My People
The United States of America is a very rich country because of its diversity. Here, you will find people of many different races, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds who work, live, and learn together all across the land. According to the website for the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2008 population estimate was 304,059,724. The racial breakdown is as follows:
Personally, I define myself as African-American because I believe it identifies both my African ancestry and the African-American culture that they formed by sharing and exchanging cultural customs with other cultures they came into contact with. Despite the fact that “African-American” is the modern, politically, and socially accepted term by a majority, you will find some “African Americans” here who subscribe to other terms. Off the top of my head, the most common are: Black, Afro-American, or a person of color. However, depending on who you’re talking to, it can get even more complicated. For example, many older people like my parents, say that they’re “colored.” Then, there is what I like to call the “no matter what” factor because depending on the context of the conversation, many of us will use all of these terms and more. So, to say the least, it is my personal opinion that most of us refer to ourselves as “black” informally, and preserve “African-American” for formal settings.
When I think about customs and traditions in my culture, one thing that comes to the forefront of my mind is food because it is the central element to the soul of our culture. Get it? Soul food! Anyhow, in my family, we are big on rice, chicken, fish, greens, bread, and beans. Some of my favorites include: barbecue chicken and rice, lima beans and rice, black-eyed peas and rice, cornbread, muffins, catfish, trout, collard greens, mustard greens, and turnip greens. Now, concerning ingredients, each of the plates that contain rice is unique because my parents use lots of different meats and spices to liven up the flavor. Then of course, there are our favorite fruits and desserts such as banana pudding, sweet potato pie, watermelon, peaches, pumpkin pie, fudge brownies, pound cake, and so on. One thing about my family is that food is part of the thread that brings us together for the holidays and on special occasions. But I have to say that I absolutely agree with the term “Soul Food” because some of the dishes take so long to cook that it is as if you’re practically putting your soul into them! Therefore, a lot of older people have come up with a saying that goes “We call it Soul Food because a whole lot of love goes into cooking it,” for your loved ones.
Another thing that comes to mind, when I think about my culture and our customs and traditions is language. We really have our own vernacular language that is unique because it is something that we’ve built upon from generation to generation. What’s ironic to me about our language is the positive and negative influences that some attribute to it when it comes to stereotypes. When you look at it on one hand, here are a people who came here, stripped of everything from clothes to language, who created a whole new culture. I just find that absolutely amazing! Especially, when you consider everything that was done to deteriorate us as a people. On the other hand, I think that outsiders to the black culture have made a mockery of black vernacular speech just to perpetuate the false notions against our intellectual capacity. But I should also mention that certain words and phrases are distinct from region to region and a good example of how black language is influenced by the whole is our music and artistic expression.
Music and artistic expression are very essential to black culture. In a broader sense, music is a very big deal here in the U.S. and it is the one thing that unifies us as a racially diverse nation. I guess one of the things that I’ve become more curious about over the years when it comes to our music is its origin. Honestly, if it wasn’t for Cheyney (Cheyney University of PA), I don’t think I would’ve been able to learn as much as I have about African-American music history. Specifically, I’m thinking about how the griot tradition has influenced different genres of our music like reggae and hip-hop and how the call-and-response work rhythm has managed to become a key element in most of our music.
With all that said, I’m curious to know what Nigerians think about our food, language, and different types of music. I’m sharing a recipe from the book “An African American Cookbook. Traditional and Other Favorite Recipes,” by Phoebe Bailey, and a poem called “Riverbank Blues” by Sterling A. Brown, who wrote during the period of The Harlem Renaissance to demonstrate the aesthetic quality of our vernacular language. In addition, I’ve listed some of my favorite songs below along with information that identifies the artist and genre it is from. Try listening to some of them and let me know what you think by replying to the questions that follow the list of songs:
Recipe: Old Fashioned Cornbread
3 TBsp. shortening
¾ cup sifted flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3 Tbsp. sugar
¾ cup cornmeal
2 eggs
½ cup evaporated milk
¼ cup water
Bake for 15 minutes, until lightly browned.
