True Ease in Writing comes from Art, not Chance, As those move easiest who have learned to dance. - Alexander Pope

United States

Mar 08, 2013

IWD 2013: Take The Promise

It's March 8th again. It's International Women's Day; a day set aside to celebrate all women in the world, irrespective of their backgrounds and differences. We celebrate appreciation, respect, love and admiration towards women. We equally celebrate the numerous achievements registered in the social, political and economic spheres among others. "A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women" is the theme for this year's celebrations. Somewhere in New York, activists and supporters of women's rights are gathered for the 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Discussions revolve around the priority theme: Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls. Earlier this year, the world witnessed the greatest movement of feminists and supporters on February 14th, demanding an end to Violence against Women.

Oct 18, 2012

Red Black Nonsense - "Dark Times"

Is it not trying times we live in? I’m typing a new edition of Red Black Nonsense after weeks in absentia and I’m constantly hitting the ctrl+s keys for one reason and one reason only; these are “dark times”. Companies either have no money to spend, or are too scared to spend; the value of the dalasi is on a downhill slope; NAWEC is on the usual; GAMTEL inherited the black cat that went into the NAWEC generator; beggars have multiplied in a month; Price for petrol has increased twice in 2 months; some crazed killers killed 3 people in one weekend; a Gambian got shot in The United States; yet shouldn’t we be happy for the fact that one good thing has happened for all of us recently...the start of a new tourist season!

Ok, so to be absolutely honest, I receive this year’s tourist season with mixed emotions.

Aug 03, 2012

Red Black Nonsense - An August Medley

 

A lazy Economy

Our economy is not designed to fail, and I will not be the little boy that cries wolf. However, how scary is it when businesses feel a need to close-shop “en masse”? In any other country, it might end up being an opportunity for new business ventures to start. In The Gambia however, with a lazy gene embedded within us, how will that ever happen? We have a monotonous business culture where one man’s success in a certain business venture does not inspire innovation but rather inspires a show of “copy cats”. It is like an assembly line at a production plant, mass producing the same product for the masses; different package, same product...sometimes even worse; same package, worse product!

We do not take risks and it has a lot to do with the culture we have. Anything out of the ordinary is frowned upon.

The Way to Happiness - A Review

 

Introduction

I first came across the book being advertised on Facebook social media. A photo of the cover artwork had just been tagged to me by the author and I must say the design simply exuded an aura of serenity. The book title spoke volumes too and I had an instant impulse to lay my hands on a copy. Needless to say how I got one but mine came autographed and I was good to go (Shout-outs to Mr Sabally).

 

Why am I doing this review? Well, I received a phone-call from the author asking if I could do a review of the book. In as much as I felt honored that he thought of me, I certainly felt that it was a task I was not prepared for. He sort of coaxed me into it, stating that he needed my written opinion nonetheless; so here we are, about to “get down with the program” as my hip-hop influenced cronies would say. So let’s get down with it.

Fried Okra Stew

Fried okra stew with rice!

This dish was inspired by the lack of palm oil but my stubborn craving for some okra. Supa Kanja is a dish we grew up with and a Saturday tradition in most Gambian homes. Its preparation will not be discussed today however okra and palm oil are  the ‘must have’ ingredients. My cravings led me to a search engine and I learnt that ‘okra’ is a versatile vegetable prepared in ways I never thought possible.

If you love trying some weird combination then have some little faith and try this simple but delicious meal, I am so very proud of.

Feb 06, 2011

Re: A Ghetto Youth's Letter 2

…And another three months later….

Re:A Ghetto Youth’s letter

 

Saidou,

 

It’s been a while my brother. I hope you’re in good health in the U.S of A. I recently saw on the News, a story about a crisis in your country. I hope you are doing ok. First these terrorists made it so hard for simple people like myself to make it to the states and now these miners got themselves trapped in that hole. I don’t know how they allow these Spanish speaking people to be so many in America when youth men like me find it impossible even to raise the Visa fee for the embassy. I did not spend too much time watching the news as I was really tired from football practice but we are praying for you over here.

 

Yes I have resumed training with the team again brother.

Beads of Desire

In my thirty five (35) years as an aid worker, I have seen and heard many stories but none has reached the depths of my soul as much as this one that my fingers tell on this day I have marked on my wall calendar as “life-changing”. For twenty five (25) years I have remembered this day with the piety of the people of old times ironically with a serious dose of alcohol to calm my nerves or the occasional wrap of something heavy depending on the part of the world I find myself in – today however is different from the others.

 

When I was sent to the desert area of Kisham twenty five (25) years ago as an aid worker to help those affected by the war, it was a task like the others I had taken up years before but I was not prepared for the effect that this war was to have on my life.

Feb 06, 2011

The Real Conspiracy - Letter to those that still have eyes

Dear Friends,

 

I start this letter with absolute urgency as I fear that I will be with you no more. I have discovered a most dangerous secret that exists amongst us even as we breathe and move in our synonymous human uprightness. As I type, my fingers move before me while I constantly watch behind my back in anxiety. I type because a hand-written letter would not get to the far reaches of our globe. If I had a choice, this would be the last thing I would do as I know more than anyone that my words have reached their eyes as my fingers press on the keypad of my Asus Leatherbook.

 

I have discovered the most advanced conspiracy in our planet’s history. I have found codes hidden in walls and sand bricks. These codes have been implanted in our minds and our lives and we transmit these messages without even having a clue.

Painting for a worthy cause

 

“Art is normally a rich man’s game, it costs money, so to actually go into villages and leave something that brightens up the place and add something to people’s everyday lives is special, and it’s beautifying, especially if it’s done correctly and respectfully. People travel all over the world to see Graffiti, it’s not just something that you walk past and ignore”.

These are the words of Lawrence Williams, artist and co-founder of Makasutu Cultural Forest and co-initiator of the ‘Wide Open Walls’ project at the press conference welcoming  international painters to The Gambia.

Painting for a worthy cause

 

“Art is normally a rich man’s game, it costs money, so to actually go into villages and leave something that brightens up the place and add something to people’s everyday lives is special, and it’s beautifying, especially if it’s done correctly and respectfully. People travel all over the world to see Graffiti, it’s not just something that you walk past and ignore”.

These are the words of Lawrence Williams, artist and co-founder of Makasutu Cultural Forest and co-initiator of the ‘Wide Open Walls’ project at the press conference welcoming  international painters to The Gambia.