Here’s how you can get involved in Minnesota’s World AIDS Day events.

Hey MinneAfricans,

Tomorrow, Dec 1st, is World AIDS Day, for Africans this should be especially important given the impact the disease has had and continues to have on the continent. I conducted an ‘unscientific’ poll with of my African friends and ALL of them know at least one person that has died from AIDS. Here’s a list of some of the numerous events that will be taking place in various places. Most notable is this year’s 5th Annual African World AIDS Day Event. Hope you get to attend at least one.

University of Minnesota doctors battle AIDS in Uganda

This was posted on MinnPost last week, but I think it is relevant seeing as tomorrow is World AIDS Day.

By Sharon Schmickle | Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008

KAMPALA, UGANDA—Costa Kiggundu had one question for an American visitor to her home in a gritty Kampala slum: “What will happen if you stop sending the drugs?”

It’s a life-or-death question for Kiggundu, her son and all of her friends at the clinic where she gets medicine to help her body fight HIV infection, which killed her husband.

A Poetic Invitation

Hey folks, I have couple of events I would to invite all my MinneAfricans to.

Saturday December 6, 2008
The Cultural Wellness Center is hosting a book release and signing for me. I will be sharing the stage with the renowed poet and performer, Louis Alemaheyu of Ancestors Energy. The setting will be poetic conversations framed around the idea of what it means to be Black here and today. Louis sums it up in a series of questions: “explore African Identity in the context of here and now; what we see and feel when we look toward home?  What is home now to us?  Relationships/Connections between people of African descent; What goals or dreams should we have together?  What questions come up when you think about our public encounter?  What is important to explore right now?  What does it mean to have a Black family in the White House?”
Come add your voice to the conversation and hear me read from my book, “Bridge Across Atlantic”
Cultural Wellness Center
1527 East Lake Street, Minneapolis MN
December 6, 2008 5pm to 730 pm

Then later walk with me to SouLs on disPlay Open Mic and get on the mic.
Selam Coffee Shop
3860 Minnehaha Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55417
8pm to 10pm

These and other IBe happenings are always on Atlanticrock.com

“Stop AIDS, keep the PROMISE.”

Image taken from www.poz.com

By Yeamah

Two VERY important anniversaries will be taking place next week, as the month of December begins: the (big) 20th commemoration of World AIDS Day and the 5th annual African World AIDS Day event.

In 1988, the World Health Organization and the U.N. General Assembly first declared December 1 as “World AIDS Day.” So, 20 years later, on 12-01-2008, will be a day of rememberence; we will be reminded that we are still living amidst a global epidemic.  An epidemic that seems to perpetually be hitting the African continent the worst.

Happy Thanksgiving! What are YOU doing this long weekend?

While Thanksgiving is not a tradition to Africans, it is a great opportunity to take some time off and relax. Looking. You might want be thinking about attending a Turkey day party, give thanks by giving back or staying in doors. Whatever the case we have some ideas here if you are still undecided as to what you may want to do. Before I forget, thanks to everyone who participated in the Refugee Clothing Winter Drive, I don’t know how much was donated, but I will notify everyone as soon as I have that info. I also hear that Kingley’s Benefit was a huge success – thanks to all the kind people in Duluth.

Also a reminder; Dec 1st is World AIDS Day and we will be letting you know how and where to get involved with the many World AIDS Day events in MN. 

1. Tonight Mezesha Entertainment will this year again be hosting “Revolve” The Official Pre-Thanksgiving Party in the twin cities  at the Lounge. For those of you who were there last year, you know that Thanksgiving at the Lounge is usually packed so I would urge you to be there early – doors open at 9pm. Revolve Will feature 3 different rooms, 3 different Vybes – Room 1;Carribana, Room 2; Urban City and Room 3;Africana.
2. Margretta Getaweh is also having a Pre-Thanksgiving party at Club Arnellias. Come party with the stars of the upcoming movie, “A Dangerous Friend”, and see great performances by G.A.B, G-Rize and featuring Edna “the dance queen”. Drinks special all night. 21 to party. For more info contact 763-232-3874 .

Al Qaeda cells in Minnesota?

by Nelima

Just wanted to share this with y’all. I happened to catch it on the KSTP news last night. I kinda wish mainstream media would talk to other/more sources instead of Omar Jamal. He’s the same dude that submitted a video claiming that Somali translators were trying to influence the senatorial vote at Brian Coyle Center, but many Somali’s who watched the video say there was nothing said in that video that proved so. I’m not discrediting the information, but I just wish the media would conduct a more in depth research.

 

Feds investigating Twin Cities terrorist network

 

Forty young Somali men from the Twin Cities are missing and federal investigators believe they may be back in Somalia training as terrorists.

“We have active Al Qaeda cells recruiting these people,” said Omar Jamal with the Somali Justice Advocacy Center.

Federal law enforcement sources told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS they believe Shirwa Ahmed, from Minneapolis, was a suicide bomber who blew himself up during an attack in northern Somali last month. They also believe he was a recruiter in the Twin Cities for a terrorist network.

What About Sex?

by Mameneh

We do not talk about sex! Sex is like a taboo that stays in the bedroom. We should unlock it. Lets all agree that Africans have healthy sexual lives. It is nothing to be ashamed of. While most of us would prefer not to discuss it, we know that it is alive and breathing. So, why not talk about it. We talk about education. We talk about politics. Sex should be a normal conversation, not just something reserve for the bedroom. Drink it over coffee. Cook it into your dinner. Mix it with your music, and preach it into your worship service. Africans have to stop demonizing sex. It is not wrong, it is healthy. The question is, like exercise and a good diet, how is it good for us. 

Alan Keyes wants Obama’s Birth Certificate: Now!

 

Conservative Alan Keyes-who ran against President-elect Barack Obama in the 2004 race for the Illinois Senate

by Nekessa

You probably heard the rumors during the presidential campaign– that President-Elect Barack Obama is not really an American citizen, but was born in Kenya. These rumors have been doing the rounds in the right-wing blogsphere and radio airwaves. Currently, there are three lawsuits challenging Obama’s citizenship. And several online petitions.

Perhaps the most interesting of the lawsuits is the one by Alan Keyes. Keyes filed a lawsuit against Obama, the California secretary of state, and others, to stop California from giving its electoral votes to Obama until a birth certificate is produced proving that he is indeed a natural born citizen.

Somali Piracy: When the poor (and abused) fight back.

by Nelima

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the Somali pirates got guts and now your attention. Now I am in now way condoning what they are doing, but I think that the American media has sensationalized this issue that the history of how this came to be is completely lost. There’s pressure to come up with a solution, but without careful consideration of the underlying factors, Africans will again be the losers.

Kenya: Creating Expatriate Presidents Place Your Order.

by Nelima

I found this in today’s Madd Madd World I think its funny that they would export a Kikuyu to Sicily. Would that be to errrr deal with the Mafia?

 

Expatriate Presidents