Poem: Riverbank Blues by Sterling A. Brown
A man git his feet set in a sticky mudbank,A man git dis yellow water in his blood,No need for hopin', no need for doin',Muddy streams keep him fixed for good.Little Muddy, Big Muddy, Moreau and Osage,Little Mary's, Big Mary's, Cedar Creek,Flood deir muddy water roundabout a man's roots,Keep him soaked and stranded and git him weak.Lazy sun shinin' on a little cabin,Lazy moon glistenin' over river trees;Ole river whisperin', lappin' 'gainst de long roots:"Plenty of rest and peace in these . . ."Big mules, black loam, apple and peach trees,But seems lak de river washes us downPast de rich farms, away from de fat lands,Dumps us in some ornery riverbank town.Went down to the river, sot me down an' listened,Heard de water talkin' quiet, quiet lak an' slow:"Ain' no need fo' hurry, take yo' time, take yo'time . . ." Heard it sayin'--"Baby, hyeahs de way life go . . ."Dat is what it tole me as I watched it slowly rollin',But somp'n way inside me rared up an' say,"Better be movin' . . . better be travelin' . . . Riverbank'llgit you ef you stay . . ."Towns are sinkin' deeper, deeper in de riverbank,Takin' on de ways of deir sulky Ole Man--Takin' on his creepy ways, takin' on his evil ways,"Bes' git way, a long way . . . whiles you can."Man got hissea too lak de Mississippi Ain't got so long for a whole lot longer way,Man better move some, better not git rooted Muddy water fool you, ef you stay..."
(http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/riverbank-blues/)
1. “Without You,” by Dwele – R&B Soul
a. http://www.pandora.com/music/song/dwele/without+you
2. “Rock The Boat,” by Aaliyah – R&B
a. http://www.pandora.com/music/song/aaliyah/rock+boat
3. “Thrill is Gone,” by B.B. King – Blues
a. http://www.pandora.com/music/song/bb+king/thrill+is+gone
4. “Find My Way,” by ATribe Called Quest - Hip Hop
a. http://www.pandora.com/music/song/tribe+called+quest/find+way
5. “Too Experienced,” by Barrington Levy – Reggae
a. http://www.pandora.com/music/song/barrington+levy/too+experienced
6. “All Falls Down,” by Kanye West - Rap
a. http://www.pandora.com/music/song/kanye+west/all+falls+down
7. “Wanna Be Startin’ Something,” by Michael Jackson - Pop
a. http://www.pandora.com/music/song/michael+jackson/wanna+be+startin+something
8. “Shackles,” by Mary Mary - Gospel
a. http://www.pandora.com/music/song/mary+mary/shackles
Questions:
1. Which song did you like the most? Why?
2. Which song did you like the least? Why?
3. Are any of these songs similar to Nigerian music? If so, explain.
Famous Places in My Country
I love to travel, and I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many different places here in the U.S. that are famous for different things. I am delighted to share photos, information, and highlights from my experiences in traveling to some of the various hot spots in America, but first I should tell you about my hometown.
I was born and raised in Lancaster, PA which is about 80 miles west of Philadelphia. Lancaster is one of those places that is rapidly-changing and developing. Though its popularity stems from having a large population of Amish people who’ve helped to make the territory famous for agriculture, there are many other facets about this town that make it interesting and unique. Below, I’ve listed a few:
1. Entertainment: Columbia Drive-In
This is a drive-in movie theatre that my parents used to take us to on summer weekends. It’s a really cool experience if you’ve never been to one. Plus, there are only a few drive-in theatres remaining in the U.S.
(http://www.driveintheater.com/list/pn/columbia.htm)
2. Shopping: Park City Mall
As stated in its name, this mall was designed with a concept of a park inside a city, and that’s exactly what it is! The park is accented by a beautiful carousel.
(http://www.parkcitycenter.com/)
3. Food: Dutch Haven Shoo-Fly Pie Bakery
Similar to famous places known for their desserts such as The Cheesecake Factory in King of Prussia, PA or Junior’s Cheesecake in Brooklyn, NY, this is the place where Shoo-Fly Pie is made and shipped all around the world.
