Friday, September 08, 2006

Let's discriminate equally and other thoughts

I know the title has you wondering what controversial point I am going to bring up, so here goes.One thing I have noticed about Kenyans here is that many Kenyans discriminate and have a low opinion of black americans but most of the time do not have those sentiments when it comes to white folk.Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that black folk are above reproach.No, they do have issues that I admit; but on the other hand so do white folk.
I was once hanging out with a Kenyan chic and her pal when this dude came over and was pestering here and she told him, "Wacha mchezo hujui labda ako na mzungu?" My room mate is also guilty because he proudly says that he doesn't do white chics, despite the fact that he has a batting average of 0.000 at the moment with them.
I was like what the heck?What is it about white folk that someone would take so much pride in dating one and denigrate other races.It's different if you are talking about someone as an individual but when you talk about white people as a whole group that kind of crap shouldn't apply at all!
What many Kenyans here don't understand is that many of the black people they run into as they do their KYM jobs are what we would call "hood" or "ghetto" and as a result don't represent all black people.I have met many black people who dont have all those bad habits that Kenyans here ascribe to black people.What they do would be the equivalent of a white person going to Kenya and working with people straight from the mtaa and thinking all Kenyans are like that.
Let's not forget about white folk.The average white american isnt much smarter, erudite or more sophisticated than a black person.They are in many cases just different but that doesnt make them better.
I have seen white dead beat dads, white baby drama mamas and while some folk may love to beat on blacks here for being criminally oriented, don't forget that most psychos and child molestors are white.
If people took more time to get to know white folk they would know that there is nothing special about them, they are just as messed up as everyone else.It's sad that some Kenyans who live in the midst of them don't notice it at all.
So let's be fair and discriminate against everyone if we have to.

I was told a story about something a friend of a friend is going through and I realised one thing; many women chase lost causes in the name of love.
This chic in the story is dating a philipino dude who is in med school.She likes him and was taken to meet the family.Other then the cousins, the whole family does not like her.It's not because of her personality.It's because she's black (no she's not Kenyan).
They went on a trip with the family and the family booked a suite for the family and a room for herself.She had to put up with a resentment and hostility for 3 whole days.At the dinner table the mother had the nerve to tell the dude within earshot that he should by no means have babies with the girl.It also doesn't help that the dude is a mama's boy, so he isnt standing up for her at all.
If it were a white family it would be possible for her to ride the storm but philipinos tend to have a very close knit family structure, so if you get together they will always be hovering over you.
The chic was telling my pal that she intends to dig in but honestly I think she should chock that one as a loss and move on.I mean if your own boyfriend isnt backing you up in front of his family, why stay?
Anyway I will sit back and see how things unfold.

I went to visit a friend the other day when I was in ATL environs and I think I may have mentioned this before, but I was shocked that this girl did not even have one book or magazine in her house.Call me a geek but I enjoy reading be it for leisure or just to extend my horizons.What is worse in this case is that this chic wants to be a moghul of sorts but doesnt seem to have any books or information as regards her desired business ventures.
Anyone who knows people who have made money the long hard way (not stealing like out politicians) will discover that most of those rich folk have an insatiable appetite for information.If it isnt just reading, they will do research or take time to learn new things all the time.Part of becoming rich is knowing what other people don't know.
What is worse is how some people I have met (both Kenyans and Americans) take pride in their ignorance.Someone the other day told me how it has been years since they last read a book be it for leisure or knowledge.
I must confess that my appetite for reading has really lowered but I remember at my peak I used to read more than 3 books in a week.Reading has an affect on how you write, think and express yourself.There is nothing like expressing a totally ignorant opinion to tar people's view of you but on the other hand playing the smartass does the same thing.
So the next time you see your friend take the beer or remote control out of their hand and give them something educational to read.

I was sent this link and it made my day.It seems some people can put on a spectacular front in public.This dude was not only an Electoral Official but also a pastor, both occupations that call for transparency!He also had an extra wife stashed somewhere in the background as he stole public funds.The good thing is that the government has impounded his assets.
I know ya'll know I'm going to say this, but I'll say it anyway; the fact that he was Nigerian was no big surprise!
Second this is another glaring reason not to take what many men of the cloth say to heart.That podium is just a means to an end for many of them.They are just as human as us, if not worse; at least many of us own up to our faults and sins.
I would also love to have the man's time management skills!Doing all that must have been really time consuming!He should have written a book on time management!

