WHEN I BECAME BLACK

Growing up in African savanna grassland, a region south of the Sahara and north of the Limpopo, I always considered myself a tetrachromat. The words black or color blind had never crossed my mind.

Unfortunately, my artesian sunset brown complexion identity was only a short lived joy which was disreputed the very moment I set foot on 'the land of the free because of the brave.' Upon losing my complexion identity of two decades plus without my consent, I became subject to a rebrand where my artesian sunset brown complexion identity was replaced with; A BLACK MAN. 

For a moment, I thought that my flight of 24 hours had not only subjected me to a jet lag but had simultaneously turned me to a color blind. I was extremely eager to confirm my instantaneous complexion change at the nearest mirror encounter.

All the same, it didn't take me long to know that the sudden change of my complexion identity was a tactic to subjugate my self-esteem and subsequently render me to an inferior mindset. Although I never urged my case out, in reference to my 6th grade art and craft knowledge, I was well informed that; black is not a color. A black object absorbs all the colors of the visible spectrum and reflects none of them to the eyes. With that in mind, my self-conviction on this matter could not allow anyone challenge my intellect. This led me to the decades old quote; 'No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.' Anne Elena Roosevelt.

They say; When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' The fact that you can do what the Romans do dosen't mean you  have to think how they think. Thinking is a self-imposed aspect that leads to a conscious decision. A person who controls your actions isn't a great threat but anyone who controls your mind subjects you to slavery. 

After a period of 246 years of slavery, majority of the people never expected African Americans to ever regain their consciousness. Just like in the bible in the book of Exdous 1:12; 'But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.' So are the African American. It doesn't matter how oppressed they are, God is still granting them favour amidst pain. 

When Pharaoh's oppression against Israelites became futile, he ordered the murder of the firstborn boys but God saved them through the two Egyptian midwives. In a matter of contrast, slaves were likewise subjected to lynching and repatriation. 

It's very unfortunate that, after a period of 135 years after the abolishment of slavery, some caucasian still possess that 19th century retarded mentality where they think that African Americans are inferior human beings because of their complexion. 

On the entire planet earth, there only exist one race namely; THE HUMAN RACE. This is well recorded in the book of Genesis 5:2, 'He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them "Mankind" when they were created.' The interpretation of the word MANKIND is; a man with kindness. In reference to the Lord's prayer, (Matthew 6:9) we find that the entire human race hails from one ancestry namely; OUR FATHER who's dwelling place is heaven.

The fact that some people think that they are superior that others is the cause of racism. When lynching and segregation were dehumanized, new tactics of superiority complex mindset were launched against African Americans. To this day and age, prejudice, racial profiling, police brutality leading to vast deaths of African Americans, injustice, mass incarceration and mass shootings of African Americans are a daily occurrence, all in the efforts to subjugate African Americans especially young African Americans men. But why young African Americans men? The easiest way to obliterate a generation is through destroying the seed. Since these young African Americans men are the progenitor, they are being hunted down at every given moment in order to halt procreation among African Americans. In the present day and age, there is a crystal-clear evidence that African Americans are in the list of endangered species. 

Today more than ever before, apart from the decades old structural and institutional racism which for years have subjected African Americans to poor housing, under funded education, injustice and mass incarceration among others, the suppression of their voting rights is alive and well.

Although this is a violation of the voting rights act of 1965 which was won through blood and sweat via the civil rights movement, the introduction of poll taxes and mandatory voter's ID is out to deny African Americans thier constitutional right to vote. Voter suppression is a sure way of ensuring that the decisions that pertains to the plight of African Americans will continue to be made in their absentia. This is my sincere plead to each and every African American who have attained the voting age, kindly ensure that you have registered to vote no matter how tedious the process is. Let's make voting a collective responsibility like the Alabamians did during the 12th December 2017 senatorial elections.

Whether or not they fear the dominance of African Americans  genes against their recessive ones is a story of another day. Nonetheless, it's extremely imperative to understand that; despite the lapse of time, the centuries old mindset that once perceived African Americans as inferior human beings is still alive and well. 

Kindly let's speak out against any form of racism with a total conviction that; a day when we will be judged by the content of our character rather than the color of our skin is nearer than ever before.

