Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Out of your SPACE: Homosexuality at Rhodes
Out of your SPACE: Homosexuality at Rhodes
Response to an Opinion: Homosexuality at Rhodes
Your blog post makes for quite interesting reading, largely because it is so cool reading such a different opinion to my own! While I can appreciate your views, you say yourself that we are all from different cultures where different behaviours are considered to be more taboo than others, and you are obviously someone who is uncomfortable with the very idea of homosexuality. That being said, what might deeply disturb you may be compeltely acceptable or natural to others. I choose the word natural because that what is is, homosexuality is a way of life that we must learn to accept, purely on the basis of human rights, I think it is the right of every person to choose a sexual lifestyle which they feel most comfortable with, and they should not be judged for that decision any more than they should be judged about who they date or whether they're vegetarian or not. Words like “corrupted” and “imposing beleifs” are too strong to describe merely trying to create an environment where everyone can feel comfortable being who they are, something I would expect you to appreciate, especially considering the nature of your blog.
HIV/ Aids is a very tricky topic to bring in to your discussion. Remember, it has taken time for homosexuality to reach even this partial stage of social acceptibility, and the taboos surrounding HIV/Aids have not yet been phased out, thus encouraging students to be open about their HIV status is a tad ahead of the rest of everyone else, especially considereing the personal nature of the condition, it is a medical condition and therefore confidential information, and none of our business.
P.S: Phrases like “this lesbianism thing”, “ innocent people become victims of gay people and lesbians” and “ because lesbianism and being gay is a fashion at Rhodes they have lost their values” says a lot more about your opinion than most of the rest of the post. These are Very strong statement you make, and hurtful too.
Response to an Opinion: Homosexuality at Rhodes
Your blog post makes for quite interesting reading, largely because it is so cool reading such a different opinion to my own! While I can appreciate your views, you say yourself that we are all from different cultures where different behaviours are considered to be more taboo than others, and you are obviously someone who is uncomfortable with the very idea of homosexuality. That being said, what might deeply disturb you may be compeltely acceptable or natural to others. I choose the word natural because that what is is, homosexuality is a way of life that we must learn to accept, purely on the basis of human rights, I think it is the right of every person to choose a sexual lifestyle which they feel most comfortable with, and they should not be judged for that decision any more than they should be judged about who they date or whether they're vegetarian or not. Words like “corrupted” and “imposing beleifs” are too strong to describe merely trying to create an environment where everyone can feel comfortable being who they are, something I would expect you to appreciate, especially considering the nature of your blog.
HIV/ Aids is a very tricky topic to bring in to your discussion. Remember, it has taken time for homosexuality to reach even this partial stage of social acceptibility, and the taboos surrounding HIV/Aids have not yet been phased out, thus encouraging students to be open about their HIV status is a tad ahead of the rest of everyone else, especially considereing the personal nature of the condition, it is a medical condition and therefore confidential information, and none of our business.
P.S: Phrases like “this lesbianism thing”, “ innocent people become victims of gay people and lesbians” and “ because lesbianism and being gay is a fashion at Rhodes they have lost their values” says a lot more about your opinion than most of the rest of the post. These are Very strong statement you make, and hurtful too.
Opinion piece on another blog..JMS1 Lectures being compulsory
My main man ‘G’
Some people are intelligent some are not and some just have to work super hard to get what they want. It seems to me that you just have to work extra hard to get what you want. I am one of people who have to work really, really super hard to get what I want and it is not at all an easy task, because I also miss lectures at times. Why you give people, notes that you went to a boring lecture for I do not understand.
JMS 1 is a very competitive course you cannot really trust the person next to you because they could take that spot that you want to get in JMS2, so honestly helping people who do not work is not a good idea.
Maybe those people will get what is coming to them when they realize that they have no notes to study from. Honestly, life is easier if you have friends that you swop notes with because to this day I have not met anyone on campus who has gone to every single lecture since the beginning of the term.
Jus lighten up man, we all learn in different ways, nobody is cheating.
http://www.combatguide2uni.blogspot.com/
Some people are intelligent some are not and some just have to work super hard to get what they want. It seems to me that you just have to work extra hard to get what you want. I am one of people who have to work really, really super hard to get what I want and it is not at all an easy task, because I also miss lectures at times. Why you give people, notes that you went to a boring lecture for I do not understand.
JMS 1 is a very competitive course you cannot really trust the person next to you because they could take that spot that you want to get in JMS2, so honestly helping people who do not work is not a good idea.
Maybe those people will get what is coming to them when they realize that they have no notes to study from. Honestly, life is easier if you have friends that you swop notes with because to this day I have not met anyone on campus who has gone to every single lecture since the beginning of the term.
Jus lighten up man, we all learn in different ways, nobody is cheating.
