sat’day riddymz

You Can’t Stop the Violence in Ghetto Streets Without Stopping the Violence in Iraq, Afghanistan and Elsewhere

From Black Agenda Report:

You Can’t Stop the Violence in Ghetto Streets Without Stopping the Violence in Iraq, Afghanistan and Elsewhere.

By managing editor Bruce A. Dixon

“For more than a generation, the standard stance among America’s black political class was to demand an end to militarism, empire, and war at the same time they championed vastly expanded funding of education, housing, jobs and equal opportunities at home. “

I left Chicago at the end of 2008 for Georgia. But for the last year or more, when I tell people where I’m from the most frequently brought up Chicago factoid is the asinine proposal of a corrupt black preacher-politician to post the National Guard on ghetto street corners in an effort to stem a local epidemic of violence. I won’t mention the politician’s name or provide any links to him, but he’s the same idiot who last year referred to the Chicago Teachers Union as the most dangerous gang in town.

It’s a foolish idea on its face, of course. The National Guard isn’t trained to interact much with civilians, except to shoot up their houses and vehicles, to call in air strikes on their neighborhoods, or to break down their doors and drag them off to be tortured in secret prisons, or kill them on the spot, as they do daily in Iraq and Afghanistan. We suspect the preacher-politician knows this, and that even he doesn’t really want Apache helicopter gunships strafing schoolyards and wedding parties on the south side of Chicago. At the time, he just needed to keep his name in the news. Besides, if the task of misleaders is to mislead, spreading bogus notions about an “epidemic of ghetto violence” being at the root of our problem, and blaming victims all fit neatly into his job description.

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” James 2:26

“The constant assertion of belief is an indication of fear” Krishnamurti

Once a week I volunteer at an inner city mission. Interestingly, even though I had volunteered sporadically before with different organizations and missions, it was after reading Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life”, that I made a conscious decision to commit to volunteer on a consistent basis. I came to realize clearly from his teaching that we are created by God with a ministry and a mission to fulfill. Our ministry is what we do in our service for the “Church” and our mission is what we do in our service for the “World”. Both are important. Both influences and strengthens each other. To have the maximum impact as a child of God on those we come in contact with, we have to be committed to being consistent in our ministry and mission.

In reality, this is easier said than done. When I don’t feel like going and can find many excuses to justify staying home or doing something else, I push myself to go. I don’t do this out of fear. I don’t even do this out of a sense of commitment or obligation. I can honestly say that I have progressed to the point where I now do it out of love. Not a self-centered or self-directed love for God, but my love for the people I have come to know and connect with… and what an interesting group they are!

The people who the mission serves are poor, mainly struggle with some form of addiction(s) and many deal psychological and/or emotional issues. Yet in some ways, they are the most caring people I have met. They are always polite and grateful for what we do. Some may drop in for a few minutes, while others stay for hours. They have moments of conflict with each other, but for the most part, they look out for each other.

In conversing with most of them, what has astonished me is that while some (if not most) have gone through… and are still dealing with some real difficult, traumatic and heart-breaking situations… they have a deep faith in Jesus Christ. Not the “church going” or intellectualized faith that we vainly opine and debate about, but a faith based on the unadulterated belief that Jesus has brought them through so far and He will always care for them. What amazes me even more is those with the strongest faith are the ones who have suffered the most. They share with me their stories and like Job’s wife I ask myself: “why don’t they just curse God and die!?”

When I first started volunteering at the mission, I felt God was teaching me that I really have nothing to complain about and I should appreciate my life because in comparison to the clients at the mission, my life was indeed blessed. Over time I have come to realize that what God was in fact showing me was that my faith, in comparison to these people, was shallow at best. Their belief is not based on fear, but on their personal experiences in the love of God.

