HAITI,NIGERIA & AMERICA ON MY MIND !!!

Dear Friends,
After numerous attempts by friends and loved ones for me to share my "rants" with folks beyond my sphere, i've finally caved-in upon very little persuation by a Prof. friend whose family made me Haitian long before i cared to find Black folks' very first free Nation (Yes, Haiti is over 200 years old) on the Map.

I have watched various American administration conduct various policies towards that Great Country of less than 10 million people. In my three decades journeying through my adopted Country of the good ole U.S of A, i've spent a decade in Boston,Maryland tri-state area and S.Florida respectively. I must admit that i was appalled at the treatment of Haitians locally in S.Florida and in America generally. As a Practicing Pharmacist in S. Florida, working in various neighbourhoods from W. Palm Beach southwards to Miami, i have watched helplessly as many Haitian families cope in a dignified manner with the rather ridiculous rule dubbed " the wet foot, dry foot policy". Haiti & Cuba are fairly small Island Nations with troubled history,much of which the average citizen in the two Countries along with their counterparts in Great America, have little control over. The argument for allowing Cubans ( i identify with Cubans because they have an amazing Yoruba tradition- S.W-Nigeria) to walk "right-in" and get proper documents that many folks of African-descent will spend an entire lifetime working for, has been beyond me. And for some reason, until recently, most of the Cubans moving to America tend to be Caucasian. Now, obviously this has my "funny" mind thinking my adopted Country still has a long way to shake-off issues bordering on racial bias. As i write, despite the complete destruction of lives and property from the present earthquake in Haiti, my beloved Country still has plenty of Haitians in jail simply for not having proper documentation.

Fortunately, i've invested my little resources into discovering the world outside America. Unlike many folks around the world, i am never surprised at the amazing humanity & generosity of majority of my fellow Americans. They make my job easier as i knowingly & unknowingly spread America's gospel around the world. I will use this opportunity to appeal to my American Brothers & Sisters who tend to lean a bit too much to the right, hiding under terminologies such as "Right Wing", "Conservative"( believe me, most folks with African values tend to be Conservative Socially but have no time for Hatred), "The New Tea Party Folks" e.t.c (y'all know those i'm talking about and i bet they know themselves too) to do a bit more soul-searching.

I suppose it is easy for me to talk about certain sensitive issues that most folks in America may not feel comfortable talking about because i try to make myself believe i fear no one. Listen, many of my Heroes ( J.F.K, M.L.K, Malcolm-X, Bobby-Kennedy,M.J.J,Nkrumah & so on) died rather young. At my tender age, i've experienced a bit in life for me to decide The Almighty ( All Religion Inclusive) certanly did put me here for a reason. All the riches in life will not make me happy. True Happiness for me comes from seeing "American values" practiced,thus changing my American Children's world for the better. My "poor" kids, i keep "preaching" to them they must stand up for something. I suppose i'm trying to follow in the footsteps of my Parents, Uncles, Mentors & Role-Models while growing up back in Nigeria. I hope i live to tell their story,but, they have left an amazing legacy. They are certainly tough acts to follow. The bottom line is America will be better off if her citizens can hold on to the humility,humanity & generosity that i have been watching on T.V Screens since the tragedy in Haiti started. My prayer is that Haiti will not be tuned-off before, during or after the Super-Bowl. I mean no bias when i say that America ( citizens & it's Patriotic Army) is presently at it's VERY BEST as we watch what we've always known The Blessed Nation is capable of. And i am watching what folks in Africa are doing (or not doing) to show their solidarity with the Continent's people in Haiti. I was Happy to see Huge HAITIAN POSTERS & Flags at the on-going African Cup Of Nations in ANGOLA. It's so unfortunate that up until now, Africa has not been able to speak in unison to let the whole world know that the entire Continent stands solidly with it's people in Haiti. Perhaps, this will change once Nigeria's ailing President returns to Abuja after having been away from his "Throne" for over two months while recovering from health issues in Saudi-Arabia as Africa's Most Populous Nation remains Leaderless.

In conclusion, i must assure the WORLD that HAITI will never dissapear. In my chat with my Haitian Brothers & Sisters, i can't help but be amazed with the audacity in these amazing people. They are not busy spending too much time crying and trying to have people feel sorry for them. RESOLUTE ! They are ready to dust up, rebuild and keep on LIVING (It's an African thing-especially, Nigerian. NEVER MIND "THE UNDERWEAR BOMBER") . As the first Independent Black People, i suppose they have tragicomically grown used to getting up every time they've been wronged (to put it lightly). Someone said a couple of weeks ago that Haiti recently finished paying the French ( Yes, for once, i'll join fellow Americans who could care less about "French Fries"- of course i know nothing is French about Heart-attack-causing "Fries") for their Independence. Pardon me, I must Have Way Too Much On My Mind. Hopefully, We'll Pick-Up From Here Soon. I've Got Nothing But Love For All Reading. PEACE & LOVE ALWAYS !!!

Most Sincerely,
' Tola

intro to tola's SUPER rant

Let's see, let's see, let's see. . .

I want to share my thoughts about how beautiful the world would be from the perspective of a person of African descent who has lived in and loved America for the past three decades.

I am a frequent visitor of the African continent--specifically its most populous Nigeria.

I hope to use this site to help bring some understanding between not only people of African descent but others that care about Africa and all its peoples.