Bring my momma back!!!

I have being meaning to write about the new HR4437 law being put forth in congress. For those who don't live stateside, lemme elaborate about this law. First off its an immigration law that is largely going to affect families. Most people think its focus is the latino community but I can see it even affecting somalis. This law will criminalize undocumented immigrants whilst before it was just a civil violation. HR4437 will also criminalize individuals/organizations harboring or assisting illegal immigrants. So if your Eedo/Habaryaar/Abo/Hooyo/Wifey is an illegal immigrant and is staying with you, you will be treated and prosecuted as a criminal. Note that I said organizations. This includes social services, refugee agencies, legal services. Basically any organization that helps immigrants with some kind of service.

HR4437 law will shift burden on proof from the government to the illegal immigrant when it comes to felonies that will lead to deportation. Furthermore this law will allow the local/state authorities to act as immigration officers, giving them jurisdiction to carry out investigation, identify and detain immigrants. So, again if you have an illegal immigrant and you get robbed or worse, I guess you will think twice before calling the police. This law, if it passes, will turn minor cimes into aggravated felonies which could have dire repercussions to your immigration status. Simple things like accessory to criminal activities, DUIs, assisting an illegal immigrant could lead to being deported, detained, stripped of your residency status or worse being banished from US. You must be thinking that is not so bad. Here is the kicker though. There is a retroactive clause which means if you commited these acts when they weren't classified as felonies (maybe 20 odd years ago) you can still be deported. Finally HR4437 prevents a federal court from reviewing any application for naturalization that was denied. Hey USCIS could deny your application for naturalization and there wouldn't be anyone to complain to except them.

What sparked me to write about this today was because I was listening to NPR on my morning commute and I heard this piece of news. This latino family was driving from California to Arizona to some relative or other. They get stopped by the cops. The kids were born in US but the parents were illegal immigrants. The parents were detained and shipped back to Mexico while the kids maternal aunt was called to take the kids. This family was literally split apart. I don't understand how they can justify denying a child his/her right to being raised by his/her own parents. People of latino origin provide labor that most US citizens wouldn't do. Most of them do want to be legal but the process is lengthy and expensive for a below minimum wage worker. I also don't think US is doing them any favors with the NAFTA agreement because that agreement benefits the cream of the crop of Mexico and not the poor, desititute workers. I am against this law unless they provide a path to legalization especially when it impacts families who are half legal, half illegal.

Ayeyo Hawo

Have you ever met a woman you knew was a gem from get go? I have. My great aunt Hawo. I call her Ayeyo Hawo though because she was that stalwart lady in my life. I met her when Somalia went into civil war. Diminutive in status, she used to sit in the "baraza" and watch the melee of people coming in and out of the house. My sister used to call them refugees. I thought they were fascinating people. They spoke dialects of Somali I had never heard and fought constantly for the phone. Ayeyo Hawo used to let me comb her hair. Her hair was thinning but it held me spellbound. She had Hindi hair and it was just the right length for me to practice my hair braiding skills.

As of 3 am this morning, I lost my Ayeyo Hawo. She has suffered on earth. She had kidney problems and wouldn't accept a kidney from any of her kids for years. A couple years ago, her son, threatened that he will take out his kidney. Ayeyo Hawo had a choice, to take it or it goes to some other person on the transplant list. Ayeyo acquiesced. She got better. For the first time in a while she ate heartily and often and we were only to happy to feed her. Her voice gained some power and her eyes sparkled a bit. A mirage for us perhaps, but it made us hopeful. She has seen her children give birth. She has seen her children's children give birth. What I will miss the most about her is the talks we had. She was the first person I had met who never made fun of my attempts at speaking Somali. She listened and asked for clarification whenever she couldn't understand what I said. My aunts and uncles used to laugh and ask her how she understands my garam garam Somali. Know what my Ayeyo did? She admonished them. She told them she understood me perfectly.

I am glad your suffering on earth is over Ayeyo. What awaits you in heaven only Allah knows but I am assured by your actions on earth. The kindness, the mercy, the intellect and most important the faith you had. You prayed your five daily prayers even when you were ill. Confined to your bed you asked for water and a pan to take ablution. Your dialysis didn't stop you from exercising your faith. You will forever be my inspiration and for that I thank you. I pray that Allah forgives you of your transgression and grants you Jannatul Firdows.

Our Lord! Make them enter the Garden of Eden which You have promised to them, and to the righteous from among their fathers, their wives and their offspring, for verily You are alone the Almighty and the truly Wise. (40:8)

Our Lord! You embrace all things within Your Grace and Knowledge, forgive those who repent and follow Your path, and ward off from them the punishment of Hell. (40:7)

Our Lord! And grant us that which you have promised to us by Your messengers and save us from shame on the Day of Judgement. Verily You never fail to fulfill Your promise. (3:194)

Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the life to come and keep us safe from the torment of the Fire (2:201)

Mashallah she touched many people. I was amazed by the number of cars at the funeral procession and more amazed by the people who turned up for her remembrance. All the dua that was said today, may Allah grant them. Amin.