http://www.combatguide2uni.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
It was 3rd of February, 2008. Thousands of eager and fresh matriculants entered Eden Grove on the warm Sunday afternoon unaware of what drastic changes lay beyond the friendly SRC faces and parents hustling to ensure their angels make it in varsity safely. Ah, it was a beautiful day in Sobriety-Ville; birds singing, heads clear, hands ready to write a thousand essays… until of course, the very first cheese and wine evening. It suddenly became clear to these innocents that they were adults, and with that came a free pass to any pub, bar and cocktail club Grahamstown had to offer – without failing! First year is the time and place where learning is a key element and growing takes a front seat to any of the academics you thought you were going to dedicate your precious time and energy to. For some reason we all arrived at Rhodes University expecting to be first class students living at the library and not even becoming victim to the ‘bottled’ stereotype Rhodents were ever so infamous for. Wow, we were wrong. It is now second semester and we’re lazier and more liver-strong than before. The troops have gathered in masses in the dingy corners of Olde 65 and The Rat (we like to keep things marsupial) from Wednesday evenings, ladies dressed to kill on Thursday Ladies Nights and, of course, EQ’s never-failing vibe keeps the Rhodents scratching their pockets for cheese to quench their thirsts. Fear not, for some reason we still manage to achieve relatively healthy marks; but don’t ever think (even for a moment) that we slave away at the books, hungrily searching for knowledge… we don’t. Most of us didn’t even know where the library was until Babalwa Sishuta (Sociology 1 Lecturer) ensured that we were given no lecture slides, no notes, and only book titles so we could read on Deviance by ourselves (thank you ma’am). My point is, first year is the year of regrets, thrills, shots, spins, storms, draughts, tears, smiles and oh yes, a whole lot of work that, for some reason, always manages to get itself done. This is definitely not a negative thing; it’s absolutely detrimental that we experience everything varsity has to offer so we can get it out of our systems in get our systems geared for the remainder of our degrees. The drinking? Not a problem. Viv and her squad of admission gurus have carefully handpicked the most liver-strong, intelligent and die hard South Africans to be part of the RU family. So basically, any fears of not coping lie solely with your ability to balance ‘le good life’ and the hard work that will never leave your plate. Balance is uber important, it’s so easy to get left behind thinking you were having a good time along with everyone else when everyone else… has finished their work. It’s kind of like survival of the fittest without appearing uncool and nerd-like – believe it or not, Rhodes is small enough to maintain the labels that were assigned in high school, but it’s big enough to get lost in the rush of too much responsibility for your own life. Get rowdy, get delirious, get a little lost but always find your way back so you can get educated.
"Free Internet"
One of the perks of living in res is that you can get resnet which really rocks if you have your own laptop/computer as this means that you will be able to connect to the printer in res and you can work from the comfort of you own room.
it may seem corny that I'm writing about this but it really gets tough hey...without your own pc you could end up centering your entire year around going to the labs...They are there for your help and sometimes you may want to go there so you aren't distracted by random thigns in your room...
If you live in digs(OF CAMPUS)you do not have access to hgetting resnet in your flat so you have to get your own internet.
No more uniforms!!!!
Becoming a varsity student is stressful enough. but now with the added pressure of wearing different clothes everday life becomes a bit rough. Forget about feeling self conscious about what you are wearing because really nobody cares...
Its not lke civvies day where (well I'd do this) either dress up really nice just to show off or not dres up at all just to be a rebel. What you wear is for you and no one else. If people take note of what you are wearing then that is great.
One thing I can vouch for though is that when you dress good you feel good! and do not let randoms tell you what is hot or not...In Grahamstwn you can basically wear all those outfits that youve always dreaded wearing and not be judged. Just as long as you are comfortable in it because trust me if you are not comfy it will be noticed. no-one will say anything thoug because this isn't high school and everybody is really just interested in what is goig on with their own lives rather than whats happening in yours.
So jus be confy and strut your stuff the only way you know how!
Freedom!!! I think
Most people don't think that living in res is a big deal but to me it was... I finally had the freedom to whatever it was I wanted to do in my room and I couldn't get over it! I was finally free! but not the way I thought I'd be...
Living in res is really fun, you make friends who become part of you life for a long time...Its somewhat of like the greek system on the series Greek-hahaha- I'll tell you more about that later. The houses get along,most of the time and just like on Greek there are some back stabbing biatches that you should never really trust. Life is full of people you can't trust but thats just part of the real world. Living in res forces you to learn to get along with other people because you can't go through your entire life flying solo. Even if you don't like the people you flying with you have to fly with someone.
it is however very unlikely that you will end up living with someone you don;t get along with cause even thoug this sounds corny ive picked up that the people you live with share a lot of the same interests as you so don't fret! Rhiodes doesn't just throw people into a house together and hope for the best...Everything is done with you in mind!
One thing is for sure though...you are neva gona want to leave!
Cinderella...
Well You thought it all ended with your Matric dance right....you were wrong!
Living in res means that its easier for you to make friends and stuff cause you live in the same house but there are also res functions-lots! from the welcome dinner to the leaver's dinner you will be dressing up atleast every now and then. The problem is whether you have enough dresses/outfits for it or not.
There dinners are usually semi formal and compulsory where as the balls aren't compulsory and are usually much more formal- this is what you could bring your matric dance dress with for...I personally did not want to bring mine. i love it too much lol.
Anyhow just know that your matric dance can be relived in an entire year a number of times. Learn how to mix and match very important! We all want pics of ourselves on facebook but we don't want to be in the same outfit each time now do we?-I wish I'd have learned this earlier not that it wasn't completely obvious- anyhow enjoy your formal events! they are as civilised as night life entertainment could possibly get!
Watch out for the Darkies!!!
The game of love is very complex. It requires a lot of energy, work, and patience. These days its not easy finding ‘Mr Right’, and the addition of your peers and your community frowning upon your relationships, most of the time brings the relationship a whole lot of strain and at the end the relationship dissolves.
This brings me to the topic that I want to talk about, not being racist or anything but I do feel that one should stick to their own kind when choosing a date. It just makes things so much easier for both parties. One does not need to worry about the snotty looks, or endless snickering that they might get from the public. It just looks right (when you’re in a romantic relationship with your own kind that is).
The mistake that most young people make in South Africa, is this façade that they put on thinking that everyone now has this togetherness notion and that since this is ‘New South Africa’ any thing goes and every one will be fine with it. I am so sorry to burst anyone’s bubble but in reality that bubble-gum notion does not exist and will never exist.
Lets take a look at Rhodes and the seemingly homely, unification notion that they portray to the many. It’s often spoken about how Rhodes has this homely feeling and all the races get along with each other and how little or no prejudice exists. To some extent some of these ideas are true but many are not. The fact remains that racism is very much prevalent but in this institution it is very much under the raider in fear of people not wanting to be labelled racist.
The one thing about this campus that has stuck in my mind is that, while there are visible interracial couples around, it is quite rare to see a white male with a black female, and if you do see them around it is usually in the at night ( how convenient for us darkies!). The only sense that I got from this, when I first noticed this, is shame, I feel that if you are a jock (who are usually white males) here at Rhodes and you were seen making out or going on a romantic date with a woman of colour, you would (in close doors of course, we don’t want our dear Dean Of Student breaking sweat again over such foolishness) get ridiculed in such a harsh way and one could even get isolated. Oh such is life!
