ARCHIVE blog 2025-
ARCHIVE blog 2025-
Embedded Files
culture, global news & politics
culture, global news & politics
Why Doechii Was The Only Voice at the Bet Awards 2025
Why Doechii Was The Only Voice at the Bet Awards 2025
It’s not surprising that the BET Awards 2025 shined a light on Global Black stars to start the summer, but it would be remiss to gloss over the threatening reality happening right outside of its red carpet entrances in the historical Downtown Los Angeles district. 2025 in Los Angeles has seen tragedies from the horrifying Palisades wildfires that completely vanished hundreds of homes for native Los Angeles citizens and today, the anti-ICE protests that began during BET Awards Weekend.
Doechii was one of the first artists to receive an award for the night for Best New Artist as she was up against a variety of artists with longevity i.e., Nicki Minaj and Cardi B., but Doechii used her award acceptance speech to make a statement on the protests and to exclusively address the current president Donald Trump’s actions calling for military actions against protesters.
“I do want to address what’s happening right outside of the building…There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order. Trump is using military forces to stop a protest and I want yall to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that? People are being swept up and torn from their families and I feel it’s my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people. For Black people, for Latino people, for Trans people, for the people in Gaza. We all deserve to live in hope and not in fear. And I hope we stand together, my brothers and my sisters, against hate and we protest against it.”
Doechii’s speech swept across social media as the awards show was live and immediately she became even more of a fan favorite, but the silence from the room was deafening. The BET Awards presented Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx and Mariah Carey with the Ultimate Icon Awards similar to their Lifetime Achievement Awards tribute segment. However, Snoop Dogg was recently challenged by celebrities, influencers and fans for his performance at Donald Trump’s presidential party after he won the election against Kamala Harris, which Snoop responded with sentiments of content for his choice and monetary check he received from such act. Despite Snoop Dogg being one of the favorited rap artists especially during this new generation but he forfeited his popularity when he doubled down on performing for Trump. In a moment where Snoop could have redeemed himself and shown himself as someone who has become more educated on his previous beliefs, he ignored this cultural moment while receiving his award from Dr. Dre, another wealthy friend with demeaning abuse allegations and convictions against him from women in the entertainment music industry. The optics were not in alignment considering the Christianizing of the BET Awards continues to oversaturate the ceremonial experience.
When most celebrities decided to remain silent or excuse themselves of the tyranny happening in Los Angeles, especially Compton, amongst the Black and Latino citizens with immigrant families who are fighting against illegal deportation, illegal kidnapping and extreme anti-peace efforts, Doechii took the torch. Doechii has received colorist, misogynistic and degrading comments made against her as many dark-skinned women artists receive as they gain more popularity. It’s not lost on my vision that the dark skin, Black woman exists at the most intersections of identity than anyone in the world. The Black woman often sets the tone of the room by speaking a language that is understood by the most common person and challenged by those perceived as highly educated.
As Black America begs for representation, the realities of representation seem to be cherry picked by networks, institutions, investors and countering fans posing as supporters. Representation cannot come from fictional tales any longer and our daily lives deserve more than content creation. Black America struggles with unifying on cultural progression and finds every disagreement as enough reason to disengage from political movements pertaining to human rights. Questionable social media accounts are viral online suggesting that Black citizens should not get involved in the current anti-ICE protests because it’s been reported that a large demographic of Latino citizens voted for Donald Trump. More than one truth can exist at once and in this case, the Latino community in America including Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Cubans, Hondurans, etc. played a large role in the illegal deportations happening due to their vote for Trump despite his blatant statements on his plan to get rid of ‘illegal immigrants’ across America. Also, those who didn’t vote for Trump are reaping the repercussions from their peers and families, causing a larger divide amongst internal communities in the country.
Lastly, the overwhelming ‘God is good, all the time & all the time God is good’ slogans that was shared from Jamie Foxx to Kirk Franklin’s gospel segment, I am concerned that the Christian sentiments wasn’t enough to evangelize people to challenge the entertainer-to-abuser pipeline in the industry nor the literal destruction of Los Angeles communities happening. It can be assumed that Doechii spoke on behalf of TDE as a whole, but Kendrick Lamar nor Snoop Dogg shared any sentiments towards the Latino community in LA who is a major consumer in their success. Listen, Black celebrities don’t have to cosplay as revolutionaries or activists, but there’s a pattern on artists speaking in support of political choices and being silent when it’s time to be against an institution. In my opinion, these harsh attacks on humanity are continuing to happen because of the overwhelming comfortability many Americans are afforded or the lack of restorative justice in Black and Brown communities that seem to only maintain viral status in the moment, but washes out in the zeitgeist of social media as a collection of violent imagery we’re all desensitized from. My hope for entertainers who have attained such wealth as well as entertainers working towards wealth creation for their individual legacies, is to imagine beyond the success of elite validation and expand their dreams past the white walls of privacy that only their wealth can buy. Success in America is deemed by how many elites you are in network with and the recognition you receive from those who control your popular status, which seems to be an everlasting cycle of abuse, power & silence.
Written by nakira g.
june 10, 2025
Anti-ICE Protests: National Guard Called to LA, NYC & DC
Anti-ICE Protests: National Guard Called to LA, NYC & DC
Anti-ICE protests erupted June 8, 2025 throughout neighborhoods in Downtown Los Angeles due to extreme ICE agents conducting invasive raids in the city which led the President, Donald Trump, to deploy over 2000+ National Guard troops in response. Trump's immigration policies and word of demand that he has overtly forced ICE agents to conduct illegal raids and arrests without court notice.
The immigration issue in America is used as a political gambit to exercise power over minority groups but the truth still remains that America is an occupation of native land which continues the rebellion against anti-immigration efforts.
Compton's community was praised on social media by younger genreations and images of Mexican flags were shared across social platforms. The question of solidarity still remains amongst minority ethnic groups but the reactions to Trump's anti-immigration efforts are causing his supporters to question their votes. Despite the fear many people shared during election time, Donald Trump appealed to a large minority class and innocent immigrants as well as innocent naturalized citizens who are being illegally detained by ICE agents with assistance of city police departments i.e., NYPD and LAPD.
These protests are not organized or endorsed by any organization, which may have led to its burnout but Trump's aggressive actions continue to affect Americans daily. As the protests in America were happening, it was shortly after that Trump entered the U.S. into a war with Iran on behalf of Israel, ICE detainings in NYC and an Air India flight that crashed which eventually overshadowed the airwaves with international breaking news...
Written by Nakira G.
June 10th, 2025
Revised June 27, 2025
What I Learned Living in Ghana for 3 Years: Turning 30, Learning Sustainable Living & Social Currency
What I Learned Living in Ghana for 3 Years: Turning 30, Learning Sustainable Living & Social Currency
Growing up in Compton, California and watching Black figures on American television, Africa was always spoken with such reverence and centered as a place to aspire to see. I had the opportunity to travel to Ghana in 2013 as a study abroad student and ever since then I built a relationship with the continent that taught me some of the most important aspects of living in an African country. Over the past 3 years, I've lived across different cities and regions in Ghana, exploring the truth of daily life for Ghanaians and expats.
Financial Stability
Ghana is a developing nation with a growing real estate market to support the increase of foreigners interested in the country. It is recommended to have investment capital to support a business you plan to run for long term income. You should also have a supporting income from employment, freelancing or weekly/income to support your daily expenses. It's not common for companies in Ghana whether European owned or African owned to hire expats due to the work permit costs, so it's expected to either bring business to Ghana or work remote in Ghana.
If you make your money remotely and earn at least $50,000 in salary, on a general level you can find a comfortable apartment in the main neighborhoods of Accra namely Cantonments, Tse Addo, Labone, Osu, Airport Residential, East Legon, Asylum Down or Spintex where many foreigners live. There's a variety of cafes, co-working spaces and office spaces to work remotely for relatively affordable prices in the prime areas.
