The Day After

I rarely have the time for something as petty as keeping up a diary. But on this day – The Morning After - as the sun peeped through the window curtains, it brushed against tracks of tarnished tears on my face. I made my first entry into a new diary. It started with “Barack….”.

My eyes are heavy from lack of sleep. I spent the previous night glued to the television set soon after I returned from the wild party at the bar down the street. It was then that I realized that I had to go to work, sigh.

In the corner of the room, the television screen beam pictures of people – thousands of people cheering, dancing, and singing. People of all race and creed huddle together and shed the same tear. Then I realized it was real. This is actually happening – There was an unusual party the night before.

Something else is unusual about the day after we made history take yet another shape. It was supposed to be chaotic, a day to spark payback for generations of inequality, but not on this day. Instead what I saw was a nation of people who quietly carried on with their day. It was a solemn acceptance as a maverick passed on the touch to a new generation. A white woman looks on in admiration as a new president spoke and tears quietly made its way down her face. A teenage black female holds her face in her hands in disbelief – YES WE DID IT. Indeed we all share a common destiny. As our finger tips pointed touched on a screen and pointed to a new direction, our resolve met bigotry. Over five decades ago, a black athlete pumped his fist in the air in defiance against social injustice; on November 4^th, a white man pumps his fist in the air jubilant of a victorious black man. I wished the abolitionists were here.

My memory drifts back four years earlier in a small classroom in the University of Maryland. My classmate and I talked about American history during one of our civil rights class session. I recall my white classmate nodding in agreement when I said that we will long become fossils before a black man is elected the president of this country. I remember vividly even now, the look in his face. I suspect I had the same expression as well. There was an uncomfortable understanding between us as we paused for a moment to think about the gravity of our conversation - It was surreal. We both wanted to see it happen in our lifetime but never believed in the certainty of it.

Who would have imagined then how far we were from the truth? Who knew that history lurked in the corner destined to prove us wrong? Who would have imagined that in the summer of 1961 destiny collided with faith and in 2006, on a cold February afternoon in the Chicago Illinois, our cynicism began its journey to reality.

On November 4, 2008, WE the American people gave the world a gift. Like Barrack Obama said, against all odds together “… we put our hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day”.

Even now as I let me emotions run through my finger tips. I am not ashamed to jot down in this diary that I too cried. I am still in awe about this historic occurrence in our nation’s history. That we choose common sense over racial prejudice gives me hope that a substantial part of racism died on November 4.

This victory should not only be registered in a column for Obama. As cliché as it sounds, it is truly a victory for all of us. It is not about the genius of the man Obama. It is about a nation of people who believe in the fundamental ideology that is America. It is about the citizens of the world who hear destiny’s cry from Washington DC to Nairobi to Kigali and respond with thunderous Unisom – WE ARE ONE!

As much as people would like to say that Obama is the first Black President of the United States of America, I am afraid to disappoint you. Obama is also white. He is the embodiment of the beauty when we unit. He may not be messiah but his voice makes us to lunge forward and take that leap of faith.

In his acceptance speech, as cold as ice, with all humility, a grandmother to bury and the weight of the world on his shoulders, he spoke to our commonsense once more. As the world watched, he spoke not of his victory. Instead he spoke of a vision for better understanding; a vision that will lead us through challenges of a new frontier.

I believe that the easiest part has been done. The tough road which lies ahead is in the hills of Afghanistan. We must rescue freedom in Darfur and we have to be our brother’s keeper in Gaza. But we can only achieve this if only you listen to that tiny voice that spoke as you cast your vote on November 4, 2008.

It is a voice that calls us to roll up our sleeves; get on our knees and rebuild this nation one brick at a time. For those who stand ashore and laugh in our demise, I say it is time we show them that the ideology that is America lives on. That ideology that is the wind pushed against the backs of our founding fathers and led them westward to a land where they can rub on the heels of hope and believe that anything is possible. I believe in the possibilities of this country. I believe God’s grace shines on us all. We must do our part to raise this nation once more. God Bless America!