In returning back to my point of sticking to your own kind when choosing a date, lets face it ladies, and don’t worry I’ve slowly but surely accepted the truth, that even if you are drop dead gorgeous, perfect body, lovely personality, preferably middle class if not higher! Oh and offcourse, even if you are a fluent in English and you are a woman of colour (these are usually traits that are preferred at most times) it is quite rare from the experience that me and my friends have had (my friends are quite fabulous I must say) that a white male (who is a jock and who would be quite sober) would actually approach you and be interested in knowing you in a romantic manner. I know I am probably being unfair, but from what I’ve seen some of these events do occur, it’s just the fact that many people seem very oblivious to it, sad but true, again that is Rhodes for you; a sugar coated institution of puppets that always put a front.
In conclusion, word of advice for my fellow students, if you don’t want to get hurt and if you want to be in a relationship here at Rhodes with no drama from the outside world attached to it, do yourself a favour, choose your own kind, your life will be so much easier! Trust me I know.
This brings me to the topic that I want to talk about, not being racist or anything but I do feel that one should stick to their own kind when choosing a date. It just makes things so much easier for both parties. One does not need to worry about the snotty looks, or endless snickering that they might get from the public. It just looks right (when you’re in a romantic relationship with your own kind that is).
The mistake that most young people make in South Africa, is this façade that they put on thinking that everyone now has this togetherness notion and that since this is ‘New South Africa’ any thing goes and every one will be fine with it. I am so sorry to burst anyone’s bubble but in reality that bubble-gum notion does not exist and will never exist.
Lets take a look at Rhodes and the seemingly homely, unification notion that they portray to the many. It’s often spoken about how Rhodes has this homely feeling and all the races get along with each other and how little or no prejudice exists. To some extent some of these ideas are true but many are not. The fact remains that racism is very much prevalent but in this institution it is very much under the raider in fear of people not wanting to be labelled racist.
The one thing about this campus that has stuck in my mind is that, while there are visible interracial couples around, it is quite rare to see a white male with a black female, and if you do see them around it is usually in the at night ( how convenient for us darkies!). The only sense that I got from this, when I first noticed this, is shame, I feel that if you are a jock (who are usually white males) here at Rhodes and you were seen making out or going on a romantic date with a woman of colour, you would (in close doors of course, we don’t want our dear Dean Of Student breaking sweat again over such foolishness) get ridiculed in such a harsh way and one could even get isolated. Oh such is life!
In returning back to my point of sticking to your own kind when choosing a date, lets face it ladies, and don’t worry I’ve slowly but surely accepted the truth, that even if you are drop dead gorgeous, perfect body, lovely personality, preferably middle class if not higher! Oh and offcourse, even if you are a fluent in English and you are a woman of colour (these are usually traits that are preferred at most times) it is quite rare from the experience that me and my friends have had (my friends are quite fabulous I must say) that a white male (who is a jock and who would be quite sober) would actually approach you and be interested in knowing you in a romantic manner. I know I am probably being unfair, but from what I’ve seen some of these events do occur, it’s just the fact that many people seem very oblivious to it, sad but true, again that is Rhodes for you; a sugar coated institution of puppets that always put a front.
In conclusion, word of advice for my fellow students, if you don’t want to get hurt and if you want to be in a relationship here at Rhodes with no drama from the outside world attached to it, do yourself a favour, choose your own kind, your life will be so much easier! Trust me I know.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Opinion Piece: They Call it Beauty
The whole typical “damsel in distress” story of beautiful girl encounters a situation she can't handle, beautiful girl gets abducted and waits for Mr Prince Charming to come save her, is so out-dated. As women, we should have moved past conforming to those ridiculous expectations a long time ago.
However, it appears that the damsel doesn't get the knight in shining armor unless she's about to be eaten by a horrible, fire-breathing dragon. Seriously? Cut us girls a break, because I'm not about to go and jump off the nearest cliff, just to see if there's someone handsome waiting to catch me at the bottom. Can't the damsel just walk down the road, innocently ask the Prince for a smoke or something easy, and then start from there? Why the drama? The dragons and dungeons and ogre transformations at night? Seriously?? It's like we don't deserve a prince unless we're about to die or something.
Well listen here. I'm walking on two steady feet, with a smile on my face and a smoke in my pocket, so if you are looking for tears and trauma, then I'm not looking for you, I guess.
The following words express my opinion better as a poem than they ever could as just prose:
They Call It Beauty
Stylish girls
Braids long and shiny, sit about her shoulders, shivering with mirth when she laughs
Swinging softly as she turns to look at you
Clothes straining in all the right places,
Gripping every curve, holding her body so tightly it makes all the boys jealous
Lips glossy and inviting, eyes shadowed, eyebrows neatly plucked
Earings swing heavy from ears too used to it to complain,
A mask of base and blush and bullshit to hide the flaws so
On the surface looks smooth, powder soft and supple.
Fingernail talons, long and dripping red
Heels high, shaping legs, thighs, buttocks they wanna caress,
Crippling her so she can't walk away from you too fast,
Nice and slow so you can watch that ass bounce.
Breasts tightly bound and thrust on display
That's what all the boys want right?
They call it beauty
I call it.. surface deep.
My shiniest accessory is the vaseline on my lips,
How do I compare?
Long flowing, comfortable skirt, barely brushing my mismatched socks and dirty shoes
Ill-fitting top, a lil' stain on one sleeve, hope no one notices
Thick thighs, big butt, not quite that fierce, feline toned image they carry in their minds
Skin clean, no shine, no gloss
Hair like the weather, one day good, one day crap
I like having short nails.
How do i compare?