It's also recommended to visit the country multiple times for long term visits, one to three months, to get a feel for what your lifestyle can be during the week and go on apartment tours or meet with landlords.Immigration & Annual Fees
As an expat or immigrant, until you receive citizenship (can take 5 - 8 years or with new updayes $10K-$25K), you have to operate as a foreigner and would need to either register a business to accompany your work permit/resident permit or purchase a resident permit for 1-2 years. There are annual fees for your business registration, visa extensions, permits and national ID cards that are increasing annually.Solo & Single
As a woman, Ghana is what you make it but there are social customs you will learn. This is a very conservative, patriarchal and traditional society, so you want to be careful how you present yourself and handle your business. Traditional socieites in Ghana are very tight knit and you are an outsider, so you want to get to know people accordingly and be hesitant to do business early in your welcoming stage.
For men, same suggestions apply and be aware that patriarchy is normalized heavily throughout everyday life. Both men and women are suceptible to romance scams or situations where money is involved leading to theft or robbery, but those instances are minority issues.
For people under 40, Ghana's social events are heavily targeted to your generation so there is a heavy nightlife culture, beach resorts, business conferences, outdoor movies, film festivals, art galleries, concerts and live music venues for your enjoyment. There are hundreds of religious centers, social spaces and business conferences to build a community of people you can meet over time.
Living alone can be empowering and fulfilling, but it can also make you vulnerable. Make friends with other expats and people in your neighborhood. Whether you join an organization, meet with other expats at events, engage with online communities or volunteer with people within your network, you don't want to isolate yourself from others or resources others can bring.Housing & Rent
For newcomers to the country, I'd recommend living in the top neighborhoods because of common resources, specialty businesses and convenience. High rise apartments are popular in recent developments, which you should reach out to directly from their website contacts. Use direct sources for housing, it's best to speak directly with the apartment office or landlord.
Though it is technically illegal to charge in USD in the country, when the dollar and cedi fluctuate, some listings will reflect in USD. You want to have time to check out at least 10-15 apartments before choosing one and spend time in each neighborhood to see what works best for you. Most listings will expect 6 month - 1 year payment in advance for rent. Negotiating is key.
If you are planning to live in more local communities, with little to no expats/foreigners, it's a different experience from living in the epicenter of Accra. After getting acclimated to proper Accra after a year or two, you may feel compelled to live on the outskirts as new roads develop in the country. Require printed and digital lease agreements, negotiate terms, have trusted community members to accompany you on your visits and request photos of landlords ID card.Transportation & Travel
Getting around is a major part of your life in Ghana because depending on your neighborhood, it may not be as walkable to convenience stores compared to cities in the U.S. Taxis, Uber/Bolt/Yango ride sharing apps, private car rentals, chaffeurs and van rentals are options for daily or weekly excursions. Getting a driver's license is possible with your Ghana national ID card and other documents. Public air conditioned vans going to major cities can be found at Kaneshie/Circle. For private vans, you can order at the station or rent from a personal driving agency.
Accra is the capital city, but it's apart of the Greater Accra region which is 1 of 16 regions in Ghana. Accra the city and the region is considered to be the most developed area but Kumasi in Ashanti Region, Takoradi in Central Region, Tema in Greater Accra Region and Aburi in Eastern region are seeing high levels of development. Go north for the mountains of Aburi, west to Kokobrite beach or east to Ada Foah beach resorts.Health Resources & Medical Services
Health clinics and pharmacies are a staple in Ghana, so you want to always visit a variety of clinics or specialty hospitals during your tours. Meet doctors and do minor consultations with physicians in neighborhoods you're considering. Foreign owned clinics are available and women's family planning centers are also available offering STD tests, pregnancy centers, abortions, blood work, fibroid tests and other health screenings. Major hospitals in Ghana is currently the UGMC, University of Ghana Medical center. There are many hospitals and clinics across the country that still suffer from lack of governmental support or equipment renovation. For specific medical or health conditions, you want to research specialists available in the country or ask your health provider what to look for.
There are pros and cons to the pharmacy culture, you're rarely asked for a doctor's note so you can get most medicines needed for antibiotics, medicines and other traditional herb medicine. However, foreign owned clinics have standard stipulations with their in-house pharmacies compared to local pharmacies in the neighborhood.
Healing herbs are a staple in Ghana and can be found either wild or in specialized stores i.e., neem, banana leaves, aloe vera, mint, etc.Food & Gardening
Food is fun when you're visiting and trying new restaurants, but if you look at your vacation bill for a week or a weekend, can you afford that every day? Whether you can afford a luxury lifestyle, need to budget or working towards it, we all ask the same question, where does our food come from and who's cooking it. Major grocery stores, restaurants, nightclubs, bars and local chop bars provide international cuisines. Outdoor markets and neighborhood vendors are the backbone of Ghana's society so you may find your necessities from sellers nearby. Fruits and plantains have their seasons but always a wide variety of food all year round.
Gardening is beautiful in bloom but needs a lot of attention year round. If you are visiting for a short term, gardening won't be a priority for you but if you are planning to move to Ghana, you want to prioritize listings with a garden space. Traveling with seeds can be risky so claim your property if necessary.Language Learning
Due to British colonization, English is the Western language implemented into Ghana's society. Ghana has over 50+ languages and over 200+ ethnic groups so depending on what region or neighborhood you are visiting or moving into, you'll most likely want to learn Twi, Ga, Ewe or Mfantse (Fante). There are digital services, social learning events, university classes and many opportunities to learn.Safety & The Law
Staying updating on the politics of Ghana (or Any African country) is crucial when deciding to move or visit. Knowing the laws on citizenship, land ownership, buying houses, rental agreements, business and common crimes is necessary while in the process of relocating, especially with children. Ghana's government & many parts of its society is anti-LGBTQ, which has also bled into diaspora communities expatriating.
Ghana's police force's reputation is not the most positive and can be unreliable in crime reporting in petty crimes. It is normalized to pay police officers to conduct investigations or file a report, however, if you have a local person to represent you well you may have better outcomes. Court cases can take years and can cause great debt over time concerning land, home ownership or business discrepancies.
Crimes of theft, robbery and murder does occur in which residents from the diaspora have been victims of. During my time there between 2022-2025, I was informed of a few stories of diaspora women (1 in Pokuase, 2 in Cape Coast, 1 in Saltpond) who were attacked in their homes including 1 story of a woman who was murdered, Naomi (2024), and another woman murdered, Rochelle (2025). This is not to speak negatively about the country, but it is necessary for people to be aware of their surroundings at all times. Stories can be found on social media, especially Youtube but personally none of the women I have spoken with are willing to share their stories online while others are still in litigation against suspects.Charity, Donations & Volunteer Tourism
Africa has a media reputation as a place that people only visit to do charity projects or donate schools in villages, which comes with expectations on all sides from tourists and citizens. Traveling to an African country can be filled with all things cultural learning from beach resorts, school donations, nightlife, museum visits, trying new cuisines and being an ethical traveler. For business specialists, providing resources or trainings can be effective in building international relationships.
Ethical traveling and ethical tourism includes practicing cultural humility, understanding, recycling while traveling or following the law. Volunteer tourism can be a marketing scheme amongst larger organizations and quite expensive, so it's recommended to use websites i.e., egotickets, eventbrite, viator and tripadvisor for activities and find local companies with high ratings reviews.
IS TRUMP BETTER FOR AFRICA?
IS TRUMP BETTER FOR AFRICA?
As the world watched aimlessly for the next President elect of the United States of America, a surprising demographic displayed comedic congratulations to Donald J. Trump insinuating that his presidency would have a better influence in Africa than his opponent VP Kamala Harris. Donald Trump's presidential run from 2016 to 2020 had several indirect and direct effects on African people in Africa but the influx of miseducation has circled through social media channels from supporters in the African diaspora seem to say otherwise. The policies, statements, and actions he made during his presidency was strongly related to foreign diplomacy, trade, aid and immigration which ultimately affected international relations. While Trump's rhetoric and actions were primarily focused on domestic American concerns, they had significant implications for African nations and populations in various ways.