So Presidential

If Obama’s speech on racism and equality is any indication of his character, then he is, unequivocally, the man for the presidency of the United States of America. You see, the issue he so passionately spoke about yesterday will be the element that may derail his quest for the presidency.

I often joke with my friends - Americans are ignorant and amusingly arrogant. Inflammatory or not, this is a true statement. However uncomfortable my assertion may be, this is a blunt reality that we must face. America is one country where anyone can say the right thing just to get elected. All Obama has to do to win this election is to lay out an elaborate plan filled with ‘too good to be true’ promises and he just might win this thing. Americans aren’t interested in the judgment, tact and intellect behind making important decisions. Americans don’t have the ability to separate political dexterity from truth even if the facts right under our noses.

White America has failed Obama. Let me rephrase that. Some white people caught in enclaves of flawed pre-historic way of reasoning, have fail Obama. I’m talking about the likes of Rush Limbaugh, ever so arrogant in his stance. On his talk show, Limbaugh time and time again, ridicules Obama’s race, with a song called ‘Obama, the great Negro hope’ song. John Hagee, the leader of the, of the so-called evangelist voting block, incited hatred against Catholics. He sat through and interview with his God child, Glenn Beck, as they talked about Obama the Anti-Christ. He insists on war against other nations. This Hagee completely insensitive about the children caught in conflicts in the Middle-East preaches about war, war and more war. Correct me if I’m wrong. Shouldn’t a man who speaks God’s word preach about peace? In fact, Mr. Hagee, why don’t you become advocate for peace? This is they type of Change Obama is talking about. This Hagee guy endorsed John McCain. No one is dragging Mr. McCain through the mud but Obama must disown his former pastor otherwise, his speech isn’t enough – I hear echoes of FREEDOM and EQUAILITY!

Black America has failed Obama. What’s exactly being ‘Black’? Is it that Obama didn’t go through the same prejudice that blacks have to face in this country? I wonder is he is being tagged 'Not Black Enough' because he choose not to use race for his own demise?

Not all whites are racists. In fact, some blacks are equally racists. But the fact remains that some people in the White American community have failed Obama. They speak as though Obama isn’t of a mixed race. Is it that they to tear him down because his blood in TAINTED? Why can’t White America accept Obama and take him for who he is? Isn’t his mother white? Does his gene from his father automatically exclude him from White America? Why must he be truly embraced by African Americans any more than White America?

Obama, as far as I am concerned, is not a black man. He’s not even a white man. Obama is America. America is culmination of people of different colors, race, creed, and heritage. Don’t we call this country, THE MELTING POT? America is promise, freedom, and respect for human dignity. America is the breath of freedom which runs through my lungs. America is the fertile land for innovation; the bearer of hope for those who are disenfranchised.

Yet, some prosecute this man as though he doesn’t deserve to aspire for the highest office of the land. I strongly believe that somewhere in the last 8 years, due to no fault of anyone, we all have lost our course. While George Bush’s administration lends itself to be an easy target for people to lay the blame of our broken social system, I beg to differ. For it is we, Americans, Republicans, Democrats, and yes, even the Independent voters, who embraced an American that has steered of its course. We have let fear mongering clamp us down somewhere in the depths of our ignorance while the rest of the world have moved ahead.

I would be lying to you if I said that I am not attracted to his candidacy because he is an African American. But there’s something more to this man. I read his book long before his candidacy and so, I believe I am privy to every facet of his life; his struggle to fit in and unforgiving world. AND YOU CLAIM HE HASN’T BEEN TESTED? I listened to his speech during the National Democratic Convention in 2004. Even then, without any political aspirations, this young man stood before an uncompromising America and challenged us. He told us that there’s no such thing as red state and blue states.

If 60% of blacks vote for Obama because he’s black and Hillary Clinton nets 60% of white votes because she is white, then there is a problem with America. If this is the case, then we are fighting the wrong war. The real war is the issue Senator Obama once again brought to the footsteps of out conscience.

