Yes, we do know its Christmas: Misconceptions of Africa

When life hands you lemons, make grape juice...

Every December we hear Band Aids ” Do they know its Christmas” played on the radio. Founded by Bob Geldoff, the groups anti poverty efforts to raise money in Ethiopia were no doubt honourable.

But there is something about this song that always sits uneasy with me.

The song presents a really bleak view of Africa, appearing to refer to it as a whole. So many misconceptions can be taken from its lyrics.

” There’s a world outside your window.
And it’s a world of dread and fear.
Where the only water flowing,
Is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom.
Well tonight thank God it’s them instead of you.

And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmastime.

The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life.

Where nothing ever grows.
No rain nor rivers flow.
Do they…

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The Problem With BeyHive Bottom Bitch Feminism

Was going to roll my eyes as I expected it to be against sexual expression. Then I read the crux of the problem and read on. Damn verses applauding abuse.

Real Colored Girls

In Pimp Theory, a “bottom bitch” is the one in the whores’ hierarchy who rides hardest for her man. She’s the rock of every hustler economy and her primary occupation is keeping other ho’s in check and gettin’ that money. She isn’t trying to elevate the status of her sister ho’s. She isn’t looking to transform pimp culture. The bottom bitch is a token who is allowed symbolic power, which she uses to discipline, advocate for, represent and advance the domain of the stable.  In pop culture, she represents the trope of the chosen black female, loyal to her man and complicit in her own commodification.

In hip hop vernacular she has emerged as the “Boss Bitch” or “Bawse”, titles you’ll hear used liberally across urban/pop discourses – from the streets to rappers to the hip hop, basketball and ATL housewives.  What she represents is an appearance of power within…

View original post 808 more words

Asks answered

41. Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?

No. Some people do things too terrible to be given any chances after that.
42. If your being extremely quiet what does it mean?

I’m thinking, I’m meditating, I’m quiet, there’s a movie going on, I’m reading, I’m feeling.
43. Do you smile at strangers?

Yes, and some appreciate it. Others think it’s weird.
44. Trip to outer space or bottom of the ocean?

Bottom of the ocean.
45. What makes you get out of bed in the morning?

My body. A need to urinate. Being annoyed. a beautiful sunrise.
46. What are you paranoid about?

Regretting my death.
47. Have you ever been high?

Every time I take a Coke.
48. Have you ever been drunk?

No. I don’t get drunk. But I have gotten tipsy.
49. Have you done anything recently that you hope nobody finds out about?

Not that comes to mind, no.
50. What was the colour of the last hoodie you wore?

Blue. Est. 82 on the chest.
51. Ever wished you were someone else?

Yes. Sometimes I still do.
52. One thing you wish you could change about yourself?

My apathy. If only I was assured of effortless positivity.
53. Favourite makeup brand?

Nada. Unless lotion is make up, in which case, I go with Lux. and Fa.
54. Favourite store?

Uchumi supermarket.
55. Favourite blog?

Eh…I don’t have one. I have a few.
56. Favourite colour?

Green.
57. Favourite food?

Anything tasty, really.
58. Last thing you ate?

Cake.
59. First thing you ate this morning?

Tea and bread.
60. Ever won a competition? For what?

Yes, for making a website.
61. Been suspended/expelled? For what?

Nope; neither.
62. Been arrested? For what?

Not a once.
63. Ever been in love?

Yep.
64. Tell us the story of your first kiss?

It’s a doozie. I dared myself to do it. Smashed against his lips.Floundered about like an idiot. Eventually fell into a rhythm about it. Then, it was cool.
65. Are you hungry right now?

No.
66. Do you like your tumblr friends more than your real friends?

No.
67. Facebook or Twitter?

Facebook.
68. Twitter or Tumblr?

Tumblr.
69. Are you watching tv right now?

No.
70. Names of your bestfriends?

Lor, Rose, Sue, Allan. Tilda.
71. Craving something? What?

Fun, dancing.
72. What colour are your towels?

Brown.
72. How many pillows do you sleep with?

None.
73. Do you sleep with stuffed animals?

Nope.
74. How many stuffed animals do you think you have?

One. It’s in the living room though.
75. Favourite animal?