Under President Trump’s first term, U.S. relations with African countries were often strained or characterized by a lack of critical engagement. Trump’s presidency saw a notable shift from the policies of his predecessors, particularly President Barack Obama, who left a negative impression on Africa due to the military homicide of Mummah Gaddafi of Libya.
The 2024 President elect Trump's infamous comments, such as referring to African nations as "shithole countries" during a 2018 meeting on immigration, sparked widespread condemnation across the continent. The derogatory nature of these remarks not only caused diplomatic tension but also negatively impacted America's image in Africa, where many people felt disrespected.
Unlike the Obama administration, which launched major initiatives such as the Power Africa program (to expand electricity access across the continent) and the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Trump’s administration showed less interest in direct, proactive engagement with African nations. Many African leaders expressed frustration with the lack of a coherent and forward-thinking policy on the continent usually dealing with foreign aid deals.
Trump’s immigration policies also had ramifications for African immigrants and the diaspora, especially those in the U.S. or seeking to enter the country. One of Trump's first actions as president was the implementation of a controversial travel ban, which disproportionately affected individuals from Muslim-majority countries, some of which were in Africa, such as Libya, Sudan, and Somalia. This restricted the ability of Africans to travel to the U.S. for education, business, or asylum, creating a sense of exclusion.
The 2016 - 2020 U.S. presidential administration moved to end the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of certain African countries, such as Sudan and Somalia per Trump's orders. Many African migrants had been granted TPS due to ongoing conflicts or natural disasters in their home countries. The move caused distress among African communities, as it put hundreds of thousands of people at risk of deportation.
Trump's rhetoric and policies also contributed to a more negative public perception of African immigrants in the U.S. This had a ripple effect on African communities, especially those in the diaspora, who faced increased discrimination and xenophobia as a result of the Trump administration’s policies. Trump's approach to trade was focused on "America First," which often translated into a more protectionist stance, leaving many African nations concerned about the future of trade relations.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act, a trade initiative that provided preferential access to U.S. markets for eligible Sub-Saharan African countries, was at risk under Trump's administration. While Trump didn’t outright cancel AGOA, there were concerns about his administration potentially abandoning or renegotiating such agreements. For African economies heavily reliant on exports, especially in the agricultural and textile sectors, any significant changes to AGOA could have had adverse effects.
The over-exploitation of Africa’s natural resources is an argument that divides African citizens and expats because most African nations suffer from a lack of internal resources. Though African governments are threatened by lack of funds for exports, the citizens can benefit from having their resources prioritized for their local communities.
One of the key elements of Trump’s foreign policy toward Africa was the perception that China was growing its influence on the continent. Trump’s economic focus was on competing with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which had been investing heavily in African infrastructure. However, while Trump publicly criticized China's influence in Africa, the U.S. did not offer comparable investment, and the emphasis was on strengthening the American economic presence through private sector partnerships. Many African nations viewed this as insufficient compared to China's investments. Though Donald Trump tries to use manipulative language as if he’s belittling China’s interest in Africa for the greater good of Africa, it is evident that Trump’s goals are for America’s interests only.Despite the proposed cuts, Trump did continue to support some health initiatives, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has been crucial in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. But his administration did show indifference to other global health challenges, including malaria and maternal health, which disproportionately affect African populations.
Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement in 2017 had indirect consequences for African nations. Many African countries are particularly vulnerable to climate change, and their development is closely tied to international efforts to reduce emissions and fund climate adaptation programs. Trump's stance on environmental policies raised concerns among African leaders about future support for climate resilience.
Trump’s prior administration also moved to reduce the U.S. military footprint in Africa. Notably, there were discussions about withdrawing troops from Somalia and other regions with U.S. military engagements. While the U.S. maintained counterterrorism operations, particularly targeting groups like Boko Haram in West Africa and al-Shabaab in Somalia, African leaders expressed concerns about the long-term impact of reduced U.S. involvement in regional security.
Donald J. Trump was often criticized for his favorable relations with autocratic leaders in Africa. For example, he had a cordial relationship with leaders like Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, whose government faced accusations of human rights violations. This was seen as a stark contrast to the more critical stance that prior U.S. administrations had taken toward authoritarian regimes.
The Trump administration ultimately reduced U.S. funding for the United Nations and other international institutions. This affected the ability of these organizations to respond to crises in Africa, such as the humanitarian situations in South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Sahel region. While African nations sought greater international cooperation to address their challenges, Trump's foreign policy approach often undermined multilateral efforts. Trump’s administration also cut funding and reduced funding for the FDA, CDC and other health-related institutions with international branches.
Moreover, his policies toward immigration, foreign aid, and climate change, alongside his general “MAGA” stance, often left African nations feeling marginalized on the global stage, and many of these issues continue to influence U.S.-Africa relations today.
Written by Nakira G.
November 7, 2024
WHAT IS PROJECT 2025?: THE FATE OF AMERICA
WHAT IS PROJECT 2025?: THE FATE OF AMERICA
As the U.S. elections are underway, political propaganda continues to rise throughout the media and concerns about the future of America is the main character of most content on the internet. 'Project 2025' has been mentioned discreetly throughout the media as a cautionary warning for American citizens but many political analysts have shyed away from conducting deep dives into the conservative mandate for the next election. On June 30th, 2024 during the BET AWARDS 2024, Taraji P. Henson said "Project 2025 is not a game!" and she was applauded for using her platform to speak about the political agenda that have been whispered as a conspiracy.
Vice President Kamala Harris was also featured in a skit with Taraji P. Henson during the BET Awards and in reference to voting for this year's election, Harris stated "these extremists...they not like us". The mentioning of Project 2025 and VP Harris' presence at the BET Awards insinuates that Black citizens as well as people of color should be outraged but why hasn't it been a major talking point of the Democratic party? Furthermore, what is the Democratic version of Project 2025 or is it a possibility that both parties secretly want the same thing?
With the recent actions taken by the Biden Administration in concerns of Israel and Palestine, the Democratic party have disappointed a wide demographic of party voters due to their allyship with Israel. Voters are questioning their trust in Joe Biden due to his decision making but they are also concerned that the Republican party has an agenda that is believed to bring back inequality and disenfranchisement. Although Donald Trump has been charged as guilty for his crimes, his run for presidency is not dismissed which has caused many voters to worry about the fate of America for the next four years if the Republican party takes over Congress. Republicans also fear Kamala Harris becoming President if Joe Biden is not healthy enough to serve another 4 years due to his aging conditions, but can VP Kamala Harris secure the Black vote?
What is Project 2025 and why should American citizens be afraid of the Republican/Conservative party?
The phrase Project 2025 is associated from the conservative handbook, A Mandate For Leadership: A Conservative Promise. A handbook that is expected to influence political strategists and citizens to vote in favor of the laws that will ultimately support Conservative interests. "Project 2025 is trying to do is issue a corrective..a series of deregulation, new policies, new leadership to undo, to correct the century long capital paid progressive project of establishing a 4th branch of government, the administrative state" says Kevin Roberts, President of the Conservative organization, Heritage Foundation. The Heritage Foundation is a prominent conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C., United States. Founded in 1973, it is known for its advocacy of conservative public policies based on principles such as limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, free enterprise, and strong national defense.
On the surface of all political parties, their policies may sound beneficial or helpful depending on which side of the socioeconomic spectrum you fall in. Project 2025 is essentially a plan to 'maintain the constitution' but the constitution was also written while African and Indigenous people were enslaved in America. How does Project 2025 affect Black American citizens, immigrants and marginalized communities? Republicans explicitly describe their goals to ultimately eliminate the Department of Education, encourage Christian indoctrination through the public school system, dismantle Civil Rights, eliminate DEI programs, ban African American degree programs, eliminate social security, ban Muslims from entering the country, enforce use of military to control protests, give presidential immunity and intentionally employ Supreme Court judges with right-wing beliefs.
