For some time now I have been thinking of how many conservative columnists’ have misinterpreted the information that’s out there on climate change. Scientific data has had little influence, and the ever changing picture on the ground means even less to them. In contrast, I have followed the science of climate change for years – and am now convinced that we have a dire problem. But I also believe we have a chance to reverse the change our civilization has wrought on the planet. And that we have a moral duty to leave a better world for our grandchildren.

It is unfortunate that a good many journalists reporting on the topic tend to have very little in the way of scientific training. Lacking the necessary objectivity they simply regurgitate what is said elsewhere, polluting the minds of their readers, helping shape a biased and uninformed public opinion. Man’s role in climate change is not a scientific issue for these writers and commentators. Rather, it is a matter of political conviction and convenience, grist to the writer’s stone. The country in general and American writers in particular have the luxury of wealth to shield them from the vagaries of an ever worsening climate picture. For most of us extreme climate changes are fleeting. The episodic climatic discomforts are merely an inconvenience.

Contrast that to the decades-old drought in central and southern Africa. Tribes people and their camels, cattle and other animals are starving, the death toll rising. Their lakes and rivers are drying up. It is something I’m personally connected to. The drought has hurt my mother’s coffee farm in my native Kenya. As I watch Africa die from afar, I viscerally sense the weather changes’ effects even as conservatives dismiss it all as the mad ravings of liberal thinkers.

I recently listened with sadness and amazement as several radio and TV talking heads declared Global warming dead. For them, the record snow fall along the East coast was proof that global warming was a lie. And a recent article by George Will in the Washington Post called assertions of climate change and our role in it “impervious to evidence”. To me this was clear evidence of how some Americans seem to want to celebrate scientific ignorance.

There is a preponderance of scientific data to support the contention that global warming and man’s role in it are intertwined. It is really a matter of commonsense. All one has to do is look at the smog and the polluted air over some of or America cities. The CO2 in our polluted air has to go somewhere and surely there is a consequence because of it.

The problem is, many scientifically challenged writers, commentators and politicians as messengers to the greater public – bring their ignorance and prejudice to these discussions. We who have a clearer vision of the dangers of institutional ignorance must end our silence. If we wait for some cataclysmic event to occur to prove to the skeptics that climate change is real, the world as we know it may be doomed.

Related posts:

1. Dr. Pius Kamau on “The Black Conundrum”
2. Pius Kamau: The Obama Campaign Brought Communities Together
3. Pius Kamau: A Duty to Heal

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o book reading in Ft. Collins, CO from MetroAfrican on Vimeo.

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1. Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o kicks off the Uhuru Film Festival
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3. Trouble: The Newest Bilingual Book from Ethiopia Reads

In the past 10 years the concerts by the CU West African Highlife Ensemble (CUWAHE) have featured renowned guest artists along with highly energetic, tightly knit tradition, neo-traditional, and pop music from Africa. Unlike all other presentations of African music and culture, CUWAHE has audiences dancing in the aisles to the sounds of contemporary Afropop and highlights the aspects of traditional African music that still can be found in the highly energetic sounds of traditional drumming and dance. CUWAHE is the only ensemble in the US to perform contemporary African pop music.

There is no better way for CUWAHE to commemorate this magnificent milestone than by combining traditional with contemporary in one concert bringing African music, new and old, to audiences of all ages and walks of life.

The ensemble is made up of students (music and non-music alike) from the University of Colorado and tickets are on sale now.

For further information please contact:
Laima Gaigalas
CU Presents Marketing Manager
Laima.gaigalas@colorado.edu
(303) 492-4247

Related posts:

1. Annual Highlife Concert Returns with Guest Vusi Mahlasela
2. This Weekend: Asanteman Association Swearing in Ceremony and Kofi B Performance
3. African Community Center’s Thanksgiving Celebration a Success

The first edition of the Colorado African Yellow Pages & Guide has been around for several weeks now, so if you haven’t gotten your copy yet, stop by your local African market today to pick one up. Inside you will find many of the same listings you see here at metroAfrican, including African restaurants and markets. But they also include churches, tax information, driver’s license offices, embassy information, and other listings of interest to Africans. There are even sample citizenship questions.