On my complexion worries, I am very close to believing my mirror. As deceitful as it might be, there have been consistently in my complexion reflections recently. Nonetheless, when all is said and done, it's worth remembering that; 'When the lives and rights of African Americans are at stake, there should be no silent witnesses.'

AFRICA DAY 2020

Today being the 57th commemoration of AFRICA DAY, there is a dire need to assess our mother continent since she is still wanting. 
This years theme is; Silencing the Guns in the context of the COVID19
I thank God because, despite the evil predictions that Africa will be sweeping human bodies in the streets of her major cities, God has been with us in every step of fighting this global pandemic. To this day, Africa is the continent that have had the very minimal cases and deaths out of covid-19. Nonetheless, more work needs to be done especially the adherence to all the set rules towards averting the spread of covid-19.
On the other hand, it's very disheartening to know that; despite being the richest continent in minerals and natural resources, Africa is still lagging behind in economic development in the areas of infrastructure, food security, housing, manufacturing, technology, education and health care.
Kindly let's look beyond the colonial boundaries that have for decades made us perceive disintegrated Africa with 55 countries instead of a unified continent which is capable of controlling the world economy out of its vast minerals and natural resources. 

AFRICA: THE INFERIOR MINDSET

I am one person who believes the decades old words of Anna Eleanor Roosevelt who was the 32nd First lady of the United states. "No one can made you feel inferior without your consent."

Since your ears and eyes are the gateway to everything that you know or understand, any person who wishes to rule over you will successfully do so by controlling what you see and what you hear. When I  control what you see, I rule your knowledge and when I control what you hear, I successfully take toll on your understanding. 

The two biblical compendiums that will help you understand my school of thought are; Daniel 1:4 'Young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.'

Apart from  Daniel who is popularly known by his Israelite name despite being remaned Belteshazzar which is a Babylonian name, the rest of the three young men Hananiah whose name was changed to  Shadrach, Mishael whose name was changed to Meshack and Azariah whose name was changed to Abednego, the rest three are popularly known by their foreign Babylonian names that were forcefully given to them through the order of king Nebuchadnezzar with an intention of  enforcing them into idol worshiping and eventually rule over them.

Even though his evil plan didn't bear fruits, it's a crystal-clear indication that; knowledge and understanding manipulation is an effective way of inculcating an inferiority complex mindset on someone. 

The second tactic was used on Job by his friends during the period of his deadly sickness. Job's friends tried to convince him that his illness was a punishment from God as a result of his sins. These were Job's words to his friends. "Look, my eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it. What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you." Job 13:1-2

Just like the four Israelite young men, (Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah) Job totally resisted his friends persuasion which would have subjected him to a state of inferiority complex mindset. 

It's very unfortunate that; in the present day and age, we Africans have continued to allow the so called 'first world countries' to control our knowledge and our thinking an aspect that continues to render us to an inferiority complex mindset and to also confirm to the so called first world countries their centuries old biased mindset of superiority complex. 

While Africa continues be colonized through her inferiority complex mindset that have for years fostered a DONOR MENTALITY, eight west African countries are to this day under an evil orchestrated and strategized colonialism having been coerced into signing the Continuation of colonialism pact before becoming independent. This is an official document that have seen eight African countries deposit their 85% of their bank reserves with French Central bank for decades. Ironically, if need be, (which is obvious) the requisite to access their money must be preceded by submitting a financial statement which should undergo through a process of approval and if, only if they are lucky to be approved, they can get an access of 20% of their previous year deposits inform of loans or commissions with interest rates. This simply means, despite having a credit with France, these countries still owe France. In other words, France loans you your money which you should pay with interest. For every 14 billion US dollars, the government of France gets a return of 300 billion US dollars after investing the money in the French stock market. 

The second wave of how Africa has invited a new colonial regime 'presumably' without her consent is through her profound DONOR MENTALITY that have continued to support her decades old sense of inferiority complex.

Although Africa is the richest continent in the world mineral wise, it's the poorest continent monetary wise in the world. In 2009, the then 54 African countries saw the need to build a new headquarter of African Union in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Nonetheless, with a continent GDP of 2.58 trillion US dollars, Africa could not raise 200 million US dollars to construct her own headquarters and the whole amount  that enabled the construction of the African Unioun edifice was a donation from China.