Throughout many of Donald Trump's most recent press statements as presidential candidate he has expressed his interests in protecting police rights and disenfranchising citizens from prosecuting police for unjustly murders. One of the talking points amongst Conservatives and some Republicans are the taxpayers dollars that fund police departments, military and other defense organizations. Ultimately, Donald Trump has ignored many of the overwhelming number of unjustified murders of Black citizens over the last decade by justifying the legal protection of defense personnel. Another angle is targetting immigration laws and blaming immigrants for the lack of jobs for Americans. Project 2025 aims to dismantle abortion rights, reproductive rights, challenge LGBTQ+ rights and attack DEI departments which unfortunately pulls on the heart strings of many Democrats with similar interests.
Analyzing the political interests of Democrats and Republicans, it is apparent that both parties struggle with their values because party voters agree with their opponent on certain issues. Democrats appreciate Biden for approving many bills in favor of the LGBTQ+ community, but many of those same supporters are disgruntled with Biden's position on Israel's allyship. Yet, Republicans disagree with Biden's approval of the LGBTQ+ community but many party voters support Israel which causes overwhelming confusion for all. Now, voting is not only about blindly supporting your party's interests but to support your personal interest or your community's interests.
The intersections of identity, class, gender, race, sexuality, education, etc. can be used as a divisive tool to segregate communities or it could develop new ideas to bridge communities together. However, the melting pot of America will surely suffer regardless of presidential winner but Biden's Administration has yet to incite racist aggression in comparison to Donald Trump's team.
Written by Nakira G.
July 11, 2024
Keywords: BET Awards, politics, republican, democratic, election, 2024, government, racism, history, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, culture, protests, congress, immigrants
#EyesOnTigray
#EyesOnTigray
Ethiopia and Eritrea's relationship has never settled since Eritrea's independence in the 1990s, which fuels both sides to fund their militias to destroy populations at large. A fight for resources, land, equality and historical promises disenfranchise African communities all throughout East Africa. Tigray is a region nestled in Northern Ethiopia with biblical ties like other lands nearby.
The Irob ethnic group in Tigray is one of the groups that face extinction due to the issues in Tigray amongst Eritrea and Ethiopia. Border cities seem to have power struggles with the government and military forces consistently across East Africa. Ethiopian and Eritrean forces are fighting against each other but Tigray receives the brunt of all damage. The Oromo, Amharas and Tigray ethnic groups have tensions that affect the conflict at borders for traders or migrants, which reached peaks of violent danger since 2020. Starvation of resources highly affects the Tigray population and the Eritrean army have not agreed to a ceasefire despite the 600,000+ people who have died in result of this war.
Despite South Africa's insertion as a mediator to get Ethiopia and Eritrea governments to agree for cessation, Eritrean troops have not left the borders nor haulted the destruction of ancient monuments and cities which conclude for civilians that an underlining plan of genocide is underway. When a population of people are not only murdered, but their ancient systems are destroyed whether churces, agriculture, spiritual practices, languages, power or identity, then the war must be identified as a genocide because of the collateral erasure of a civilization.
Sources: Geographical.co.uk, Independent.co.uk, Moderndiplomacy.eu, Omnatigray.org,
Donate:
https://friendsofthecongo.org/
Resources:
https://palestinianyouthmovement.com/
https://palestinianfeministcollective...
Written by Nakira G.
May 2, 2024
Keywords: Tigray, Africa, East, donations, wars, genocide, solidarity, free, military, #eyesontigray
The Fantasy of Organic Food in Ghana & the Overwhelming Reality of GMO Foods
The Fantasy of Organic Food in Ghana & the Overwhelming Reality of GMO Foods
As Ghana has become one of the newest marketing destinations for locals and diasporans abroad, organic food was one of the strategies to promote the beauty of Africa's gateway. Chakabars and many other Pan-African activists described Ghana's fruit market as healthy, accessible or arguably better than Western countries due to the wide variety of fruits available. Like many countries today, colonization and trade made food accessible through seed sharing but today those same countries fight for seed sovereignty. On May 24, 2024, Accra (Ghana) High Court orders National Biosafety Authority to label all GMOs as such in which the public can make personal decisions on their food intake. Ghana was once praised for being one of the few countries in the world GMOs weren't allowed, but the continuation of Western agreements along with people including Bill Gates in the background, GMOs and chemical based food products flood most African markets.
One of the ways GMOs show up in Ghana is during off season for certain fruits and vegetables. Mangoes have an off season in Ghana but in recent years, Mangoes can be found almost all year round due to GMOs. There is a difference between local fruit, international seeds and GMOs. Despite many foods having the ability to be grown in Ghana, many foods are shipped from neighboring countries and from overseas which effects pricing competition. GMOs have been in Ghana for at least 3 or more years, but it is in 2024 the Accra High Court makes an announcement concerning GMO labeling. The concern of GMOs in Ghana is a concern of miseducation, health, economic failtures and competitive markets. How will the average market seller be educated on the negative affects of GMO and is it safe for Ghana's population to trust food sellers? Furthermore, if the Government of Ghana has allowed GMOs into the country along with fast food chains i.e., Burger King, KFC & Pizza Hut, can you blame Ghanaian citizens or visitors who assume these food choices are healthy to consume?
This story is still developing...
Written by Nakira G.
May 26, 2024
Keywords: Ghana, GMO, food, culture, travel, vegan, vegetarian, fruit, organic, natural, fast food, healthy, government, Accra, tourism,
#FreeSudan
#FreeSudan
The African Indigenous population of Sudan are under attack by the Rapid Support Forces, or the RSF, and Arab militia allies. The Sudan military is currently in a battle against armies that have committed heinous acts against civilians including sexual assault, property seizing and harmful criminal acts to conquer the Sudanese people, according to the Sudan Tribune.
The outbreak of war started April 2023 has taken the lives of 10,000-15,000 people, however, the battle of Sudan is a historical issue that is rooted in Arabization and anti-Africanness. Sudan and South Sudan ultimately separated due to the colonial allyship of Arab forces which affects most East African nations. The allyship of Arab and European nations continues to use religion, economics or trade to manipulate African governments into submission, but Indigenous Sudanese people desperately fight back.
Historically, the rebellious nature of African people causes generational damage to the nation as colonial nations use military power to strip African nations of their own resources. Civilians in Sudan are experiencing famine, forced migration, sexual assault against women by RSF soldiers, ownership of property revoked and a high volume of casualties. Similar to the war in Gaza, colonial nations use ideological manipulation tactics to reclaim lands and erase indigenous civilizations to present a new world order. The areas of Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan, Blue Nile states and Merowe have been heavily affected since the April 2023 war broke out. Over 8.9 million have been displaced throughout the 18 states in Sudan but many have fled the country to neighboring countries where many Sudanese people face racist attacks by Arab civilians in Egypt, Chad, South Sudan and Tunisia.
It's easy to assume this is another Christian versus Islam war, but underneath the religious battles, is anti-Africanness and the erasure of indigeouns or ancient civilizations for colonial purposes. The lifetime of resources that the African continent possesses, European, Asian and Arab nations seek to seige Africa from multiple African nations. Saudi Arabia plays a role in the Arab regime of wealth and as a political superpower along with the allyship of North/East- African political powers.
Sources: Sudan Tribune, ALCED, Al Jazeera,
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https://friendsofthecongo.org/
Resources:
https://palestinianyouthmovement.com/
https://palestinianfeministcollective...
Written by Nakira G.
May 2, 2024
Keywords: Sudan, Africa, East, politics, murder, famine, wars, genocide, religion, indigenous, immigrants, solidarity, protests
Why Palestine Is A Hard Topic: The Contradiction of Righteousness
Why Palestine Is A Hard Topic: The Contradiction of Righteousness
Since October 2023, Israel declared another war against Palestine and have continued to amass over 30,000 murders in a short week span. Historically, Palestine and Israel have a relationship filled with intolerance, religion, supremacy and genocide but it's unbearable reality is displayed live as explosions occur throughout Gaza. Zionism has taken a new definition as it was once considered the holiest of religious systems in the Judeo-Christian histography as Zionists often refer to themselves as the 'chosen people of God'.
