Civilians massacred while the world continues to watch; is it time for a UN Army?

It is despicable that thousands of people continue to be massacred in Libya but there is no urgency from the international community and regional organizations to intervene. The ghost of ‘strategic interests’ is back to haunt us in yet another conflict. In this new world order, we have to rely on the mercy of super-powers to prevent bloodshed yet that only happens when they have something at stake. Gadhafi is waging war on the revolting masses and soaking the desert with the blood of his citizens whose intention was to conduct a peaceful protest. This is not the first and last time the world has watched from the comfortable seats of the Colosseum while genocide occurs.

The United Nations has once again been exposed as a sleeping giant failing on its promise to achieve international peace and security. It has resorted to tackling problems at the tip of the iceberg— food aid, shelter and security for refugees and conducting body counts after the conflict is over. The UN also adopted a comprehensive arms embargo on the Libyan government, and ordered member states to freeze the assets of Gadhafi and his family including a travel ban on the regime a move many believe will have no major impact on the conflict at this stage. Libya was also suspended from the U.N. Human Rights Council for committing gross and systematic violations of human rights. One can only wonder how Libya was on such a committee in the first place considering the regime’s record on human rights violations.

Round Up: Africans in Minnesota Mainstream Media

by Nelima

I know it’s been a while, but I thought I might update everyone on what the mainstream media is saying about the African community in Minnesota.

• Born into a life of chaos in Eritrea.
• South African enjoys a Minnesota winter.
• Racial dialogue. 
• Expanding African Development Center show off new spot.
• A continent on fire.
• Signs of resistance found in African H5N1 viruses.
• With 12 months secured, Liberian community looks forward.
• Liberians get 12 months here.
• Liberian Leo Gibson quits Minnesota Thunder.
• Minnesota Somali families facing Autism.
• FBI searching for missing Somali men from Minnesota.
• Missing Somali-American spotted at Minneapolis Shopping Mall.
• Once a refugee, now a minister.

The Price of Not Looking “American”

IBé
Maybe it’s because my own mother is losing her mind to the same wicked disease, but I just read a story about an old lady that just broke my heart.

As the story goes, back in 1994, a mute elderly woman was found wondering a mall in New Jersey. When the police picked her up, she didn’t have any identification on her person, and in addition to being mute, she was found to be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. For 15 years all attempts to identify her returned nothing. Not fingerprinting, not police investigation, not photo circulation…nothing could yield her identity. So where would you suppose she was kept for all 15 years? Not in a nursing home, as you would suspect counting her condition. The poor sick old lady (always well dressed according to witnesses) was sent to live in a psychiatric hospital. Yes, that is right, among mentally diseased individuals. Don’t get me wrong, Alzheimer is also a mental disease, but there is a difference between it and psychotic.

18 days to Liberian DED Expiration! Join LiWIM this Sunday in appealing to President Obama.

By Yeamah (yeamyah)

What began 20 years ago is due to end once and for all on March 31st, 2009. Liberian refugees who came to the United States with the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) were supposed to be deported 18 months ago. President Bush “gracefully” approved of the Deferred Enforced Departure 18 months ago, which will officially expire in 18 days: March 31st, 2009. Before leaving office, Bush did not sign on to another 18 months extension, nor did legislation that would allow Liberians on TPS/DED to become Permanent Residents pass during the last session. 

So, with 18 days left, President Obama’s signature allowing for another extension of DED is the only hope for approximately 4,000 (a conservative estimate) Liberians with this status, and frankly, the entire Liberian-American community!

LiWIM IS TAKING ACTION!

Immigrant workers struggle to support families back home

By Jaclyn Evert   TC DAILY PLANET

Semenyo Ahli gathers stray carts in the Wal-Mart parking lot on University Avenue in St. Paul. He came to the United States four years ago for economic opportunity and to attend college to become a registered nurse. Despite being qualified to work as a nursing assistant, Ahli has been unsuccessful in finding a second job in addition to Wal-Mart. However, no matter how tight the money gets, Ahli still sends money back home to Togo every month. “I have brothers and sister back home,” he said. “And my dad is not working, so they use the money for food.”