O' Allah keep them safe

I never thought the war would hit so close to home. It was always distant relatives or acquitances, never my immediate family. For the past week I have being an avid listener to BBC kiswahili. Each morning after salatul fajr I click on the link and listen intently for news from Somalia. Why? Because my nephews live there. The one pictured on the right is Mohamed. He was barely two when he was sent to Mogadishu. His brother, Abdallah, had a year and a half leg up on him. I took this picture on his second birthday.

I know that I should be worrying about all children who are suffering at the moment but I can't. I worry about him and Abdallah. I never agreed with my sister's decision to ship them to her in-laws but I held my tongue. They were not my kids. At times I nursed the notion of reporting the kids missing at the US consulate but I didn't. My mom called me tonite to ask me about moving from campus and she brought up the subject. She wasn't pleased with my sister especially after confronting her about safety issues. I held my tongue as my mom awaited my usual "I will talk to her." I couldn't say it. I guess my mom understood my silence because she dropped the subject. I pray they are fine and I pray I have the courage to talk my sister into bringing them back home, where they will be safe. I pray that a bomb or missile or bullet won't come anywhere near their vicinity because dear God they are innocent. Keep them safe. Keep them under your ever watchful eye and bring them back home. Amin.

Live life to the fullest

His voice floated towards me through the hazy fog. I saw his lips move but I didn’t understand what he was trying to tell me. “Here take this card. It’s for a support group. It might help.” He smiled apologetically as he forced the card in between my fingers. On robot mode, I got up and walked out of Dr. Najib’s office. All I could think of was putting one foot infront of the other. I needed to get somewhere so I could digest what just transpired. I only got as far as the staircase before I slumped to the floor. I was dying. I had a time bomb ticking in my head. “I am sorry, but after all the tests I have come to the same conclusion as your previous doctor. You have a brain aneurysm.” Dr. Najib had given me a death sentence and yet the sun continued to shine outside. Tears started streaming uncontrollably down my face. People passing me steered clear of me as if they could contract death from me. A ringing phone pierced my pity party. I realized the annoying ring tone was mine and I reached out to answer it. It was my sister. My finger was posed over the answer button when I realized I was in no condition to talk to anyone. Turning my phone off, I got up from the floor. I needed to clear my head and I knew just what to do.

I turned into the flower lined driveway and turned off my engine. I took a deep breath as I steeled myself for what would meet me when I crossed into the foyer. “Habaryaar! Habaryaar!” came my angel’s voice. Leyla ran towards to me her arms outstretched. I picked her up and hugged her tightly to my body. Her little fingers twined themselves around my neck as she returned the hug with equal fervor. I walked slowly into the house, careful not to trip over her scattered toys. “I love you Habaryaar,” she said as she nuzzled into the crook of my neck. I gasped as tears sprung anew to my eyes. My heart was breaking and my control was slipping all due to this wide eyed beauty named after me. I held her close to me as I rounded the corner and headed for the backyard. I sat on the swing and gathered her to my bosom. I always wanted a baby; a boy. I even had his name picked out. Leyla’s fingers swept over my cheeks as she brushed my tears away. She sat there looking at me, not asking questions, just being attentive and loving.


“Hujui kusalimia watu cambaroo?” asked my sister as she walked towards us. I looked up at her and a sob escaped my lips.
“Oh baby! What happened?”
I shook my head side to the side. I didn’t trust my voice to say a word.
“Come now it can’t be that bad. Whoever it is, he is not worth it”
My body shook as it was racked with more sobs. I hadn't told him & I didn't know if I could.
“I am dying.”
“Huh? Silly! No one dies of heartbreak. Don’t be melodramatic.”
“I am not kidding. I have a brain……………aneurysm”
“Are you sure?”
“I just got a 2nd opinion. It’s confirmed. Tu, I am dying.”


She just stared as me, unsure of what to do or say. She got up from the swing and walked towards the house. When she got to the door, Tu turned around and looked at me. I couldn’t read anything from her body language. I sat there holding my niece who had now fallen asleep on my lap. She had her whole future ahead of her. She would grow up into a wonderful woman and I was going to miss it. I sat there on the swing staring at the ground. There was a line of ants walking towards a tree. Some of the ants were carrying some grains while others carried some kind of insect. I sat watching the procession till it disappeared into a hole. I heard a buzzing and looked up to see a bee hopping from one flower to another; pollinating. I realized that all around me life was going on. The birds were singing, flowers were blooming and life as I knew it was in full swing. I didn’t have to feel like a prisoner trapped or feel like I had to fight for each breath I take. I could find a silver lining to my condition. Hey! If life hands you lemons, make lemonade.