Dolphins.
76. What colour is your underwear?

Don’t wear underwear.
77. Chocolate or Vanilla?

Vanilla.
78. Favourite ice cream flavour?

Strawberry.
79. What colour shirt are you wearing?

Green.
80. What colour pants?

Black; striped.
81. Favourite tv show?

At the moment, Being Human, UK.
82. Favourite movie?

I loved Pacific Rim the second half of 2013
83. Mean Girls or Mean Girls 2?

Neither? 1, push to shove.
84. Mean Girls or 21 Jump Street?

Mean Girls.
85. Favourite character from Mean Girls?

Gretchen Weiners and the Mom.
86. Favourite character from Finding Nemo?

Nemo’s Dad.
87. First person you talked to today?

My bro.
88. Last person you talked to today?

My cuz.
89. Name a person you hate?

Everyone. Why do you exist! Why do I have to exist to see you?
90. Name a person you love?

Eh…someone.
91. Is there anyone you want to punch in the face right now?

The President. And Ugandan MPs.
92. In a fight with someone?

Does myself count?
93. How many sweatpants do you have?

Used to have a handful. Now, I have none
94. How many sweaters/hoodies do you have?

About five.
95. Last movie you watched?

The one with Ryan Gosling and Sandra Bullock.
96. Favourite actress?

I’d watch anything with Angelina Jolie in it.
97. Favourite actor?

Watch most things with Johnny Depp in them.
98. Do you tan a lot?

I’m too melanined t tan.
99. Have any pets?

A cat adopted me, 🙂
100. How are you feeling?

Odd. Tired.
101. Do you type fast?

Yes.
102. Do you regret anything from your past?

A few things.
103. Can you spell well?

Hmmm, well is such a broad term.
104. Do you miss anyone from your past?

Yeah, a couple of friends.
105. Ever been to a bonfire party?

Huh, maybe.
106. Ever broken someone’s heart?

Yes, the idiot.
107. Have you ever been on a horse?

Nope.
108. What should you be doing?

Living the standard. I don’t like the standard.
109. Is something irritating you right now?

Yes. A lot of things.
110. Have you ever liked someone so much it hurt?

Yep.
111. Do you have trust issues?

Didn’t I answer this?
112. Who was the last person you cried in front of?

Not sure. Does a movie count? Myself?
113. What was your childhood nickname?

Soni.
114. Have you ever been out of your province/state?

Yep. A few hundred times.
115. Do you play the Wii?

nope. not a gaming person.
116. Are you listening to music right now?

Yes, Maroon 5/Rihanna
117. Do you like chicken noodle soup?

Never had it.
118. Do you like Chinese food?

Yes.
119. Favourite book?

Always to Remember
120. Are you afraid of the dark?

Nope, I love it.
121. Are you mean?

I can be.
122. Is cheating ever okay?

Yes.
123. Can you keep white shoes clean?

Yes. If I live alone.
124. Do you believe in love at first sight?

Yes. At first sight of name even.
125. Do you believe in true love?

Is there another love? Yes, I do.
126. Are you currently bored?

No.
127. What makes you happy?

Depends on the situation.
128. Would you change your name?

Yes, to smokey.
129. What your zodiac sign?

Libra.
130. Do you like subway?

Gonna have it one day.
131. Your bestfriend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do?

Tell them no, just like I do.
132. Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with?

Answered this as well.
133. Favourite lyrics right now?

“I don’t know where you’re going but do you got room for one more troubled soul?”
134. Can you count to one million?

If I wanted to and had years to do so.
135. Dumbest lie you ever told?

I didn’t do it.
136. Do you sleep with your doors open or closed?

I prefer closed.
137. How tall are you?

5’3″-1″
138. Curly or Straight hair?

Curly, baby.
139. Brunette or Blonde?

Brunette.
140. Summer or Winter?

Hmm, both have their perks. Spring.
141. Night or Day?

Night.
142. Favourite month?

Usually September. December, this year.
143. Are you a vegetarian?

No; I just don’t like meat.
144. Dark, milk or white chocolate?

All.
145. Tea or Coffee?

Tea.
146. Was today a good day?

Kind of, yes.
147. Mars or Snickers?

Snickers.
148. What’s your favourite quote?