Obama never anchored his campaign on race. He simply conveys the sentiments of most Americans who are simply fed up with a largely forgettable 8-years of Bushism. His campaign has been successful thus far because he speaks to our conscience. He seeks to resurrect that spirit upon which this country was conceived. He seeks to turn on the reason in our minds so that we’ll realize that America is not a nation. America is an ideology upon which our founding fathers used to fight against oppression. America is that ideology which set the course for equality of all men (check the preamble in our constitution). America is the home of people who seek freedom.

It is upon this ideology that Obama condemned Pastor Wright’s speech. In his words, he said: “He (Wright) speaks as though this America is stagnant.”

Yes, America has leaped through the huddles of slavery. America has dodged a bullet in the civil war. American has walked through the quicksand of the civil right movement. America must move beyond this notion of race. Those who beckon racism reborn must not succeed. America must return to where it once was. We are loosing our grip as a world power. The Silly season stops here because we must realize that the frontier is no longer on the battle fields.

The new frontier is in the cyber café in remote villages of Africa. Our new frontier is in the oil wells in the Middle-East. The new frontier is in technology hobs in India, and Japan. The new frontier is in the class room – not the conventional classroom. I’m talking about the classroom called ‘Globalization’.

We must embrace a new direction and let go of our ignorance. We must leave this nation in the hands of our children better than the way our fathers gave it to us. For those who taught Obama’s candidacy under the pretense of his so-called inexperience, well here you have it. Is there anything more presidential in the way he handled this situation? Those who said he is not vetted. Again, here’s a man who has endure a barrage of attacks not like other candidates have been put through. Do you have any idea what it means not to be BLACK enough? Do you know what is like trying to fit in the white community but he will not be accepted for who he is? Yet, with utmost humility, calmness and president-like, Obama has walked through it all with millions of American, black and white, behind him. He faced our nation yesterday as a leader should. He confronted that issue which makes everyone else uncomfortable. He’s exercised judgment, while speaking out against a looming war. He stood against this unending war because he has the ability to see the bigger picture. These are the qualities that a president should possess and not pretend to have.

Presidential or not, one thing Obama has done in this campaign is to get Americans to discuss the most pressing issue in this country. He has shown the world that American’s can move beyond race, glass ceilings and status quo. Obama has giving this country, even in the most challenging circumstances, a reason to believe in ourselves. He has given us one hope to cling to as we go through his desperate times.

President Obama, McCain or Hillary should unite this country and stop belittling this great nation with petty talk. We must stand together for the sake of Great America!

Things that make you laugh and things that make you cry

Lucky Dube


Oh Lucky!
You were lucky to have incredible talent,
but your life lacked longevity.

Murdered in cold blood!

You were lucky enough to have a heart;
one which is brave enough to stand up for the rest of us
against blistering injustices and apartheid.
But your tender heart was too frail to fend off two hot lead from a smoking gun.

I truly find it hard to believe,
two bullets can silence you because in my mind, you are larger than life.

It is funny how the things you sang about were the things that caused your demise.
Greed and perhaps ignorance may have taken your breath away,
but you've only just become immortal.
For your voice still resonates through the walls of history
and guides us through a tempest present to a certain future.

Was it not you,
who,
when you sang,
your voice descended upon our ears like sweet melodies
and inspired us?

Your voice can never be silenced, Lucky,
because is speaks for the mute.
Your vision will never die
because it is the eye that our blind Africa has.

With your fist,
you punched through the walls of racial inequality
and brought us to the shores of self dignity, love and respect.

You stood tall, strong and firm for us,
which is why I still don't believe
that your voice can ever be silenced
by two mere hot lead from a smoking gun.

Greed and perhaps ignorance may have taken your breath away.
But I remember in your last album when you said "Celebrate Life"

Isn't that ironic?

Indeed,
your life will be celebrated long after generations pass.
And you will take your rightful place in God's favorite army.
Adeu Lucky Dube,
May you Rest in Peace!

Give me a Freakin' Break!

Is it just me or is it that Americans feel that winning the Fifa Womens' World Cup is our birth right?

As if watching a football (soccer) match with an American commentator isn't cruel enough punishment, those of us who reside in the US are being fed with doses of nonsense football analysis by people who don't know the freaking game in the first place.