I have words,
I have thought,
I have enough between my ears to know that
If i'm being judged on whether my eye-brows are shaped in this months fashion or not, then you're Not worth my time
I have enough to know that if someone tries to rape me, degrade me, invade me,
My dirty chucks won't betray me
Like a scathing pair of heels will,
I know I can walk with confidence, never about to fall
I know the control I have over the state of my hair is insignificant in comparison with the greatness I intend to infuse into my life, bad hair day or no
I know that my kiss is that much sweeter, cos you can taste my skin
You don't have to worry about what I look like when I wake up
My face is not the powder and paste on the pillow, but the light in my eyes when i smile
How do I compare?
I know that if you can see me, you see a human being; not whether my clothes match,
Not the features of my body you want most to see naked,
Not a mask of jewellry and glitter and shine
You see me.
I've been feeling beautiful,
And no one can change that
Accept it, celebrate it, declare it, perform it.
Live it. Because every second makes it true
So stop listening to me, start listening to you...
Peace,
Jas
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday's drink...
I find myself at the Rat on a Tuesday night. I don't feel so bad for being out on a Tuesday, I mean come on, I just had my hall leaver's dinner (so i'm still in my cocktail dress under the jacket) and I'm looking for a bit of relaxation and company. It's not like I'm the only one there, 10 Rand draughts ensure there's a fair number of people milling about, all carrying trademark draughts in hand, but it's nice though cos the vibe is pretty chilled. So it's my turn at the bar and I need to decide what drink to get... Hmmmmmmmm, this question is actually harder than it seems.. sadly I'm not a beer drinker at all, or else I too would've taken advantage of the draughts special, but the truth is one actually can't just drink the same drink all the time... it goes by situation.. so I mentally review the options in my head..
Hunter's Dry: usually my safest option, ciders go down easiest, but I'm just not in the mood for it tonight..
Various shots: definitely not! it's a Tuesday! (U see what i mean, u can't just drink anything? shots definitely have a weekend scent to them, so definitely inappropriate)
Savanna Dry: still too weekend-y for my liking, its just gonna put me in the mood to party
Storm: eurgh, vodka, not tonight hey, I wanna make it to lectures tomorrow..
Spin: tastes like lemonade, and the Spin party this weekend means I'm so over having that tase in my mouth..
Soft drink: I know it probably sounds bad, but I'm just not in the mood for a soft drink, I want something to mellow out to.. sometimes Coke just gets too sweet for my liking
After watching other people's drinks at the bar, seeking inspiration, i realise how much making this little decision is bugging me out.. but to tell the truth, it is very easy to judge a person by their drink of choice. We all do it..
So anyway, after a good 15 minutes of debating, I decide on a glass of wine, rose prefferably but semi-sweet white wine is the second best option they have so i take it. First sip. Ahhh, not going to get me drunk, but goes down nice and that warm feeling spreads across my gut. Good choice. Good choice.
(N.b, i am not an alcoholic. Sometimes its just what i feel like drinking, just like smetimes it might just be a coke instead of something alcoholic... So it goes by choice, I'm not just being a typical alcohol advocating rhodent, but someone who is very aware of what she is putting down her throat..)
peace out
Jas
Womyn Rule =)
i'm tired.. and over a lot of things, including boys. part of the problem is probably that they are just that, boys, not men... not mature, not intelligent, not ready for what i have to offer. i'm now going to carry the mentality that they're not worth it, they're not good enough, they can't handle someone with a mind of her own and a body she's not willing to exploit for 'happiness'. i've got a few feminist quotes that make me feel better. this is the direction i find myself leaning towards, cos i'm sick and tired of men expecting, expecting, expecting, and i refuse to kill myself to look good for someone who doesn't have enough brain cells to appreciate me.
I think, therefore I'm single
Women are the only oppressed group in our society that lives in intimate association with their opressors. ~Evelyn Cunningham
Nobody will ever win the Battle of the Sexes. There's just too much fraternizing with the enemy. ~Henry Kissinger
The emotional, sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says, "It's a girl." ~Shirley Chisholm
Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses, women for their strengths. ~Lois Wyse
I would have girls regard themselves not as adjectives but as nouns.
Being a woman is a terribly difficult task, since it consists principally in dealing with men. ~Joseph Conrad
You don't have to be anti-man to be pro-woman. ~Jane Galvin Lewis
Man endures pain as an undeserved punishment; woman accepts it as a natural heritage. ~Author Unknown
Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition. ~Timothy Leary
Women are not inherently passive or peaceful. We're not inherently anything but human. ~Robin Morgan
The world has never yet seen a truly great and virtuous nation because in the degradation of woman the very fountains of life are poisoned at their source. ~Lucretia Mott
How good does a female athlete have to be before we just call her an athlete?
I've yet to be on a campus where most women weren't worrying about some aspect of combining marriage, children, and a career. I've yet to find one where many men were worrying about the same thing. ~Gloria Steinem
The test for whether or not you can hold a job should not be the arrangement of your chromosomes. ~Bella Abzug
Instead of getting hard ourselves and trying to compete, women should try and give their best qualities to men - bring them softness, teach them how to cry. ~Joan Baez, "Sexism Seen but not Heard," Los Angeles Times, 1974
There are very few jobs that actually require a penis or vagina. All other jobs should be open to everybody. ~Florynce Kennedy
There is a special place in hell for women who do not help other women. ~Madeleine K. Albright
I ask no favors for my sex.... All I ask of our brethren is that they will take their feet from off our necks. ~Sarah Moore Grimké
I am working for the time when unqualified blacks, browns, and women join the unqualified men in running our government. ~Cissy Farenthold
Because women's work is never done and is underpaid or unpaid or boring or repetitious and we're the first to get fired and what we look like is more important than what we do and if we get raped it's our fault and if we get beaten we must have provoked it and if we raise our voices we're nagging bitches and if we enjoy sex we're nymphos and if we don't we're frigid and if we love women it's because we can't get a "real" man and if we ask our doctor too many questions we're neurotic and/or pushy and if we expect childcare we're selfish and if we stand up for our rights we're aggressive and "unfeminine" and if we don't we're typical weak females and if we want to get married we're out to trap a man and if we don't we're unnatural and because we still can't get an adequate safe contraceptive but men can walk on the moon and if we can't cope or don't want a pregnancy we're made to feel guilty about abortion and...for lots of other reasons we are part of the women's liberation movement. ~
We've begun to raise daughters more like sons... but few have the courage to raise our sons more like our daughters.