I got up from the swing and walked back into the house. I walked upstairs to my niece’s room and placed her gently on her bed. Pulling the covers around her small body, I placed a kiss on her forehead. I went in search of my sister and found her in the kitchen. She was leaning against the sink crying. I slipped my arms around her and hugged her. There was no need to say anything. I knew everything that she wanted to say. I made a vow then and there that life had given me a second chance. I was going to enjoy each minute doing what I like and being with the ones I love. I was going to live each day like it was my last.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am sorry that I didn't think to add this when I wrote this post but I was fighting fatigue at the time. The point to the tale was me getting the courage to do something. The disease is a possibilty for me but I am reluctant to confirm it by getting an MRI. My docs think I should but I don't. I am not prepared to deal with the outcome as of yet. I struggle with life as it is and being the pessimist that I am I can only see a bleak outcome. If I ever do get around to getting tested and giving the docs the chance to confirm their suspicion, then I would hope I could find the silver lining to it. I intend to live life to the fullest regardless.

Have you seen me?

I always wondered why each school you went to requested your immunization records. I thought it has to do with bureaucratic BS. Today I got an e-mail from my instructor telling me I should check my university e-mail for notification from Student Affairs. Apparently a student on campus had contracted mumps and the school looked in their database for students who haven't had the MMR vaccine. The students who were found to be lacking were given only today to get their shots otherwise they were not going to be allowed to take their finals. I finally saw why the schools asked for immunization records. Its for emergencies such as this.


Musing over this I heard my cell ring. Ro, the OMA director, was calling to locate a student from our organization. He was missing the vaccine. Pascal (MIA student) was an engineering student and if he were not located within two hours he wouldn't be allowed to take his finals not to mention he might get kicked off campus. Drastic I thought. I looked in my database and saw I didn't have his number but I remembered he lived in the apartment complex next to mine. I walked over grumbling because I had an online quiz due in three hours and I hadn't touched my notes yet. He wasn't home and no one was at the apartment. I walked back to my apartment and solicited my roommate's help. We both got on the phone looking for mutual friends. I finally got his number and I left him a voicemail. I also got his roommate's phone and informed his roommate about the situation. My roommate on the other hand sent him a text message and an e-mail. Pascal called me back in half an hour thanking me for the heads up. He had received the message and was at the free clinic (set up by the school) taking his shot. I guess it was my good deed for the day.


While sitting there basking in the glow of helping another, a dark cloud rolled over my sun. The past couple weeks I have been worried about my ex-roommate. No one has seen her around campus since she moved to subsidized housing. Rumor has it that her family is looking for her too. I am worried because I used to give her a ride to and from Mpls to go see her boyfriend. When she moved out her boyfriend came down to help her and I didn't think to get her new address. I had her cell phone and she was still going to her classes, I was bound to run into her right? Wrong! She is nowhere to be found. What if she is lying in the ground somewhere dead? I am thinking of visiting her boyfriend and asking him where he took her. I hope she is fine and just to be sure I have told everyone I've met to look for her.

2nd Round

We are into the second round of the playoffs. I got to say this about the refs during the series. Some of them have made questionable calls. I admit I dislike Kobe but I disliked him more when I saw him smirking during the press conference. He said he doesn't get on the court to elbow anybody and the next minute he says that is how he grew up playing the game. I almost kissed the TV when Nash got on the podium and said its a shame that NBA will suspend Raja Bell for reacting to being elbowed when Bell was complaining the whole time to the ref about Kobe's behaviour. Nash pointed out the only reason NBA would be doing that would be because Kobe is such a big name. I agree with Raja Bell. Kobe is an arrogant prick and seriously I hope this will push the Suns to win this series. The other official that got me angry was the one who called LBJ for a delay in game technical when a few seconds earlier when LBJ was practically bulldozed down by Arenas he didn't blow his whistle. Shesh...........they better check the eye sights and bank accounts of the officials is all I am saying.

So here are the next round matchups:

Spurs Vs Mavs

Clippers Vs Lakers/Suns

Detroit Vs Cleveland (Detroit)

Miami Vs New J Nets (Nets)

I know I know I haven't picked anyone in the west but I seriously haven't decided who to pick. I will leave the decision to the first game of the rounds. If Lakers go through to the next round then it would definately be Clippers. It would weird though because these teams will be playing on homecourt each night. No away games if that happens. Figures!!

Playoff turned Playruff?

Each game so far in the playoff has being marvelous. My picks some might go through some might not go through to the second round. As of tonite two teams have gotten through first round of the playoffs; Mavs and Clippers. Its the LA Clippers first time in franchise history to get through and they deservedly do. Betcha Timberwolves is kicking themselves for letting Cassell go. Mavs are the only team to sweep their series, 4-0 baby!


Now I must have some reason for having such a ludicrous title for my post. Trust me I do. As per my prior post Haslem and Artest were suspended but they have being more incidents in the playoffs since then. Kenyon Martin of the Nuggets was suspended, Nash and Kobe exchanged words during Game #2 because Vujacic said something to Nash to get him heated, Jermaine O'neal was fined $15,000 for criticizing the refs, Peyton and Wade had a shouting contest Game #4 and finally Posey was suspended for a flagrant foul. Pretty exciting I would say. Not to mention there was a couple times I thought fist fights were about to break out during the Suns vs Lakers games.


