There is something about Fridays that I have never been able to figure out properly. When Friday comes, I always feel so relaxed, even if I have no specific plans for the weekend. Isn’t it just like any other day?

One thing I am sure about is that I think more of Tanzania when Friday comes. Out there when Friday comes it’s a happy time. The phones are quite busy, especially after 2pm. Plans are being made, where we meet for a drink and chat. That is one thing you have to give us… We know how to entertain ourselves, no matter what they tell you. If it’s not a meeting to arrange one of us wedding, then it’s a drink and dance. We know how to dance and shout! When we are drunk it even gets serious, we cry out of it. If you are amazed then you have never got drunk yet. Don’t try it in front of your in-laws.

Here in North America it’s different. When you walk in a bar, you smell depression. Most of the fellas you meet in the bars and pubs are there for some sort of therapy. Drinking here is not for fun, it’s almost a painful experience. Whenever you are invited to a friend’s party, the law of the land demands that he takes your car keys after just few drinks. Be prepared to spend your night on his sofa or call a taxi instead. He is not going to let you go! Did you drive after drinking or drunk and then drove? Which is which? It surely doesn’t matter. Well, I support this law. If you think of me as black turned white, so be it. Don’t drink and drive! Especially some of you who have don’t know what it is to die. You know yourself!

This week was September 11^th remembrance day! We all know that day; it changed the world, didn’t it? RIP all those who lost lives in that tragedy. You all didn’t make any of those policies; they call them international even if they are made just in one country. But how many more innocent people have to die before someone makes sense of all these? How many more people have died since September 11^th in the so called war against terror? Do you even believe it anymore?

One more thing before I go out and catch my throat… yes my own! Africa is crying…Zimbabwe in particular. I read it the paper yesterday that it’s amazing how it has actually remained a country even after all these sanctions? It’s an African country…it must survive. We all do. Peace.

The case of Darfur is one of the most worst stories of human history. It’s another good example of how, as human beings, we can choose to fail and indeed succeed. Many says the war on terrorism is perhaps the most dangerous thing of the century because it threatens entire college of humanism, democracy,human rights and dignity. The way the international community have and still handles the Darfur issue is a good proof of how priorities have changed lately.What we don’t understand is that by neglecting cases like Darfur we are not only doing a massive injustice to humanity but also continue the cycle of terrorism. A lot has been debated about Darfur, fingers have been pointed, and yet no concrete and workable action has been taken. Instead, the international community has avoided dealing with the issue at hand by giving naming adventure of situations to ease the tension may be. They don’t want to call it a genocide, they will feel guilty.Its not a civil war, not even in Iraq. They are not the insurgents,what the hell!

Anyway on May 24th 2007, Reuters will be hosting another big debate, with distinguished panelists on the same subject of Darfur. You can join the debate, you can ask questions and above all know deeper of what international community thinks and plans to do.However, at the end of the day I still would like to see the african leaders taking action for the continental peace and development. Aren’t we heading to G8 summit again as I warned two years ago with the same objectives, ready for promises?Come on.

If you are using glasses for reading or day to day vision, the idea of loosing your glasses even for one hour is never appealing. Can you even start to imagine how miserable such a day could turn out to be?

In developing world over 200 million people do not actually misplace their glasses but do not have one, even though they badly need them! Many people in developing world including lots of countries in Africa live in rural areas where there is no eye care available. Most are too poor to afford eye test and a pair of glasses.

Now as you know, most people in developed world change their glasses as their eyesight changes. Some people change their glasses in order to get the latest designer brands. Reasons for changing your glasses could be many.

May be you have always wondered where can I donate my old glasses in order to help someone who can not afford glasses due to poverty, unavailability of resources etc? Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre, Third World Eye Care Society Canada or Vosh International- Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity are the people you can contact, learn more about their projects and programs hence start helping someone in need today.

If you are not in Canada, please check your country directories for local organizations with similar mission.

You must have noticed,I am trying to give my blog a new look.Given the fact that I am not a computer wiz by any standards,that may take some time.Therefore,please bear with me when I am doing that.Thanks!

Different from other parts of the world in Africa every tune,every drum beat,every saxophone bit could carry a very significant message. That means you can still enjoy the african music,on and off stage.Listen here to some of the best african tunes that are covered.If you are interested about the history of some of african greatest music styles this article will help you. Lastly,what is your opinion about today’s music in comparison with lets say ten years ago. Is it getting better or worse?Does today’s music preach love or hate? What is music to you?

In the picture above is a 2005 Juno Award winning African/Canadian musician Adam Solomon of Adam Solomon and Tikisa Band.Adam is once again a nominee for 2007 Juno Awards to be hosted by Nelly Furtado on April 1st in Saskatoon .You can listen to some of Adam Solomon tunes here. His music is excellent combination of old and new rhythm to make what we can call modern music.

Sometimes reality is a hard thing to face.Its human nature to try,as much as possible,to avoid thinking or imagining things that will depress you,make you cry,sad and even confused.The psychological therapists will tell you that thinking positive,putting a smile on your face are two important steps towards happiness,success and well-being.I agree with them.

However,there are times when one is forced to call a spade a spade.I am talking about times when we have to face the facts(even as we seriously question some of them) that AIDS remains a reality and a killer of millions of fellow African people.Now,I am not suggesting that the rest of world are not victims of the same killer disease.I just want to keep it real and in context to this blog’s main agenda/theme…African Perspective!