“I got a job here because of my friends,” he said. “They helped me to get a job here. I did apply to Target when I first started looking for a job, but I didn’t get it.” The $8.20 an hour he earns from pushing carts has to cover not only his living and education expenses, but also to support his family back in Togo, Africa. His family largely depends on remittances to survive, but sending $300 monthly is becoming a financial burden. Recently, his hours at Wal-Mart were cut from thirty-six to twenty hours a week. Like Semenyo Ahli, several of his fellow employees have reported with frustration that their hours also have been cut recently.

Store managers at Wal-Mart on University Avenue declined to answer any questions.

Round Up: Africans in the Minnesotan Mainstream Media

by Nelima

Here’s another round up of how the mainstream media is covering the African community.

• New Islamic mortgages now available in Minnesota
• Bill Would Ban Headwear on Driver’s License Photos
• Somali Student Group Protest s Bare-Head ID Bill
• Another gloomy economic roller-coaster ride
• This time will Liberians be forced to leave?
• Maplewood man convicted of $438k fraud
• FBI watching Somali Muslims in Minneapolis

In America, Somalis find proud footing

by Hussein Samatar 

Recent news, though, reinforces the need for dialogue and understanding

Many of us from Somalia see ourselves as Americans first and then Somalis. I include myself, having been born and raised in Somalia but having never worked a single day there due the ongoing civil war. My work, and the work of my colleagues, has been in Minnesota, where we’ve been making our state better and safer through sheer determination, hard work, entrepreneurship and can-do American attitude.

Americans of Somali descent now live in every corner of Minnesota, from Pelican Rapids to St. Paul to Minneapolis. In a very short time the community has produced an impressive amount of new businesses throughout the state. Even in cities like Willmar, you will find businesses owned and operated by the members of the Somali community. Students have been graduating in high numbers from high schools, colleges and universities and are becoming professionals in many fields.

Rewriting the Star Tribune’s February 27th Editorial

by Silas,

(If this posts look weird it is because I made some changes to the original article that was the editorial of the Star Tribune of February 27th. The words in the reddish print are my additions, which I think the reader should take into consideration when reading the original editorial. I also crossed out what I thought should have been ommitted or re-worded.)

Editorial: A critical juncture for local Somalis and the mainstream media

Irresponsible and careless reporting connecting the Abubakar As-Saddique’s Islamic Center to a suicide bombing and disappearances have has created heightened fear, suspicion and encouraged xenophobia towards Minnesota’s Somali community.

It Wednesday’s open house at the Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center in the Phillips neighbourhood of Minneapolis had all the trappings makings of a typical community celebration — colorful balloons, great food, happy families and easy conversation. But there was a tense undercurrent at Wednesday’s open house at the Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Mosque Opens Its Doors to the Community

by Nelima 

Neighbors and friends; reporters, local politicians and law enforcement streamed through the doors of Abubakar As-Sadique Mosque to interact with the Somali Community. The response to an open house invitation by the mosque was overwhelming. Media reports connecting the Minneapolis mosque to the Somali men alleged to have gone back to Somalia to fight Jihad, a holy war, have created new misconceptions about the community. For many guests that evening, learning about Islam and Muslims was refreshing for their knowledge of Islam was limited, and the little they knew was based on stereotypes.

Charles Taylor may go free because court is running broke.

by Nelima

An article in the VOA says that former Liberian president Charles Taylor could go free due to insufficient funds for the court proceedings. For those of you not familiar with the history of this story, Charles Taylor is currently in custody at the Hague and on trial by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone’s civil war. According to the article;

Reuters news agency quotes prosecutor Stephen Rapp as saying donations to the Special Court for Sierra Leone are down because of the worldwide economic recession. Rapp says if the court runs out of money, it is possible judges will have to release Taylor.