Ok on to awards. Diaw gets most improved NBA player. Kevin Garnett gets citizenship award (even though everything he donated was tax deductible, figures!). MVP is rumored to be going to Steven Nash even though NBA won't announce that till the coming week. It is also rumored that Kobe didn't even finish second. He got beat by Cav's James, who incidentally scored a triple double during his playoff debut. Adam Silver is the new NBA commissioner booting out David Stern. I think that's about it from NBA news desk.


Looking into the remaining games of the series, I have to say the surprise for me was LA Lakers. Most people who know me, know my intense dislike for Kobe Bryant. He was not a team player and he had an ego that needed to be deflated. Well, whatever they feeding him during this playoff is working. This guy became a team player overnight. He shares the ball equally and is below his scoring average all through the series against the Suns. Kobe has finally stumbled upon the winning formula for a playoff series. Odom, George, Walton, Vujacic, Smush and Kwame Brown all get on the boards regularly these days. Suns might have had the formula to shut down ball hogging Kobe but I doubt they have the formula for a full on Lakers attack. So, unfortunately for my picks Suns they might lose come tomorrow. Bulls, on the other hand are looking good. They have come back and dismantled Heat's offence. Chandler went down with an ankle injury at the end of Game #4. Hopefully its not serious and Bulls can continue their run. Kings are putting up a fight against Spurs. Their series are tied 2-2. So is the Nets-Pacers & Cavs-Wizs series. Wizard's game plan for Game #4 was NO game plan. They decided to not run plays and just see how it works. It worked. They beat the Cavs in Game #4. It would be interesting to see what is in store in that series come Game #5. Finally Pistons and Bucks series. Pistons is up 3-1 in this series and I am looking for them to close it out in the next game.

Global Education Ambassador

>Angelina's mission

April 30: Ann Curry visited Namibia, where actress Angelina Jolie talked about motherhood, Brad Pitt, and solutions for what many consider an insurmountable problem: education for kids around the world. An exclusive interview. Click link to watch part of the interview(10 mins) that was on dateline.

What is it about this woman that fascinates the world indeed? In a time when she could very well be lounging in her wealth she insteads uses her fame to spread goodwill. Not many among us can even claim to do a miniscule of what she does and yet she has no reason to. She is not from Africa thats for sure. I hope she gets rewarded for all the good she is doing on earth.

Njiwa

Njiwa peleka salamu
Oo kwa yule wangu muhimu
Mueleze afahamu
Kwamba ninapata taabu
Hali yangu mahamumu
Oo maradhi yameni siibu

Chorus
Eewe njiwa x2
Peleka salamu
Kwa yule x2
Wangu muhimu

Usiku kucha nakesha
Oo na yeye ndiye sababu
Ewapo haji maisha
Itamfika aibu
Pendo langu halijesha
Oo ndilo lino niadhibu

Njiwa usi hadhaike
Oo nenda ulete majibu
Nenda upesi ufike
Mkimbilie swahibu
Mbele yake utamke
Oo ni yeye wa kunijibu


Ukifika tafadhali
Oo sema naye taratibu
Ukisema kwa ukali
Mambo utayaharibu
Kamwabie sina hali
Oo kufariki si ajabu

PlayOffs

Playoffs started last weekend and can I just say they have being off the chain. Lets start off with the Western Conference:

Phoenix Suns Vs Lakers (My pick Suns)

LA Clippers Vs Nuggets (Clippers)

Dallas Mavs Vs Memphis Grizzlies (Mavs)

San A. Spurs Vs Sac. Kings (Spurs)

Ron Artest got suspended from a game for his unsportsmanship display against the Spurs. The other suspension to come, due to the opening game of the series, was from Miami Heat (Haslem). This dude threw his mouth piece at the ref. Of all the refs he had to test Crawford. He was tossed out of the game and got suspended for a game. Which leads me to the Eastern Conference:

Detroit Pistons Vs Mil. Bucks (My # 1 D-Town)

Chicago Bulls Vs Miami Heat (Bulls)

Indiana Pacers Vs NJ Nets (Pacers)

Cleveland Cavs Vs Washington Wiz. (Cavs)

It should be a highly charged playoff series and I for one can't wait. I will update time to time with commentaries as it progresses.

Massari ya3ni Money

I don't think this guy is yet in the American market even though he hails from across the border. Trilingual, he speaks arabic, english and french fluently but more than that his ascent into the R&B charts has being astounding. He was already the biggest selling Canadian R&B artist of 2005. I was supposed to get his cd as a gift for my birthday but after realizing that Amazon was asking for $26 for it, I passed. So far I like his arabic influenced songs, though I can't say much for the "thug" influenced ones. Interesting fact about him was he was born in Beirut. You can't tell from listening to him that he is middle eastern even though you can faintly tell he has an exotic accent. At first I thought he is arab muslim but I was thankful when I realized he is arab christian. This is one of his best selling songs;Be Easy.