“If Christianity and it adherents really stand for something powerful and special and good, why aren’t they doing as Dr. Martin Luther King did, getting in the streets, organizing believers and non- and attempting to eliminate all of the ungodly behavior going on in their communities and in their nation? It doesn’t seem that that’s what this religion thing is about…and if its not about what’s moral, what’s evil and what’s right, what good is it??” Lubangakene

This attitude is the reason why our community at large and humanity in general, haven’t progressed further than it has in regards to the common good. Too many of us are looking and waiting for the next Martin (or Malcolm), instead of taking up our own cross and working to fulfill our own mission. Too many of us would rather answer like Cain: “Am I my brother’s keeper?”, than take the responsibility to “really work for something powerful and special and good” in the service for others. The life work of Martin Luther King is inspirational and influential, however I am inspired and influenced by the ONE who inspired and influenced Rev. King: Jesus Christ. He’s the source. His example isn’t one who went to church (synagogue at the time) 4-6 days a week to prove his faith, nor sit in a room and write a treatise (or blog) on the importance of his beliefs. Jesus got involved and served the poor and oppressed… their physical and more importantly, their spiritual needs.

Those looking and waiting for the next Martin and Malcolm, are looking and waiting for the “spectacular” as a measure for judgment. The spectacular event or series of events by the righteous, which appears to have an impact on the world at large, is what they value. However, the truth is the greatest impact is made by those unheralded workers who change the world for one individual, one day at a time. They don’t get a lot of media attention, the vast majority get none at all, but what they do is “spectacular” for those they help none the least.

Yet, let me highlight some of the works of Christians to alleviate the sufferings and oppressions of the poor. There is the Spanish Catholic priest, Father Christopher Hartley and his work helping Haitian migrant workers in the Dominican Republic. His efforts to bring medicine, education and advocate for their human rights is the subject of the documentary: The Price of Sugar. There are the front line workers of the Salvation Army who are committed to meeting the daily needs of the hungry, substance addicted, the homeless and young runaways. Here is a documentary by the National Film Board of Canada on their efforts in my home town of Toronto: “Salvation“. There is the Catholic Bishop Kevin Dowlings who advocates the use of condoms to save lives and prevent the spread of HIV-AIDS in his diocese in South Africa, putting him at odds with his church’s doctrine on contraception. There are the Christian Peacemaker Teams who work in conflict zones in places such as Palestine, Iraq, South America and Africa… and who are committed to non-violent direct action to confront systems of violence and oppression. 

One of the columnists I read regularly at the New York Times online is Nicholas D. Kristoff. He travels to some of the most remote parts of the world reporting on the injustices and sufferings faced by the powerless. There is one thing his columns has taught me… there is no such thing as a “god-forsaken place”. In the midst of the sufferings, no matter where in the world, he usually mentions that there is a Christian missionary or worker from a Christian NGO working there to help the people.

Then there are those I know personally from my mission work. The two pastors who started and run the mission made a conscious decision to commit themselves to serving the needs of the poor, instead of working in traditional churches. The volunteers are ordinary people, such as university students, homemakers, office workers, etc, who unselfishly give of their time to make a difference. Some volunteers have gone through their own personal battles and are still fighting their own personal demons, trials and tribulations. Yet they consistently show up and serve. A few are clients of the mission itself, who simply want to help.

The one thing all these Christians have in common, from Father Hartley…to the people at the mission… to the countless millions of Christians who quietly, selflessly and consistently fulfill their mission… is that they do what they do out of love, not fear. Their belief, faith and the works that they do is very simply a manifestation of the love of God through Jesus Christ, as well as being their “brother’s and sister’s keeper”. Matthew 22: 36-40 

Regardless of your belief, non-belief or philosophy, my question to you is (and it is a rhetorical one): “are you your brother’s and sister’s keeper… and if you are, what are you doing about it?”

sat’day riddymz

Thanks to Sis. Anna Renee for turning me on to this! Check out her new spot here too! 

“Tea Party Invitation to NAACP for Summit” by Eddie Griffin

Wise and thoughtful commentary by Elder Eddie Griffin.