However, a major component of Zionism is to establish their homeland in Palestine due to biblical reasons of belief which has caused disruption amongst indigenous and previously settle civilizations in Palestine. The history of Zionism, Israel and Palestine leaves many people on the outside confused but despite how the story goes, genocide is at the forefront of today's attacks in Gaza.
The Creation of Israel and the 1948 War
The Creation of Israel and the 1948 War
In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan to divide Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. The plan was accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by Arab ones. When Israel declared independence in 1948, neighboring Arab states invaded, resulting in the first Arab-Israeli war.
Israel emerged victorious, gaining more territory than originally proposed by the UN. Over 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes — an event Palestinians call the Nakba ("catastrophe"). Many became refugees, a status that persists for millions of their descendants.
Occupation and Settlements
Occupation and Settlements
In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem — territories Palestinians consider part of their future state. These areas remain at the core of the conflict today.
Since then, Israel has built settlements in the West Bank, which most of the international community considers illegal under international law (though Israel disputes this). The occupation has led to military checkpoints, restrictions on movement, and periodic violence.
Palestinian Leadership and Internal Divisions
Palestinian Leadership and Internal Divisions
Palestinian governance is divided between two major factions:
Fatah, which controls the Palestinian Authority (PA) in parts of the West Bank.
Hamas, an Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip and is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S., and the EU.
A major factor in the attack on Palestine is the overwhelming demographics of people involved or affected by this genocide. Arabs, Jews and people of mixed descent are forced to pick a side regardless of their religious beliefs. The long history of Arabs, Jews/Jewish religion, Christians, Islam and the intermixing of these ethnoreligious communities have caused an intersectional crisis that have been long overdue. Somehow, genocide is a justifiable cause to implement an ethnostate for Jews to occupy Palestine.
Gaza has seen several major conflicts since Israel withdrew its settlers and military in 2005. Wars in 2008-09, 2012, 2014, and 2021, and again in 2023 and 2024, have resulted in heavy casualties — mostly among Palestinians, particularly civilians, due to the densely populated nature of Gaza and limited access to basic services.
Today, there is an unknown, astronomical number of Palestinian people who have lost their lives since October 2023 but with the exposure of social media, the world has been given live accounts of the bombings happening everyday in Gaza. Sadly, the world has also seen thousands of lifeless bodies on the internet and constantly witnessing journalist reporters also being killed intentionally in the crossfire.
Approximately over 200+ journalists have lost their lives in Gaza by Israeli forces as of the time of this article. 2024 is filled with multiple genocides occurring on almost every continent and one of the main commonalities amongst the global genocides is the attack on Indigenous civilizations. On May 5th, 2024, it was announced that Israel shut down their Al Jazeera Offices, as reported by Al Jazeera. The digital announcement states that, "Israel's ongoing suppression of the free press, seen as an effort to conceal its actions in the Gaza Strip, stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law" and "more than 140 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the beginning of the war on Gaza."
Reportedly, there are no more universities in Gaza due to the bombings from Israel and many hospitals have been destroyed.
The astronomical affects of human genocide committed by Israel is accompanied by the allies of mass destruction. The U.S. Government, American corporations and universities have deep ties to Israel's economic structure. As America university students protest their university's investment in Israel's military, many people are realizing that Israel and Zionist have an overarching power in media, property & finance which would make many people say 'Jay-Z was right all along'.
Many Americans have found a myriad of ways to protest against Israel i.e., boycotting Starbucks and other corporations with ties to Israel, protesting Universities and performing strikes which resulted in mass unemployment for Google employees. The Maldvies announce divestment of Israel by declining imports from Israel and University of California Riverside also announced divestment from Israel.
Some activists say 'anti-genocide is not pro-palestine' or -anti-genocide is not anti-Zionism', but phrases such as these can be deliberately neutralizing when neutrality only benefits the oppressor. It is fair to be anti- anything in today's modern society when the oppressors of high class society to declare laws that are strictly anti-humanity.
Sources: Black Power and Palestine by Michael R. Fischbach; Black Liberation and Palestine Solidary by Lenni Brenner and Matthew Quest; Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad; Decolonizing Palestine: Hamas Between the AntiColonial and Postcolonial;
Donate:
https://friendsofthecongo.org/
Resources:
https://palestinianyouthmovement.com/
https://palestinianfeministcollective...
Written By Nakira G.
May 31, 2024; Updated 06/07/25
#FreeCongo: Digging Deep into Genocide, the Big Apple & the Tech Industry
#FreeCongo: Digging Deep into Genocide, the Big Apple & the Tech Industry
From the bloody history of a genocide by Belgium's King Leopold to Apple's multi-billion dollar industry, the Democratic Republic of Congo history has been significantly impacted by colonialism that can no longer be undermined. #FreeCongo has many meanings but a historical understanding of Congo's mineral resources remains the main character in this deadly war. Diamonds, gold and other minerals from Congo attract the likes of colonial powers to develop technology industries outside of Africa. As colonial powers demand agricultural power over African resources from national governments, both illegal and legal deals are committed against the civilians of Congolese people.
Congolese people who are refusing to work in the cobalt mines are being targeted and an unfortunate series of events continue to displace communities permanently. The headlines often read as Apple or Samsung as the Western corporations impacting the genocide in Congo but majority, if not all, technology companies i.e., automobile, kitchen appliances, phones, jewelry and airplace communities are to blame for the murderous acts at the mines. Congo, like many other African countries, do not have manufacturing companies in their nations that could remotely compare to the trillion dollar companies found in the West, NOT because of incapability but due to colonial monopolization of advanced engineering equipment. The threat of Congolese people declining slave labor offers from mining guards is a direct threat to the future of technology. Is technology more important than human lives?
The historical relationship amongst Africans and colonial powers of Europe, Asia or Arabian nations have centuries of disregarding the humanity of ownership of African resources to remain in the hands of indigenous African people. The war is as far as gun violence and bombings. Furthermore, Rwanda and Uganda have been funded by colonial powers to assist in their armies to enter Congo's border with the intent to capture people to work at the mines or unalive civilians who refuse. The monetary agreements African government have with colonial powers to commit genocide against other African nations is an abomination to the legacy of Pan-Africanism. Money has always been the driving force from colonial powers to influence African leaders to participate in slavery since the 1400s. U.S. and U.K. governments continue to fund militia to attack Congolese people to protect the technology industries of the future. A frightening fate for Congolese people but a warning to other African nations who will become the next victim as colonial nations explore African lands for minerals. As lands become available for mining, African populations will be subjected to allow slavery to occur in today's modern world.
This isn't a fight for technology, this is a fight against slavery. The Republic of Congo has a blood-filled history with Belgium where 5 million Africans were murdered, far more people than the Holocaust. Yet, the international media hides the fact that the war in Congo is a fight against slavery. Knowledge of the wars in Africa and Palestine will inform the international audience of the state of the world in which colonial powers are resorting back to genocidal slavery tactics. All of Africa's current battles or agreements with Western governments are concerned with Africa's natural resources because it is now widely known that Africa's agricultural capabilities feeds the West while many countries in Africa starve.
Sources: Focus Congo (Instagram), Africa Stream (Instagram), iheartafrica.org
Donate:
https://friendsofthecongo.org/
Resources:
https://palestinianyouthmovement.com/
Has #MeToo Finally Hit Hip-Hop: Grooming, Money & Power
Has #MeToo Finally Hit Hip-Hop: Grooming, Money & Power
On the night of September 16th, Sean Diddy Combs was arrested in New York by the federal government for trafficking and racketeering. The next day, Sean Combs was indicted on those charges and many are starting to believe that this indictment will trigger a #MeToo callout of executives or music artists in the music industry. As of September 17, 2024, R. Kelly, Tory Lanez, Sean Combs and Bill Cosby are either currently imprisoned or have been imprisoned on charges associated with violence against women, men or underage non-consensual sexual acts. Will 2024 be the year of exposing the 50 year rumors of violent sexual allegations amongst both men and women who have engaged in heinous acts of violence, sex trafficking, molesting or manipulative grooming?