The book could be better organized and some of the listings could be more complete, but overall the publication of the African Yellow Pages is a great community resource. If you don’t find the guide at your local market, you can contact the publisher at info@africanyellowpagesandguide.com or check it out online at www.africanyellowpagesandguide.com. Expect the next edition of the yellow pages this summer.

Related posts:

1. Trouble: The Newest Bilingual Book from Ethiopia Reads
2. Meet Tata Sidibe, Owner of Aurora’s Ibiza African Market

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1. Pius Kamau: The Obama Campaign Brought Communities Together
2. Dr. Pius Kamau on “The Black Conundrum”
3. Some Journalists’ Scientific Ignorance by Pius Kamau

From a pair of TOMS shoes to a trip to Costa Rica, guests at Educate!’s annual ball bid on silent auction items that would at once allow them to win fun prizes while also raising money for education in Uganda. In addition to the auction Educate supporters bought art and jewelry made in Uganda, pledged to sponsor a student, and enjoyed drinks and  hors d’oeuvres.

Educate is a Boulder-based nonprofit organization that works to directly address the most fundamental challenge facing Africa: the lack of socially responsible leadership across diverse sectors of society. They accomplish this goal through a rigourous two year program in which a student receives leadership training and leads a social enterprise that effectively and sustainably addresses a community need. In 2009 Educate! led 415 students through the program, and that number increased in 2010 to over 800 students.

Congressman Jared Polis was on hand to praise Educate’s important work and encourage the audience to give generously. Polis added that he hopes to plan a trip to Africa soon. Vocal band Face wound up the party by performing a capella versions of popular tunes from the ‘Pink Panther Theme’ to Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’. By the end of the night Educate! had raised over $25,000 for their education programs in Uganda.

For more coverage of the Educate! Annual Ball check out this article in the CU Independent, this post from Educate’s blog, and this blog post by Jessica Ryan.

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1. EDUCATE! PRESENTS THE FIRST ANNUAL BALL FOR THE FUTURE OF UGANDA
2. Educate! Hosts Climb for Uganda
3. From Edwards, Colorado to Kicuna, Uganda

When the time came to get his picture taken Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o did not say “cheese”. He said “githeri” – the name of a popular Kenyan dish. The renowned author takes every opportunity to slip into Kiswahili and Kikuyu languages switching from English to either with ease.

Wa Thiong’o was in Fort Collins this week to help kick start the Uhuru Film Festival, a festival dedicated to screening African films. On Thursday wa Thiong’o discussed his novel Wizard of the Crow with a crowd that had gathered at Readers Cove book store. The novel was first written in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s native Kikuyu and then translated to English and other languages.

It is important to wa Thiong’o that his writing carry the wisdom of his Kikuyu people. “Languages carry our treasures” wa Thiong’o said. Even after translation to English, Wizard of the Crow maintains some of the Kikuyu approach to phrasing and imagery, which does not happen when a book is written first in English.

After reading several passages from Wizard of the Crow Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o answered questions from the audience and signed copies of his novel.

On Friday night wa Thiong’o attended a screening of Who’s Afraid of Ngugi, a documentary film that follows Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o as he and his political activist wife Njeri journey back to Kenya after years of exile. As they are welcomed home by joyous and hopeful crowds, they also must cope with those who still find their revolutionary words and deeds threatening. Wa Thiong’o was not involved in the production of the film, but was on hand to answer questions about the context of the events depicted.

The Uhuru Film Festival continues tonight with three films from East Africa. Ugandan films A Meal to Forget and Battle of the Souls play at 3pm and 5pm, while All Girls Together from Kenya winds up the festival at 7:30. Visit uhurufilms.org for more details on these and all previous films from the 2010 Uhuru Film Festival.

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1. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o book reading in Ft. Collins (Video)
2. AfricAid to Host Second Annual Kisa Film Festival
3. “Out of Context” Premieres at 2009 Kisa Film Festival

In December we wrote about the African Bold Leaders, a group of twenty young people and four instructors from Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa who spent four weeks in Denver and Washington, DC. The Bold Leaders program run by Critical Mass Leadership Education brings students to the U.S. for conflict resolution, civic education and leadership programs. The students then bring what they have learned to their home communities and implement projects utilizing their new skills.