It's hard to fight an enemy who has outposts in your head.
Women are the only exploited group in history to have been idealized into powerlessness.
Nobody objects to a woman being a good writer or sculptor or geneticist if at the same time she manages to be a good wife, a good mother, good-looking, good-tempered, well-dressed, well-groomed, and unaggressive.
Easy is an adjective used to describe a woman who has the sexual morals of a man. ~Nancy Linn-Desmond
Scratch most feminists and underneath there is a woman who longs to be a sex object. The difference is that is not all she wants to be.
Not only is women's work never done, the definition keeps changing.
Several men I can think of are as capable, as smart, as funny, as compassionate, and as confused - as remarkable you might say - as most women.
Whether women are better than men I cannot say - but I can say they are certainly no worse.
(I got the quotes from quotegarden.com, btw)
Blog Action Day- Poverty
P- people are starving, but not for lack of food
O- other's are crying, but not for lack of good
V- violence, crime, poverty, and all society's ills
E- everything seems unsolvable, cos we're focussed on life's cheap thrills
R- reality calls, the lives of others at stake
T- trust in the goodness of humanity and we shall overcome
Y- yes, we can do it, we just need the courage to care...
Today is Blog Action Day. I only found out about it recently, but I LOVE the whole idea of it. What better way to spread awareness and encourage participation in a worldwide cause than through uniting speakers on the world wide web.
On the topic of poverty, i have Alot of opinions. i refuse to understand why there are people living in such shit ('scuse my french... *looks sheepish*) living conditions, but it's not because there's not enough food, it's not because there's not enough space, it's not because there's not enough anything except concern for the human race as a whole. I think the time is coming where love for each other as brother and sister needs to overtake this crap "everyman for himself" mentality that the whole world seems to be suffering from. We don't need half the things in our lives, and it won't kill us to get our eyes off the newest gadget and instead cast our attention to the newset born baby who will go to sleep hungry because no one can spare a moment of time, or a cent of money for the good of someone who is not themselves.
We must remember to share. We must remember to care. We must remember that we have the chance here to make the world a better place. There are charities and organisations working tirelessly to make it as easy as possible for us to do our part, all we have to do is take that step.
Check out these websites... It's easy as pie...
poverty.com
http://www.wfp.org/english/
http://www.bread.org/
http://www.fh.org/
thehp.org
freerice.com
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http://www.thehungersite.com |&| http://www.youthnoise.com/page.php?
http://blogactionday.org/js/d5179864ea463e7df4b486b68adbfe2c8c575c3a
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Afrofusion
Her hair is wrapped in a scarf which she rolls into a bun at the back of her head and her surprisingly clean all stars peeking out from the bottom of her bright skirt which barely touches the ground; Inga as a voluptuous proud twenty year old african woman whose smile is so contagious that it would make even the foulest of moods quickly fade away. Comfortable in the skin that she is in, Inga is a remarkably graceful young woman who aspires to be “all natural” in the ever synthesising world that she finds herself in.
Unlike most of the commerce students here at Rhodes Inga is much more down to earth and in touch with herself as instead of not only finding interest in the world of economics and statistics she is also a lover of words. A poet at heart she recites the words of a poem which she calls “What makes you ‘tick’?”
In this poem Inga speaks about how she struggled to find exactly what it is that she wanted to do with her life. How difficult it is fusing the strict traditional and unforgiving way of life that her parents have taught her with the ever compromising world which she finds being propelled onto her by a world which waits for no one to catch up.
The untainted natural hair that she wears with pride has been free from abuse by chemicals for the past two years and it is plaited into little braids. Her smile brightens up her face as her coyness kicks in and words have to be teased out of her. Outspoken but yet reserved she pulls at one of her short braids and looks out her window. “Stubborn as it is I really don’t mind, I was born with this hair and I’ll flaunt it no matter who says what.” Aware of the fact that everything can be made controve
rsial Inga wears her arm on her sleeve her personality’s effervescence never seems to run out and every moment in her presence leaves one anticipating what might be next. She does not feel the need to ever show any skin in order to be attractive and unlike most girls her age she has un-pierced ears and no hidden tattoos as her life philosophy is to go back to her maker the same way that He left her here.
Most of the questions that this young lady has been faced with in life she has not received answers to. But rather a method to solve them is what she has. “Life isn’t easy if we were given the answers what would be the point? What is the point of going to go write an exam if you have the answer sheet right next to you?” At the age of only twenty she seems to be a very wise woman one whose wisdom can only continue to grow in brilliance.
Academically she has had her speed humps just like everyone else but she braced herself and got through it like she wanted to.
Inga now finds herself at the end of another chapter in her life: “First Year at Rhodes” this even has no doubt been an eventful one for her and she is completely welcoming of the year to come.
In this poem Inga speaks about how she struggled to find exactly what it is that she wanted to do with her life. How difficult it is fusing the strict traditional and unforgiving way of life that her parents have taught her with the ever compromising world which she finds being propelled onto her by a world which waits for no one to catch up.
The untainted natural hair that she wears with pride has been free from abuse by chemicals for the past two years and it is plaited into little braids. Her smile brightens up her face as her coyness kicks in and words have to be teased out of her. Outspoken but yet reserved she pulls at one of her short braids and looks out her window. “Stubborn as it is I really don’t mind, I was born with this hair and I’ll flaunt it no matter who says what.” Aware of the fact that everything can be made controve
rsial Inga wears her arm on her sleeve her personality’s effervescence never seems to run out and every moment in her presence leaves one anticipating what might be next. She does not feel the need to ever show any skin in order to be attractive and unlike most girls her age she has un-pierced ears and no hidden tattoos as her life philosophy is to go back to her maker the same way that He left her here.Most of the questions that this young lady has been faced with in life she has not received answers to. But rather a method to solve them is what she has. “Life isn’t easy if we were given the answers what would be the point? What is the point of going to go write an exam if you have the answer sheet right next to you?” At the age of only twenty she seems to be a very wise woman one whose wisdom can only continue to grow in brilliance.