Therefore,we can continue asking ourselves lots of important questions like,what happened,why Africa than anywhere else etc etc.But while asking ourselves those questions we still need to do something.Let us start by asking ourselves individually,what have we done to either stop the spread of the disease or help those who have been infected.It is only by looking at the face you see in the mirror as the “power of change and hope” that we can start claiming to be ambassador’s of humanity.

The video below is from 2002 but the case remain almost the same.

Without being too judgmental, most of us will agree that Bob Marley is one of our all time legend personalities. His music was real,his messages were carried life by themselves.His popularity across the globe is/was untouchable. To this day,his music is widely listened to and its one of the tunes that will witness a crowd going wild but with peace. His music was all season to mean that he sang for all causes.

Like many musicians of his time, he was concerned about the welfare of the world and specifically African continent where before he even stepped on its soul,he believed that was his home. One of the things that he called for was UNITY. We know that his efforts saw no child, Africa never united.But what happened to the idea of UNITED AFRICA? Can the same idea resurrect again?See Bob Marley in the video below and tell me what you think.

To millions of people in the world,today is Valentine’s Day. Like many things in the world, the real story behind this day is not very clear and surprisingly no one will even admit to historical facts errors even if new proofs accompanied by new sciences would back up their new stories. Its for the hypocrisy,greed and fear that lots of stones are left unturned for centuries and centuries.Nobody wants to tell the corporate world that Valentine’s Day is not about love anymore but about business and economies.Most of us can not even remember anymore what this day actually mean or supposed to mean. Who is fooling us? It might be ourselves using our laziness to read,research and even ask some basic questions.We let it flow,day after day as if history will never torment us some day.

If I had authority to change the name of this day,I would call it the “Business of Love Day”.Its a shame that the day is judged not by thoughts and considerations but about “what did you buy me”.To make matters worse no one is talking about spreading and preaching word love as it means.Do not then be surprised to have a scene of lovers passing a homeless man and care less about his wellbeing.Do not question why the world is full of wars,explosions, terror attacks,political hypocrisy overshadowing every single mean of words like peace,democracy,human rights and associates.

Well,I guess that is our world even though some of us can now firmly state that it is not the world we ever dreamed of and few are making it the way it is.Today, its valentine’s day with a winter storm in most parts of North America. Now tell me,who would not dream of a place like the one you see above?I am and for all means dreaming of Africa today.

Africa is not only about wars,diseases,corruption, deaths and tooth to tooth struggles! If you happen to be an african advocate, you have probably lamented that way when you constantly see in the news what western media prefers to feed its viewers and readers.Almost nothing positive comes out of Africa.I am using a word “almost” because I do not get to see all the channels and newspapers all the time. When the recent war between Somalia and Ethiopia broke out,it made it to mainstream headlines out here in North America and surely around the globe.When Kenyans peacefully voted for their constitution reform last year it was not news.It did not worth reporting.Such examples are millions and millions.

However, an important question need to be asked. What does our African media report?Does the western media get the bumps from ourselves? Why don’t you read this website headlines and see what I am talking about.

As of today,Canadians and Americans who will be traveling by air across their borders as well as to Mexico and the Caribbean are supposed to carry their passports along with them. The move is said to be geared towards increased border security across all borders.In common terms,both Canadian and American authorities agrees that the borders needs to be more secure than ever before. As we know,the 9/11 attacks at World Trade Center in New York did drastically change the way across the borders issues are viewed and put in perspective.In fact, the whole world reviewed their policies on immigration procedures and border securities.It became a new mantra among politicians and policy makers.

However,because the “bring along your passport” idea originated in US,the whole move sounds “American” something which to many Canadians it indicates US distancing itself from Canada or slowly but smartly cutting the “friendship” that has existed for centuries apart from its ups and downs.Some have even predicted the beginning of the long walk towards redefining what Canadians and US friendship will look like in next 10-20 years.

Most of us will definitely agree that all nations in the world(including Canada and America) needs and must protect their borders. However, when it comes to way Canada and America talks and practice “border securities” subjects the sense I get is that different standards are put in place between or among the air travel from land or even sea travelers.

If you have ever traveled by land, lets say by Greyhound, Coach Canada or any other means of public transport across the borders you would have noticed that passengers are allowed on board without going through any high tech detectors like the ones you see at airports. The luggage are never screened.Literally,you are free to bring on board whatever you want to.Come with your liquids,come with your toy gun for your kids,no problem! The best the bus driver will do is to check whether you have a right ticket for the date that you want to travel.
Now let us assume that a small airplane at Pearson International Airport carries 45 passengers on the way to Detroit, Michigan. The same number of passengers boards the bus at Toronto Greyhound terminal on its way to the same destination as the small plane from Pearson.Is there any difference in the importance of life of these two groups of passengers? Many politicians,policy makers and citizens will agree with me that no,we do not have classes or rather we should not have. But is there any better way of meaning what we preach than practically doing it? Do we clearly split it out that we have classes when it comes to securities and values of lives? If not, then what criteria is used to determine the level of security that someone deserves or not deserve?

Applauding any move towards increased securities(not only at borders but also internal) should go hand in hand with treating everybody equally.What do you think?