As an ambassador of good will and advocate of human rights, I always welcome the opportunity for peace and understanding between people, races, and nations. Therefore, I welcome the olive branch extended by David Webb, co-founder of TeaParty365, who appeared on CBS “Face the Nation” on Sunday. He proposes a Tea Summit on Race Relation, in response to the NAACP resolution against racism within the Tea Party movement.

NAACP President Benjamin Jealous, according to the Wall Street Journal report, was “open to the idea”. He wishes, however, that such a forum should address issues other than race.

Even so, I would welcome the idea of holding a joint town hall meeting, as proposed by Webb, on any terms, for the sake of putting animosities behind us.

NOTE: David Webb is African-American, the same as Benjamin Jealous. And, it appears that only the African-American members of the Tea Party are willing to step forward to deal with racism within the organization. The rests seems more inclined to find a fault with the NAACP and spin cases or instances of “black racism”, to counter the damage done to the party’s image.

Nevertheless, there has been progress since the release of the resolution. The North Iowa Tea Party billboard in Mason City, depicting President Barack Obama as Hitler, has been taken down and replaced with a public service announcement. Tea Party Express activist Mark Williams has been expelled from the Tea Party Federation for a demeaning racial satire posted on his website.

These corrections in organizational behavior clears the way for people of good will to move forward toward racial reconciliation, and yet with freedom to air our legitimate political differences.

“There is no debate about racism,” says Jealous. I agree.

Some people would go tit-for-tat on instances of racial bigotry, both white bigotry and black bigotry. And, some African-Americans would fend that they have been more assailed with white racism since the founding of this nation, and point out slavery and lynching and violent oppression and white terrorism, as proof.

These arguments rub raw the wrong way. To get caught up in tit-for-tat acrimony would be fruitless. However, beware that it is the only term with which some can discuss the issue.

Therefore, my advice to the NAACP would be to accept the Tea Party’s invitation to a summit with grace and dignity. Take the high road and not condescend to tit-for-tat on bigotry. Remember: Racial bigotry is only the outward expression of a subjective idea. In this case, when we speak of racism, we speak of the ideology of white supremacy and the discriminatory and prejudicial practices that grow out of it, and how the state apparatus becomes an institution of oppression by it. Everything else is a diversion.

Give all due respect to your adversary, remembering that the bigot is not the enemy, but a victim of a misguided idea. The enemy is the foundation of ideas that lead to hateful and prejudicial behavior. Study from whence these ideas of white supremacy come and how they innocuously and subtly interject into today’s political arena.

FOR EXAMPLE: Tea Party Express activist Mark Williams, in his satire, insinuated that black people were lazy, shiftless, and irresponsible. Needless to say, this is a popular idea within the movement, and forms the basis of why some people think that the government is taking their hard earned wealth and giving to an unworthy group of people.

It is also a popular idea that providing poor and unemployed people with welfare (or “extended unemployment”) creates a disincentive to work, and such assistance, such as free food stamps encourages “welfare mothers” to reproduces.

These are very old ideas, dating back to the debate on English Poor Laws in 1536. In 1834, when another round of Poor Laws was introduced, Thomas Malthus, the father of birth control and family planning, opposed the new laws for the very same reasons listed above: that it would encourage the poor to become lazy, irresponsible, reproduce like rabbits, and eventually become a burden on the state.

Today, we have code words like “welfare state”, “entitlement programs”, “socialized medicine”, all with the same underlying meaning that hard working Americans are being robbed by the government to support lazy and irresponsible welfare recipients. Unfortunately, the modern day stereotype is not the British poor, but poor minorities, the faces of which are mostly black.

Thomas Malthus’ “An Essay on the Principal of Population” (1798-1826) was a series on political economy based upon population growth of the “unworthy” people, who would overpopulate the world and consume more food than the earth could produce. The solution was to cut off support for the lazy poor, keep wages at subsistence level, and put malaria in the water of African natives. In short, let the “unworthy” population die off, by natural attrition and haste.

The current debate over government spending is primarily aimed at the programs that helped the poor, unemployed, and aged. The arguments are the same now, as in 1834. Technically, this is not racism, until combined with the goals and aspirations of white supremacy.