(http://www.dutchhaven.com/)
4. History: Living The Experience/Bethel AME Church
The church is located in an area known as ChurchTowne in Lancaster and it’s the place to come for anyone who wants to learn more about Lancaster’s role in on the Underground Railroad. I took my parents here to see an interactive play and afterward we enjoyed dinner, simulated in the fashion of those times.
(http://www.bethelamelancaster.org/lte.html)
Next, I will list some of the more popular cities in the U.S. that I’ve visited and share what aspects make them popular tourist destinations.
1. Washington, D.C.
Everything that you need to know about the structure and history of America is here.
From the White House to the Washington Monument, several memorials, federal buildings, and statues make up the richness of the District of Columbia. I frequently visit D.C., and I still have yet to see it all! So far, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial is my favorite!
(http://www.thedistrict.com/)
2. New York, NY:
Famously referred to as “The Big Apple,” New York tops the list as the most popular tourist destination in the U.S. Shortly after I completed my associate’s degree, I moved here to work, live and play. Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and The Bronx are the five boroughs that make up New York -- the island of Manhattan is more famously known as New York City. Much like the famous statue, liberty defines this place that so many people like me can’t get enough and its beauty resonates in the ubiquity of skyscrapers, opportunity, and cultural diversity that makes it so fascinating.
(http://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm)
3. Philadelphia, PA:
The “City of Brotherly Love,” a.k.a. the “Cradle of Liberty,” a.k.a. “Philly,” is the fifth most populated city in the U.S.
Since I live on the outskirts of Philly, it’s one of the places that I have more insight on. The Liberty Bell, The Art Museum (famously known for the steps that “Rocky” ran up in the movie), and Gino’s Cheesesteaks are popular attractions.
(http://www.visitphilly.com/)
4. Chicago, IL:
Probably more famous now for being the place where Oprah Winfrey and The Obamas call home, Chicago a.k.a. “The Windy City,” is the third most populated city in the U.S.
I visited here for the first time last year and had the chance to see the Sears Tower, Buckingham Palace, the Chicago Tribune building, and more. I learned a lot of cool things about “Chi-Town” that I didn’t know before too such as Route 66, starts here.
5. San Francisco, CA:
Famous for the Golden Gate Bridge and infamous for Alcatraz (a prison island), San Francisco is located on the west coast of the U.S.
While in Oakland, CA for Spanish School last summer, I visited San Francisco with friends several times. I enjoyed visiting its rich Latin neighborhoods the most, but I had fun celebrating Independence Day there too, on the pier.
Well, I can go on and on about famous places in my country, but I think I’ve covered some of the most significant ones that I’ve visited. I’m glad that I could share my experiences with you, and I hope that it was enlightening!
Government and Politics
As I reflect on the brief discussions that my virtual exchange partner, Ayo, and I had this month, I wonder how his meeting went with President Obama? The last time we spoke, Ayo relayed to me how excited he was to have the opportunity to not only meet the U.S. President, but also discuss what that experience entailed with me later.
Flicking through television stations these days, would give one the impression that everyone in the country is furious over Obama’s landmark health legislation that was recently passed. However, hearing Ayo’s energy and excitement, conveyed through email, from another part of the world was certainly a relief for me!
"Tea Party Rally in Washington on Tax Day," - NBC Washington (Getty Images)
When it comes to journalism and mass media, there is a growing need to bring back trust and respect from the people. Way too many factors are interfering with the reputation for fairness, accuracy, and objectivity that this field has long been regarded for. That is why it’s particularly important to me as a graduating senior and U.S. Virtual Tour Guide for this program to participate. I want to share my knowledge about America with readers in Nigeria because from my observations, most foreigners have lost respect for it. After all, sharing and learning about our cultural similarities and differences, enables us to grow and gain knowledge.