This piece on Prezzo in the Pulse is a great puff piece.It has so little substance and truth to it, that I cant help but laugh.It is like one of those stories that hollywood stars give where they play the family man/woman, good parent, hard working actor and consumate philanthropist when all their antics have been chronicled in tabloids elsewhere.
The writer in some ways insinuates that Prezzo plays a major part in the family business when that hasnt always been the case.He also neglects to mention the problems the business had been facing that had them in and out of court in the past few years and the budding amount of competition.The author makes this statement "and is now more concerned with climbing the corporate ladder", how can you climb the corporate ladder when you own the company?Correct me if you want to but there is nowhere to climb to nor is he an employee.
Prezzo denies dating Nikki aka Sheila when past issues of Pulse and one collabo say the contrary.
Of course in typical Prezzo fashion he had to show off his digs and expensive accesories.What was funny was how he claimed to be a reading The 48 laws of power by Robert Greene.Why do I have the sneaking feeling that the book is just a prop for the reporter to see.He says he has a new album in the works, I would like to know how many copies he sold of his current album and if he managed to make a profit.Which I do know is hard because of piracy but Prezzo does make it look like showbiz pays pretty well in Kenya, which isnt the case for most artistes/fake musicians.
Don't get me wrong, the dude may be doing pretty well for himself in business but the story seemed pretty pretentious and manufactured if you ask me.
Have a non pretentious weekend!

17 comments:

CiikuMrsBabes said...

Wait.... Prezzo is Islamic now???


I'll be back to comment on the rest

CiikuMrsBabes said...

I am back.

Whoever wrote that article for Pulse needs to be fired IMMEDIATELY!! WTH?

Ati "He has one pretty secretary and two assistants"

What kind of stupid writing is this??? Dear Jeebus!!

About the people who like beating dead horses aka staying in relationships in the name of love, I have a philosophy "mtoto akililia wembe, mpe"... I will give u advise ONCE. Its upto you if u want to listen.

Reading..... how do people not have books in their house? Im like the librarian.....Books and Books everywhere!

walk said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Spidey/Tato said...

pwezzo sucks....

dont believe am even commentin


ala where did joes post go?

Acolyte said...

@ movie buff
Yes seems he is nowadays.I do agree that the writing for pulse is in the pits!
As for that mama, let her learn the hard way!
People who dont try to read bore me greatly!
@ joe walking
That was a very good comment, you should share it!
@ couch tato
Self censorship I guess.Prezzo toots his own horn way too much!

Udi said...

I somad the pulse article and closed my browser. Garbage galore. When you go tell the world that you have a $3000 watch, then dont be suprised when you are wekwad ngeta. Ati Bodyguards? To protect him from who? his own ego? I chuka that moffo with a passion since he lacks humility. I wish someone can tell him not to toa another album since he is creating more noise pollution.

as for Sheila, I proposed to her and she lengad my vybe. Its all ngravy. One day, hata mimi nitapeleka Land Rover.

Msanii_XL said...

Lol..@UDI truth.com

Dude is the personifaction of garbage weak ass rapper.Kenyan writers sometimes reporters sometime amaze me.

That nigerian cat wow, $55m, another wife and no slippage whatsoever? wow

Acolyte said...

@ udi
I was going to talk mbaya but I didnt want to be accused of hating but seems you are thinking the same thing as I was.
As for Sheila, pole sana but I hear she is a gold digger of epic porpotions!
@ msanii
I have to agree that Prezzo's rhymes suck!Kenyan writers are hos for the dollar!
The Nigerian cat is player of the highest order!

Anonymous said...

I have a friend who experienced something similar to the woman you wrote about with the Philipino out-laws.

I agree on books being something necessary. I can't understand those who don't do any reading. Just like the body needs physical exercise, so does the mind need mental exercise! I am compiling a list of books people have read on my blog with an aim of enjoying them!

Princess said...

Aco...I think I'll focus on the ethnocentric aspect of your blog. The whole issue of Africans not liking African Americans and vice-versa is one that is ongoing here in the US. An interesting thing about that is that I have a friend from Alabama and his mom's opinions of Africans is extremely low. The first time I spoke to her she said to my face "You're English is very good" which is the same reaction other Americans have and she constantly makes disparaging remarks about Africans. Yet does she know any Africans with the exception of me who she would rather judge than get to know? No. However, when I was in undergrad. I went to a predominantly white school, but the African Americans disliked me because I socialized with all ethnicities as opposed to just them so they thought that I believed I was better than them. Anyway, I could write an entire blog. The bottom line is that it isn't just Kenyans who are ethnocentric towards black people..they are just as guilty. However, I agree that rather than say that all black people hate Kenyans and vice-versa, I am of the opinion that it should be taken on a case by case basis.