In rebuking the NAACP for its resolution, a FOX commentator questioned if the black community did not have enough problems for its organization, such as poverty, unemployment, teen pregnancy, crime, etc.

Somehow, we assumed that these were common problems to America as a whole, not just an isolated group or race of people. To say that these are black problems, instead of America’s problems, puts the onerous African-Americans to build bricks without straw (as in, no government help or assistance). The above arguments stymatizes helping the poor and undeserving. Instead of a theme of Saving America, we see slogans like Save White America in the Tea Party movement.

This is what divides us: that we are not One Nation, but a nation of competing interests along the color line. There must be reconciliation beyond the color of a person’s skin, and one community’s problem must be looked upon as a problem for the nation, as a whole.

“When you hold a winning hand, you do not have to shake your fist and shout. Give your adversary all the rope they need. REMEMBERING: You hold the winning hand.” Eddie G

It’s a nice place to visit but…..

I love America! Well… let me qualify that statement and say that I love “visiting” America. I have travelled extensively throughout the U.S. and last week the family visited Florida (Orlando, Hollywood and Miami). I have always found the people to be friendly and accommodating if need be. The infrastructure and other necessities for an acceptable quality of life is comparable enough to Canada to make vacationing there comfortable. However, I am always glad when I return home. Crossing the border on Saturday back into Canada I saw a bumper sticker which read: “Proud to be Canadian!” Canada is no paradise and we have our issues here to contend with, but I wholeheartedly agreed with the sentiment on that bumper sticker.

I have also been fortunate to travel to a few “third world” countries, both as a tourist and a visitor. As well, I had spent much of my formative years growing up in Jamaica. I have therefore seen and experienced to an extent, what are considered some of the characteristics which define a “third world” country. The widening gap between not just the rich and the poor, but more importantly, between “the have and the have-nots”. The segregation of communities, based on color and/or economic status, by imaginary and real gates, now fashionably referred to as “gated communities”, to keep out those who don’t belong. The lack of affordable basic health care for the poor. The shrinking resources allocated to education, so that more and more, it’s only the rich who can afford to educate their children. The function of law enforcement, including the armed forces (sometimes referred to as a sort of “national guard”), as well as the judicial system, whose primary objective is not to serve and protect their citizens, but to maintain the status quo by terrorizing, oppressing, incarcerating and indiscriminately killing the poor. Enormous national debt which has no negative impact on the rich… in fact the worse it is, the more money they seem to make. The corruption of government officials, especially those in the highest seats of power, who willingly sell their souls to corporate interests to achieve their personal ambitions, while manipulating the emotions and hopes of the masses with empty promises and slogans such as: “Change You Can Believe In” and “Yes We Can!”.        

All that being said, if I couldn’t live in Canada anymore and was forced to move to one of these “third world” countries, America would be one of my choices… certainly in my top five.

SIXT Sommerloch: Supremacy als Werbegag – SIXT silly season: Supremacy as a publicity stunt

Tags

Der Braunemob, racism in Germany, SIXT, World Cup

Hat tip: Afro German Media Watch Group Der Braunemob

English version below.

SIXT Sommerloch: Supremacy als Werbegag
Veröffentlicht am 30. Juni 2010 von Red. der braune mob
Offensichtlich hat SIXT kein Interesse daran, an Schwarze Menschen zu vermieten – sonst würden sie sie weniger unverschämt instrumentalisieren. Das kann man sch ja für die nächste Mietwagensuche vormerken.