Academically she has had her speed humps just like everyone else but she braced herself and got through it like she wanted to.
Inga now finds herself at the end of another chapter in her life: “First Year at Rhodes” this even has no doubt been an eventful one for her and she is completely welcoming of the year to come.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
“I’m ballin‘!”… Meet Shaq Matsebula. Shaq is a ballplayer from Pretoria, faithful to the stereotype; not so faithful in the eyes of many estrogenic peers. What is it about the 6-foot-something Matsebula that drives Rhodes girls wild?
Only a first year, Shaq has divided and conquered the masses -- one rebound at a time. “Shaq is a place I go to for the sake of society… a façade I put on” shifting his apple juice between hands as though he were rolling a Spalding, “he‘s the bad boy” a façade he seems to have mastered. n his (approximately) nine months at Rhodes University, Shaq has managed to build a reputation as the chiselled heartthrob from Fitzroy, spreading the love (not the virus) as much as he can. He’s also gotten himself in trouble with the good folks of Grahamstown, the alumni and University code of conduct. For what, exactly? Naturally, having a good time. The notorious “Drink and my 2 Step” birthday party hosted by the boys at Fitzroy was just another brush off the shoulders for Shaq, who concluded (weeks after his trial) “this university is actually some kind of a bitch to Grahamstown: G-town says jump, they beg how high”. Always cool as a cucumber, his 35 hours of first offence community service and year suspension just made him that much taller “I‘m ballin!” … let the haters hate.
As much as we’d love to think that’s all there is to this slick, it turns out there’s a softie hiding just beneath the surface: Meet Thando. Thando Matsebula is a shy mama’s boy who enjoys nothing more than to sing Boyz to Men classics in his shower. “He‘s the kind of person nobody really expects when they look at me, you know? Yeah”, he whispered, suddenly becoming very interested in the empty glass in his hand. One begins to wonder if his love for the game has made him a victim to the stereotype, or if he’s consumed by a fear that we all have when reaching varsity: making ourselves fit? Of course, he completely disagrees “we‘re all different as ballers. I mean, we play the game and the stereotype is immediately instilled; doesn‘t make us who we are”
Alas, Thando is someone Rhodes isn’t ready for. Ladies, if you thought you were having a rough time dealing with the ‘playa’ persona; you’d be at ease with the gentleman that awaits that one special girl. Yes, I said it. Gentleman. He opens the door for you, cooks a mean pasta and, with those dark brown eyes complete with a dimpled smile, keeps you entertained for hours.
What’s most interesting about this particular ballplayer is his ability to balance his lifestyle: comfortable in both Jekyll/ Hyde skins, he can switch it up depending on who he’s with. When he’s not out, naturally, having a good time; he’s ‘chilling’ at Fitzroy, having a cold one and philosophising about life and all its mysteries. His knack for engaging those around him, allowing them to learn about him (with trust and time, of course) proves to be his most powerful trait. In fact, Thando Shaq Matsebula unique blend of talent, intellect and mild arrogance can have anyone forgetting everything else around them.
Basically, what interviewing Shaq has highlighted is the importance of staying true to yourself, for yourself. At times we forget (especially in university) who we are and try keep up with the pressure. Take a leaf from Shaq’s book: kick back, talk back and keep “ballin‘ baby!”
Only a first year, Shaq has divided and conquered the masses -- one rebound at a time. “Shaq is a place I go to for the sake of society… a façade I put on” shifting his apple juice between hands as though he were rolling a Spalding, “he‘s the bad boy” a façade he seems to have mastered. n his (approximately) nine months at Rhodes University, Shaq has managed to build a reputation as the chiselled heartthrob from Fitzroy, spreading the love (not the virus) as much as he can. He’s also gotten himself in trouble with the good folks of Grahamstown, the alumni and University code of conduct. For what, exactly? Naturally, having a good time. The notorious “Drink and my 2 Step” birthday party hosted by the boys at Fitzroy was just another brush off the shoulders for Shaq, who concluded (weeks after his trial) “this university is actually some kind of a bitch to Grahamstown: G-town says jump, they beg how high”. Always cool as a cucumber, his 35 hours of first offence community service and year suspension just made him that much taller “I‘m ballin!” … let the haters hate.
As much as we’d love to think that’s all there is to this slick, it turns out there’s a softie hiding just beneath the surface: Meet Thando. Thando Matsebula is a shy mama’s boy who enjoys nothing more than to sing Boyz to Men classics in his shower. “He‘s the kind of person nobody really expects when they look at me, you know? Yeah”, he whispered, suddenly becoming very interested in the empty glass in his hand. One begins to wonder if his love for the game has made him a victim to the stereotype, or if he’s consumed by a fear that we all have when reaching varsity: making ourselves fit? Of course, he completely disagrees “we‘re all different as ballers. I mean, we play the game and the stereotype is immediately instilled; doesn‘t make us who we are”
Alas, Thando is someone Rhodes isn’t ready for. Ladies, if you thought you were having a rough time dealing with the ‘playa’ persona; you’d be at ease with the gentleman that awaits that one special girl. Yes, I said it. Gentleman. He opens the door for you, cooks a mean pasta and, with those dark brown eyes complete with a dimpled smile, keeps you entertained for hours.
What’s most interesting about this particular ballplayer is his ability to balance his lifestyle: comfortable in both Jekyll/ Hyde skins, he can switch it up depending on who he’s with. When he’s not out, naturally, having a good time; he’s ‘chilling’ at Fitzroy, having a cold one and philosophising about life and all its mysteries. His knack for engaging those around him, allowing them to learn about him (with trust and time, of course) proves to be his most powerful trait. In fact, Thando Shaq Matsebula unique blend of talent, intellect and mild arrogance can have anyone forgetting everything else around them.