Recently we received an update on one of those Bold Leaders, Mustapha Rashidi, who is now back in Tanzania. Peace Corps Volunteer Mirinda Gormley invited Mustapha to guest write on her blog Tanzania Tales. Below is what he wrote about his experience in the U.S. with the Bold Leader program:

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On beginning of October I received application form from African leadership program (BOLD LEADER SHIP),through U.S Embassy in Tanzania, this program was funded by U.S state department. The reason for my trip was to participate in Bold leaders program, which was aimed in increasing leadership skills. Also to have good utilization of basic human resources such as voice, creativity, tears, as well as listening skills as how life depending on. The first plane was from Tanzania to Ambstardam, it was very express and interesting plane, they provided us a delicious food whenever we wanted, their announcements were very clear.

We arrived in U.S on 30th of October, despite of studying but we went to ski, swimming, walking and climbing Colorado rock mountain. When I was there I noticed so many different between Africa and America, some of them are Environment difference, when America is cool and Africa is hot, also Education system ,American gives high priority to Education more than Africa; also social difference where by American youth get more support than support we get African youth in Africa, also Economic difference this can seen by looking infrastructures in America, the living condition of American and availability of social services, Also we have political difference where by America is more Democratic than Africa.

Voice from American and American environment inspired me a lot, the lessons I get there are to know that every one is a leader and every one is responsible on making positive changes in the community, also no age factor in making positive changes, either Elders or Young people all together are responsible in impacting the community, also I get to know who I am right now is I am going to be on the future,(my future is determined by my present),also I get to know humanity, as well as to stand for the people who cannot stand by them selves, to give voice to the people who are voice less, also to stand for the victims of my Nation .

Due to these lessons I was released that my Tanzania now is in good hand of me and to have desire of working to my dream about future Tanzania ,Tanzania had problems before, but hopefully we have no problems any more I am looking for the solution. That is what want to do starting projects which help people to have aces in Education, because I believe on Education to be only the solution to our problems. Also I am studying hard in order to become a good president on the future who will care about the people and fight against Diseases, poverty, and Ignorance hardly, also to be a father of humanity and fare to my people.

———————

Ms. Gormley also gave an update on what Mr. Rashidi is up to now:

Mustapha continues to live in Makong’onda as my counterpart/best friend/son until he is able to go to high school in the Spring. He is the counterpart for many of our projects, and he is trying to train and find others who can teach in the future, when he leaves for school and I leave for places unknown. We are all incredibly proud of Mustapha (his home village of Mapili had a town meeting so that Mustapha could tell them about life in America, the entire village showed up) and I know that if he is lucky enough to get into high school, he will do great things.

The Bold Leaders program will host another class of emerging African leaders in April. To get involved visit www.boldleaders.com and keep in touch with the Bold Leaders by joining their social network.

Related posts:

1. Visiting Student Leaders Showcase Their Learning and Creativity
2. Guy Lumumba’s Visit Featured in the Denver Post
3. Local Charity’s Twitter Celebration Supports Education in Tanzania

At last Friday’s open house the new offices of Colorado African Organization were packed wall to wall with members of the community celebrating the move to the space. Today, a story about the open house by Tina Griego was published by the Denver Post.

Waiting to greet you is Ndayishimiye Emmanuel of Burundi, who arrived here Sept. 24, 2007.

He is a 23-year-old who grew up in refugee camps and who speaks English, Kirundi, French and Swahili. He is dressed in a suit, and when you visit the office several days later, he will be equally dapper, his dress shoes polished to a high sheen.

“My parents want me to dress like someone who is wise,” he will say, blushing. “I want to show I am on the right path.”

Griego asked CAO Executive Director Kit Taintor about the differences between those who adapt with ease and those who do not:

Language skills, education, Taintor says. The younger refugee integrates faster, with less friction. Think of this, she says: You have spent many years establishing yourself and your career and then you must start over in a refugee camp where you may spend years seeking safe haven. You arrive, finally, in that place and must start yet again.

You are an ophthalmologist now making hotel beds. You are a math teacher driving a cab.

Griego also writes about Adrien Mangituka, a case manager working with the Colorado African Organization:

He is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He’s fluent in six languages, has a law degree, certification in auto mechanics and computer programming. I last saw him last four years ago. He was going to apply at a downtown hotel as a busboy.
…
A busboy? I remember asking Mangituka in 2006. “How I begin again does not matter,” he replied.