“This is the road to ruin, starting at the end.”
149. Do you believe in ghosts?

Yes.
150. Get the closest book next to you, open it to page 42, what’s the first line on that page?

“What are you going to do?” she asked.

(via sarahbartowsky)

Why Switchfoot won’t sing Christian songs

ctkblog

Lead singer Jon Foreman was asked if Switchfoot is a “Christian” band. His response is worth pondering.

“To be honest, this question grieves me because I feel that it represents a much bigger issue than simply a couple SF tunes. In true Socratic form, let me ask you a few questions: Does Lewis or Tolkien mention Christ in any of their fictional series? Are Bach’s sonata’s Christian? What is more Christ-like, feeding the poor, making furniture, cleaning bathrooms, or painting a sunset? There is a schism between the sacred and the secular in all of our modern minds. The view that a pastor is more ‘Christian’ than a girls volleyball coach is flawed and heretical. The stance that a worship

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I’ve been trying to figure out why I’m feeling sad for missing out on an event I didn’t want to go. I reckon it’s not the event that’s got me down; but my fear of being denied to attend it by mother; and the anger that has then been evoked at myself, by myself, for not being brave enough to just challenge the rejection and do what I want anyway.

I feel sick about it. I shouldn’t be angry at myself for not knowing inherently the difference between obeying my mother and respecting her. I’m sure the latter can happen even if I disobeyed her wishes. But it’s been ingrained in me that one is the other and it’s all based on fear and nothing positive. The days of admiring her are so hard to recall, even. And now that my apathetic state isn’t engaged, I’m feeling every single thing in regard to her that I haven’t addressed in a long time, and it’s unnecessarily fearful. So fearful that it’s making me feel sick. Headache, nausea.

God, I want to cry but I can’t. Because when you’re being ridiculed for crying when you’re getting the shit beaten out of you, you tend to stop crying. I stopped crying and now it’s hard to do so when I feel like crying. In essence, I do cry  but in actuality, a tear once in a while doesn’t cover the action of tear ducts releasing hormone-filled liquid in a physical expression of the tension going on inside your body.

I’m telling myself to smile; to forget about feeling the way I feel, but the thing about forgetting it and not experiencing it or confronting it is that I relive this every so and again. Because I don’t have a solution to it. I don’t progress beyond it. Apathy provides a cushion that leaves me unable to deal with it or care to deal with it; but it doesn’t solve anything. And I don’t want too have this over my head at  30. Or when I’m dead. Because I will be dead before my mother. Not out of spite (although that will feature); but out of necessity.

I wish I could tell them what I felt and why it hurts and harms me. But my mother wouldn’t care to listen and my father will forget by tomorrow morning. And he is worse than my mother. He tells her everything he dislikes about my actions and as such, she reacts to me with both hers and my father’s frustration at my actions, as well as her frustration at him for frustrating her about my actions. They don’t make living easy.

Today was going well for me. I was laughing, I was enjoying myself.

Then I had to think on attending rock fest. Now I’m sad and disturbed.

I have a history of being afraid of my mother. And no amount of therapy helps me break out of the feeling of being offensive and greatly trying towards my mother. It feels like I have no will to exercise over my own life experiences. And when my mother has raised me to feel that going against her wishes is essentially sinning against her, then it’s more tangible than a personal opinion that I indeed have no will over my life experiences.

I hate it. i hate having to feel like this. I hate complaining about it. And I hate that I can’t seem to solve my fear of my mother permanently. Sometimes, I give no fucks about what she wants of me. Other times, I can’t even breathe without thinking of everything she’d thin about my actions.