Basically, what interviewing Shaq has highlighted is the importance of staying true to yourself, for yourself. At times we forget (especially in university) who we are and try keep up with the pressure. Take a leaf from Shaq’s book: kick back, talk back and keep “ballin‘ baby!”
Saturday, October 4, 2008
ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA
What do a nose, ear, eyebrow, tongue, lip, belly and the web of your hand have in common? In this case, the fact that the person sitting in front of me has had them all pierced. Yes ladies and gents, today I have the honour of interviewing world renown rocker 'Pinz and Needlez', more commonly known as Kirsten Lee.
Okay, maybe she doesn't go by 'Pinz and Needlez' and maybe she's not world renown, but if she was a world famous superstar, Lee says that it would definitely be her stage name. When I asked what member of the band she would be if she had to pick, she surprised me by saying, “Maybe not the lead singer or guitar, cos it gets you too much attention, but photographer would be cool. I wanna be the girl with the camera.”
This girl's appearance screams hard-core super rocker with piercings everywhere, baggy jeans and a cigarette in her hand, but spend more than a fleeting second with her and you will immediately see otherwise. Slightly obscured by her glasses, Lee's ocean blue eyes twinkle knowingly as I jokingly ask her how she feels about metal detectors. “Honestly,” she tells me “Every time I have to board a plane I want to cry, because I know that on the other side is someone ready to search me and it makes me bleak because it attracts attention.” Already apparently living the rock-star like, not even being able to go through an airport without drama, one would be tempted to assume that she is an emo subculture fanatic with her black dress code, boys clothing and tattoos on both her wrists. However, down-to-earth Lee handles it the way a true star would, saying, “It doesn't bug me that I'm stereotyped, it just bugs me that people have stereotypes in general”. This coming from the proud OutRhodes Society member and Pink fan is certainly something I can respect.
She talks about her experience at Rhodes, describing how it differed from what she expected and I am so distracted by the fact that she is looking me straight in the eyes as she speaks that I forget to note what she is saying. Her genuineness shines through and I finally remember to to write, “I thought it would be more open minded, even though it is probably by far the most open minded university in the country, I just had these big, out of proportion ideas about Rhodes” she tells me. Certainly Rhodes is either “for you” or it's not, and Lee tells me, “Where I am in life, right now Rhodes isn't for me.”. This is an understandable sentiment considering that Lee's mother fell ill earlier in the year, so she has been having a tough time balancing everything that is expected of the average Rhodent. Even while planning on transferring to Wits University to study Psychology Lee says, “The people have made it [Rhodes] what it is, and if someone I could rewind time and were to ask me, I would do it all over again in a heart beat”.
Since she will not be continuing at Rhodes next year I asked her for her rock star sign off, the last words she says to the Rhodes audience after an amazing show of friends and fun. So fans and friends out there, here it is, straight from the supernova's mouth: “Keep it real. It's the most important thing in any area of your life, as long as you are true to yourself, honest and you know who you are inside, you can't go wrong.”
So I leave you with nothing more to say than what a true rockstar once told me,
“ Just keep things real and remember who you are.”
Peace out,
Jas
Mermaid: By Yolisa Nyoka
Dark, untamed, mystical and beautiful with long red hair. One might think that I am describing a majestic creature, when in fact it is my interviewee. Sitting restlessly on her chair, fidgeting with a white cut-up cloth, eyes wide up as if wanting to desperately construct a clear answer for the questions I am about to ask. With no set of questions, planning to make my interview into a normal conversation between friends is what I wanted to accomplish.
Born to a single parent, Faith, who is from Namibia in the City of Windhoek, was, destined for strange things. “My childhood was pretty normal, I did what kids normally do; I climbed trees went to school had friends etc”. Faith’s father had four children; he was never married to Faith’s mother. The one sibling that she was close to was her sister who is her Step-mothers daughter. One can immediately sense the strong bond these two sisters have by their mere interaction with each other. Even though they did not grow up with each other, and also only share one parent (their father). The bond is still visible.
As a child growing up in Windhoek, Faith described herself as Tomboy, always hanging out with boys and being friends with them, with no certain interest in them what so ever. Another contrast of Faith’s personality of the person that she is right now and what kind of person that she was when she younger is that she was more gullible, timid and naïve. “When I look at myself now; I’m harder on myself, rude, sarcastic, optimistic and friendlier”. The habit of always looking for the good side of people even when they are infamously known as individuals with a bad streak led to her being so naïve and gullible, but with that judgement in her mind problems arising in her friendships in her growing cease to exist.
Like any other child growing up Faith had dreams, and like any other kid, those dreams varied. The earliest dream she could recall was when she was in Grade 3. “I remember in school a magician came and showed us all these amazing tricks, for my young mind I thought that was so cool! And I wanted to be that. Then I had another dream of becoming a gymnast, but after the first day of practice, I told myself JACK (hell no!!), I’m not putting myself through that kind of pain. Another dream that I remember wanted was to be a horse-rider, but that ambition did not work out so nicely”. Being thrown off and seconds being trampled on by a not so well trained horse is no joke!
As a scholar diligence and perfectionism was the order of the day with no room what so ever for acting foolish and going astray. But as a snake needing to peel of its skin and a caterpillar needing to breakout of its cacoon and becoming a beautiful Butterfly, one need to, in any time of their lives break free of the mould that their friends, family or society have placed them in. And that is exactly what Faith did. One can say that Faith definitely came out of her shell. “After Grade 7, I sort of came out of my shell, and started to be more carefree. I remember in Grade 8 I got suspended from school because me and my friends broke into a tuckshop and stole lollipops and at that time I lived in a hostile”. Instead of becoming care free being of an advantage it soon became a twisted cycle of failing subjects at school, sneaking out of hostels and going out to adult clubs with heavy make-up, and excessive drinking. Issues of between Faith and her mom did not help matters either. “ Me and my mom now have a close and communicative relationship, in the past all I knew from her were constant verbal and physical abuse, there was even a time when I moved in with my dad because of the issues we had, but that is all in the past now.