Unless I watched a different soccer game today, Brazil completely annihilated the US in the semi-final game 4-0.

Yet, the BASEBALL analysts on ESPN are blaming the coach for the defeat because he switch the "starting keeper," Hope Solo for Brianna Scurry. None of those idiots mentioned the fact that the US team had 4 shots on goal and none on target. No one is giving the Brazilians the credit they deserve.

From the defense to their attack, they were perfect every aspect of the game and they executed their game plan with pin-point accuracy. The US came into the game without taking into account that the Brazilians were just as determined to win the world cup.

They conveniently placed the blame squarely on Brianna Scurry. If I'm not mistaking, it was the same Scurry who won the 1999 World Cup for the US. She was the one who single-handedly won the 2004 Olympic gold medal for the US. She fumbles on goal out of four, and some white dude who has never kicked a football in his life, will assume that she was the reason they lost today's game.

At the end of the game, Hope Solo went on camera and disrespected her coach, the team and Scurry by saying that she would have made those saves. She feels that Scurry is yesterday's news. Okay Solo, if I recall correctly, the first game against North Korea, we would have won that game but you let two goals slip through your fingers. You lack professionalism, respect and tact. Perhaps the coach choose experience over your childishness.

Maybe if the US defender wouldn't have scored and own-goal even when the keeper called for the ball, the US would have not started on a bad note...OR maybe if the US defense had shown up today to play a world cup match, Brazil's Marta will not run through them like there were not there. Maybe if we realize that the rest of the world have improved, then we will learn how to respect other people. It's not all about US all the time. We have to respect people in everything and maybe with enough hard work, we will win.

Its just sickening!

Check out the game highlight here

CHAMPIONS AGAIN!!!

Nigeria Golden Eaglets did is again!

For the 3rd time in the history of the Fifa U-17 World Cup, Nigeria conquered the world. BUT not after a heart-stopping 120 minutes of play and then the dreaded penalty shootout. I swear, I must have died three time during the game.

One thing that impressed me as much as their total dominance of the entire competition, their impressive skills and poise, is the unity among these boys.

Each time they scored a goal at the tournament, they ALL ran to the corner flag,on their knees, and thanked Allah. In the same breath, they also sang praises to God, Jesus and Mary. These youngsters accommodated their differences and used it as a source for unity - That, became their strength.

I can't recall the last time I saw so much commitment and dedication from Nigerian players. They did well and now the Nigeria FA and government owe them a lot.

Ghana also displayed such qualities as well. Unfortunately, they left the competition empty handed. I do know one thing is for sure, both Ghana and Nigeria will be teams to beat around the world if their performance at the '07 U-17 Fifa tourney is anything to go by.

I do hope the our FA will keep these young lads together for as long as it takes. They play well together and they know each other. This will be the basis for the future Super Eagles - A few prospects for the senior team, I see.

They are young and talented. Although one of my Argentine buddies cried foul after the game. He claimed that African players are over-aged. I wondered if this fool had seen the players from his country, they all play in top-flight Argentine leagues. The Colombians looked like professional wrestlers; the freaking Germans are liked World War II veterans for God's sake... and the Asians? Get out of here. Filled with rage and the urge to smack the stupidity out of this fool, I swung at him but he was beyond my reach. As I retrieved my hand, my I grabbed a bottle of Bud Light and shouted at the top of my lungs so that everyone at the bar would stop -

BRAVO EAGLETS! VIVA AFRICA!! WORLD CUP 2010, HERE WE COME!!!

At that moment, I could see the blood shoot straight to their faces...LOL!

Home Again!

So I took a long one this time around. Actually, I was deployed on a military assignment to Gunatanamo Bay, Cuba for the last two years. Now that its all said and done, I won't quite say that I am EXTREMELY happy to be back to civilization. I actually had mad fun while I was out there. However, I do know that I have missed u all.

Life from a different perspective is always necessary in order to one to gauge his or her stance in life. One becomes more appreciative of other people and their cultures. And somewhere in the puzzle, given your experience(s), you are able to find your niche - where u fit in perfectly in the big picture.