A question for me

• 1. What is your best friends name?
• I have no best friends. But apparently I’m people’s best friend.
• 2. What color underwear/boxers wearing now?
• I wear no underwear.
• 3. What are you listening to right now?
• Del Monte Dynasty
• 4. Whats your favorite number?
• 25, 6, 5, 3, 9, 87
• 5. What was the last thing you ate?
• Githeri
• 6. If you were a crayon what color would you be?
• Green; it’s a creative colour
• 7. How is the weather right now?
• Sunny but cool
• 8. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
• I don’t remember
• 9. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
• That they are human
• 10. Do you have a significant other?
• Nope.
• 11. Favorite TV show?
• Hmmm, none this year, actually.
• 12. Siblings?
• 5
• 13. Height?
• 5′ 1″-3″
• 14. Hair color?
• Brown-Black
• 15. Eye Color?
• Brown
• 16. Do you wear contacts?
• Nope
• 17. Favorite Holiday?
• The kind which has me home alone
• 18. Month?
• September
• 19. Have you ever cried for no reason?
• Yes
• 20. What was the last movie you watched?
• Tess of the D’Urbervilles, 1998
• 21. Favorite Day of the Year?
• It ranges
• 22. Are you too shy to ask someone out?
• Yes
• 23. Can you do a headstand (not using the wall)?
• Not at all, heh
• 24. Hugs or Kisses?
• Hugs
• 25. Chocolate or Vanilla?
• Vanilla
• 26. Do you want your friends to respond to this?
• Not really
• 27. Who is most likely to respond to a text from you?
• My brother
• 28. Who is least likely to respond to a text from you?
• My parents
• 29. What books are you reading?
• Works on fictionpress
• 30. Piercings?
• Not a one
• 31. Favorite movies?
• This year, Pacific Rim, Django, Now Is Good
• 32. Favorite football Team?
• RMA, Liverpool, Wolverhampton
• 33. What are you doing right now?
• This
• 34. Butter, Plain or Salted popcorn?
• Buttered
• 37. Dogs or cats?
• Cats
• 38. Favorite flower?
• The one with five petals
• 39. Been caught doing something you weren’t supposed to do?
• Yes, and I was ashamed
• 40. Do you have a best friend of the opposite sex?
• Yep
• 41. Have you ever loved someone?
• Yep; it was nice
• 42. Who would you like to see right now? .
• Not a human
• 43. Are you still friends with people from kindergarten?
• Nope, heh
• 44. Have you ever fired a gun?
• Not yet
• 45. Do you like to travel by plane?
• Yes
• 46. Right-handed or Left-handed?
• Right
• 47. How many pillows do you sleep with?
• None
• 48. Are you missing someone?
• Nope
• 49. Do you have a tattoo?
• Nope
• 50. Anybody on Tumblr that you’d go on a date with?
• Probably

I’m just into questions

1. Deepest fears? Spiders; commitment; my parents
2. Biggest kink? infidelity, might be weird but people getting it on with other people when they are in relationships makes me hot and bothered
3. Is there a god? clearly there is one; multiple people believe in such an entity. Question is, is there one solitary god, or multiple as it suits the people/culture?
4. How many people have you dated? been out on dates, never dated anyone. unless i count 😉
5. Is kissing a romantic thing? yes, it can be
6. Is cuddling a romantic thing? yes, it can be
7. Biggest turn offs? halitosis, bigotry, ridiculing
8. Favourite body part on someone else? chest and neck and arms; and thighs and feet
9. People you’ve seen yourself with? that’s a long list. Keanu Reeves always features though
10. Something you regret? eh…losing my religion/motivation