Tear Jerkers

I just spent three hours watching the diary of Anne Frank instead of catching some zzzzz that I haven't had for a couple days. My roomate felt I needed to finish this story. I had begun to watch the movie a couple weeks ago while I was putting rollers in my hair. At the time, all I wanted was something to keep my eyes occupied. I soon found out that this movie was not a wise choice.

The Diary of Anne Frank is a book that most Americans get to read in their elementary education. Now, since I wasn't privy to American education I didn't pay attention when my sister brought the book home and asked me if I had read it. I told her I hadn't and perused the back of the book. It looked ok but I have this distaste for books that the school assigns for reading. Nevertheless, I bought a copy and placed it in my library to be read on a rainy day. I believe it is still sitting there till now. Anyway, back to my tale. I sat watching the movie for an hour and just as it was getting interesting (read when WWII broke out) I was ushered to bed by my roomate. Today as I lay on the couch trying to coax sleep, Patricia waltzed in offering entertainment (movie) and breakfast. I couldn't say no and so I agreed to continue the movie. Little did I know that within an hour I would be sobbing into my night shirt. My roomate curled up next to me and joined me in the crying fest. I didn't understand why she was crying. She had watched this movie countless of times! Half an hour left on the movie, I couldn' t take it anymore. I was sobbing so hard that my lungs didn't have time to expand to get oxygen. I had a huge lump permanently stuck in my throat. My eyes itched from all the wiping I was doing. I was a mess. I tried to get up so I could compose myself but my roomate was having none of it. She promised it was nearly done and I should wait it out. So there we were, two girls sitting on the couch with a blanket around them and crying like children. The pitter patter of the rain added a touch of dramatism to the whole scene. Finally the movie ended and only one person survived from the FRANK family. **sob sob...........sniffle sniffle**

Speaking of movies that make me cry, I always manage to break down when watching movies yet my mother says I am cold hearted cause in real life nothing moves me to tears unless I have pent up frustration. Here are some of the ones that made me cry: Yesterday, Hotel Rwanda, Constant Gardener (via native female), Sisterhood of Travelling Pants, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Pay it Forward, Boys Don't Cry, Life is Beautiful, The Green Mile, I AM SAM, John Q and finally Notebook. These are the ones I can think of now. I probably have cried while watching others but these are the most memorable.

Chance Meeting II

It had been a year since Mohamed had met Fartun. Their relationship had grown into something beautiful and earthly like a sakura tree. Mohamed had decided to marry this ethereal woman whose eyes hid so much sorrow, whose smile lit a room and whose anger burned whoever it touched. Fartun became his wife a year after the divorce from her estranged husband. Mohamed had legally adopted Kamar and Kay to protect them from their father and to provide them stability. Making our way into the present day lives of Mohamed and Fartun, we walk in on Mohamed staring through a glass door...........


Mohamed watched Fartun turn her back to the class and write something out on the board. It looked like an antiderivative with limits. Mohamed cringed internally remembering nights spent sweating over calculus in his freshman year at school. He sneaked a peek into the classroom to see the students staring enraptured at their teacher. He knew the feeling. Fartun was tall and beautiful but more than that she had the ability to capture your attention and keep it. Mohamed supposed this was what made her a great teacher. She made the subject interesting at times even managing to convince Mohamed to help grade papers. "Mama........MAMA!" squeaked his son. Mohamed looked down at the full head of hair turned to the doorway. His son was learning to talk and had apparently recognized his mother through the glass pane. Mohamed bent down to scoop Khadar into his arms. His son had inherited the wide set eyes from his mother and was staring at him fixatedly. His pudgy hands touching Mohamed's face affectionately, Khadar soon lost interest in what lay on the other side of the glass door. **Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrring......................Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring**

Mohamed stepped away from the door and let the mob make its way to their lockers. Fartun noticed him standing at the door and rushed over smiling broadly. "Hey baby," she cooed. "Hey beautiful,"replied Mohamed. "Erm sweety I was talking to Khadar but I guess you are also my baby," teased Fartun as she plucked Khadar from his arms. As she played with her son she instructed Mohamed in the collection of her papers. All packed up and ready, Mohamed and his family made their way to the parking lot. The crowd has thinned considerably and Fartun was regaling Mohamed with tales of her students. Mohamed opened the car door while listening and proceeded in strapping Khadar into the car seat. From the other side of the parking lot angry voices reached them. A split second later Mohamed noticed that Fartun's voice had stopped. He turned to look over his shoulder to see if she was making her way to the passenger seat, but she wasn't anywhere near the car. Instinctively Mohamed turned towards the angry voices which had now risen to crescendo levels. He saw Fartun's back darting in between the cars in a jog. Cursing under his breath Mohamed started undoing the carseat to get Khadar out. He worked fast as a premonition stole over him. **Crack Crack rang the gunshots**

