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

Person Career

Olympics 2012: A Failed Olympic

 

With every Olympic Games new heroes and role models are born. Last year’s Olympics was no different, whether it was the story of Mo Farah of Britain, who came to the UK as a refugee when he was ten years old and ended up winning 2 goal medals for his host nation, or the story of Read more »

Taxi drivers & Ebou and the Handicaps


- gaawal taka sa seatbelt be sister
- si lolu laa neka deh driver, sore tey-lore dinga giss.
- poe-liss yaa dut teylu nak.

She grudgingly wore her seat belt on. The impatience this driver is showing her is not helping her grumpy mood. She felt his eyes on her as she clipped in the seatbelt and looked onto the road.

- danga merr ni sis? He smiled toothily.
Waa balal ma. Wy dangaa seyt neh do si newn. Newn lee morye sunj sutura. Taxi amut haalis, Ti lu tuty linj seh am, poe-liss yi nangu kor sunj loho.

She eased into her seat, feeling her muscles relax from their previous tense state. She quite understood where the driver was getting at.

- "maneh choii yek driver yi yopa em." A passenger at the back seat chimed in.
- "Yen dengen day tonj. Door len am licence bu correct sah jarpa talli yi di high speed.

Sep 07, 2012

Red Black Nonsense - Of Rumours and Bearers of them

There are a terrible lot of lies going about the world, and the worst of it is that half of them are true.  ~Winston Churchill

Right now as you read this, there is a man somewhere bored off his wits end trying to get himself busy but unable to. In his mind, there is but a single cure for his boredom, so he tells a story. The problem here is, he does not specify that it is a story, but rather insists that it’s the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. He has started what will become another big rumour.

Who said it? He said it...Who is he? A friend of a friend and he swore that it was true! How many times have you been involved in this conversation either as the disseminator or the recipient of some news? As technology advances, the speed with which rumours travel has grown with it. From text messages to the internet, we are but a click away from either spreading a rumour or deciding not to.

Aug 31, 2012

For Better or Worse (Part 4 - The End)

 

Inside the car, John had successfully escaped his airbag and was frantically ripping Isa's away from her face. Tears began to fall from her eyes, and he looked at her and muttered apologies, wiping them. He reached for her door handle, pushed it open and turned back to her. "I'll come get you out, just cover your face, OK? OK?"

She nodded. It took a little more effort to get his door open, and then John ran to the other side of the car and carried Isa out as carefully as he could.

"I'm alright. I can walk John, I'm alright." She said reaching for his face and feeling its features as if to make sure that they were all intact.

He set her down. "I'm... babe I'm so sorry..."

"Don't," she cut him off, "don't say anything.

Aug 27, 2012

On Executions - My View before the GRTS announcement on the execution of 9 death row convicts

We are not in unprecedented territory for we have been here before even on the issue of the death penalty. Overtaken by numerous drug-related offences, the government of The Gambia through the powers of The National Assembly and under the office of then Minister of Justice Edward Anthony Gomez, amended the Drug Control Act in 2010 making it possible for persons found in the possession of over 250 grams of cocaine or heroin to receive the death penalty. This however received immediate condemnation from the Bar Association and various Human Rights groups citing its conflict with another clause in our constitution, 18(2), which stated clearly that only “offences involving violence or the administration of any toxic substance, resulting in the death of another person” could legally carry the death sentence.

Aug 13, 2012

Much Ado about Zilch

I met this woman a year ago and she had clear white skin and had the biggest...erm...eyes. She was German and later I got to learn she was an Atheist. You know; a white German atheist! In Christianity they are called “non-believers” and in Islam, “kaafirs”. It was later I would learn that the word “infidel” is actually derived from Christianity and from the word “infidelity” and should not be used to describe someone who doesn’t believe in the existence of “A God”. In Christianity, such generosity is shown by example in that Jesus dined with the tax collectors at Levi’s (no..not the jeans..The man) and in Islam it is directed as such; “‘O ye who believe! When ye go abroad in the cause of Allah, investigate carefully, and say not to anyone who offers you a salutation: “Thou art none of a Believer!” Quran 4:94.

Jul 13, 2012

Red Black Nonsense - Of Broken Tongues

Our continent, over decades uncountable has been taken over by wars of many forms. It is a reality we have been born into and one which we have grown to accept. From tribal conflicts to religious to regional, we have allowed the Lords of War to capitalize on the hunger of our people and the inefficiencies of our governments to create such an environment that breeds crime which in turn breeds unrest. Since my mind reached such maturity that could acknowledge this reality, it has been one war after another with the hope every few years that things would get back to normal. Where civil unrest in The Gambia has been almost non-existent (touch wood) our land over the last few years has been taken over by another war...of words and ideologies.

When I look at our dear nation what exactly do I see? I see a different time from now when Kings ruled our soils and different families fought for control over lands that had little to offer, if not for anything but for ego.

Jollof Holiday (Part 1)

 

When I stepped out of the plane the first thing that hit me was the hot air blowing gently across the runway, the sweet smell of culture and the dusty aroma in the air filled my nostrils. That's when I knew I have reached home. I could not wait to pass through the endless and tiring security checks I had to go through before being allowed out of the airport. After an excruciating hour which felt like eternity, I was finally allowed to exit the arrivals lounge and into the crowded waiting area where my family stood eagerly waiting to welcome me.

May 10, 2012

Red Black Nonsense - 1.7 Million Apologies

I’m really terribly sorry that I have to do this. Ironic isn’t it? The fact that countless times we hear these words is most disheartening. How quick we are to apologize for being jerks; for doing something stupid yet expecting quick forgiveness. It is a truth that is blatantly human yet also understandably unforgiveable. However nothing should be unforgiveable...no? I admire the guts in a man or woman who takes responsibility for his/her actions. You did it...it was stupid...but yes! You’re not bloody sorry.

I do not write for a living. I write because it has become a part of me and one I don’t see myself giving up for anything in the world. That aside, I don’t see my brain being moulded into that of a disciplined journalist. The noble profession is miles beyond my reach for I would always choose emotion over reason. That is my art and I fell in love with it after I found it hard to channel my anger as a child.