During the press conference of Sean Diddy Combs’ indictment, it was acknowledged that the raid of his homes uncovered evidence of footage of his “freak offs” and accessories he used including “ammunition”, “lubricants and baby oil” and “magazines”. It is beyond embarrassing to watch a man whose entertainment career extends past 25 years to become reduced to a “hedonistic” “abuser”, words used during the press conference. There were also claims that there may be other people involved in Sean Diddy Combs’ acts and investigations “are not done”, according to U.S. Attorney Damien Williams of the Southern District of New York which is the district ‘Diddy’ has been charged in. However, the indictment does not state exactly who are the victims a part of this indictment and the U.S. Attorney states he is unable to share that information at this time. More details to come as the story continues to unfold and press statements hit the media.
In Black Hip Hop journalism, conversations about the protection of male rappers with allegations surrounding their professional relationships with women in their proximity has been recorded since the beginning of the Afrika Bambaata era of Hip Hop. Allegedly, Afrika Bambaata, creator of the 5%er movement, has been accused of nonconsensual sexual acts with underage boys during his time of high visibility but no reports of restorative justice has ever surfaced. Fast forward to the current indictment of Sean Diddy Combs, it is apparent that some elites have the power to build teams of workers to support their harmful practices. Other music artists and executives that have been accused of sexual abuse have been named throughout social media, blogs or alleged in court documents which leads the audience to believe that many more will be convicted. Just to name a few, Trey Songz and Russell Simmons have also been accused of multiple nonconsensual sexual charges by multiple women but both men deny the claims despite evidence that has been shared in documentaries. Fans also allege Shawn Carter aka Jay-Z, which many speculate is next on the list but it’s unclear what Shawn Carter is accused of and it’s not certain who are the victims.
As Hip Hop in America recently celebrated 50 years of its inception with mild celebrations throughout the country along with the ‘Freak-Nik’ documentary, the sexual nature of Hip Hop and Black music may be a relevant factor in the world of creativity but the hyper sexualized relationship those in power have with sex, money or power has left the past five decades with stories that are quite unforgivable. Could Hip Hop survive a #MeToo?
Black women have continued to speak their truth and share their stories on their own time because a pattern of abuse has affected too many women in the entertainment industry to stay silent. Dawn Richards was the most recent woman to send a lawsuit against Sean Diddy Combs just days before he was arrested and she became another name on the list of women given a bad deck of cards from the Bad Boy record label in addition to Dawn’s allegations of insufficient wages for her time as an employee of her label.
From Tina Turner, Kim Porter, Lil Kim to Megan Thee Stallion, Black women in entertainment have endured life threatening violence against them for decades in front of the public with no protection from their peers. Cassie Ventura’s settlement with Sean Combs in 2023 is highlighted as the initial factor to investigate Sean Combs for his crimes although Cassie has stayed rather silent since news broke from her lawsuit. Hundreds of podcasts, radio shows, blogs and media outlets have been reporting on Sean Combs’ case but Rolling Stone has led the charge to investigating this case. The media’s participation in indicting Sean Combs on his atrocious acts have forced everyone in entertainment to be aware of the current state of the industry. Though SDC has stepped down from Revolt and other businesses he was positioned as CEO but this possible imprisonment comes at a time near the elections where the country is divided on everything political.
So we ask, what’s next? The comparisons of Jeffrey Epstein and SDC have created a sensationalistic approach when discussing this case but the charges of sex trafficking is not a light crime. Sexual abuse, sex trafficking and underage non-consensual sexual acts have a recurring theme in the entertainment industry that needs to be interrogated immediately. Further, why are these violent sexual acts such a common experience regardless of class, race, gender or profession and how do the American society move forward acknowledging the protection of wealthy, violent criminals? The United States v. Sean Combs is a headline that will be marked in history as one of Hip Hop’s most sensationalized indictment of an entertainer despite the hundreds of allegations amongst other non-Black elites in the industry. With elections underway, the media is hyper-focused on this federal case but the true message of Diddy’s downfall is the outcry from women who are no longer staying silent.
Written 9.17.2024
On a YouTube live, Wack 100, manager of Hip Hop artist Blueface, interviewed men with the screen name of Bee Stinger, Hassan Campbell, Luce Cannon and 600. The conversation focused on the sexual abuse allegations by Afrika Bambaata. Bee Stinger is on record claiming “Afrika Bambaata is not a pedophile…he thought I was older” insinuating that when sexual advances were made between him and Afrika Bambaata was consensual or underage sexual assault. Hassan Campbell and Bee Stinger get into a heated discussion using profanity and vulgar language against each other.
Wack 100 narrates the story as Bee Stinger came out about his story concerning Afrika Bambaata when he was fifty years old despite the sexual assault occurring when he was fifteen years old. “Let’s talk about the N**ga that broke you in…Why you so fixated on Bambaata if you was already broken in”, said Bee Stinger towards Hassan Campbell, who spoke proudly against Afrika Bambaata as he seems to have evidence that Bambaata molested underage boys during his reign in the Hip Hop spiritual clan, the Five Percenters. Bee Stinger alleges that Hassan Campbell had homosexual encounters prior to Bambaata and he also alleges that Hassan Campbell is seeking clout.
“We had a whole presentation about child abuse and Afrika Bambaata”, said Hassan Campbell.
“He left because I know the deal”, said Bee Stinger after Hassan Campbell left the live abruptly due to the arguing back and forth
“This is supposed to be an intellectual conversation”, said Hassan Campbell towards Bee Stinger. Hassan discusses the historical video of Bee Stinger crying while detailing his encounter with Afrika Bambaata that he later recanted. Bee Stinger divulges an interaction that he later with Bambaata years later that he claimed ended in a hug but he decided not to disclose the conversation between the two. However, Bee Stinger admits that his hug with Bambaata was enough for him to forgive him. Wack 100 questions the meaning of the hug and he challenges how Bee Stinger valued a hug from someone who allegedly assaulted them.
“I came out in 2015 on Afrika Bambaata on Facebook”, said Hassan Campbell. “I’ve never said Afrika Bambaata didn’t do this to me…I’ve never wavered in my story..it brought all of the victims”, Hassan explains.
“Now you saying you was a willing participant….This man said on camera that when Bambaata tried the first time, he ran away and then he came back because he was curious..it’s on audio”, said Hassan Campbell as he recalls Bee Stinger recanting his story in the past.
This conversation was conducted in a rather entertainment space via YouTube but there were a plethora of legal accusations against multiple parties whom are not present during the live segment. However, the case against Afrika Bambaata continues to be a silent fight that haven’t reached mainstream news yet remain a common speculation amongst people specifically from New York.
Reflecting on the 50 years of Hip Hop, from the reign of Afrika Bambaata to Sean P.Diddy/Puff Daddy Combs, the allegations of sexual abuse are alarming. These accusations cause speculation from those outside of the “Five Percenters”, Zulu Nation, Nation of Islam and other popular regional Black led groups, that Hip Hop was founded on the sexual exploitation of Black people. America’s history as a nation is founded on exploitation, genocidal, European priority which many accuse Black led movements of mimicking the same rhetoric.
Written October 24, 2024
By Nakira G.
