Trans-Humanism in America has become a widely discussed concept, with several key references in mainstream media, celebrity culture, and entertainment. The term, Transhumanism, is a philosophical and intellectual movement that advocates for the use of advanced technology i.e., genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, brain-computer interfaces, and nanotechnology, to enhance the human condition particularly extending human life span. Human technology inventions also includes plastic surgery, beauty products and cosmetics which is highlighted in entertainment industries. Celebrity culture and the wellness industry have always intertwined beauty products with entertainment, but the economic future of wellness technology is a major investment opportunity for many. 

We’ve indulged in entertaining films & series that explore the ideas of transhumanism i.e., The Matrix, I Am Robot, Ghost in the Shell, where themes of human-technology merging and digital immortality are central as sensationalized imagery of robot humans. However, advocates also discuss a specific diet, supplements and minimal internal chips as the practices they endure. Tech moguls i.e., Elon Musk (who discusses artificial intelligence and human enhancement through ventures like Neuralink) and Ray Kurzweil (author of The Singularity Is Near) have popularized transhumanist ideas in the public eye. Along with Jack Dorsey, Twitter co-founder, has openly discussed his attempts to "hack" his body to achieve optimal health, including a strict diet, fasting, and other biohacking practices. While not directly involved in transhumanism, his advocacy for optimizing human potential aligns with some transhumanist principles.

Recently on an episode of The Kardashians on Hulu, Bryan Johnson met with Kardashian family to discuss his diet and scientific technology investments to elongate his life span. Bryan Johnson is the founder of Kernel, a company focused on developing brain-computer interface technology, is also deeply involved in anti-aging research. He’s also the founder of Venmo, a cash transfer app similar to PayPal and Remitly.  He has invested heavily in longevity and life extension technologies, going so far as to create a regimented, highly controlled lifestyle aimed at slowing his aging process, which includes a combination of diet, exercise, and scientific interventions.

The Kardashians, one of America’s most popular families, showcasing transhumanist interest on their show can fly under the radar as a quirky scene but it’s quite politically poignant to advertise this phenomenon. From a consumer perspective, The Kardashians exude wealth, beauty and fitness as their brands, so Kim Kardashian showing high interest in anti-aging regimens from Bryan Johnson is humorously in alignment with the elitism of wellness products. 

Wellness, self-care, beauty and plastic surgery are becoming one conglomerate in regards to ‘anti-aging’ practices. Some consumers desire anti-aging in a natural sense of veganism, others engage in anti-aging via plastic surgery or non-surgical cosmetic procedures i.e., botox, fillers. There’s also a consumer demographic that engage in the beauty of ‘anti-aging’ via makeup products i.e., foundation, eyeliners, blush, etc. Today, if you are driving through the Beverly Hills or Calabasas areas of Southern California, you will notice how cosmetic centers with botox, fillers or rhinoplasties are titled as wellness centers or beauty spas which alludes to the merging of beauty or wellness to become synonymous with anti-aging human technology.  

Companies like Neuralink (for brain-computer interfaces) and Calico (a Google-backed company focused on aging) embody the transhumanist agenda in practical, innovative ways. AI technology and bioengineering corporations with public trading stocks have also enticed many stock traders i.e., Ian Dunlap, who teaches his supporters how to invest in tech stocks. Dorsey, Musk and Johnson happen to be a part of the .01% of millionaires or billionaires who all have high investment interests in bioengineering companies despite the fact that neither of the three are bioengineers, doctors or nutritionists. 

Transhumanism often sparks ethical debates regarding the nature of humanity, inequality, and the potential for a technological divide between those who can afford enhancements and those who cannot. Leading to the concept that poor people will continue to perish early, while those of elite status will live longer. Along with this research, scientists are also engaging in medicines or technologies that can cure diseases which allows many bioengineering companies to receive subsidies from the government and support from other medical institutions. 

Overall, transhumanism is increasingly part of American public discourse, influencing everything from scientific research to cultural conversations around technology, identity, and ethics.

Written by Nakira G., March 9, 2025

Sources: 

1. The Singularity Is Near" by Ray Kurzweil  

2. Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow" by Yuval Noah Harari 

3. Posthumanism: A Critical Analysis" by Stephen L. Tucker 

4. Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization" by Scott Barry Kaufman  

5. The Age of Em: Work, Love, and Life when Robots Rule the Earth" by Robin Hanson  

6. The Transhumanist Reader: Classical and Contemporary Essays on the Science, Technology, and Philosophy of the Human Future" edited by Max More and Natasha Vita-More  

7. The Future of Humanity: Terraforming Mars, Interstellar Travel, Immortality, and Our Destiny Beyond Earth" by Michio Kaku 

8. Beyond Human: From Animal to Metahuman" by Gregory L. B. B.

If you’ve been subscribed to this season of the United States of America, then you’ve learned that Elon Musk is somehow the ‘real’ president and the platform X formerly known as Twitter has become a cesspool for right wing messaging. Hasan Piker also known as Hasanabi is a top Twitch streamer with content that offers political analysis, humor, reaction videos and conducting public discourse with his subscribers. During his livestream, on March 25, 2025, Elon Musk sent a tweet towards Hasan and Hasan reacted to this petty beef in real time with ease.

