Now when I read the newspaper, I feel a connection to the stories being covered. I’ve been there, seen the country, met the people and know, first hand, that “they” are just like us. The similarities between nations and across cultures far outweigh the differences.

With new understanding of world events comes new frustration. In print and TV, important news features seem increasingly overshadowed by celebrity gossip. Why do the extra-marital affairs of Tie Dome get more media attention than rebel violence in DR Congo?

It’s frustrating to see that mainstream media isn’t enlightening, it’s sensationalizing and dumbing-down. After witnessing extreme poverty, homelessness and child labor, I’m finding it awkward adjusting to a society that reads People magazine and watches shows like “Deal or No Deal.”

Clearly you guys were a little off target in attacking her character because she didn’t enjoy a few insects while camping. I think you owe her an apology.

Thanks for the kind words. (I thought I was the ONLY one who had problems with Iraki. :cool:) Well, as you know, I try to be heterodox, so I have to allow him to express opinions that seem to be only his own.:smile:

Ouch! You caught me on misspelling Mpush’s name on occasion, too. Good call!

Considering that article a few years back in The Nation, where I was accused of subverting African writing, I’m glad to here that people like you know what I’m REALLY about.

Expect more (and better) from us in future. AND do tell your readers about AFRICA FRESH! one day. (Hint!) Just so you know, our plan is to publish a new anthology every year from now on. If you know quality writers who are interested, send them my way. Unlike the Web site, which is totally devoted to journalism (non-fiction) the anthologies will always include fiction, as well. This year, God willing, we’ll do two; one fiction, one non-. Keep that in mind.

Keep up the great work!

Cheers!
Rod

Osas

We’ve featured robust writing on and from Kenya for nearly seven years now. The late Robert Odoul was one of our first Kenya writers. I’m sure you remember him, KenyaPundit?

Cheers!
Rod Amis

Her creepy-crawlies article from 23rd November 2005, to which Tegi O Obanda had reacted above, does not seem to me quite as bad as to Tegi; I just find it superficial. Julia saw right what she *expected* to see, because everybody KNOWS that Africa must be teeming with insects, spiders, millipedes, snakes, safari ants, flesh-eating slugs - okay, maybe omit the slugs, but you get the picture. The Dark Continent, where dead tourists are transported on the roof of your expedition landrover (reality check: more people probably die in the USA and Caada as a result from an allergy against wasp and bee stings, than Africa tourists from spider bites, but it doesn’t make such juicy news). And ticks are *’far* more dangerous e.g. in Switzerland, Austria and Germany, than in Africa, but again that won’t suit Bimbo’s expectations.

Fine. Now I have said it. Dixi et salvavi animam mean. Julia Dimon is nice, probably very friendly, presumably she thinks of herself as being open-minded (which in comparison to US Americans she definitely is), she writes an entertainingly superficial style, and her idea of “quality world news” is probably CNN; so excuse me for a second while I retch…

Yes, in one world, she is a just [b]bimbo[/b] (of the migrant species). In the full US slang meaning of the word.
And in my eyes, a world with more sympathetic bimbos, and with less George W. Bushes, William ole Ntimamas, Emmanuel Ngugis, Condoleezza Rices would be a better place.

And if you want to help the amenable Bimbo to creepy-crawl upwards, onto a higher status of consciousness, why not pool together instead and hold a harambee, so she can subscribe to a good newspaper (e.g. NZZ), a decent weekly or monthly (Le Monde Diplomatique; Black Commentator and G21 in way of good online journals), and even, gasp, some scholarly books on Africa?

That was my allocated share of arrogance for today - signing off now, I remain yours

Osas