A refugee who comes to this country does not escape hardship. He or she finds only a different version of it, and this version may last years.

Mangituka did not become a busboy. In the past four years, he has worked as a manager in a second-hand store. He worked in a gas station/convenience store. He worked as an interpreter. He went to school to become a nurse’s aide. He moved to Colorado Springs and became a case manager for a refugee resettlement agency. He drove a limo. He cleaned cars for a rental chain and then was promoted to customer service, which he still does when he is not helping other Africans find a way to succeed in Colorado.
…
I ask him later what advice he tries to impart to his clients, and he says: “No matter what, there is always a way out. Look back to your past, but do not dwell there. Look to where you were, where you are and where you want to be.”

He talks about taking more college classes, about working one day in the medical field. Mangituka is 42 years old, a man with big plans.

You can read the full story here: Griego: African refugee newcomers get help settling in Denver area

To get involved with Colorado African Organization call them at 303.953.7060, find them online at www.caoden.org, or visit them at their new office at 6795 E Tennesee Avenue, Suite 250 in Denver.

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Related posts:

1. Get Involved: The African Community Center’s Gift Basket Drive
2. Job Posting: Executive Director, Colorado African Organization
3. A Thanksgiving Party Like None Other at the African Community Center

2009 marked metroAfrican’s first full year covering Denver’s African communities. We were constantly surprised by how active and exciting a community we have here. We met many tremendous people and attended more events than we can mention in one post. So here are the stories that received the most traffic in 2009, though we hope you dig back into the archives and take a look back at the year that was 2009:

1. First Friday Broadcast Shines Spotlight on Colorado-Ghana Children’s Fund

Denver Open Media’s live coverage of CGCF’s fundraising performance earned the position of the most popular story of 2009.

2. Tim Ryan and Water for People Partner on Malawi Photo Exhibit

Photographer Tim Ryan was gracious enough to answer a few questions about his work with Water for People in Malawi.

3. K’naan Shows Denver Love at Valentine’s Day Show

You could say the K’naan’s show in Denver was a Valentine’s Day Massacre, cuz he killed it. If you’re into bad puns that is.

4. Meet Tata Sidibe, Owner of Aurora’s Ibiza African Market

We met Tata shortly after she had opened her shop and were very impressed. Watch for more profiles of notable Africans in the coming year.

5. Dr. Chris Fomunyoh Visits DU to Discuss Democracy and Development in Africa

Dr. Fomunyoh described the state of democracy in Africa, how much work we have to do, and why there is reason for hope.

6. Our Interview with Sensai Tate of Hiphocalypse

We got in touch with Sensai after hearing his podcast. He is now only a part-time resident of Denver, but remains a full-time connoisseur of the hottest African hip-hop.

7. Somalis in Greeley Make Progress, Still Face Challenges

After last year’s round of labor disputes, Greeley’s Somali community has found ways to work with the Swift meatpacking plant to avoid some of the problems that have plagued that relationship.

8. “Out of Context” Premieres at 2009 Kisa Film Festival

Our short video about living outside one’s cultural context was one of a number of pieces featured in the 2009 Kisa Film Festival.

9. Young People’s Front for Democracy and Justice Fundraiser Slideshow

We were very glad to meet the remarkable young people who make up YPFDJ’s Denver chapter. Keep an eye on these folks in 2010.

10. Ghana’s Ernestina Mills Delivers Keynote at Project C.U.R.E.’s First Ladies’ Luncheon (video)

Project C.U.R.E.’s First Ladies Luncheon featured an address by none other than the First Lady of Ghana.

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2009 was a great year for us. The metroAfrican team would like to thank each and every person who has supported the service we strive to provide to African communities and friends of Africans here in Colorado. Expect big things in 2010, and hey why not get involved? When we launched metroAfrican it was meant to be a place for local Africans to voice their opinions and tell their own stories.  Don’t let us tell your story – we want to hear from you. Email us at metroafrican@gmail.com and let us know what’s on your mind. We would love to get you involved.

Related posts:

1. Tim Ryan and Water for People Partner on Malawi Photo Exhibit
2. First Lady of Ghana to visit Denver for PROJECT C.U.R.E. First Ladies’ Luncheon
3. Reflections on African health from the diaspora