Life in Silver Spring

For the latest video challenge we were meant to capture life in Silver Spring. For the first time we were allowed to partner up. I worked with Jasper and we focused on the proximity to Washington D.C. and the diversity as some of the best parts about our area.

In the Dawn of Death

"The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious of the rose." (Kahlil Gibran).

In this respect, the thorns of death are sharp enough to turn most into pessimists while the flower of life passed, is beautiful enough to turn pessimists into optimists. This beauty, in my opinion, is the power of unity.There is nothing greater than the power to bring people together, and in a world that is so firm and divided, death has the ability to break the walls that separate us as people. At a funeral, politics don't mater, wars are irrelevant, all the worlds conflicts are out the window. In that moment, all that is important is the good that has come from any particular person. Funerals are not about dreading death, but rather celebrating life. Just as it has the power to sharpen the thorns of a rose, death is capable of brightening the flower; the power to turn pessimists into optimists.

In this sense, your life will never be as important as when you lose it. If someone were ever able to touch everyone on earth, in the dawn of his/her death, the world would for once be in a state of perfect harmony.

Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap (Review)

Renowned rapper and now film director Ice-T has joined forces with producer Paul Toogood, and co-director Andy Baybutt, along with dozens of Hip-Hop icons to create one of the most thorough and encapsulating documentaries in Hip-Hop history.

The film begins with an establishing narration by Ice-T playing over shots of various shots of New York. (the birth place of Hip-Hop) This introduction very effectively establishes s the theme and purpose of the documentary, which is the unlikely spawning of Rap and bringing to light the effects and Hip-Hop music and culture. It then kick starts the over 2 dozen interviews conducted through the movie, starting with DJ Grandmaster Caz and going through the likes of Run DMC, Kanye West, Raekwon, Common, Nas, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre, among countless others. Since the film focuses on the "art of rap," each artist interview includes an acapella rap performance. The film is framed around the several sub-genres that exist within in Hip-Hop. There is a constant back and fourth between the definitive sounds and culture of New York and Los Angeles. The contrast between these two scenes helps capture the culture in its entirety. Producer and co-director, Ice-T made the decision to insert himself into the production. Rather than use the traditional question answer interview scheme, the film captures Ice-T casually talking and socializing with the interviewees. The whole movie is very casual; which I like. I think that it protrays a friendly, brotherly,and solidarity aspect of Hip-Hop, something that was integral upon the forming of the genre. The film closes with concluding monologue by Ice-T, again over shots and images of New York and this time Los Angeles as well.

Personally, I would recommend the film. I think it very effectively captures the culture and essence of Hip-Hop as well as highlight the artistry of the genre; which is often overlooked. The film focuses on the poetry that exists in rap. I think this is very significant. The filmography, especially in the B-Roll is exquisite. I commend the creators for taking time to focus on that key element. I could have done with a little less Ice-T and it would have been incredible if the verses performed by each artist somehow tied in to the overall theme. I was also disappointed not to see significant artists such as Jay-Z. Other than that, the film was great and I recommend it to anyone who has a genuine interest in Hip-Hop or music in general.

Title: Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap
Length: 111 minutes
Rated: R
Rating: 4 out of 5

 

The Graceless Limp of a Befuddled Fox

A few weeks ago, I wrote a review of K'Naan's third and latest studio album, "Country, God, or the Girl." In the review I criticized Somalia native for ineffective features and an overall ingenuine feel as he strayed from his usual subjects and inspirations, to a more pop and Top 40 worthy soundscape. I was not alone in my sentiments. Millions of fans worldwide were discontent with the straying sound and fleeting poignancy of their beloved "Dusty Foot Philosopher." In yesterday's Issue of The New York Times, K'Naan addressed these issues in an introspective essay about the age old tension between success and artistic truthfulness.