"Hasan is such Chicken shit R*****, he blocked me”, is just one of the insults from Elon Musk towards Hasan. Though Elon Musk is a South African who is not a U.S. citizen as of now, he may not know that the ‘retard’ is considered offensive and disrespectful. There’s no accountability for the right wing, though Musk claims he hasn’t chosen a side.

Elon’s active X posting led him to a conversation with another user, Grummz, where Elon mentioned that Hasan blocked him so he posted that he also blocked Hasan. Despite the world issues happening in the world, Elon found time during White House visits to target not just Hasan Piker, but a well-known leftist media personality who has also recently interviewed Bernie Sanders (who is staunchly against the oligarchy). As petty as this digital altercation is, the X spat isn’t the main issue here. 

“If I get Elon to cry on Twitter on how some random dumba**streamer doesn’t like him then I’ve done my job”, Hasan Piker says sarcastically during his livestream.

The Trump administration and Elon Musks’ relationship in media is overwhelmingly uncomfortable to witness as Americans are witnessing their rights, services, funding and resources being stripped away each day that Trump entered office. The debacle amongst the Republicans and Democrats is shown heavily throughout digital media platforms with journalists i.e., Don Lemon, Joy Reid, Roland S. Martin, etc. but the right wing-oligarchy demographic are moving swiftly in dismantling freedom of speech. This is a time where division amongst the political parties is visibly obvious and causing Americans to remain confused on the future they all just voted for. 

Hasan shows a humorous response as he addresses the “Billionaire parasites”, as he calls it. However, as we’ve seen other journalists Joy Ann Reid recently lose her television broadcast position as a political analyst or Don Lemon losing his position at CNN, yet these tactics of attacks from Elon or Trump are just the continuation of a haunting four years of Project 2025. This isn’t a X vs. Twitch, or Elon vs. Hasan battle. This is a political battle and a manipulative media tactics battle with billionaires using their wealth to control narratives to eventually control people.  Hasan offered to have Elon Musk on his livestream during his ranting response to the X owner, but Elon’s presence on Hasan’s stream could possibly do more harm than good considering he’d be platforming someone who has done a nazi salute at a Republican event just a few weeks ago. 

Lastly, Piker’s political background and experience with high level conversations makes him a perfect candidate to battle with Elon Musk on a debate or political conversation, but Musk’ presence in America has been completely anti-poor. Don Lemon’s most recent relationship with Musk he claims he bought X to ‘preserve freedom of speech in America’ which is a complete misdirection of what X has become since he became the owner. Musk’ attitude in Don Lemon’s interview was defensive, willfully obtuse and speaking from a very entitled place despite the facts that he lacks any scientific background as he sits in billionaire status. Since Musk bought X, racist slurs have spiked and somehow his AI doesn’t qualify racism as a noticeable offense as the platform can block certain words or images for other arguably, non-offensive language. Musk claims his background was hard even though his father has described Elon’s childhood in South Africa includes Black servants and generational wealth from colonization. Mandela didn’t fight against apartheid for the United States of America to parade a descendant of colonial settler from South Africa to destroy the little accomplishments of freedom Americans have been fighting for. 

Written by nakira g.

March 26, 2025

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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. 

5. 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. 

6. 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. 

7. 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. 

8. 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. 

9. Safety & The Law
   Ghana is considered one of the safest African countries and has a welcoming vibe in its tourist sites. Generally, there are positive experiences when asking for donations or asking about cultural references, but it's crucial when doing business to be legally permitted. 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, but that doesn't erase the local LGBTQ Africans who are directly affected by this. 
   
   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 in El Mina(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. 

10. 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. 

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

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/

https://sudansolidarity.com/

https://www.anera.org/

Resources:

https://palestinianyouthmovement.com/

https://palestinianfeministcollective...

https://nationalsjp.org/

https://bdsmovement.net/

Written by Nakira G.

May 2, 2024

Keywords: Tigray, Africa, East, donations, wars, genocide, solidarity, free, military, #eyesontigray

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, 

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

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

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 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/

https://sudansolidarity.com/

https://www.anera.org/

Resources:

https://palestinianyouthmovement.com/

https://palestinianfeministcollective...

https://nationalsjp.org/

https://bdsmovement.net/

Written By Nakira G.

May 31, 2024; Updated 06/07/25

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/

https://sudansolidarity.com/

https://www.anera.org/

Resources:

https://palestinianyouthmovement.com/

https://palestinianfeministcollective...

https://nationalsjp.org/

https://bdsmovement.net/

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. 

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, 

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