Different Colors of Black

From L to R: Row 1: Yoruba, Samburu, Pygmy. Row 2: Maasai, Jarawa, Ovahimba. Row 3: Angolan, Ashanti. Row 4: Tuareg, San, Anlo-Ewe.

There's a skin dilemma in African. Women feel there is such a thing as being "too black." One in three women in South Africa use skin bleaching products to lighten her appearance. Even some men have opted for a lighter shade. One man commented, "I like white people. Black people are seen as dangerous; that's why I don't like being black. People treat me better now because I look like I'm white."

Many have debated whether the need stems from low self-esteem, a social fad or fascination, or from self-hate. Entrenched in the minds of many Africans from a young age is the adage "if it's white, it's all right." Nigerians are the biggest users with 77% of women using bleaching products. Many use creams containing steroids and mercury and sometimes even chemically burn their faces.

Reflection: I find this so ironic because in the United States we are trying to do the exact opposite. Men and women spend hours in a tanning bed risking skin cancer to look darker because "tan fat is better than white fat." Whether darkening or lightening your skin their is harsh criticism. Beauty is a constantly being redefined but why is it such a hot topic? Let people do what makes them feel beautiful.

Africa: Where black is not really beautiful

Written by: Pumza Fihlani

Eko Atlantic Project in Nigeria

Design concept for the center of the city.

My first impression when reading about this new "Eldorado" was it was going to be Africa's grand version of Dubai. Eko Atlantic is aiming to become the financial center of Nigeria with plenty of large banks already on board with the development. The multi-billion dollar investment is provided by private investors, planners, engineers and contractors with the slogan "investing in Africa has never been more attractive." The Eko Atlantic will ideally take some of the economic pressure off of Lagos as Nigeria is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. The new development will provide space and building for companies looking to station themselves on the West coast of Africa.

 A second design concept.

Eko Atlantic isn't just a dream for the future. Plans for the city started 2003 when the Lagos State Government was in search of a permanent solution to protect Bar Beach in Victoria Island from the effects of severe coastal erosion and flooding. Since then construction is underway and the designs make the entire city a work of art. 

From Eko Boulevard, Afren Tower (center) and the first of five Eko Pearl Towers (right), form the embryo of what is to become Eko Atlantic's bustling skyline. 

On the development scale, Nigeria still lags behind South Africa but it is the fastest growing economy. It has a growing middle class and an able workforce. Nigeria is properly placed along the coast to be a center for trade.

Design and Construction photos for the Eko Atlantic.

More project details can be found at www.ekoatlantic.com

Using Mobile Phones in Africa

Banks are now forming partnerships with phone companies to provide financial services to Africans who have may never used them before. It started with mobile banking and has since then exploded with new products. Banks are trying to provide approval for accounts and lending options through mobile devices. Mobile phone providers are battling fiercely to partner with banks and gain market share. Look at the distribution of how Africans use their cell phones.

Only one third of adults have access to bank accounts in Sub-Sahara Africa. If financing can be provided to entrepreneurs in a greater radius it will provide for the first time in many African's lives great economic opportunity. It could also offer women a way to become economically independent from their husbands and finance start-up companies. The communication industry is growing fast and will need to employ workers the larger each provider gets. 

The battle between Africa’s mobile phone companies and banks is a boon for financial inclusion

Written By: Omar Mohammed

Africa is growing - fast

Data World Bank, UN

Growth is a common phenomenon among Sub-Sahara African countries. GDP's are rising more than 5% in 24 countries, inflation is slowing, and a young workforce is present. This article was a promotion by GE who is very present in Africa and clearly excited about their investment because it was nothing short of a love letter. 

I found the Technology hubs to be very interesting. They are startup hubs to encourage entrepreneurs. It's providing a new frontier for Africans and a location for networking and brainstorming. Africa's GDP's are expected to rise to to internet connection and hopefully boost technology research and development. 

Reflection: I honestly can't imagine a world without internet. Even this class would be impossible without it. How many start-ups in the US just started with a simple web page? Chegg Textbooks started as a small business in Iowa that now ships textbooks all over the country. Social media giants like MySpace and Facebook made possible through innovation and an internet connection. Bloggers and app designers make thousands off of ideas and access to the online market. It will be interesting to see what Africa can do with the internet, and ultimately connect them instantly with the rest of the world market online.

Africa's neither 'rising' nor 'falling' but it is growing - fast
Sponsored content by GE

Improvements in Malaria Vaccines

(AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)

Children under the age of five are Malaria's primary victims. Up to 585,000 people die of Malaria in a year and 90% of those victims are in Sub-Sahara Africa. After 30 years of research the first Malaria vaccine has been introduced. It has proven 30% effective in infants and 40% in toddlers. So how does it work?