- Photo courtesy of The Network Journal (www.tnj.com)
Speaking of learning, this month I was directed to an article titled “Nigeria: Thousands protest for election reform,” by Bashir Adigun, Associated Press. It was concerning a recent protest in Nigeria’s capital, Lagos, over next year’s election process. Although Ayo and I did not have the chance to discuss this matter, I was able to get a sense of what led to the protest: “fraud, intimidation and violence,” stemming from Nigeria’s “first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power,” in 2007. Obviously, there are constraints that come along with discussing sensitive issues like this one, so I wanted to check with my pen pal and make sure that he felt comfortable commenting on it. It is nonetheless, a conversation that I look forward to, and it influenced me to begin writing about government and politics in my country.
To begin, I would like to share some brief history on the principle in which my country was founded and I think it will help my readers I refer to Barack Obama’s speech: “A More Perfect Union.” Honestly, I could think of no better person who gives a vivid account of it and sums it up so eloquently.
Liberty Bell, Philadelphia, PA (courtesy of visitphilly.com)
The speech was delivered on March 18, 2008 in Philadelphia, PA which is considered the birthplace of America’s democracy. The opening paragraph states:
"We the people, in order to form a more perfect union." Two hundred and twenty one years ago, in a hall that still stands across the street, a group of men gathered and, with these simple words, launched America's improbable experiment in democracy. Farmers and scholars, statesmen and patriots who had traveled across the ocean to escape tyranny and persecution finally made real their declaration of independence at a Philadelphia convention that lasted through the spring of 1787.”
In the speech, Obama speaks to a vast population of Americans who consist of blacks, whites, rich, poor, young, and old, about the importance of coming together despite our differences to form a more perfect union. Throughout his speech, he refers to the idea of equality for all Americans as the underlying objective of the constitution which serves as the fundamental law of the land. Unfortunately, the idea of equality under the law for every American was contradicted by our forefather’s tolerance of slavery which inevitably caused inequities toward black Americans. So, to say the least, the purpose of Obama’s speech is to remind Americans of that long history and emphasize how important it is in these times for citizens to come together and work toward forming a more perfect union.
Courtesy of Central Intelligence Agency (www.cia.gov)
"The 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory," - Courtesy of Central Intelligence Agency (www.cia.gov)
Democracy is an area of America’s government and politics that I would like to further expand on. Having completed Mass Communication Law and Ethics this semester, I can start off with the basic structure of our laws. Including the Constitution, there are six: Statute, Equity, Common, Administrative, and Executive. Paraphrasing definitions from my textbook, “The Law of Journalism & Mass Communication,” by Robert Trager, Joseph Russomanno, and Susan Dente Ross, I will begin with Statutes. Statutes are laws enacted by city, county, state, and federal legislative bodies. Equity law is usually handled by judges and deals with principles of ethics and fairness. Common law is based on rules and principles developed throughout history that are unwritten and judge-made. Administrative laws involve official orders, rules, and regulations by executive branch agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission or the Federal Trade Commission and finally, Executive orders come from a government executive such as the president, governor, or the mayor, who all have the force of law.
Several different types of political parties exist in the United States, but for the most part, the biggest include Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Honestly, my personal values are tied to all three. On the democratic side, I believe in fair treatment and that everyone should be able to participate in the process of government, but on the other hand, I have religious convictions tied to Republican ideologies. Nevertheless, I also feel like an independent because the only way to reach “A More Perfect Union,” as Obama puts it, is to eliminate our biases against each other by joining forces to improve America. So, to conclude on this topic, I hope that I have been helpful to all of you in understanding government and politics in America. It is an integral part of my country’s identity, and as a journalist, I am grateful for the freedom of speech and of the press that I am able to enjoy because of our First Amendment.
"When Andrew Jackson ran for president in 1828, his opponents tried to label him a "jackass" for his populist views and his slogan, "Let the people rule." Jackson, however, picked up on their name calling and turned it to his own advantage by using the donkey on his campaign posters," (The Democratic Party, www.democrats.org)
"The symbol of the Republican Party is the elephant. During the mid term elections in 1874, Democrats tried to scare voters into thinking President Ulysses S. Grant would seek to run for an unprecedented third term. Thomas Nast, a cartoonist for Harper's Weekly, depicted a Democratic donkey trying to scare a Republican elephant - and both symbols stuck.Photo courtesy of GOPStore.com