Diese Mail -und damit verbundene Werbung- erreichte uns heute:

quelle: sixt, FAZ
Einsendung dazu:
—— Weitergeleitete Nachricht
Von: Mekonnen Mesghena
Datum: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:10:43 +0200
An: Werberat
Betreff: Sixt-Werbung in der Süddeutschen Zeitung vom 23.06.2010
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

die Sixt-Werbung in der Süddeutschen Zeitung vom 23.06.2010 (siehe Anlage) verkörpert eine ethnozentrische Weltsicht, die rassistisch und chauvinistisch ist. Sixt benutzt die Wohlstandsgefälle zwischen Reich (Deutschland) und Arm (Ghana), um die Überlegenheit Deutschlands gegenüber Ghana zu demostrieren. Diese ewigen Klischees eines armen, chaotischen und unterlegenen Afrikas sind es genau die Bilder, die die Denkweise der Mehrheitsbevölkerung über den Kontinent Afrika prägen. Bei aller Freiheit und Kreativität der Werbung bleibt der ständige Rückgriff auf solche alten und chauvinistischen Klischees abgeschmackt und beleidigend.

Gegen eine solche ethnozentrische Weltsicht in der besagten Sixt-Werbung protestiere ich aufs Schärfste. Den Deutschen Werberat möchte ich deshalb dringend dazu ermutigen, sich mit dem Inhalt der Werbung auseinander zu setzen.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Mekonnen Mesghena
====================
Mekonnen Mesghena
Department Head
Migration & Diversity
Heinrich Boell Stiftung
10117 Berlin, Germany
http://www.boell.de
http://www.migration-boell.de
diversity@boell.de
====================
Kontakt zu SIXT:
Mailadresse: InvestorRelations@sixt.de
Sixt GmbH & Co Autovermietung KG , Zugspitzstr. 1 ,D-82049 Pullach
Vorsitzender des Vorstands: Erich Sixt
Vorstand: Dr. Julian zu Putlitz, Detlev Pätsch
Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: Dr. Gunter Thielen
Stellvertretender Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: Thierry Antinori
Aufsichtsrat: Ralf Teckentrup
Tel: +49-(0)89 74444-0 ; Fax: +49-(0)89 74444-86666
Mailformular: http://ag.sixt.de/no_cache/kontakteadressen/kontaktformular/
*
Anmerkung des Mob:
Da der ‘Werberat’ sich offensichtlich vor allem aus Menschen zusammensetzt, die keine Vorbildung in den Bereichen ‘struktureller Rassismus’, ‘dominanter Diskurs’ oder ‘critical whiteness studies’ besitzen, und darüber hinaus ein Gremium der Werbewirtschaft selbst ist (also nicht unabhängig), erkennen wir seine Entscheidungen in Diskriminierungs-Angelegenheiten nicht an.
Unsere Erfahrungen mit dem “Werberat”, was eigene Positionierung und Aufklärungsversuche angeht, sind entsprechend. Siehe: http://www.derbraunemob.info/deutsch/content/sogehtsnicht/content_daneben_hoerzu.htm
Auch findet sich auf der Homepage des Werberates die “Rasse“.
Dies hatten wir (gut erklärt) moniert, es kam keine Antwort.
Eine vielsagende ‘Entscheidung’ des Werberates kann man auch hier nachlesen.

Es bleibt natürlich trotzdem allen ungenommen, sich an diese Gruppe zu wenden. Wir halten direktes Verbraucher_innen-Feedback an die Firmen jedoch für mindestens ebenso wichtig und erfolgversprechend. Ohne Zuschriften der “Verbraucher_innen” bzw Zielgruppe gibt es für die betreffenden Gewerbetreibenden keinen Grund zur Auseinandersetzung mit dem Grad der Demokratie oder des Diskriminierungsgehaltes ihrer Außendarstellung.

Wir sind allerdings auch der Ansicht, dass es beim Konsument_innenfeedback nicht darauf ankommt, die Firmen von der eigenen Meinung zu überzeugen, sondern ihnen diese einfach nur deutlich mitzuteilen. Der Sinn von Feedback ist ja nicht unbedingt “Einsicht beim Gegenüber” sondern zunächst, sich selbst mit diskriminierender Werbung nicht einverstanden zu zeigen, und danach, die Firma zu anderem Handeln zu bewegen. Dies machen Firmen meistens ohnehin ganz unabhängig von “Überzeugung”, sondern einfach aus ökonomischen oder Publicity-Gründen. Je mehr Menschen sagen/schreiben, dass sie etwas daneben finden, desto wahrscheinlicher ist auch ein Erfolg – egal wie diese Menschen sich ausdrücken.