Question time

• 1: how many kids do I have ages how do i talk/treat them
• Not a one; but I talk to kids the way they require in my opinion. If you is nice, I is nice. If you are a nuisance, you will know you are.
• 2:Any of them have mental illness
• Nope.
• 3:Do I know anyone who self harms
• Nope.
• 3 ½: 3 Fears
• Spiders, trusting people, being committed
• 4: 3 things I love
• Pastries, dresses, warmth
• 5: 4 turns on
• an attractive face, an attractive voice, a good dancer and attractive intelligence
• 6: 4 turns off
• rudeness, unkemptness, negative judgement, double standards
• 7: best memory
• laughing
• 8: Sexual orientation
• fluid
• 9: My best first date
• not yet had one. will have to make one up
• 10: religion?
• no, thank you.
• 11: What do I miss
• being in love
• 12: What time was I born
• in the evening, heading to sunset
• 13: Favourite color
• green and blue
• 14: Do I have a crush
• not anymore
• 15: Favorite quote
• You have a problem, then you have the problem, not me.
• 16: Favorite place
• Open filed; empty room
• 17: how often do i fake a smile?
• often enough that I have my eyes doing great impressions of being amused/happy
• 18: Do I use sarcasm
• not at all
• 19: What am I listening to right now
• the wind and cars from afar
• 20: First thing I notice in new person
• their demeanour; then their face; then their body.
• 21: ever replay things in yound?
• what’s yound?
• 24: Favourite style of clothing
• pants, top, bra, flared skirt, tights.
• 25: biggest regret?
• never having sex when i wanted to
• 27: Meaning behind my URL
• it describes the shifting ways of my personality amidst my static appearance.
• 28: Favourite movie
• this year, pacific rim
• 29: last time i cried
• don’t remember well. should be September if not October.
• 30: Favourite band
• so far, Fall Out Boy
• 32: Someone I love
• eh…I guess a best friend. I don’t know
• 33: My current relationship status
• nada
• 34: My relationship with my parents
• a little meh, a little hmm. a lot okay
• 35: Favourite holiday
• christmas
• 36: Tattoos and piercing i have
• not a one; unless acne and burn scars count.
• 37: Tattoos and piercing i want
• I’d love to have a sroll on my back and vines and flowers on my arms.
• 38: The reason I joined Tumblr
• cause of the gifs
• 39: Do I and my last ex hate each other?
• I don’t speak with them, haven’t seen them in over half a year, so I don’t know if they hate me. I dislike them. They are shitty people.
• 40: Do I ever get “good morning” or “good night ” texts?
• Goodnight on the occassion that I speak with someone
• 41: Have I ever kissed the last person you texted?
• Hell no.
• 43: How long does it take me to get ready in the morning?
• Can be 5 minutes; can be fifteen depending on my mood. Mostly 5 minutes cause I don’t look to impress many people.
• 44: Have i lied to someone i love
• yes; more than once
• 45: Where am I right now?
• at work; and freezing, boo.
• 46: If I were drunk can’t stand, who’s taking care of me?
• I hope my best friends. I say hope cause if I were drunk, they’d be shot to hell (I’m usually the designated driver cause I don’t get drunk)
• 47: Do I like my music loud or at a reasonable level
• a fave song on loud; all other songs at low or mid
• 49: Am I excited for anything?
• yes, death
• 50: Do I have someone of the opposite sex I can tell everything to?
• nope. had one; but we faded away from each other.
• 51: How often do I wear a fake smile?
• often enough that it passes for genuine
• 52: When was the last time I hugged someone?
• sunday morning after i quit clubbing early.
• 53: What if the last person I kissed was kissing someone else right in front of me?
• I’d probably be bored or interested or pissed cause why the fuck are they kissing in front of me without my permission or request?
• 54: Is there anyone I trust even though I should not?
• yes; my parents.
• 55: What is something I disliked about today??
• the cold, my boss, the cold
• 57: What do I think about most?
• how i can’t think about anything easily anymore
• 59: Do I have any strange phobias?
• if people and interaction with them are strange phobias then yes, I do.
• 60: Do I prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?
• behind
• 61: What was the last lie I told?
• i think it has to be that i wanted to steal money from a matatu conductor. they gave me more than i should have gotten and i wasn’t going to return it
• 62: Do I prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online?
• neither but I’ll pick video chatting over phone call
• 63: Do I believe in ghosts? How about aliens?
• Yes and yes
• 64: Do I believe in magic?
• Yes
• 65: Do I believe in luck?
• Yes
• 67: What was the last book I’ve read?
• It’s called The Gift on Fictionpress.
• 69: Do I have any nicknames?
• Yes; one which I gave myself, Jaz.
• 70: What was the worst injury I’ve ever had?
• Got burned over my navel and thighs
• 71: Do I spend money or save it?