Mohamed's heart skipped a beat. He undid the last buckle and grabbed Khadar from the car. Not locking the doors or anything Mohamed ran towards the far end of the parking lot. Mohamed couldn't believe it was taking him this long. He was a runner and for once his legs were not moving as fast as he wanted. As he got closer he saw a ring of people around a fallen body. Heart in his mouth, Mohamed pushed his way through the crowd. "Noooooooooooooo............" the carnal voice he emitted was primal in every sense. Lying in a pool of her own blood was Fartun. She held his gaze as he knelt beside her. "Call an ambulance dammit! Someone please call an ambulance...........give her space. Move! Move! Baby...........Xabibi you are going to be fine. Stay awake baby" Mohamed looked at Fartun trying to figure out where she was shot. He lifted her shirt and saw blood spurting from a hole near the edge of her ribs. Her hands reached out to Khadar as she struggled to breath. Her face had the parlor of death stealing over it. Mohamed pulled her up so she could lay on his lap. Khadar touched his mother's face in a playful manner. He pulled at his mother's nose as Fartun quietly smiled through her tears. She kissed Khadar's hands everytime they ventured past her lips. Mohamed couldn't bear looking at the scene any longer. He turned to ask if the ambulance had come even though he could hear the sirens as they drew near. He placed his hands over the hole to try to stem the flow of blood but he could still hear the gurgle of air escaping through the blood. He closed his eyes and prayed for the first time for someone other than him. He earnestly held his child in one hand as his wife's head lay on his lap. He asked and he pleaded and he bartered with God, hoping against all hope that his prayers would be answered. "Mohamed, its alright," whispered Fartun. Mohamed opened his eyes to see her smiling serenely at him. She extended her hands to him as she beckoned him to come closer. Mohamed shook his head side to side not ready to hear anything. He was not ready for her to leave. He had just found her. Fartun tried to raise up on her elbow but she fell back. Her eyes had tears yet she looked happy and at peace. It took Mohamed a minute before he realized that Fartun had breathed her last. Grabbing at her torso, Mohamed lay her on the floor. Setting Khadar on the side he started administering CPR. Everytime he breathed into her, the bubbles emerging from the hole increased. Mohamed lost count of how many minutes he kept pumping at her heart. He felt hands grabbing at him and he fought against them. She was not gone. Fartun was not gone. He could still save her. A needle pricked him and slowly the world dimmed to nothing.

Pwani iwakilishwe

Nostalgia kicked in again because the warm weather is finally here. I picked Mr. Nice's song due to the fact that this guy can shake better than most girls out there! Enjoy.

Madea in Print

Hellerrrr!

This is Madea, how yall doing.(please read this is your most propperrr Madea Voice)

Listen I wrote a book. I got tired of all ya'll asking me all kinds of advice so I wrote down all the advice that I could and put it in this book.It's called it "DON'T MAKE A BLACK WOMAN TAKE OFF HER EARRINGS", and I mean it. It will be on the stands April 11th just in time to make you laugh after paying your taxes.Ya'll got to read this book. I talk about every thing from the miracles of Vaseline to "klink klink lock down". This is my first book and I don't want it to be my last so for all ya'll who like to read, and for ya'll who don't read this is a book you will enjoy. So, pick it up. It is wonderfurr. You can get the book at my favorite store Walmart, or any book store, including that Barney and Nobles place, and all them other places where you readers go to get something to read. I hope you enjoy it and put it on your book club list cause it ain't never gonna make it to Oprah's book club. I guess if Springer had one, this book would be right at home. If you need a laugh or just some advice on relationships, dating, love, money, and raising children Madea style, or killing your husband without getting caught then this is the book for you. So, if you need a laugh or you know somebody that is so stuck up that they look like they been sucking lemons then buy this book for them.They will think you're being nice, but the truth is you want them to relax before you go off on them.

Thank yourrr
Madearrr.


I love Tyler Perry and what he stands for. This guy has stuck to his guns in Hollywood and has kept the main message in his plays and soon to be movies. His plays have a message of faith and forgiveness in them and even though they are primarily directed to Christians I think most of us can do well to learn a thing or two from it. My sister sent me this e-mail because I am a huge fan of the plays. This coming month of May, Tyler Perry arrives in Minneapolis to do his play "Madea goes to Jail". I will be stuck studying for finals and won't be able to make it. I can take solace in knowing that God Willing one of these summery days I can take a trip to the closest venue to watch him live. I am looking forward to getting the book too.

The Champs!!!

FSU wins the NCAA championship game. They won against UCLA bruins. It was a beautifully played game. Brewer made a huge difference with his constant pressure and steals. Joakim made a difference with his blocks. Hodge, Moss, Green, Humphrey and Horford all made a difference. This team walked on that court with their mind set on winning this game. Their coach instilled his competitive nature in them. He stoked the fire and it blazed bright and true on that court.

