Errance Mentale: when we believe it, we'll see it.

  Anecdote 1. We came early, and we were hungry. When it was time to eat, an impromptu MC asked us to stand up and pray. The prayer reciter looked in our direction as we were still seated and said in a disapproving voice, "Let us ALL stand up and bow our heads." I looked at her, smiled, and took out my phone. I remained seated.  Anecdote 2.  We had a good time at this reunion. We had rented a lodge, and about twenty of us enjoyed a camaraderie that spanned over thirty years. As we usually do, we talked about recent developments in our lives and how to make our relationships more relevant. Out of nowhere, one of the participants requested that we pray. I was completely thrown off guard and slightly upset. I said nothing.  If you are from sub-Saharan Africa, there is a good chance that you belong to a cultural organization. It is usually associated with people who share something in common: language, customs, geographical location, lineage, etc. I belong to a few, but...

Having attained the nadir (?) of its pretentious colorblindness in the summer of 2020, the US has resorted to palliatives to soothe its permanent gangrene called racism. Like cancer, racism continues to grow because it continues to be taught and exploited (yes, it is hideously lucrative for material and power). Mississippi's sedative is the state's new flag. Albeit just a flag, ergo, a mere symbol, we residents of the state need to thank the activists and proponents who fought for the change. Some of them thought the day would never come when the old flag (a symbol of twisted economic boom and vitality for some, but a reminder of stolen lives and wealth and endless discrimination for others) would come down forever. It did. The new flag is a brave testimony of our ever-expanding intelligence, tolerance, and humanity. The new flag's colors and design do not matter as it is just a symbol. However, my reservation about it stems from including the words "In God We Trust...

This is my response to Mr. Innocent Chia's article: Are you the coward beating up on your wife or fiancée? Yes, shame on me, shame on Ray Rice, shame on you too the wife/partner/fiance beater. You are right Mr. Chia, we are cowards. Cowards for being perpetrators, onlookers, silent spectators/accomplices, etc. Most of us have been programmed to to be violent towards women by the subtle and all too significant carvings of evolution, by our own inadequacies hence insecurities. In abusing our power, we have failed to do two things, conquer our fears and exercise restraint. The theory of trophy wives, inferiority complex and Innocent’s stay on the perpetrator are subjective assessments that only begin to scratch the surface of the global problem of spousal abuse in particular and abuses in general. For instance, your average commercial, male conversation, Christian and Muslim religion objectify the woman as a trophy for a deserving and conquering male. Yes, it may be about not havi...

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How do you pay tribute to a mother who gave you everything? How do you begin to explain to anyone how wonderful your mother's love is without them thinking that it is nothing compared to theirs? You just can't. You can't stop either because, regardless of how everyone else views your mother, she will never cease to be special. Ok, I love my mother. This is not new. Those who know me know this, but they don't know how much and why. As we drove on Landover road just after the intersection with Lottsford Rd in MD heading towards Upper Marlboro, I felt the need to stop and speak to my mother. She had been critical about my way of life which lacked the lustre and flair of those who have succeeded in the USA: Doctors, Lawyers, Nurses, etc. People who lived in "big Houses", drove nice cars and ... well you get the picture. I was a teacher and my mother felt that by subtly letting me know that I had to supplement my income with a "second" job or even a th...

The last mile is the most complicated, the most difficult some say, but as a reluctant jogger, I'd like to draw your attention to the first mile. It all started with a promise (although I'd like to consider it a wish) that I made public on FB that I was embarking on a journey to shed off some 15-20 pounds to an ideal 170-175 for my short 5.8' stature. The reason to make that public was to be accountable to someone. There is always someone who will remind you of what they read on your profile ... So it was last month when a friend brought the matter up and said jokingly "but you don put on weight, oh!" Like I needed any reminders! I have come up with all kinds of excuses why I was not working on my goal: it was too cold, the kids, it's too early, it's too late, it doesn't really matter I can still lose weight whenever I want, besides look at all those overweight people, am I not better than they are...? Yes, it is amazing what goes through the mind ...

Keep the history. Distribute the blame as you see fit. The evidence stares blankly in the faces of all Manyu people: a fragmented lot. Case in point, MECA-USA Inc. and MECA-USA. As recently as 2009, these two organizations functioned as one with rival camps based on reasons as deep rooted as family feuds/rivalries and as frivolous as "girlfrined, boyfriend" to quote a "respectable" member of this community. I intervene in this manner because I have no influence over any Manyu person but myself. I hold no personal grievances with ANYONE. I have disagreed with EVERYONE at some point in my life and EVERYONE has disagreed with me too in the course of my over two-score existence. I came into the Manyu community in the USA about 10 years ago. I immediately felt at home. In 2005, I suffered an election loss when I campaigned alongside Dr. Besong as he ran for the Chairmanship. We lost and we all stayed in the association. Two years later, I campaigned with Dr. Pete...