Shades

Colorism is still alive in well in today's society. I'm just not referring to the remnants of America's "brown paper bag test" tradition but its damaging effects across the African Diaspora. Perhaps the most depressing aspect of this outlet of self-hatred is something that I have witnessed firsthand while here in Senegal–skin bleaching.

Now, I had heard of it before. thanks to a few scattered alternative news pieces here and a youtube documentary or two there. Yet, never had I seen the tragic practice with my own eyes until I arrived here. The people here have been so sold on a Eurocentric image of beauty that they opt to put themselves through chemical bleaching just to obtain a paler complexion. I've heard stories of women taken ill from the treatments and I have even seen the welts, bruises, and burns on women's skin from the bleaching process. In the homestay of one of the other SABS fellows a domestic was terminated because she continued to bleach her skin against the wishes of the homeowner.

Of course, I understand from where this complexion complex comes but it's still disheartening to see it live and in color – or lack thereof. Recent photos of All-Star baseball player, Sammy Sosa, have brought this issue into the open once more.

Sosa claims that he suffers from vitiligo and that the disease is the sole cause for his rapid melanin decrease. ::: Strong side-eye ::: I'm no dermatologist but I know plenty of people who have vitiligo and I have never seen it act so quickly and so evenly. A very close friend of mine, who also has vitiligo, had this to say "Sammy Sosa ... as a person with vitiligo I know that it doesn't move that fast! FAIL!" I choose not to speak ill of the dead but I'm sure we all know of someone else who was afflicted with this and couldn't "Beat It."


It's truly sad to see how this issue of skin color is still deeply affecting people. Truly disparaging.


Check out what a few of my colleagues have had to say about this issue. Fabulous Brown Girl talks about colorism and Sammy Sosa and Jada F. Smith talks about it on The Root and on NPR.


Despite all this negativity regarding the topic I have to commend D.C. rapper, Wale, for addressing it on a song entitled "Shades." This track is off of his new debut album Attention Deficit and you need to go pick it up now if you haven't already!

Dakar-Gorée Part 2: "Bienvenue à Gorée"

After the brief ride on our ferry, which happened to be named "Beer," we arrived on the island just in time to see Masake reach the shore. I was elated to be there and to be a part of the congrats crew when she finished the 5k swim. We then had some lunch and explored the island a little. Unfortunately, many of the attractions were closing so we did not get the opportunity to see very much of the island on this trip. Thankfully, I have another seven months to go in Dakar to another journey to Gorée, to truly experience the island, is definitely in the cards.

The Goats Are Everywhere!!!

My neigborhood, Ouakam, and plenty of areas like it around Dakar, have become overrun with goats! The abundance of baas and scuffing of hooves have become a part of the natual soundtrack to life recently. The goats are EVERYWHERE!

Okay, maybe they are not literally everywhere and although they resemble what I would call a goat, they are actually lambs. Nevertheless their numbers have increased dramatically in what seems like overnight. Paranoia would have one suspecting some sort of four-legged coup, however, the truth is much simpler.

The Islamic dominant city of Dakar is preparing for Tabaski. The celebration also known as "Eid al-Adha" is quickly approaching and as the date nears the lamb population grows accordingly. If you come from a Christian or non-Islamic background, like myself, then I doubt the dots have been connected yet.

To be concise, Tabaski is a holiday that celebrates Ibrahim (Abraham) obedience to Allah (God)

in that he was willing to sacrifice his son. However, Allah is pleased with Ibrahim's acquiescence to His will and provides a lamb for the sacrifice in place of his son. So in observence of this, muslims celebrate Tabaski by sacrificing many lambs and feasting.

That goat next door has been quiet lately ... perhaps he knows his days are numbered!

The Smiles of Children

Yesterday I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and the statement was made that children's smiles are an instant cure for the depressed and downtrodden. Perhaps, that notion is a bit of a hyperbole but I dare you to glance at the gallery below and not crack a smile!

Many of you have been asking for more photos of SABS students and I am happy to oblige your requests. Take a look and pass it on. If there's anything else you all want to see or read here please let me know in a comment, email, or tweet.

Look-Alikes Part 1

For a few weeks I have been telling a few of my friends that there are students here who remind me of them. I swear one of 7th graders is a clone of one of my friends. For those of you who know these people (Howard people) make your guesses in the comment section!

Dakar-Gorée Part 1: "I'm On A Boat"

Last week, Masake who is Madame Kane's daughter and a fellow HU alum, swam the Dakar-Gorée. It's an annual event in which swimmers take on the stretch of the Atlantic from mainland Dakar to Gorée Island. Participants leave from several locations in Dakar that are different distances from the island. The one that Masake chose put her swim at 5 thousand kilometers. The race takes a few hours so although we didn't see her depart we made sure we were there to welcome her at the finish.

Of course this was a perfect photo opportunity so I was snapping pictures all day. There is quite an abundance of photos so I have decided to break them into several slideshows chronologically. I will start with the ferry ride from Dakar to Gorée. As we boarded the jukebox in my head was playing the same song on repeat. I'm sure some of you guys can guess but for those who can't here it is. LOL! (This is not a serious song. The group makes music that is intended to be funny.)

Now that I have gotten that out of the way. Here are the pics of us heading over to Gorée. The crew included Madame Kane, a weekend visitor, Masake's sisters – Caamo and Rugi, her cousin – Yankohoba, SABS fellows – Charlotte, Camille, Gary and myself. Near the end of the slideshow you can see some of the swimmers arriving on the beaches of the island.

Check back soon for Dakar-Gorée Part 2!

Senegalese Seminar #1: Clubbing

This whole journey in Senegal has been packed with new experiences and I have been learning new things in abundance. One of the new things has been the different club/party environment. Here is a little of what I have learned thus far.

1.) Akon Is King: Anything featuring their native son, Akon, will make any spot come ALIVE! From the first few seconds of one of his tracks the dance floor erupts. Not sure if this is going to make me a fan or if the frequency and frenzy will push me in the opposite direction. Only time will tell.

Akon - Beautiful
Uploaded by Akon. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

2.) No Wallflowers: Dancing is not an option, it's an imperative. Here one does not go out to a club to stand around and look important or to socialize, they go to dance. The last time I went out we stayed on the dance floor for nearly four hours straight. Yeah, they go hard!

3.) Parties Start After Midnight: Nothing gets going until after midnight. Actually most parties don't really get going until about 2 a.m.

4.) Anything Goes On The Playlist: When I say anything goes, I really mean anything. This past Saturday alone the DJ's playlists was all over the place, yet, it worked. He even followed up James Brown's "Papa Don't Take No Mess" with The Black Eyed Peas' "I Got A Feeling."

Black Eyed Peas - I Got A Feeling [HD]
Uploaded by wonderful-life1989. - See the latest featured music videos.

5.) No Drama Allowed: If you're out clubbing in the States you can expect to see a fight at least half of the time and if not full-out fisticuffs, you will at least see a heated argument. In Dakar, however, it seems that spirit of having a good time trumps all of that drama.

Halloween '09

I just realized that I only did one post for the entire month of October. I guess I let the month get away from me. I'm starting November off on a better foot so expect even more posts in the days to come.

Halloween '09

Last weekend SABS hosted their Halloween celebrations. Everyone got in on the fun from the little kids in the primary school and preschool to the older kids who partied it up until 2 in the morning! We, the SABS fellows, even got in on the fun by dressing up in the uniforms that the students wear.

I compiled a slideshow of the days events so you all can see what went on. Enjoy!