UCLA was used to holding an opposing team to under 50 points. FSU was having none of that tonite. They gave UCLA no chance of tying the game neither did they let up on the pressure. At times they were half court defence and at times they were full court defence. The thrill in the game was so much that with each basket that UCLA got you wanted to see what FSU's answer was. Absolutely deserving on the championship if you ask me.

Madness that trancendes Self

Collecting information for the tunnel of oppression was a stark eye opener to me. I realized there are many things that are sometimes beyond our scope of empathy. Read on.

"White people are running around trying to save everything including stupid, useless niggers....We need ethnic cleansing on a massive scales in this country. Fcuk sending them back to Africa, we should just sweep them into the sea. Sharks gotta eat too," wrote one white supremacist on VNN about Hurricane Katrina black victims.

On Dec 7th, 1995: Two African American residents of Fayetteville, North Carolina, were brutally and senselessly murdered by three soldiers who apparently identified themselves as Neo-Nazi skin heads. Police said the soldiers were looking for black people to harass and shot the victims as they were walking down the street. Micheal James, 36 and Jackie Burden, 27, were shot down in a city street in the early morning hours.

On Mar 29th, 1996: An African American woman, Bridget Ward and her two daughters, Jamila, 9 and Jasmine, 3 moved into a rented home in the virtually all-white Philly neighbourhood of Bridesburg. Late that night, she heard young people marching down the street, chanting, "Burn, motherfcuker burn." The next morning, Ward, who works as a nurse's aide, found racial slurs smeared on her house, ketchup spilled on the front side walk and back porch, and an oily liquid was splattered in the rear.

1993: In Fairfax County, Virginia, an affluent community near Washington, DC, A 41 year old black woman heard the doorbell ring at the home where she was house-sitting. When she looked out the window, she saw a cross burning 10 feet from the front door.

1994: In Los Angeles suburb of South Gate, the white neighbours of a black woman burned a cross on her lawn, kicked her children, hanged and gassed her puppies and placed "White Power" signs on her property.

Wedowee became the focus of national attention in 1994 when the high school principal threatened to cancel the prom if inter-racial couples planned to attend. He announced to the school that a young woman of mixed race had been a "mistake". The final result of racial tensions provoked by the divided community was a school that was burned to the ground.

A crossburning took place outside a black student's dormitory at LSU in January 1992, and in February, a cross was burned at a black family's home in frisco.In april 1993, the only person of color in a group of youths in New Orleans was struck and dragged by a car occupied by white men who yelled racial slurs at the black college student.

Three inmates of the Picayune jail were visited in July 1990 by men wearing Klan masks. The men placed a knife to the throat of one inmate and threatened to kill him. A police officer and jailer were implicated by an FBI investigation.

Approximately 250 marchers turned out in Meridian and Philly on April 27, 1991, for a march sponsored by the Confederate Knights of America. About 30 skinheads acted as security for the march and later that evening , a triple crossburning was held near Decatur.

The most gruesome of all was the story of Byrd, 49, who accepted a ride from suspects as he walked home from a niece's bridal shower. Police believed that instead of taking him home, the men drove Byrd to a wooded area, beat him, chained him behind Berry's truck and sped down a bumpy road east of town. Allegedly Brewer said that the victim's throat was cut before they dragged him. Byrd's severed head, neck and right arm were discovered about a mile from where his shredded torso was dumped. A trial of blood, body parts and personal effects stretched for two miles, police said. This happened in Texas.

I can understand that these atrocities are far surpassed by the ones commited in our own continent of Africa, but what I fail to see is the logic. USA claims to be a haven of democracy and equal rights. 130 years after the abolishment of slavery and there are still incidences of oppression. How can you be an advocate for human rights when it is not even followed within your borders nor believed by some of your citizens?

Final Matchups

Yea so today I am tired and in a crappy mood. Less than 8 hours of sleep in the past 55 some hours and I am still awake. Wish I knew what kicks my insomnia in high gear some days. Anyway FSU made it against GMU, just like I prefered it. Noah wasn't his full self this game and kept getting benched. Talk about him getting called for travelling calls everytime he got his groove. But they won and with a sizable margin too.



UCLA vs LSU team was a blow out. LSU should have just given up when there was a 10 point diff. UCLA utilized their bench and Hollins got to rest a lot during the game. Their defense was perfect and even though it was a low scoring game, LSU had no hopes of making it.


That leaves FSU and UCLA as contenders for the championship. Come Monday we will see who is the best college BBall team out there.