• Both; depends on the time of year and my desires.
• 73: Is there anything pink in 10 feet from me?
• Yes, my blouse, heh
• 76: What do I think is Satan’s last name is?
• If I had to give them one, it would be, Man.
• 77: What’s a song that always makes me happy when I hear it?
• My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark; Just One Yesterday, Alone Together
• 78: How can you win my heart?
• Treat me well enough when we share an attraction
• 79: What would I want to be written on my tombstone?
• the Person You are Calling cannot be Reached/Mteja hapatikani
• 80: What is my favorite word?
• Fuck
• 82: If the whole world were listening to me right now, what would I say?
• Stop being afraid to like each other; just like each other
• 83: Do I have any relatives in jail?
• Not that I know of.
• 85: What would be a question I’d be afraid to tell the truth on?
• Would I like to live? If it’s asked in front of my mother
• 90: what kind of student was i?
• a dynamic one.
• 92: Kissed a girl?
• not yet
• 97: Had sex in public?
• heh, mentally yes.
• 99: Smoked weed?
• yes and it sucked for me.
• 100: Did drugs?
• only when I’m in so much pain, I need paracetamol to make me feel better
• 101: Smoke cigarettes?
• occasionally
• 102: Drink alcohol?
• more than occasionally, less than often
• 104: Been overweight?
• yep; as a teenager
• 105: Been underweight
• I guess; I don’t know
• 107: Been on the computer for 5 hours straight?
• yep; comes with the job
• 108: Watched TV for 5 hours straight?
• yep; I love TV
• 109: Been outside my home country?
• Yep; to Egypt before 2011
• 110: Gotten my heart broken?
• yes, and it hurt. but I worked through it
• 113: Cut myself?
• not intentionally. I don’t like cutting
• 114: Been to prom?
• no, sadly.
• 115: ever think about any ex’s?
• more than few times about the one
• 116: anyone else in my family have mental illness
• a couple of cousins
• 118: Had a crush on someone of the same sex?
• yes, hehe, but it wasn’t mutual, so I enjoyed it by myself, from afar
• 119: Learned another language?
• yes, English and French
• 120: what kind of teen was i
• The kind that wasn’t static in nature or behaviour
• 121: Lost my virginity before I was 18?
• nope; never losing it
• 122: Had oral sex?
• nope. not physically anyway
• 125: Rode in an ambulance?
• nope.
• 131: Helped with charity?
• yes; once
• 134: What do I want for birthday?
• happiness, silence, to be as alone as I feel
• 136: Was I named after anyone?
• yes, my aunt
• 137: Do I like my handwriting?
• sometimes
• 138: What was my favorite toy as a child?
• books
• 139: Favorite Tv Show?
• currently, Arrow
• 142: One of my scars, how did I get it?
• I kept nipping and nibbling at the back of my hand, sucking on the blood cause I liked it.
• 144: Am I afraid of the dark?
• no, I revel in it
• 145: Am I afraid of heights?
• yes
• 146: did I ever got caught sneaking out or doing anything bad?
• yes and got punished for it
• 147: Have I ever tried my hardest and then gotten disappointed in the end?
• more times than I can remember
• 148: What I’m really bad at
• being nice all the time; especially to myself
• 149: What my greatest achievements are
• I suppose not dying; winning an international award, finishing a novel
• 150: The meanest thing somebody has ever said to me
• I don’t remember the exact words; but it was along the lines of being inadequately in existence
• 151: What I’d do if I won in a lottery
• Give some of the money away to charity; invest some of it; pay my parents back with some of it.
• 153: ever been arrested?
• nope and never planning to
• 154: Something I fantasize about
• sexual/erotic romance

A question for me? Brilliant.

1. Where in the world do you want to be right now?

At home; wrappe din a blanket, surfing the internet. Or in Seychelles.

2. What’s your favourite food?

I have thing for chapatis; and pancakes; pastries basically.

3. If someone gave you a box, and in that box was a button, and the instructions that you may push the button if you want and receive enough money to pay for everything you would ever need, with the only catch being that someone who you did not know would die, would you push the button?

Yes.

4. Would you rather everybody in the world but you suddenly be able to read minds and they can’t read yours, or only you develop mind-reading powers that no one is immune to?

The latter; cause the former would leave me paranoid. Everybody being in on something I’m not.

5. What’s your third favourite colour?

Purple

6. How many siblings do you have?

5

7. What’s your shoe size?

6/6 and a half

8. Do you believe in miracles, you sexy thang?

Heh, yes, I do.

9. Past, present or future? Why?

Present, cause the past sucks (save 2010) and the future is unknown.

10. Are people primarily evil and learn to be good, or primarily good and learn to be evil?

Both depending on the nature of the person.

11. How are you feeling today?

I’m cold.