The irony of the highest degree is the biblical verse that is curved on the base of the statue of Kwane Nkrumah the founding father of the great nation of Ghana. The scripture is from Psalms 68:31; 'Ethiopia (meaning Africa since Ethiopia is a Holy land that represents Africa in the bible) shall lift her hands to God.' The question that should linger in our minds is; Is Africa lifting her hands to God or to China and other countries that continues to benefit from her minerals and other natural resources?

In the present day and age, China has become the leading colonial regime in most African countries through offering predatory loans as a way of gaining receivership of the most lucrative assets from the countries of target since the Chinese government knows very well these African countries will default on their loans. This evil tactic saw Kenneth Kaunda International Airport go under a receivership threat by China in 2018 due to Zambian loan default not to mention that China owns 60% shares of Zambian National media. 

The third wave of present day African colonization strategy is the unending civil war in the world richest country mineral wise. The country is none other than the Democratic Republic of Congo, popularly known as DRC. 

Since 1480s when Portuguese traders set foot in Congo, there have been  endless civil war to this day. In a dire quest to feed their greed of opulence out of the the vast natural riches of mineral resources in Congo, the Portuguese deemed that the only way to enrich themselves was to ensure that Congo remained in a state of anarchy. As long as the Congolese were fighting between themselves, the ambience to feed their evil ambitions remained tranquil. Their iniquitous mission became successful when they destroyed indigenous political forces which were capable of curtailing their slaving or trading agendas. Their successful evil plans of disintegrating the Congolese and rendering them into a govern less anarchy of endemic civil wars have continued to this day. 

The day Africans will realize the power of unity is the day we shall solve a greater percentage of our centuries old problems that have created total destitution in Africa. They divide us in order to rule us and when we are fighting against ourselves, they force some of us to spend restless days and sleepless nights flushing out our minerals which they fly out to their countries and then donate to us a smidgen amount of money out of the millions they earn not only from our minerals but also from out sweat. 

What we have in Africa are not countries but colonial boundaries that they have used for centuries to divide us and ease their diabolical acts of Africa impoverishment. The bitter truth that we have to swallow in order to liberate ourselves from the centuries old DONOR MENTALITY is; we have continued to allow them to manipulate us through our inferiority complex mindset. 

FREE BUT NOT INDEED

Times without number, I have said that you can't solve a problem on the same level of thinking that created it. Most of the present day problems that have continued to affect people for decades in my motherland were created on a platform of extremely bad politics, by leaders with an inferiority complex mindset. Polictics of tribalism, nepotism and greed. This I say without an apology or any fear of contradiction. "We have enough resources for everyone's need but not for everyone's greed."
It's very unfortunate that; after 11 general elections, we are still experiencing the same problems we did 56 years ago when we got independence. 

Albert Einstein one of the greatest renowned theoretical physicist defined stupidity as; doing something the same way over and over again but expecting different results. From my school of thought, his definition best fits the situation we've had for over five decades.
Even though we got our freedom from the British colonial government in  December 1963, the question that we must ask ourselves is; Are we free indeed? There is a vast difference between being free and being free indeed. Freedom offers physical liberty but being free indeed (autonomy) liberates your mind. Freedom is given but autonomy is a matter of self-efficacy. In other words, being free indeed is a personal responsibility that gives your mind optimism that can be observed through your deeds no wonder the word FREE (at liberty) INDEED (to do something)

In his song 'Redemption song,' Bob Nesta Marley puts it this way; "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds." Meaning you are the only person who can free your mind from an inferiority complex mindset to a superiority  complex mindset.
The greatest battles are won or lost in your mind.Your victory is just a changed mindset away. While an optimistic mentality will give you victory, a pessimistic mindset will automatically lead you to becoming a failure. It's very unfortunate that we have had freedom for 56 years but our minds are still in bondage no wonder the intransigence towards the moral vices that are affecting our beloved the nation. 

Although the chains that for decades buckled the hands of the Maumau plus the other freedom fighters were deemed to be the only hindrance towards our freedom, the chains around our minds are tight and have continued to subject us to a state of mental slavery.
Unquestionably inarguably, the British colonial government did set us free 56 years ago but to this day, we have never set ourselves free indeed. If you are still looking for that one person to set you free indeed, look in the mirror. 

