26, 2008, 5:41 pm by Beve
[DROITS RÉSERVÉS - COPYRIGHT Michel CORBOZ]
So apparently Danny Glover (who is enjoying a post-Die Hard career as an international activist) was making a film on Toussaint Louverture, who was basically a liberator of Haiti and is viewed as one of the great black historical figures. However, the whole project was derailed after he was unable to secure financing from any Hollywood executives.
I'm pretty bummed about this, b/c I love his life story and think it would make an excellent biopic. Why is it hollywood can fund biopics about African American Gangasters, sports figures and musicians but not politicians, activists, leaders? I guess Malcolm X is as far as they went.
Given the success of films like The Pursuit of Happinyness which was a positive story of a black man *gasp* why not fund a film about someone who changed the course of history, i.e. the abolishment of slavery in the Americas?
from his wiki page:
"Toussaint Louverture played a key role in what was the first successful attempt by a slave population in the Americas to throw off the yoke of Western colonialism. He defeated armies of three imperial powers: Spain, France, and Great Britain. The success of the Haitian Revolution had enduring effects on shaking the institution of slavery throughout the New World. "
Go figure. If I was a millionaire Danny, I'd fund the film (the budget is $30 mil)
By the way, look at who was cast to play in the film! :
Wesley Snipes, Angela Bassett, Don Cheadle, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Roger Guenveur Smith, Mos Def, Isaach De Bankolé, and Richard Bohringer
For those of you who understand French, here's a mini doc on youtube on Louverture:
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Kibera Slum on Google Earth
Posted: September 24, 2008, 12:22 pm by Beve
This image via White African. Check out the google earth photo of Kibera Slum in Nairobi, Kenya which is the second largest slum in Africa (the largest being Soweto in South Africa). The area can be seen at the top part of the image. Its home to over a million people.
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Voter Suppression Wiki
Posted: September 23, 2008, 5:00 pm by Beve
For those of you planning to vote in the US Election (which should be every citizen of the age of 18!) do check out the Voter Suppression Wiki, if you have any problems registering, or casting a ballot. -
Just a Band
Posted: September 22, 2008, 5:22 pm by Beve
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Latent Prejudices
Posted: September 20, 2008, 7:09 pm by Beve
So there's a new poll of 2000 people that was conducted over a year about racial attitudes towards Black people. Here's an excerpt from the article:
"Given a choice of several positive and negative adjectives that might describe blacks, 20 percent of all whites said the word "violent" strongly applied. Among other words, 22 percent agreed with "boastful," 29 percent "complaining," 13 percent "lazy" and 11 percent "irresponsible." When asked about positive adjectives, whites were more likely to stay on the fence than give a strongly positive assessment."
This is pretty sad. I don't know who to blame more for these views, which I know are widely held around the world. My first instinct was BET, (Black Entertainment Television). But maybe they are too easy a target? How about rappers? Or systematic oppresion via bad schools, unsafe neighborhoods, high unemployment, high incarceration rates? What about so called "black movies" like Friday, Boyz in the Hood, Soul Plane, American Gangster? Actually, when I saw American Gangster, I was almost embarrassed for Denzel because he's done such family oriented movies and is a very good role model for black men in his private life; you can tell he loves his wife and kids. I'm not really passing judgment, but rather, trying to find answers. But most white people in Iowa or Nebraska won't watch BET or see American Gangster.
So what is it? Why are black people STILL viewed so negatively when we have a black man running for the highest office in the land? Maybe its the 6 O'clock news that always has some burglary or violent crime report and the picture of a person of color. I read yesterday that 97% of blacks will never commit a violent crime and 70% of all drug users and dealers are white but 80% of the convictions are people of color.
Lastly, "nearly four in 10 white independents agreed that blacks would be better off if they 'try harder'."
What do you think about this Afropolitans out there, cause this affects you. Initially, many white people will still view you through the prism of prejudice no matter how smart, well dressed, employed, smiley, friendly, or meek you are until you win them over.