I have learned a lot over the past few years. I have also missed all of you whom I blogged with and then disappeared into thin air. I have made friends and I have lost some. However, I have become more aware of the past as I have read endlessly, your exciting daily accounts on your blog pages. In the past, when I have gone on a similar hiatus, I have thanked some bloggers, and told them how I have missed them. This time around, I dare not make the same mistake because I am, in so many ways, connected to all of you out their whom I have immersed myself your blogs.

So it will be only right for me to acknowledge all of you and tell you how much I missed you guys. I can't wait for the break of dawn so that I can read your stories and then I will share mine.

IN FACT, I HAVE ONE LONG JUICY ONE COMING! STAY TUNED...

What a week!

Okay I must admit, no matte how I try, I just can’t find a way not to blog about everyday nonsense that goes on in Nigeria. Giving the way things are going in that counrty, one has to be pessimistic. I’m even considering a career as a columnist on Nigerian affairs. Sooooo, lets check out the madness of the past week.

Atiku moves out of Aso Rock:
According to Nigerian Vanguard online, our honorable Vice President, Atiku, has moved out of Aso Rock just a week from his anticipated announcement to run for presidency.
Errr oga Atiku, the last time I checked, you are still under the mandate of 120 million people who apparently voted you and your boss into power. As far as I’m concerned, you still owe us your services until 2007. Whatever personal predicament you have with OBJ, you should shut the hell up, suck it up and serve the people whom you so hungrily want to rule as a president. Whatever happened to the EFCC’s indictment on this ass hole? Where is the Senate when you need them to impeach these guys and put real people who would serve Nigeria well. My bad! This is Nigeria we are talking about. The political system sucks ass.

IBB faces revolt in the wake of his intention to run for presidency:
Did you hear? Did you hear that the situation in Nigeria is so desperate that no one can do anything about it? So in his infinite intellect, our one time hero, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.) a.k.a IBB, a.k.a Maradonna wants to come to our rescue again.
Haba Diego Maradonna! Easy now. My take on this one is that this guy is asking for the bullet that is long over due for him. For ten years you ruled Nigeria. Are you telling me that ten mother fucking years weren’t enough for you to put Nigeria at the crest on economic prosperity? The problem with people like IBB is that they think that Nigerians are mere moppets they can use to their advantage. Things don change my brother. You better chill with your billions or you might pay the ultimate price. Nigerians ain’t fools, you know.

Alameseya’s update
Now this kinda hits home because his daughter and I were schoolmates. The latest on his case is that he has been indicted on 18 counts. His health is failing and things aren’t looking to good for the guy. So let’s pray for him, really guys, yes I’m saying let’s pray for his health.
On the indictments, lets see what happens. Right now I do not know what they are and I doubt if the general public knows either. I wonder if there are laws against bribery and corruption in Nigeria. If so when are they planning to us them?

On a lighter note!
This is a great finale to this blog. All hail our Super Falcon’s for lifting the African nation’s cup trophy for an unprecedented 5th time. Last week, OBJ splashed each player with $8,000 each. That gesture is great for our football; great for our sports.

Finally!

Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo

Vanguard again reported that Obasanjo has declared that he will enroll in college after his presidency to lead by example in showing Nigerians that it is never too late to learn. My fellow Nigerians, just seat back, close your eyes and imagine OBJ in a government class. IF he’s awake by the end of the class, I wonder what he’ll say if he was told by his instructor that he’ll have to pay some money in order to pass his class.
Gees, it took this ass wipe more than seven years to figure out that he’s as dumb as a rock. I give you that OBJ. I give you credit for realizing that you need some knowledge in your thick skull. It really takes a man to admit that. By the way, it’s too late for you bro. I don’t think Nigerians have any problems whatsoever to pursue academic education. I think OBJ has failed to realize that he has to establish good educational facilities, infrastructure and system in that country. By doing so, he’ll be able to counter private institutions that have hijacked Nigeria’s educational system. Their services can only be afforded by the rich depriving the less fortunate.

Of course OBJ, you are an ass wipe and I doubt you care!