Spring Swing & Being Black

My roommate had this brain storm last summer to organize a swing dance. First day of uni she rushes to welcome me back to the apartment by telling me her ideas while her hands were full with my baggage. Finally last Saturday she saw her work bear fruits. We actually pulled off a swing dance in our little town and it was a success. There was a live jazz band playing all night with a canary chirping some tunes in between. Actually there were three jazz bands and they would take turns playing. We also had a non-alcoholic bar. In between dancing you could go request a kiss on the beach (Just to be PC), a virgin Shirley temple , a virgin pina colada among other things. More than that though was seeing all the students, faculty and community turn up dressed to the nines. I mean I am talking a dead ringer for the 1920-40's era. So we swung the night away. I had to sell tickets cause I was using any excuse not to be on the dance floor. As the night progressed I breathed easy. In walked all the basketball players and off course they wanted in for free. Since they were in our organization I let them slide in. Nico came outside to hang out with me and said we have to go dance at least once. I laughed the suggestion off and continued selling tickets. Ochieng walked in. I had seen him at the swing dance practice we had conducted and he was wearing a shirt with a kenyan logo. I didn't have time to talk to him then but here was a perfect opportunity. As I stamped the back his hands I casually asked him if he was from Kenya. He replied in the affirmative and we talked in kiswahili for a few minutes. Knowing he was with his date I didn't want to interrupt his evening I was just happy to have someone to talk to in Kiswahili. I ushered him into the ballroom but as he walked away he gave me his card, asking me to call him sometimes.

Nico was true to his word, he had gone to get my roommate to sell the tickets while we danced. Nico was a Californian with a Latino ancestry so he could move very well on the dance floor. We danced three songs in succession and I was dizzy for all the spins we were doing. I begged off and went to get a pina colada. The evening went well. I got to dance with Nico again after dancing with Dee and Chicago (Joe). It was a success in my book but my roommate the perfectionist thought we could have done better. So all hyped up we packed the drinks into my trunk and decided to get an early breakfast. Climbing into my car was a couple of other friends and we set out. Maintaining my speed limit we drove to the other side of town. I can't drive without the music blasting and since we were all hype the other guys joined in the merriment. Suddenly the red and blue light flashed in my rear view mirror. I turned the volume knob down and pulled over wondering why I was pulled over.

The cop swaggered to my side as his friend flashed his flashlight at my car occupants. I handed over my license and registration to him when asked. He asked me to sit tight while he ran my license. While we were waiting my friends asked if I was speeding and I said No. I was going within limits. So we started questioning why we got stopped and inevitably we came to the race card. We were all of dark complexion in the car and driving around in the wee hours of the morning with music blasting. My blood boiled as my face started burning at the indignation of being pulled over. I heard a tap at my window and the cop handed me back my documents. He explained he stopped me because my front tag was outdated but the back one was current. WHAT? He took away 20 mins of our lives for something that if he looked at my registration would have seen it was current. I shut my mouth as an outburst was forthcoming. Smiling sweetly I said no worries and pulled away. During our whole breakfast we ranted and berated the American system. Hey I thought we have tunnel of oppression program coming up in a couple weeks that we have to prepare for. How about doing a piece on oppression disguised in the 21st century. This weekend we get to work on it and hopefully I will have plenty of pics to share as we set up our tunnel.

The prologue to my book Inshallah

3udbi was playing outside when it happened. She heard the bloodcurdling screams start off at the edge of the village as it made its way towards her like waves crashing on the reef. At first she didn't know what to do. She stood with her head cocked towards the noises and her hands still holding on to her pebbles. After a few minutes she saw the smoke rising above the huts and she knew she had to go find her mother. Her feet barely touching the ground she bounded over stones and around trees as the sense of dread filled her little heart. 3udbi stood a few feet from the closest hut as she witnessed men with turbans around their heads setting it on fire. This didn't look good. She knew very well from the village legends that men with turbans around their heads came to take people away to Hell. She had to find her mother and little brother fast before they were taken to Hell. Skirting around the now burning hut she used a rugged path to get to her side of the village.3udbi skidded to a stop and out of breath by her neighbour's hut or at least where her neighour's hut used to be. Peeking around the now carcass of a hut, that was still smoking, she saw her mother's hut. It was burning with intensity as screams and wails come from within. Rushing forward towards the house without any forethought or precautions 3udbi had only one thought ringing in her head, "Hooyo needs me! She is crying for me!." Someone grabbed her as she got close enough to see the fire engulf the door. She kicked and yelled at the top of her lungs, "Hooyo...........alaa Hooyo. Hooyo macaanto...........Hooyo kadax bax. Hooyo! Hooyo! Hooyo!" Tears flowed from 3udbi's eyes as she clawed and kicked to be freed from her captor. Her mother was burning up in that hut and was calling for her. She knew she needed to be there for her. She needed to be with her mother even if it meant dying in that furnace with her. She watched as her home collapsed in on itself. She watched as the sounds of her mother's wail died and in its place was the hissing of the fire and absence of the voice that had lulled her to sleep many a night. 3udbi stopped fighting and crying as the blackened hut groaned its last. She knew it was over. She would never again see her mother and brother. They were gone . They had left her alone in this world with nothing. The wind whistled through the village carrying with it the smell of burnt flesh and palm trees but more profoundly it carried 3udbi's mother and brother away from her forever.


I had inspiration and encouragement from a lot of people during the past years and I finally decided I will pour my heart in a book and Inshallah may it be a work that will educate and entertain people. Let me know what you think of the prologue. This is just an excerpt of it.