With the inspiration of being a fan of CSI and excelling in her school work, having done her O and A levels before coming to Rhodes, doing Forensics is now the goal that is set in plan. Rhodes was definitely the order of the day, after a late reply from University of Pretoria and being taken for a BSc from Stellenbosch, It was just destiny.
“Rhodes is very consuming, sometimes you don’t know how to balance things, when I came here I wanted to be who I am, unfortunately that didn’t work out” The positive aspect that Faith has seen is her friends who she feel has brought out the best of her.
Dark, untamed, mystical and beautiful with long red hair. One might think that I am describing a majestic creature, when in fact it is my interviewee. Sitting restlessly on her chair, fidgeting with a white cut-up cloth, eyes wide up as if wanting to desperately construct a clear answer for the questions I am about to ask. With no set of questions, planning to make my interview into a normal conversation between friends is what I wanted to accomplish.
Born to a single parent, Faith, who is from Namibia in the City of Windhoek, was, destined for strange things. “My childhood was pretty normal, I did what kids normally do; I climbed trees went to school had friends etc”. Faith’s father had four children; he was never married to Faith’s mother. The one sibling that she was close to was her sister who is her Step-mothers daughter. One can immediately sense the strong bond these two sisters have by their mere interaction with each other. Even though they did not grow up with each other, and also only share one parent (their father). The bond is still visible.
As a child growing up in Windhoek, Faith described herself as Tomboy, always hanging out with boys and being friends with them, with no certain interest in them what so ever. Another contrast of Faith’s personality of the person that she is right now and what kind of person that she was when she younger is that she was more gullible, timid and naïve. “When I look at myself now; I’m harder on myself, rude, sarcastic, optimistic and friendlier”. The habit of always looking for the good side of people even when they are infamously known as individuals with a bad streak led to her being so naïve and gullible, but with that judgement in her mind problems arising in her friendships in her growing cease to exist.
Like any other child growing up Faith had dreams, and like any other kid, those dreams varied. The earliest dream she could recall was when she was in Grade 3. “I remember in school a magician came and showed us all these amazing tricks, for my young mind I thought that was so cool! And I wanted to be that. Then I had another dream of becoming a gymnast, but after the first day of practice, I told myself JACK (hell no!!), I’m not putting myself through that kind of pain. Another dream that I remember wanted was to be a horse-rider, but that ambition did not work out so nicely”. Being thrown off and seconds being trampled on by a not so well trained horse is no joke!
As a scholar diligence and perfectionism was the order of the day with no room what so ever for acting foolish and going astray. But as a snake needing to peel of its skin and a caterpillar needing to breakout of its cacoon and becoming a beautiful Butterfly, one need to, in any time of their lives break free of the mould that their friends, family or society have placed them in. And that is exactly what Faith did. One can say that Faith definitely came out of her shell. “After Grade 7, I sort of came out of my shell, and started to be more carefree. I remember in Grade 8 I got suspended from school because me and my friends broke into a tuckshop and stole lollipops and at that time I lived in a hostile”. Instead of becoming care free being of an advantage it soon became a twisted cycle of failing subjects at school, sneaking out of hostels and going out to adult clubs with heavy make-up, and excessive drinking. Issues of between Faith and her mom did not help matters either. “ Me and my mom now have a close and communicative relationship, in the past all I knew from her were constant verbal and physical abuse, there was even a time when I moved in with my dad because of the issues we had, but that is all in the past now.
With the inspiration of being a fan of CSI and excelling in her school work, having done her O and A levels before coming to Rhodes, doing Forensics is now the goal that is set in plan. Rhodes was definitely the order of the day, after a late reply from University of Pretoria and being taken for a BSc from Stellenbosch, It was just destiny.
“Rhodes is very consuming, sometimes you don’t know how to balance things, when I came here I wanted to be who I am, unfortunately that didn’t work out” The positive aspect that Faith has seen is her friends who she feel has brought out the best of her.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Before I Die
before i die i want to...
- meet the love of my life
- have a niece (from an actual sibling, not cousin or anything else)
- see the view from the top of the Eiffel tower
- bungee jump
- go to a music concert
- see myself on television
- make a significant difference in the life of at least one person
- be comfortable
- scuba dive
- pray in a buddhist temple in tibet
- see the great wall of china
- try to fit one of the pyramids of giza into a camera frame
- get something of mine published in a major publication
- make my parents proud
- have a really great orgasm
- see kilimanjaro
- backpack through europe
- pay respects at the graves of bob marley and haillie sellasie
- make a snow angel
- spend the night on a cruise ship
- pop a bottle of champagne on my occassion
- go to a brazillian street festival/carnival
- spend a year living in London and another one in New York; and a vacation in Amsterdam
- walk on Harvard university grounds, crash a lecture and look around basically.. same for cambridge and oxford
- perform a dj set/ mix
- visit westminster abbey
- see the taj mahal
- learn to belly dance
- make a difference in the history of a place
- go to the beach in a bikini, and not care about my thighs
- see a blockbuster movie set
- go to broadway
- watch real live opera
- see the globe theatre
- visit rome
- attend an olympic event, a fifa world cup soccer match and an international hip hip dancing competition
- visit mtv's offices
- intern at rolling stone magazine
- speak to lupe fiasco
- learn the difference between borrow and lend
- try a psychadelic drug
- learn to drive
- learn how to put on make-up
- dance on a table
- be an extra in a movie
- go to an mtv vma/ ema
- win a big prize
- write a famous poem
- work for the UN and play an active role in bettering the world
- go skydiving
- to leave something valuable for someone
- see the northern lights
- eat in a five star restaurant
- see someone be proposed to
- attend a close friend's wedding/ baby shower
- go on Alot of carnival/ amusement park rides
- have my palm read by a psychic
- get a slightly risky tattoo or piercing
- visit Russia
- appreciate a moment of beauty
- plant a tree
www.beforeidieiwantto.org
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