Malaria is not a virus or a bacteria but an aggressive parasite. For someone to contract Malaria they must first be bitten by a mosquito carrying the parasite. It then takes a few minutes for the parasite to travel to the liver where it remains for five days cultivating until it begins to multiply and then affect the bloodstream introducing the sickness. The victim will then experience fever, chills,  and sweating. The new vaccine targets the parasite while it's in the liver and attempting to multiply. Advancements in the study of the immune system in the last twenty-five years have made the vaccine possible.

Reflection: It's hard to imagine that out of 30 million babies born, over 500k of them will die of Malaria. One line of the article in-particular made me think, "...it's a country where your siblings die [while you're growing up]." It's hard to imagine how Malaria affects family-life in Africa and economically the affect is calculated in billions of dollars. It will be exciting to see the second generation of this vaccine's impact.

The first malaria vaccine will not eradicate the disease yet - but will save millions of lives
Written by: Peter Guest

African's Love President Obama

Kenyans welcoming President Barack Obama.

Americans wonder why President Obama's approval ratings in African countries are so high across the board. Although former President Busch increased funding for African aid during his administration, Obama's administration has dramatically decreased funding. So how does he bode so well with African citizens?

President Obama is first an foremost an American but is gaining respect for having a "global personality." He made an appearance in Jamaica and successfully greeted the crowd in the native language. He respectfully pronounces "Pakistan" in the voice that actual Pakistanis use. He playfully joined in on a dance in Kenya to entertain the crowd. When it comes to hot political topics he stands firm on sensitive African issues such as LGBT rights. Pres. Obama is simply gaining popularity by not acting as the patron saint to developing countries.

Reflection: I think this goes back to the "myth of savage Africa" and how Africa is still viewed today. President Obama may gain some favoritism as the first American president with Kenyan heritage but that kind of popularity would be short-lived. He's one of the first world-power influences to look at Africa as an equal and find a trading partner. Obama's views of Africa are completely polar opposite to the views of other world-powers, such as Nicolas Sarkozy, former President of France. He recognizes the fact that Africa has a lot to offer economically and it doesn't need handouts to succeed.

Why Africa loves Obama - and it's not why you might think

Written by: Omar Mohammed

#BringBackOurGirls The Kidnapping in Nigeria

In April of 2014, young schoolgirls were kidnapped from a school in Chibok by an Islamic group known as Boko Haram. The extremists do not believe in educating young women and are particularly hateful of the Western influenced education in Nigeria. They believe that schooling should follow traditional Islamic teaching. The kidnapped girls were presumably taken into the Sambisa Forest where they were held and taken in for cooks, sex slaves, and sold for a bride price.

Reflection: I find it outrageous that an Islamic group would call for their teachings in a city that is primarily Christian. I'm even more shocked at the Nigerian government's lack of response. The actual number of young women missing was never even fully disclosed. Boko Haram is not a unknown name in Nigeria, they've murdered and kidnapped men and women on numerous occasions. It's alarming to think that the Nigerian police or military can't enable their troops fast enough to respond to these terrorist groups.

I think Boko Haram's view of women highlights the gender gap still prevalent in African society. While most Nigerian's probably don't feel as extremely as Boko Haram does, there is still the general consensus that women do not belong among the educated in society. It will take multiple generations change attitudes about women in society.

Nigeria Abductions: 6 Reasons Why the World Should Demand Action

 Written By: Holly Yan

To Save Wildlife, and Tourism, Kenyans Take Up Arms

A poacher from Kenya was a one of many to illegally hunt elephants for their ivory tusks. The ivory market is hot due to a demand in China for its rarity. The limitations on ivory trading have made the item a black market commodity. The number of elephants poached in Africa is at an all-time high and if continued may be at a pace similar to the endangered American bison. Many Kenyans have made it their mission to protect the elephants due to their popularity.

Safari's spark huge tourism for the country and generate a lot of movement in the economy. The poaching of elephants undermines the legal economy and generates violence and instability amongst poaching parties. Julius Lokinyi, a well-known and successful poacher, was broke when he decided to join the Kenyan militia who protect the animals. Even Lokinyi can see the benefit to Kenya by saving the elephants.

Reflection: I think it's incredibly brave of Lokinyi to leave his poaching group to reenter society. He was ridiculed and could even be considered in danger for leaving his group. There seems to be two social casts of society in this particular situation. The Kenyans who want to partake in the economy and other who want to exploit it. I think the lack of government regulation on illegal trading may lure poor Africans into the market. However, the income for poachers is very unstable and especially for young men who don't get to take a large part of the group's earnings.