This might be a good time to ask, do you think there is also a difference between the way African immigrants and African Americans are treated by whites? Its been my experience that white people veiw African immigrants (or 1st, 2nd, generation) as "less threatening".
Thoughts?
Further reading: How Racims Works for Me
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On Rotation
Posted: September 16, 2008, 4:00 pm by Beve
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Afropolitan News
Posted: September 16, 2008, 3:30 am by Beve
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The Souls of Black Girls
Posted: September 15, 2008, 7:20 am by Beve
Here's an excerpt of an interview by Clutch Magazine on The Souls of Black Girls a new documentary film by Daphne Valerius on the double consciousness of black girls growing up. A clever take on W.E.B. DuBois groundbreaking expose into the "duality of people of color" here's a sneak at the interview:
Q: What made you name your film, The Souls of Black Girls?
The title “The Souls of Black Girls” derives from the seminal book by W.E.B Dubois “The Souls of Black Folks” where he discusses the double-consciousness condition where there is a duality of being a Negro and an American in the United States. I was inspired and intrigued by this concept when I was first introduced to it and I was inspired to name my piece, The Souls of Black Girls because I attempt to expand upon the duality of people of color but I wanted to include gender within that very same concept presented by Dubois. So I’ve chosen to expand on the idea that as Black women we have a “triple consciousness” condition where we have to be a Negro, a woman and an American and within that identity we also struggle to define our own standard of beauty.
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Rock and Blogroll! Fashionistas and Girl Power
Posted: September 13, 2008, 6:30 pm by Beve
I've missed surfing the net for cool Afro-p blog but yesterday I had my fill! Here some pretty neat blogs on fashion and trends. I love the design and the commentary:
- Majonzi [kenya/us]
- Miss Mwambi [zambia/malawi]
- Kasalina [ny]
- Charcoalink [tanzania/uk]
- Brown Sista
- Black Girl Lost...In a Book [texas] great blog for book lovers!
Plus, haven't updated my links in a minute, so here are a couple online magazines that I'm adding to the blogroll:
- Clam Magazine [absolute must see!]
Honorable mention- Check out Black Girls Rock an outreach program for at rick young girls. I like the aim of combating negative images of black women in the media. You rock!
My dears, welcome to The Network ;-) -
Exit Polls in Kenya
Posted: September 12, 2008, 4:24 pm by Beve
Here's a great summary by James Long on Kenya Imagine about the 2007 Kenyan Elections and the data gathered from exit polls. It seems Kenyans aren't as tribalistic as the media would have you believe. Check it out.
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Afropolitan News
Posted: September 10, 2008, 11:45 am by Beve
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Green activists 'are keeping Africa poor'
Posted: September 9, 2008, 10:50 pm by Beve
Western do-gooders are impoverishing Africa by promoting traditional farming at the expense of modern scientific agriculture, according to Britain's former chief scientist.
read more | digg story -
Palvika Rathod
Posted: September 7, 2008, 6:22 pm by Beve
My buddy on facebook! She also wowed at the Fashion for Peace show. I was amazed at her elegant yet bohemian/stylish design. I would definetly wear all her clothes. This was my favorite designer for the night:
The Lady herself, Palvika Rathod
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Moo Cow
Posted: September 7, 2008, 5:06 am by Beve
Continuing my showcase of the fabulous Fashion for Peace event in Nairobi, Kenya this past May, I want to post about Moo Cow. This duo was one of my favorite designers of the night, with their aviation inspired collection. Check out some pics I took of their designs during the show:
I Call this one the "Rihanna" outfit
This is Kenya's own international supermodel Ajuma. She has a spread in either Essence or Ebony this year can't remember which one.
The designers Carol Wahome and Wambui Njogu
Blah blah blah
Fish cakes
Alas a fish cake.
Yet more fish cakes
Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.
The end of the fish cakes