The essay begins with a Somalian fable about a fox who had a beautiful walk but lost it in an attempt to imitate the walk of a prophet. After he failed to match the prophet's gait, he finds that he had forgotten his own walk and was left with the unremarkable way the fox walks today. K'Naan proceeds to explain how he, the fox, was pressured by his record label and the music industry as a whole, to imitate the walk of the popular artist and as a result, forgot his own once beautiful walk.

Censorship is any artists worst nightmare, and K'Naan suggests that in the interest of success, he was forced to censor himself. Before recording the album, his record label had urged him alter his style. They didn't tell him what to do or give him specific choices but rather " raised [a question] in the quiet of [his] soul." Was success worth separting from his lyrical and artistic identity? In a desperate attemot to alter his walk, he was jammed in a corner of self censorship, that left "bruises on the unheard lyrics of [his] yet-to-be-born songs." Whereas his previous albums are strongly inspired and centered around Somalia, this latest release strays away from his usual artistic and lyrical chakra. On "The Dusty Foot Philospher" he spoke of his cousin Mohammed who was left in the war zone of Somalia on the account of insufficient funds and on "Troubador" he sang longingly of a lost love, Fatima who was shot and killed in mere adolescence. Those extremely emotional and powerful anecdotes are unfourtunately, exactly what the general public doesn't like. "Radio programmers avoid subjects too far from fun and self-absorption." As a result, K'Naan's subjects shifted from memories of war to school bullying and drug use. The Islamic and Afro-Centric names of his childhood mates where given western alternatives. "Mohammed became Adam and Fatima became Mary." 

"One cannot hide his historical baggage. His sense of self. His walk," he concludes. In this essay, K'Naan is more aware of himself and has greater appreaciation for his genuine sound. After being unable to match the gait of the music industry, this befuddled fox is desperately trying to rediscover his own stride; and although he may never find his "old walk again, [he hopes] someday to see beauty in the graceless limp back toward it." 
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/09/opinion/sunday/knaan-on-censoring-himself-for-success.html?_r=0

Life and Death at the Main Hall

Over the years, I have heard endless family stories which I am continuously amused and amazed by. The surreality of many stories is incredible and I often feel as if the scenes are taken from books or movies. This is one of the more commonly told stories  and one of the many memories that my grandfather had of the notorious Idi Amin Dada.

The scene is Kampala, Uganda's largest and capitol city. It is a sunny afternoon in August 1977 , and  a 51 year old Senteza Kajubi has just returned from an overseas business trip. It had a been a long flight and his wife, Elsie was urging him to rest up for the work week ahead. Senteza contemplated this, but is fixed on popping in a the office, seeing as he been gone for so long. He had a hunch that something big was going on.
He left their home on the Makerere University campus and walked to the NIE (Natioanl Institute of Education), a building that he had built with a grant from the Carnegie Foundation. As he walked around the campus and building, he realized, significantly less people about. The whole campus was dead. When he finally found someone, he asked where everyone was. They told him that the president, Idi Amin,  was giving a Speech at the Main Hall. As he made he approached, he saw masses of people crowded outside the Hall. It was completely packed inside but there were speakers outside, projecting the presidents deep, powerful voice.
It was odd for such an unexpected visit so Senteza was naturally curious. Amin didn't seem to be saying anything warranting a personal visit but Senteza hoped for a surprise: and  that's exactly what he got. After standing outside for a few minutes, Amin said something that caught Senteza's ear. From out the loudspeakers, the president announced the immediate removal of Professor Joseph Lutwama from the position of Vice Chancellor. What followed was the surprise Senteza was waiting for. Out of the loudspeakers, in heavy broken English, Amin stated that in the University's best interest, the new Vice Chancellor, would be non other than William Senteza Kajubi, effective immediately.
Appalled, the young Professor maneuvered the dense crowds and made his way inside and to the stage. There he met the tall and burly Amin who proudly shook his hand and formally presented him the position. After the meeting, Senteza rushed home and told his wife the news. It proved too much for her to embrace. Frantically, she prayed and devised outlandish plans flee the country. Idi Amin was the most ruthless leader of the time and  anyone working under him was gambling with their life. His eccentricity lead him to act often act violently and irrationally. Senteza calmed his wife and explained, he had to take the job, knowing very well the danger it prevented.
For the next few days, Senteza sat in his armchair and thought silently. Had he not been at the assembly that day, Amin would most have most likey irrationally ordered his death. If he were to refuse the offer, he would no doubt be killed. The decision seemed simple, but even  in accepting the position, he knew that  death was always a possibility.