To Save Wildlife, and Tourism, Kenyans Take Up Arms

Written by: Jeff Gettleman

Victims No More: Congo’s Badass Women Mechanics

Goma, nicknamed the “rape capital of the world” lies on the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Similar to Austin, Texas in size, it is known for its part in the Rwanda Genocide in 1994 and for volcanic activity. Women’s roles in society follow traditional seamstresses, cooks, farm labor, or small vendors. However, young girls in the heart of Goma are breaking traditional roles and studying to be mechanics. Their peers and their elders have criticized them. They’ve been accused of man hunting and taking men’s jobs. The young group of girls do not feel dejected, “When people discourage us we feel more encouraged to go on.” (Dorcas Lukonge, age 17)

Reflection: This article immediately caught my eye and I loved the story that followed. The spirit in such a young group of girls amazes me. They live in a very physically threatening environment and are outcasted for taking on new roles as women, and yet all they want to do is learn and work good jobs. I love the simplicity of business. Goma is a very badly structured city with dirt roads that are full of potholes from various volcanic activity. Driving on the roads can be very treacherous and therefore there is high demand for good mechanics. These young women saw a need, learned a skill, and completed the transaction. That’s good business.

Victims No More: Congo's Badass Women Mechanics

Published by The Daily Beast on 06.06.14, all pictures are by Nina Strochlic.

Slavery | "Racialized Around Africa"

After this weeks class discussion on the racism that generated in the New World and the recent tragedy of the 9 killed in South Carolina, I feel it is only necessary to address the racism that is still prevalent today.

In the aftermath of the shooting, racial tensions have increased and the heat of the public’s attention has shifted to the Confederate flag that still flies over the South Carolina Statehouse. While the support for the flag deems it Southern heritage, proponents of the flag feel it is still a symbol of slavery. It is clear that racism is still felt and engrained in southern culture.

Demonstrators protest at the South Carolina Statehouse calling for the Confederate flag to remain on the Statehouse grounds on June 27, 2015. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images) USA Today | Pro-Confederate flag rally held at S.C. Statehouse

Slavery in the United States did not coexist with the ideology of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness that New World settlers prided themselves on. This ultimately led to the abolition movements. However, long before these events the slave trade was an ugly stain in the United State’s history book. Slavery took a particularly ugly role in the US due to the cultural divide between slaves and their masters.

In merely 300 years, an estimated 11 million people were exported from Africa to surrounding countries due to a high demand for labor. From the Roman’s all the way up to 17^th Century Africa, slavery was present. Slavery goes back to human history, when humans began to settle and become more established agriculturally. As the slaves arrived in the New World, slavery became “racialized around Africa.” (Inhuman Bondage) Nowhere else in the world, had the population become so clearly color-coded. Blacks were laborious slaves, and whites were wealthy landowners. Many who have described the conditions of US slaves use the term “dehumanized” because of the lack of humanity shown to these people.

There is no doubt that history lives on and can enflame passions on both sides. The Confederate Flag was used in the 1860’s and is nicknamed the “Stars and Bars.” It represented the Confederate States of America that seceded from the Union after President Lincoln was elected. The Confederate Flag became a rebel symbol and is strongly linked to southern culture, which captivates intense slavery and racism.

So how, after 100+ years of progress do we still as a nation play into these racial stigmas and still use it in our everyday language? Why do we use terms like “African-American” to describe people? I’m not referred to as a German-American and yet I have lineage that connects me to Germany, but does that make me German? It’s as if we’re saying you were only brought here so we only grant you half a citizenship when we say “African-American.” As if any American, other than the Native Americans can claim they are truly American.

In regards to the Confederate Flag, the actual American flag was intended to unify these two groups of people. A symbol they could stand under together. The only people that proudly stood under the Confederate Flag were racist bigots. Somehow in the last 100 years the flag has survived on and been romanticized as a southern symbol. To these people I would say that you can fly that flag above your own home, that’s free speech. But it has no place flying over the South Carolina Statehouse where Senators and Representatives are supposed to represent the interests of their black and white constituents. It is not a symbol of unity. "Americans are finally accepting what...many others believe it has represented all along: not heritage, nor pride, nor a badge of Southern identity, but a regime of white supremacists who went to war against the Union in order to preserve the inhuman institution of slavery." (The Washington Post, Tharoor)

Audio Source: "Inhuman Bondage" interview with author David Bryon Davis.

All other sources are linked.