English version:

SIXT silly season: Supremacy as a publicity stunt
Published on 30 June 2010 mob of Red, the brown
Obviously, SIXT no interest in black people to rent – or else they would exploit it less outrageous. One can mark sch so for the next car search.

This mail and related advertising, we received today:

source: sixt, FAZ
Submission to:
– Forwarded Message
From: Mekonnen Mesghena
Date: Mon, June 28, 2010 11:10:43 +0200
To: Advertising Council
Subject: Sixt advertising in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, 23.06.2010
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Sixt advertising in the Süddeutsche Zeitung of 23.06.2010 (see annex) embodies an ethnocentric view of the world is racist and chauvinistic. Sixt uses the wealth gap between rich (Germany) and arm (Ghana) to demo up the superiority of Germany to Ghana. All those cliches of a poor, chaotic and inferior Africa, it is precisely the images that shape the mindset of the majority population on the continent of Africa. For all the freedom and creativity of advertising remains constant recourse to such old and jingoistic cliches tasteless and offensive.
Against such an ethnocentric view of the world in the said Sixt advertising I protest in the strongest terms. The German Advertising Council I would therefore like to strongly encourage them to deal with the content of advertising.
Yours sincerely,
Mekonnen Mesghena
====================
Mekonnen Mesghena
Department Head
Migration & Diversity
Heinrich Boell Foundation
10117 Berlin, Germany
http://www.boell.de
http://www.migration-boell.de
diversity@boell.de
====================
Contact SIXT:
Mail Address: InvestorRelations@sixt.de
Sixt GmbH & Co KG, Car Rental, Zugspitzstr. 1, D-82049 Pullach
Chairman of the Board: Erich Sixt
Executive Board: Dr. Julian Putlitz, Detlev Pätsch
Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Dr. Gunter Thielen
Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Thierry Antinori
Supervisory Board: Ralf Teckentrup
Tel: +49- (0) 89 74444-0, Fax: +49- (0) 89 74444-86666
Mail Form: http://ag.sixt.de/no_cache/kontakteadressen/kontaktformular/
*
Note from the Mob:
Since the “Advertising Council” composed, seemingly for people who have no training in the areas of ‘structural racism’, ‘dominant discourse’ or ‘critical whiteness studies’ have, and also a body of the advertising industry itself (ie not independent) We recognize its decisions in discrimination matters not start.

Our experience with the Advertising Council, in terms of their positioning and detection experiments are, accordingly. See: http://www.derbraunemob.info/deutsch/content/sogehtsnicht/content_daneben_hoerzu.htm

Also found on the website of the Advertising Council, the “race”.
This is what we had (well explained) complained that there was no answer.

There can be meaningful ‘decision’ of the Advertising Council read it here.

It remains, of course, won all ungenommen, to apply to this group. We keep Verbraucher_innen direct feedback to the companies to at least as important and promising. Without the letters “Verbraucher_innen” or target group there is on traders no reason to address the degree of democracy or the content of their public image discrimination.

However, we also believe that it does not matter when Konsument_innenfeedback to convince the company of his own opinion, but this just clearly communicate them. The purpose of feedback is not necessarily about “access at the opposite,” but first, advertising itself with discriminatory not to show agreement, and then persuade the company to another action. Companies usually do this anyway regardless of “conviction”, but simply for economic or publicity reasons. The more people say / write that they find something next to it, the more likely it is a success – no matter how these people express themselves.

“Is this Islam or Barbarism?” by Nkwazi Mhango

The recent ban on bras and beard shaving in Somalia by Somali terrorist groups cannot go unquestioned. The reports that we have is that the warring Islamic gang of Hezb-ul Islam banned women from wearing bras. So too, men are not allowed to shave their beards except trimming their mustaches. Likewise, schools were banned from using bells. Instead, they are to clap hands to gather and alert students! What a backward move to this failed state? Why the ban? Using the said things is un-Islamic as per these terrorist groups.

