Have a Question About Africa?

HI. MY QUESTIONS MAY BE RHETORICAL IN SOME RESPECTS BUT HERE GOES... WHAT ROLE IS THE U.S. CURRENTLY PLAYING IN THIS CRISIS??? HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THE U.S. NON-INVOLVEMENT HAS TO DO WITH OIL??? WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP???

Sent by Elizabeth | 12:19 AM | 7-18-2007

In various interviews and news stories covered ono Mme. Ellen-Johnson Sirleaf, she has constantly called for the U.S to lift trade sanctions on African countries. Has any progress been made concerning lifting these sanctions?

Sent by Chichi | 10:15 AM | 7-19-2007

Did I miss a report from the Great Debate that took place in Ghana last week, or the week before? Where was the news even though the outcome was predictable? What wasn't predictable was that the AU recognizes the need for Afrikans (non governmental diasporic black folk) to participate in its deliberations, thus the involvement of the Global Africa Congress, which helped to spin-off a Diaspora Afrikan Summit. When will this kind of news be discussed, or are Jesse Jackson, Herbie Hancock, and the other AA's of note also not worth discussing, as they were there at the invite of the African Union?

kbj

Sent by Kojo Jones | 5:45 PM | 7-19-2007

Is Mugabe really forcing retailers to slash prices below cost in Zim to combat "bookish economics"

Sent by R del Toro | 6:54 PM | 7-19-2007

let me see...
1. Nigeria's space program. whats up with that...?
2. students from Africa who come to the states to study and their return to the continent.

Sent by Brother Omi | 9:22 AM | 7-20-2007

Brother Omi,

As a first generation American in my family born to African parents, I'd like to answer your second question on "why students from Africa who come to the States to study return to the continent." There are two reasons: The first is the controversial immigration policy especially in a post 9-11 world.

Recently, I had a cousin who studied in my Alma-Mater and should I say a brilliant computer analyst. His two older sisters like me were born in the States but he was born in Africa and lived in various parts of the continent due to his parents' work. He came to the States to study and while he studied, he worked in the school's library fixing computer problems, implementing programs, etc. Basically, he was the "go-to" guy when it came to the library's IT. He was loved by his colleagues and was offered a full-time position after his graduation. Then the bombshell happened some months into his full-time work that his student/work visa is about to be expired and for him to continue the career he loved, he'll have to find a sponsor. To find a sponsor entails a whole lot of red-tape, paperwork and such. He couldn't find a sponsor in a month so he made the difficult decision to resign; I was told it was a sad day at the library. Did I mention before that his other siblings were U.S. citizens? So imagine the unique situation he found himself in? He was out of a job for almost six months till all the paperwork was finally resolved. I wish I could bottle the joy his Mom had as she expressed the news to me over the phone recently. When I asked to speak with him, he'd taken a much-needed vacation to where of all places? Africa. I'm glad my cousin had the means to stay but many don't have such opportunity. Thomas Friedman of the New York Times wrote a great piece concerning this situation (non-American graduating college students) about a month ago. It's worth a read.

The second reason is because some African students have a great desire to contribute the skills they've learned in the U.S to raise the level of living in their home country. I've seen family friends and relatives who studied here, worked for many years to have a decent living in the States, then maybe mid-life crisis or whatever epiphany choose to relocate to their home country. I've heard concrete arguments on why they make such decisions and though I may never make such decision for myself, I understand why they chose such path.

Sent by Moji | 1:53 PM | 7-20-2007

In addition to Moji's response, here are my thoughts which is a collection of conversations I've had with African students who are studying with international student visas.
1. Some employers hire only permanent residents or U.S citizens, fields like engineering, science and technology will hire foreign
nationals but some fields e.g English majors, Communications & Journalism rarely do.
2. We get some much hate and criticsm that in summary say "go back to your country, we don't want you here" (immigration debate)
3. Home sickness
4. Believe it or not, better opportunities, going back home with a U.S/ British degree puts you many steps ahead of the game and most times you start off in the management track instead of an entry-level position, so you earn more than your counterparts at home and abroad.

Sent by Chichi | 4:24 PM | 7-20-2007

I listen to your show via podcast every day in my office. Today's segments relating to African beauty and fashion reminded me of an experience I had while studying abroad in Senegal two years ago. I am a Caucasian American and am very petite, which other white women have always seemed to covet and in some ways admire. In Dakar, however, I watched my body change dramatically over four months of ceebu jen, maffe and other delicious and filling foods. My host family encouraged me to eat and grow some curves! I grew into my new shape and loved feeling more "substantial" than I ever had at home. Late in my stay, a friend received a birthday care package from the States that included several copies of tabloid-esque magazines. As we flipped through pages of bone-thin celebrities, the majority of whom were white, I couldn't help but feel self-conscious about my body. That experience made me realize how incredibly pervasive our various cultural perspectives on beauty really are. I think the media, particularly that dealing with fashion and celebrities, has a responsibility to celebrate beauty in all shapes, sizes, colors and ages. Furthermore, we all need to look toward women who are healthy in mind, body and spirit as our role models, rather than those we view as "picture" perfect.

Sent by Jenise | 1:06 PM | 8-1-2007

Well I have a strange type of comment there is a new game concerning Africa do to come out in the coming years and the imagery is a little disturbing to me.
The game is supposedly about "infected" African enemies ataccking a lone white man. This game is by Capcom.
http://www.gamespot.com/pages/image_viewer/frame_lead.php?pid=929198&img=2
http://www.gamespot.com/pages/image_viewer/frame_lead.php?pid=929198&img=2
http://www.gamespot.com/pages/image_viewer/frame_lead.php?pid=929198&img=2
http://www.gamespot.com/pages/image_viewer/frame_lead.php?pid=929198&img=2

What are you thoughts on this. I won't sway you with my opinion I just want to know your thoughts.

Thanks

Sent by RW | 12:35 AM | 8-6-2007

Greetings to everyone at NPR,

I'm a Namibian, Southern Africa, currently living in the US. I wanted to know if NPR through your program of Africa Update could investigate and give more light on the current request of the Human Right Society of Namibia to prosecute former president Sam Nujoma and others by the International Criminal Court. The charges as the local Human Rights Organization contents are missing people, killing, and torture that happened in Angola, Lubango, during the liberation struggle.

The local Human Rights organization has filled to the International Criminal Court, and the issues has sparked some debate about the national reconcillian in Namibia.

If you can, can you please approach the Namibian embassy and the International Criminal Court on the matter against Sam Nujoma and the others regarding the charges.

Thank you,

Jacko Wakudumo

Sent by Jacko Wakudumo | 11:20 AM | 8-29-2007