Anonymous said...

That's generally the same with any nationality. People take pride in their nationality, if one of their own moves to the states, for a commoner who doesn't travel, has minimal education, those kinds of things can be hard to comprehend. I don't think any individuals are 'better' but I do think collective actions can be better. That's the reason why the US govt is managing better than the Kenyan govt. It depends what you mean by average american, usually the white ones live in the suburbs and the black ones in Kenya the redneck countryside so in that respects I would say the white ones are perhaps more aware. But when was america just white? from what i've learnt america doesn't have a nationhood, they're multicultural unlike Japan or Kenya who are homogenous. Well I beg to differ, individuals become special to me once you get to know them. The guy's in med school, doesn't matter if they were filipino, white or black, would've been the same reaction from the family, that being no girl would be considered by the parents good enough for the guy unless she was in med school too.

Girl next door said...

Most people don't admit it but they treat junguz as though they're better than everyone else. I've noticed that when some people talk about their friends, they always say "My jungu friend" but if the buddy is from another race, it's not mentioned. Hopefully, living with them will be an eye-opener.

The chic dating the philipino dude must have some thick skin! How can anybody put up with that bs for a whole weekend and still plan to marry the guy? I know a lot about that culture and they are very close-knit. There are some mothers that forced their kids to break up with people they liked. It is a lost cause.

I strongly back you up on the books!

Prezzo's comment about climbing the corporate ladder doesn't make sense. He does own it so....

Acolyte said...

@ egm
I think it happens more than we think it does.
There are lots of people who get through life without reading at all and seem to be fine with it.I would love to read your list of must reads!
@ princess
I too have encountered some of that anti-African sentiment here but not too often, I guess it'll get worse when I get to the city.
I also do get disparaging comments from the derailer because of the large number of white friends that I seem to have.I do agree that they are no better than us in that regard but what I am against is putting whole groups down.
@ Anonymous
I do agree that U.S has had the advantage of being around a far longer time and has used their knowledge to work to better governance.Much as the U.S is multicultural the first picture that comes to mind when you ask someone about America is white.
Why is it when someone is reffered to as all American, what you see is a white face?
To some extent I do feel that the family's dislike for the girl was also racial and not only the usual dislike from mothers in law.
@ girl next door
I feel you 200% on this.Sad thing is that even living here has not changed some people at all.
I think that chic needs a wake up call, I will check on her the next time I am in town.
As for prezzo, the less said about him; the better!

Kenyanchick said...

Aco, don't even get me started on Kenyan anti-black Americanism (or Black America's anti-Africanism)... it's tiresome regardless of which side you look at it from.

I lived in the States for 12 years, got the "You speak English so well" crap (from people who wanted to "axe me a question"), got accused of "trying to be white" because I "spoke white," was told "You're not like the other black people" by white folks... it's exhausting.

But primarily I think our differences come from their having a 'minority' psychology, whereas black Kenyans have a majority mentality, at least in so far as race and privilege are concerned.

Whatever, it still gets tiring after a while. (And ps. Anonymous: Kenya is homogenous??)

Jadekitten said...

@ gnd, about people treating white folk like they are a superior people is very true. Even among my friends, when 1 of them is seeing a white guy, she's regarded with much envy, et al.

I confess, a couple of years ago I also ascribed to the school of thought 'white is bright'. But relating on a one-to-one with them certain unsavoury traits came to the surface and I realised it was just a misconception.

I suppose these prejudices are borne of ignorance. In a sense, Africa STILL is the dark continent.

Anonymous said...

@ aco aka book word- ok first blogger ate my comment and i have lost my train(?) of thought.

I find book here to be so full of crap.
you know, the "paris hilton is arrested friday and monday morning there is a book about it" kind of crap. An essay or new story in 27 chapters kind of crap.

I am yet to overstand what introductions, prologues and epilogues are for.

alexcia

Acolyte said...

@ Kenyanchick
I do agree that it is a most tiresome issue and I dont even know how to go about it.
Oh Anon Kenya is far from homogenous.
@ jadekitten
I guess the fact that I have known white people from when I was pretty young is one thing that has made me know that they are far from perfect and so I get pissed off when they are regarded as something special.
I do think that there is alot people need to be illuminated on!
@ alexcia
I think as a literati you will find most books written here very wanting this is because they are written more to make cash than for the art aspect.