Rihanna- What's My Name (Simple Piano Cover)

Japan's Worst Earthquake!

On March 11, 2011, Japan suffered its worst natural disaster since the country started keeping records over 140 years ago. A powerful and deadly earthquake rattled the Pacific region in and around Japan. Many island nations in the South Pacific were affected, in addition to the West coast of the United States and Canada. However, the earthquake hit Japan the worst, and it was the consequent tsunami that added to the death toll.  Most people know that Japan is a country which is located on several tectonic plates collectively known as the ring of fire. Furthermore, Japan has the highest concentration of earthquake activity in the world. However, most people didn't expect something of this magnitude would happen on the island nation of 127 million people.

Earthquakes are something that Japanese people are used to and they happen often. However, the 8.9 magnitude earthquake which rattled the entire country and particularly devastated the rural areas of Japan was deadly because it was followed by a powerful and deadly tsunami. Reports say that at least 1,000 people are feared dead, however this video clearly shows that 1,000 is too small and unrealistic of a number. This tsunami had to have taken many more lives than that. Watch this shocking video and decide for yourself!

May God be with those people who perished in this terrible natural disaster!

Picture of the Month!

Quote of the Month!

QUOTE OF MARCH: I was born. I went to primary school, then secondary school. I went to college to study something that was accepted by society. I got my degree. I made a lot of money but my life was empty and sad. I died.


by Julius Nyerere (Me)

FIRST BLOG OF 2011? YES!

Sadly, this is my first blog of the year 2011. Why so late into the year? Well, I am a full-time student currently majoring in Political Science at Bowie State University. Life is busy and hectic, and there is hardly any time for rest! Being a college-student is a full-time job by itself. On top of that, I have a job that I have to work twice a week. Even though it's only for those two days, the combined stresses of all the activities and work I have to do on this campus make my job that much harder. Lately, there has not been that much news in my life. However, in our world of chaos and confusion, I have noticed that things are rapidly changing in North Africa and the Middle East. It is like a domino-effect, and it is almost scary. All the people who are putting their lives on the line to protest the corrupt leadership of various leaders in that region are very brave men and women. I just hope that they realize that kicking out an old leader and bringing in a new leader who is just like the old one is not progress. It's reverting back to the old ways.

Another sad story is that of the military ammunition depot explosion in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. 21 people lost their lives, if I'm not mistaken. On top of that, military officials refuse to move the base and ammunitions depot outside of the city, further endangering the lives of the people living in those areas. All I can do for now is pray for my country. All people care about is doing what benefits themselves, rather than what benefits the country as a whole. There's so much unnecessary selfishness in the hearts of our leaders. May those 21 dead rest in peace.

That is about all the time I have for today. Time to get back to studying!

Going back Home!

I am finally going home to Tanzania again after 3 years. I am so happy to be going back. I can't wait to see my mother, father, cousins, and friends. This is something that I have been looking forward to for a while. The funny thing is that right now, as I am writing this blog, it is 5:07am. In a few hours my plane will be departing from Washington-Dulles International Airport and I will be on my way home. I am so happy. This week temperatures here have been horrible and it snowed about 2 to 3 inches today. On the other hand, Tanzania is a tropical country and current temperatures are in the 80s and 90s there. Simply put, there is no comparison.

I do thank God for this opportunity. Even though it's only going to be for 2 weeks, those 2 weeks will give me so much joy and happiness. When I come back here to resume my studies, I will be able to concentrate more and needless to say, I will be a much happier person. I am ready to get outa here! Once I get on that plane, I will pack my huge eskimo coat, change my warm clothing in the bathroom, and then come out with summer clothing. I thank God once more. Words are not enough to explain how happy I am to see my family and friends! Well, have a wonderful holiday season everyone! You won't hear from me till 2011. Have a Happy New Year and be safe! Don't drink and drive! PEACE OUT!!!!

The Urgency for African Languages in HBCU's!

Bowie State University, which is located in Bowie, Maryland, USA, is what you would consider to be a Historically Black College or University (HBCU in short). However, one thing that really bothers me is the lack of choices given to us as students. First off, most of the foreign languages offered here are of European origin. Bowie State has not advertised and advocated the importance of learning African languages. Why? I don't know. Most of the student body is of African descent, yet most of the students would rather learn to speak French and Spanish instead of learning to speak Kiswahili or Yoruba.

In all the HBCU's nationwide, there needs to be people (preferably professors) who make it their responsibility to advocate with all their might the importance of learning an African language. If you do not know your history, you are bound to repeat it. The reality is that most African-Americans do not know their history outside of the United States. Moreover, there seems to be a lack of interest in learning about our brothers and sisters who live on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the reason there is a lack of interest is because of the media and what is portrayed of Africans throughout American media. As European Culture has dominated the world, they've also dehumanized dark-skinned people around the world. Through mass media, they've portrayed that "Africa is the so-called primitive land and its people who live on the other side of the Atlantic are the lowest of the low. How can they be developed if they can't even speak our European languages (that we imposed on them)? Plus they live in huts and walk around barefoot and naked...Why would anyone want to waste their time by traveling there and dealing with those primitive beings?" This is basically how the Western media portrays our brothers and sisters.

The truth will set you free. With that said, most media is full of lies and deceit. We don't have to accept the lies. We don't have to settle for the separation which is currently the result of the evil associated with divide and conquer. First, through African History we are able to learn about who we are and how we are connected worldwide. Next, through languages, we are able to learn how to communicate with our brothers and sisters. And finally, through travel, we are able to see the land of our origin and to reunite with our long lost brothers and sisters. With all this said, it truly makes no sense for an HBCU like Bowie State University (or any other college) to put more emphasis on European languages rather than putting the emphasis on African languages (where it needs to be).

It is sad that with all the major European languages taught at BSU, only one true African language is "provided", and that is Swahili (Kiswahili). It is not taught, but provided. The reason it is not taught is because NOBODY will enroll in the course. Therefore, it is constantly left in the course catalog with no enrollment, semester after semester. One way this problem could be fixed is if more major African languages like Yoruba, Lingala, Zulu, and Amharic were added to the catalog of foreign languages. This would give the school a total of 5 African languages for students to choose from, leaving fair competition between the African languages and the European languages. However, this is not the reality. Moreover, the school's indifference to the situation is not helping either. If little things like this are not fixed in our school, then most of us will continue to remain ignorant of our true identity.