With shock and dismay, I read news that men in Somali capital were given 30 days to mandatory grow beards and trim their mustaches. So too, I was shocked to learn that the same terrorist group Hezb-ul Islam ordered women not to wear bras. More so, these morose terrorists banned people from watching the just ended world cup matches in South Africa! The act they termed as madness! Whimsically, this current razzmatazz sort of fundamentalism puts Islam up a gum tree. The edict to this effect read as: “Men are ordered to grow their beards and trim their mustaches and anyone found violating this law will face consequence.”

Interestingly though, many people are querying, what’s the hidden agenda behind all this in the name of Islam that we have known for many centuries? Are those behind this brand truly educated in Islamic matters or they are just quacks seeking bread under the cover of Islam? And why other so-called Muslim nations have kept mum, while the gavel of the mad is descending down to their religion? We wonder, because for long we came to know the so-called Muslim countries for their noises whenever Islam is touched especially by the West. Are they silent simply because this time around who wrongly touched Islam is their colleague? Other hypocrisy and it‘s contrary to Islam tenets.

“There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.” (Quran, 2:256) .

Strictly speaking, religion must comply with time and be always up to date. Consenting to backward-looking type of Islam is not doing Islam good. Doing this, apart from making Islamic draconic, it makes it archaic and barbaric. It hugely undermines Islam and all those that are being this megalomania should know that in the first place.

Many still wonder, what is the logic of all this violation of human rights?  What rises eyebrows is the fact that the same so-called ‘Islamic guardians’ are turning a blind eye to piracy that is becoming an anathema in the region. Who knows? Like the Taliban and Al-Qaeda that have always survived thanks to dealing in drugs, maybe even the same benefits from piracy. That’s why it has comfortably coexisted with piracy. This if anything, is but hypocrisy and cowardice. Why use religion for political gains in lieu of standing on political rostra with a solid political agenda?  

Many mad so-called Islamists are making much noises that some countries must be ruled by Islamic law. But they fall short of any precedent to this effect. How many countries did prophet Mohammad leave behind that were ruled by the Quran as they want to rule us now? The answer is convincingly simple and clear. None!

We have heard a lot of noises of people condemning some European countries for banning the burka. But we have nary heard any condemning this neo-nihilism hidden behind Islam. Many so-called Muslim countries are not happy with the move to ban burka. But the same are comfortable with their resistance for churches to be built in their countries! If they can force western women to wear veils when they visit their countries simply because their culture wants that, what is wrong for the West to force them to wear as per western culture when they visit, or live in western countries?

Somali terrorists are lucky. Thanks to being wanted, they don’t travel abroad. Had they, it’d make more sense for one to order them to shave their beards and see how it feels to be forced to do something you don’t like.

The other day I heard somebody saying that the cross is the symbol of curse. Therefore whatever resembles it is un-Islamic. But when I told him to urge his Islamic academicans to burn the use of aeroplanes, he saw how stupid his contention was and thus retracted. It time to engage all those that think they can bring a new brand of Islam today. Western countries should treat the same whoever treats them with contempt.

Hither comes the leeway of negotiating human rights with all so-called Muslim countries that are abusing them. No culture is better than another save in the eyes of the beholders. Arabic culture is good for Arabs and the likes just like the western one is to the westerners and the likes. Human rights are as paramount equal like a human himself. No human is better than another. We all are equal before God and law. Quran says: “O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know and honor each other (not that you should despise one another). Indeed the most honorable of you in the sight of God is the most righteous.” (Quran, 49:13)

Today Arab countries, which in essence call themselves Islamic countries, wonder how western countries can allow prostitution, the same way western country view polygamy that’s legal in Islam.

Going back to the ban in Somalia, is this brand of nugatory-Islam, Islamic or barbaric and type of  sheer maniac? Isn’t it a cult? Is this Islam or barbarism?

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.