THE PRESIDENT

The interpretation of the word president is simple; the father of a nation. As simple as the interpretation can be, it requires a lot of integrity, humility and wisdom as well as an immense demand for sacrifice and responsibility. 

When a father abrogates his primary responsibility of providing the basic necessities namely; food, shelter and clothing plus ensuring that good health and education is taken care of, he is automatically rendered futile and his fatherhood title becomes irrelevant. 

As fate would have it, in my motherland, the word president is just but a mere title of superiority complex and a manifestation of unmerited eminence and accolade no wonder the application of the words 'HIS EXCELLENCY' in every introduction of his identity. 

It's extremely unfortunate that; for a very long time, most people have always believed in the decades old misconception that have always referred politicians as leaders. The truth of the matter is; not every politician is a leader and not every leader is a politician. Leadership begets politics but politics can never beget leadership. 

It's only in Kenya where a politician becomes a leader automatically after assuming office without receiving any training and that's why the evidence of failed leadership is explicitly indisputable.

It's only in Kenya where a presidential campaign of the next general election begins immediately after the inauguration of the sitting president. That's because; politics is a career but leadership is a passionate call to serve humanity. 

True leadership is servanthood that puts the interests of others at the center of your decisions. A servant-leader serves others so others are free to serve others. 'If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a true leader.' John Quincy Adams. 

While the danger of authority is the tendency to expect more from others than you expect from yourself, your empathy and compassion instills confidence and courage in others. 

The greatest allegiance that articulates authentic call to serve humanity is the spirit of UBUNTU. (I am because we are)

WHEN NORMAL IS NO MORE

The day was Wednesday 11th March 2020 when World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared Covid-19 a global pandemic. Since then, the normal was no more. 

From frequent hand washing to habitual use of alcohol based hand sanitizer, mandatory wearing of masks not to mention the two most challenging requirements which are social distancing and a stay home order, this pandemic has totally robbed human beings their very basic right of socialization. 

On the other hand, every media platform social or mainstream haven't spared humanity either. They are extremely busy doing more harm than good by spreading devastating news and reports that are disseminating globally nonstop around the clock adding more hopelessness and fear than hope to the already tramatic population. 

To the millions with a dire need of seeking solace from the churches, sorry but the doors are closed. The question that's pestering most people's minds is; What is the quickest fix out of this pandemic? 

If anything, this pandemic has taught us how human knowledge, power and money cannot redeem a single life. This reminds us that we are living on borrowed time. 

The worst case scenario is that Fear has engulfed most people's minds and has surpassed Faith. Like millions around the world, I totally agree that there's no any medication for Covid-19. Nonetheless, I have no smidgen doubt that there is a perfect cure. Even though to date (5th May 2020) 258,012 people have succumbed to Covid-19 globally, out of the 3,724,345 infections worldwide, 1,239,900 people have recovered. This is a crystal-clear indication that despite the absence of medication, there's a cure by the name Jesus Christ. 

As you observe all the measures that have been put in place by different authorities, kindly don't be oblivious of Christ identity through spiritual distancing. It's time to recalibrate and rekindle the long lost authentic relationship between you and Christ that will heighten your Faith to the level of the centurion who through his Faith, his servant has healed. 

BOY-CHILD (THE ENDANGERED SPECIES)

Despite the fact that God created a man ahead of making a woman, and moreover the first child to be born on earth was a boy, masculinity has tremendously continued to be emasculated through time. Biblical compendiums confirm that crisis of masculinity aren't an incipient tragedy. The life of a boy-child has been in the list of the endangered spies since the ancient days of the Old Testament when Pharaoh ordered the Egyptian midwives to kill every boy-child during birth. The same order was given by Herod in the New testament when he ordered the killing of all newborn male children in a dire need to fulfill his atrocious plan to infanticide Jesus. Despite the fact that both Moses and Jesus escaped the massacre and went ahead to lead the children of God from captivity, male offspring has remained in the hit list of hell to this day. With that in mind, it's our responsibility to change this centuries old narrative through intensive and relentless efforts and witness a future generation of liberated and empowered boy-child.