Unfortunate Homicide of African American Woman in Ghana: Suspect in Trial Over a Year
Unfortunate Homicide of African American Woman in Ghana: Suspect in Trial Over a Year
It is with great condolences to share this tragic story and it is with deep sadness that a sister whom relocated to Ghana had to experience such an unjust ending to her journey. Due to Naomi's Hebrew religion, we will refer to her in her name that was last used amongst her peers as she identified herself in a recent Youtube video. In April 2024, Naomi Jehubiyah Jael was found buried behind her home in Cape Coast, Central Region, Ghana by police authorities after receiving concerns from her friends and neighbors, according to a representative at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana. It is with great sorrow to hear about the heinous crime against Naomi Jael and her story has left many African American women uncomfortable with their decisions of relocating in Ghana.
With the help of many neighbors and close friends of Naomi, the police was given substantial information about her absence and her unusual behavior weeks before her demise. The news hit multiple Whatsapp groups before making its way onto Ghana media platforms and many false speculations concerning Naomi's death swirled around the community. It is quite devastating the misinformation that circulated blog networks in Ghana, so hopefully this article will bring solace and truth to Naomi's story.
According to a Representative of the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, Lemuel, who is a pastor and one of Naomi's closest friends, shared the devastating news in a private meeting with the Mpese Royal Family representative Nana Baffour along with his closest constituents. Firstly, I want to acknowledge the false information that many Ghanaian media platforms shared regarding the relationship between Naomi Jael and the young boy who murdered her selfishly.
Many of the reports published within Ghana Media outlets came from information the Ghana Police authorities received from the murderer upon arrest. It was reported the victim and the house worker were in a relationship, which was not true. Lemuel stated that Naomi, like many people who relocate to Ghana, hired workers to construct on her home. The worker admitted to the police to performing 'Juju' on Naomi but the image of Naomi's body upon discovery in her backyard also showed possible stabbing wounds to the head. The murderer also admitted to the police that he killed Naomi Jael due to a dispute about him asking to borrow her car, so he decided to take her life for the value of a posession he did not own along with her laptops which were confiscated by police. Secondly, Naomi's age was falsely reported as 80 years old in which she was expected to turn 62 in November, according to Lemuel.
With respect to the family and privacy of Naomi's story, intimate details will be disclosed. However, Naomi's story has shaked the Central Region community, specifically amongst women from the diaspora.. I want to personally thank the U.S. Embassy in Ghana for sending representatives to Central Region to have an honest discussion with the community regarding this tragedy and reassuring the community that the diaspora community's voices will not go in vain. I also want to thank the Mpese Royal Family of Ga State for organizing a press conference to restore justice by standing in solidarity with the diaspora and the local community of honest citizens.
Written by Nakira G.
May 2, 2024
Keywords: American, diaspora, hebrew, israelite, Ghana, Accra, Cape Coast, murder, woman, juju, abuse allegations, tourism,
art, beauty, fashion & music
art, beauty, fashion & music
5 Nail Designs To Match Black Designer Pieces For The Summer
5 Nail Designs To Match Black Designer Pieces For The Summer
Nail design art accompanies every outfit and this list will guide your summer inspo! Black designers around the world have launched their seasonal collections for 2025 and this list will feature current pieces from purses to apparel to match with nail designs from the Nail Gyptian Press-On Collection. Shop here.
Brandon Blackwell
(Purses)
The chocolate brown prints in the purses and the CHOCOKIWI nail set have an earthy, neutral tone combo that fits well for people who wear a lot of greens, biege, turquoise and gold embellishments. This purse and nail art combo is pefect for long skirts, denims and linens fit for warm weather.
Brandon Blackwood is a Jamaican-Chinese designer based in New York, best known for his stylish and socially conscious handbags. He gained widespread recognition with his "End Systemic Racism" totes and has built a brand focused on inclusivity, culture, and bold, functional design.
2. Hanifa Official
(Apparel & Clothing)
The Ruby Rose set & the Nina Striped Dress from Hanifa Co are a match made in heaven. The red ruby gems give a 3-D effect, glaring shine and accompanied by gold charms. The Hanifa set is a long sleeve, body fitting dress with an ombre of white to burnt orange which pairs well with the red gems on the nails.
3. Telfar Global
(Purses)
This Telfar collection is full of shiny pastels, metallics and fun colors as Telfar is known for its colors rather than design. These nail sets offer a variety of softer colors i.e., grays, lavender and light blues varying of designs from snake print, not so much zebra print and a marble design. This fashion and nail art combo is best for people who wear silver jewelry or jewelry as it compliments the metallic texture of the purses.
4. Free The Youth
(Apparel & Clothing)
The Solar and Cobra Red nail sets accompany the Babe Youth crop top as well as the unisex FTY jersey. The colors are representative of West African flag colors as each color symbolizes specifics aspects of Pan-African unitu: green, red, black and yellow.
Free The Youth is a streetwear brand hailing from Ghana, West Africa and two designs have been chosen one from their women's and men's collections. Babe Youth is their women's collection and the current pieces listed are featured from their debut collections as well.
Meet Asia Clarke, Interdisciplinary artist in Ghana from Trinidad&Tobago
Meet Asia Clarke, Interdisciplinary artist in Ghana from Trinidad&Tobago
Asia Clarke is one of the African diaspora's preservationist in art and Afro hair. African, Afro, Black and Indigenous hair is in a battle for acceptance in Westernized spaces, but Asia Clarke artistically creates Afro hair art that provokes emotions for all to view. Hair is often viewed as art or fashion, but in Black bodies hair becomes political. The texture of Black hair in metropolitan, city or industrial environments evokes either an emotion or enforcement to suppress it.
Editor in chief, NG, interviews Asia Clarke ahead of her upcoming Toronto exhibition of 'Strands & Structures', which I visited the opening of the Ghana exhibition at The Mix Hub in Accra. Asia Clark and her collaborator on the exhibition, Christian Saint, have the second installation of their exhibition in Canada this June 2024.
1. What were your initial reasons visiting or moving to Ghana? And when?
I first came to Ghana in 2016 on a volunteer mandate with a Canadian NGO. As a person from the Caribbean, I just knew I had to see Africa some way. I had volunteered in other countries before too. But on my first visit to Ghana, I really fell in love with the country and eventually started living there part-time.
2. What are the connections between your heritage in Canada and the multicultural heritage in Ghana?
Well I was born and raised in Toronto, a very metropolitan, diverse and multi cultural city. My family is from Trinidad Barbados and Dominica, all places where our African ancestors were transported to during slavery. My family immigrated to Canada in the 1960s/70s and I am one of the first to return to Africa again. Living in Accra also gives a metropolitan diverse experience - there are people there from all around the world. But I love Ghana specifically because the ties to culture and tradition are evident in the city, the artwork, the architecture and the people.
3. How significant is Black/African/Caribbean hair culture in Toronto?
I’d say it’s very significant. Just like any city with a big Afro-Caribbean community, our hair culture follows us. What I like is, in general, is that black hair art is having a cultural renaissance all around the world. People all over the world are doing cool things with black hair for photoshoots, editorials, film, TV, campaigns… it’s a beautiful thing to see.
4. Do you attribute academic education or social education as your gateway to art?
Definitely environmental, feminist, Afro-futuristic and pro-black values influence my art. I did Environmental studies undergrad at York Universiry, and I have a masters in Strategic Foresight & Innovation from OCAD University. These are also values passed down to me through my family. I have parents, uncles, aunties and grandparents who were also artistic people, whose arts practices were embedded in their every day care of me, my sister and my cousins. So I’d say my real gateway to art has been the family, the soil I grew out from.
5. What were your top 3 pieces of inspiration for your exhibition, Strands & Structures?
I’d say I was definitely inspired by the “unfinished” nature of the architecture and landscape of Accra. I was also inspired by other amazing hair artists doing cool sculptures around the world, and of course - the beauty of African people!
6. Is Black hair political in Toronto in comparison to the politics of hair in the U.S.?
Yes definitely - I believe nearly all the same racial problems exist in Canada that also exist in the USA. It’s just that Canada's black population is much smaller, so the outreach and impact is not as far reaching and influential as it is in the USA.