The Overwhelming Effects of a Warped Christianity

I had originally planned another post thisweek pertaining to one of my greatest inspirations and why. However, on Tuesdayas I was reading the Ugandan News like I always do, I came across one of themost appalling articles I had ever read. In light of the recent remarks made byUgandan Speaker of the House, Rebecca Kadaga in reference to the proposedAnt-Homosexuality act, it became evident what I had to write about.

 

Itis easy for most Africans to blame their government for any national orpolitical immorality, justice, and corruption. As stated in one of my previousblog posts, the Ugandan populace should feel no different. However, in light ofthe recent publicity surrounding the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill, I pointa finger towards not only to the government, but also to the Ugandan people. 

Last month, Rebecca Kadaga was involved in a row with Canada'sForeign Minister John Baird over gay rights at a meeting of theInter-Parliamentary Union in Quebec.When she returned home, Ms. Kadaga was met by thousands of Anti-Homosexualleaders and supporters. This began the Speaker’s quest to ensure theenforcement of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill by the end of the year. The bill ismeant to heighten the already severe consequences of homosexual acts or anysupport of homosexuality, meriting life in prison and even death in some cases.Earlier this week, Kadaga said that "Ugandans want that law as a Christmasgift. They have asked for it and we'll give them that gift.” Having grown upthere, I can attest to the extreme conservative climate present in Uganda. It isunderstandable that Ugandans would be hesitant in accepting homosexuality. Thatbeing said it doesn't justify the attempted detainment and/or eradication ofgays. This is an issue of human rights, a subject that Uganda hasstruggled with for decades. Citizens should be more empathetic. 

The fact that the the government is essentially harboring thesystematic extermination of homosexuals is absolutely ridiculous andunacceptable, especially in the progressive world we live in today. Although,regardless of Kadaga’s big words, the likelihood of the bill passing is low,due to Uganda’sdependence of foreign aid and investment. The global community has expressedits strong positions against the bill and countries like the UK havealready frozen their aid to the African country. Economically, “Uganda isstill a colony," says my father and political consultant. 

But even if the law isn't officially instituted, the realtragedy is the amount of Ugandans in favor of it. That a people could be soruthless as to support the killing of thousands for something that is out ofhuman control, that a people could be so closed-minded that they would harborthe detainment and death of thousands due to their sexuality or support ofsomething that contradicts their personal beliefs, speaks volumes and willultimately determine the progression of that people. That a people can preachlove in their respective religions and campaign for peace from theirgovernment, while they simultaneously rally for the execution of the innocent,is the height of hypocrisy, and reveals the corruptions that exist within inthe church. 

Whereas religion should serve a peaceful and harmoniouscelebration of common beliefs, it is instead a way to justify savagery. ManyUgandans argue that homosexuality is an attack on the institution of marriagebut I doubt that their mere existence acts as a threat to anyone. Uganda hasbeen plagued with a warped Christianity and it is this corruption that willlimit its progression. Countless nationals have long criticized theirgovernments for being ruthless, corrupt, and unjust, however. As this episodecan show us, Ugandans are not much different from their leadership. So, beforeUgandans cast stones at the likes of Amin, Obote, and Museveni, it would behoove them, to asses their own sin. 

Capture the Fall Video Challnge

This is my video challenge for this month. Th assignment was to capture whatever the fall meant to us. For me, it means going to the park with my sister. In the video I show my sister getting her stuffed puppy and going to the park with it.