7. What was the reception from your audience in Ghana from your Strands & Structures exhibition in Accra?
My collaborator Christian Saint (@iamkaptin) and I were so overjoyed to see how well received STRANDS & STRUCTURES was in Accra. Literally hundreds of people came throughout the month-long exhibition. I’m so glad we get to bring it back to my home of Toronto to share with a new audience.
8. What are your 5 favorite braid styles?
Good question! People are inventing so many new styles these days! Since I started my locs in 2017, I really follow and love loc styling I’ve been seeing online. I also love the new one a lot of people are wearing - the braided baldie. I also love single braids, boho braids too. Any way we do our hair is amazing.
9. How important is acknowledging the origins of braiding styles?
In general, I believe as black people we should foster an awareness our cultural heritage and be proud of it. We know braiding, as a skill, has been passed down through generations and millennia. Now that we are inventing new styles and techniques, I’m even more glad that I get to be part of a group of people innovating black hair and pushing the culture forward.
10. What is 1 word that you want people to walk away with after viewing SS in Toronto and in Ghana?
CONNECT - connect yourself to your surroundings, your community, your city, your world, your culture, the environment, global issues. We are not separate from all these things going on around us!
Written by Nakira G.
June 3, 2024
Keywords: art, hairstyle, Africa, Caribbean, diaspora, canada, toronto, Ghana, models, exhibition, documentary
The Beauty of Style: Fashion Criticism & African Women Artists
The Beauty of Style: Fashion Criticism & African Women Artists
Growing up in fairly conservative countries, Amaarae, Tyla and Ayra Star are in wave of setting the tone for African women artists with their flare of style that could be considered brave to some. Femininity comes with a hosts of burdens for African women globally as they are often criticized for their music video appearances, performance outfits, interview looks or red carpet style depending on their ethnic, religious or national backgrounds. Some would argue African women are expected to dress modest and to maintain an image that is religiously intact.
Amaarae, Tyla and Ayra Star are often called negative words for dressing 'half naked' or 'hald-dressed' by social media users but those rants do not paint a picture of their overall impact. Despite negative comments from national fashion blogs, international designers enjoy the freedom of fashion choices amongst the diaspora of African women who are stepping into the music industry. Music artists from Africa and the Caribbean appeal to double the markets with their multi-lingual lyrics, bridging the gaps of cultural sounds. Tyla's music offers a mixture of Amapiano, American R&B, Afrobeats and Pop, making it clear that she doesn't want to get stuck in one country of popularity.
The aesthetical presence of femininity is a major competent in music because attractiveness sells. As women, the freedom to decide their boundaries in fashion and representing their nations based on their terms is key to ownership. The misconception that African women are to stay modest for the pleasure of patriarchy is a comedic concept but it's also a dangerous mindset. Safety for women should always be a priority throughout all societies and religions, but some argue that a woman deserves mistreatment based on how she is dressed or perceived. Should a bank teller in Africa and an Afrobeats artist be forced to have similar style for the sake of the country? African fashion has always told stories of one's job or social status which continues to evolve as more African creatives find success in presenting global products to the market.
Written by Nakira G.
May 2, 2024
Keywords: African, Africa, Tyla, Amaarae, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, West Africa, fashion, safety, protect black women
Convenient Rhythms, Silent Blues: Black Femme Aesthetics in the LGBTQIA Community
Convenient Rhythms, Silent Blues: Black Femme Aesthetics in the LGBTQIA Community
Let's talk about the viral video of an openly gay man from New York, named 'TheRyanJayShowOfficial' being endorsed by Marc Jacobs for his aesthetic appearance of long nails comparable to Cardi B's as well as a discussion of silent phobias that bleed within the LGBTQIA+ community. For context, the visibly non-Black Latino content creator, 'TheRyanJayShowOfficial' commented on topics regarding transwomen using the women's restrooms as well as claiming Black people don't take care of their children in response to another Tiktok video regarding White people adopting Black children. TS Madison reposted a TikTok video of a Black women named FairyPuss commenting on 'TheRyanJayShowOfficial' video which caused more virality due to TS Madison' privileges as a commentator in LGBTQIA+ media. Although, all content creators are entitled to their opinions, others are equally entitled to remix videos they wish to comment on which is a purposeful feature on both Instagram and TikTok apps.
However, as the content creators argue online, I notice a larger conversation at hand. The responses that Black women content creators receive from their peers is overwhelmingly clouded in vitriol in comparison to the hundreds of responses most viral content creators receive. Silent phobias plague TikTok and Instagram with antiblackness, homophobia, transphobia, fatphobia and colorism which is often shown by the manner in which creators develop content or respond to it. In this particular instance, the personality of 'TheRyanJayShowOfficial' is clearly based on his ethnic accent, long nail aesthetic and dramatic manner in which he discusses topics. His content posture is not based on professionalism or unity speech, but it's clearly a space for controversy to provoke the audience like many others.
For decades, Black women of every community have spoken eloquently about the commodification of Black femme aesthetics amongst other ethnic groups which is often attributed to proximity in neighborhoods, music, fashion or popular media. Many people use the excuse of living amongst Black Americans or growing up in poor environments as a justification to say the 'N' word, use Black American slang (not accents, but specific colloqials) or conveniently claim Blackness through ancestral lineage to prove a point. Yet, it's very rare that Black people adopt culturally sensitive language about other ethnic groups or wear art expressions without giving credit where it's due.
The issue is not the appreciation of Black culture, but the miseducation of Blackness. Often times, conflating "ghetto" aesthetics with Blackness is a tool to dismiss the creation of Black artistic expression and a manipulative agression to silence the beauty of Black cultural movements that are gravely accompanied by a contextual history of forceful tolerance. In other words, it's easy to ignore the accomplishments of Black women in the fashion space while congratulating non-Black people for the imitation of Black femme aesthetics.
Seemingly, TS Madison and Fairypuss aren't the only people who have commented on 'TheRyanJayShowOfficial' specifically on their videos regarding transwomen in women's restroom nor the controversial video claiming Black people aren't taking care of their children which he stated leads to White people adopting neglected children. In the process, TS Madison and Fairypuss were called ignorant for their commentary, but it's time to unpack the concept of Black women trendsetters lacking protection within the LGBTQIA+ community despite the overwhelming imitation of Black femme aesthetics.
Where does Marc Jacobs fall into this? As the virality of 'TheRyanJayOfficialShow' content circulated TikTok regarding their remarks on transwomen and Black parenting, Marc Jacobs post videos with long nails and claiming he was inspired by the 'Ryan Jay' content creator. Marc Jacobs have been known to wear luxurious nail art on his natural nails and even produce nail polish products. He debuted long nails at the 2024 Met Gala with no mention of inspiration, however, in a recent video in the weekend of May 24, 2024, Jacobs made a public statement of his inspiration for long nails with large stones was attributed to 'TheRyanJayShowOfficial'. Marc Jacobs have arguably always been a fashion icon but has rarely ever dabbled in Black femme aesthetics or to be specific, aesthetics with deep roots in Black culture.
The microaggressions of wilful ignorance of Black art is a choice especially for fashion pioneers like Marc Jacobs, Kim Kardashian, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez and the list goes on. Credibility of Black artistic expressions are conveniently shadowed over and credited to those who famously imitated styles for their non-Black audiences. Marc Jacobs choosing to make a statement of his inspiration was beyond a slap in the face to Black women who spearheaded the long nail trend in American culture, but it also felt like a similar sentiment that other White designers state towards their disgust of Black consumers in their designs. Lastly, cultural representation is a sensitive topic within fashion, which is an oxymoron considering the amount of LGBTQIA+ designers and employees in almost every fashion house throughout the world. However, LGBTQIA+ cultural representation is not inclusive to the Black population within the community and Marc Jacobs' public endorsement was a silent agreement to ignore the Black femme role in nail art fashion.
Written by Nakira G.
May 26, 2024
Keywords: cultural appropriation, latinx, Black aesthetics, femme, feminine, nail art, long nails, Cardi B Nails, culture, art, beauty
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