[Moma]

(04-08-2014 02:46 AM)TonySandos Wrote:  

I can't speak for everyone, but I know men from Senegal, Uganda and Somalia personally and they don't brag on it competing with the stand of living in comparison to the states. I'm not judging these nations on cultural policy or practices, but I couldn't see myself living out my life in Senegal after hearing a former child soldier's life story of being kidnapped in his home country.

Africa has over 50 countries. Each country has several cultures and languages within that country.

My friends can't see themselves living in America after two women get kidnapped for over 20 years by some thirsty man. Some can't see themselves living in America where men get shot for texting.

Or cities get flooded and you see people floating in the lake. Or you have crackheads walking the street trying to sell half a box of fries and one roller blade.

If a juvenile is letting his/her gun clap in the streets for crack profits or s/he is helping your dad/mum erect a meth lab in America, there is no difference between him/her and a child soldier. It's just fancy grammar.

Do you see?

[TonySandos]

Well you see what I'm wondering about then. What is normalcy of some of those places in comparison to the states? Don't get me wrong, excitement is great, but let's say gov't upheavals and economic collapse every 15 years happens across the world all the time. That's the atmosphere I'm looking out for. For instance; Ukraine is a favored state but never my type of place. Chernobyl, poor economy and crime/anarchy turn me off of the country.

[JayMillz]

http://news.yahoo.com/why-ivy-league-sto...56090.html

Maybe tensions on this side

Why the All-Ivy League Story Stirs Up Tensions Between African Immigrants and Black Americans

The story of the first-generation Ghanian-American student accepted by all eight Ivy league schools is wonderful, but it also stirs up the tension between black Americans and recent African immigrants — especially when you describe him as "not a typical African-American kid." That's been the reaction to USA Today's profile on Kwasi Enin, a Long Island high schooler who got into the nation's most competitive schools through hard work and, according to IvyWise CEO Katherine Cohen, being African (and being male). At one point the piece reads:

Being a first-generation American from Ghana also helps him stand out, Cohen says. "He's not a typical African-American kid."

"Not a typical African-American kid" is being read as an allusion to the lazy black American stereotype. The tension comes from the fact that some African immigrants buy into that stereotype, which gets turned into "Africans don't like black people." This has almost nothing to do with Enin, who is obviously a remarkable young man, and everything to do with how America perceives and portrays black Americans and African immigrants.

In January, Luvvie Ajayi, a Nigerian-born immigrant, tried to explain "akata," a word some Nigerians use to refer to black Americans that translates into wild animal. (Note: A lot of Nigerians use akata to mean "ghetto" as well. My mom once told me I was dressed like an akata girl because I wanted to wear sweatpants in public.) She argued in a series of tweets, collected by Clutch, that the reason some Africans believe black Americans should be doing better is because they don't know about the history of black Americans but see their own success as a reason blacks should excel as well. "Africans who come to the U.S. are statistically more successful than African Americans and they think 'if I could do it, why not them?'" she wrote.

American society holds that same view as well. A 2007 study covered by the Washington Post found that a quarter of black students admitted to elite colleges were African immigrants, though they only represented 13 percent of America's college-age black population. The study's authors several theories on why black immigrants do better, including "to white observers black immigrants seem more polite, less hostile, more solicitous and 'easier to get along with.' Native blacks are perceived in precisely the opposite fashion."

Lani Guinier, a Harvard professor, argued instead that schools were attempting to "resolve historic wrongs against native black Americans by enrolling immigrants who look like them" but had different experiences. "In part, it has to do with coming from a country ... where blacks were in the majority and did not experience the stigma that black children did in the United States," Guinier said. Either explanation creates a divide — as if Africans can only succeed at the expense of black Americans, or vice versa.

[Joga Bonito]

I always cringe when I see articles like the last one posted, because I am starting realize that there is an agenda behind it. The mainstream media seems intent on driving a wedge between Africans and Black Americans, by using Africans as some sort of 'model minority', that they can use to divide and conquer amongst the two groups. Obviously this leads to tension between the two groups and any opportunity to coalesce and generate any kind of discourse is then thwarted, since the typical superlatives are thrown around. American Blacks are 'lazy, violent and unpredictable' to some African immigrants, while the perception that American Blacks sometimes have of Africans range from 'primitive' to 'they feel superior to us' to 'they cater to Whites too much'. Blacks from any country whether it be Brazil or Dominican Republic or America are more similar than they realize and usually face the same societal afflictions in their respective home countries.

It's also rather interesting that leaders like Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, WEB Dubois, Marcus Garvey, Booker T Washington, and Kwame Nkrumah(to name a few) all realized the importance of dialogue and togetherness between the two groups and worked hard to form those partnerships, but somewhere this effort was lost. In order to assuage this tension, Black Americans owe to themselves to learn about Ancient African history(which isn't taught in schools anyway) and get a general feel for developments on the continent up to now, while native Africans owe it to themselves to familiarize(hell become well versed) in the history of struggle that Black Americans have endured since they were brought to America. It seems like the Americans moving to Ghana at least are making a concerted effort to do just that, as they have been for awhile since this trend is nothing new. It won't be without its issues due to the historical nuances at hand, but its a start at least.

[speakeasy]

(04-08-2014 09:10 PM)JayMillz Wrote:  

http://news.yahoo.com/why-ivy-league-sto...56090.html

Maybe tensions on this side

Why the All-Ivy League Story Stirs Up Tensions Between African Immigrants and Black Americans

The story of the first-generation Ghanian-American student accepted by all eight Ivy league schools is wonderful, but it also stirs up the tension between black Americans and recent African immigrants — especially when you describe him as "not a typical African-American kid." That's been the reaction to USA Today's profile on Kwasi Enin, a Long Island high schooler who got into the nation's most competitive schools through hard work and, according to IvyWise CEO Katherine Cohen, being African (and being male). At one point the piece reads:

Being a first-generation American from Ghana also helps him stand out, Cohen says. "He's not a typical African-American kid."

"Not a typical African-American kid" is being read as an allusion to the lazy black American stereotype. The tension comes from the fact that some African immigrants buy into that stereotype, which gets turned into "Africans don't like black people." This has almost nothing to do with Enin, who is obviously a remarkable young man, and everything to do with how America perceives and portrays black Americans and African immigrants.

In January, Luvvie Ajayi, a Nigerian-born immigrant, tried to explain "akata," a word some Nigerians use to refer to black Americans that translates into wild animal. (Note: A lot of Nigerians use akata to mean "ghetto" as well. My mom once told me I was dressed like an akata girl because I wanted to wear sweatpants in public.) She argued in a series of tweets, collected by Clutch, that the reason some Africans believe black Americans should be doing better is because they don't know about the history of black Americans but see their own success as a reason blacks should excel as well. "Africans who come to the U.S. are statistically more successful than African Americans and they think 'if I could do it, why not them?'" she wrote.

American society holds that same view as well. A 2007 study covered by the Washington Post found that a quarter of black students admitted to elite colleges were African immigrants, though they only represented 13 percent of America's college-age black population. The study's authors several theories on why black immigrants do better, including "to white observers black immigrants seem more polite, less hostile, more solicitous and 'easier to get along with.' Native blacks are perceived in precisely the opposite fashion."

Lani Guinier, a Harvard professor, argued instead that schools were attempting to "resolve historic wrongs against native black Americans by enrolling immigrants who look like them" but had different experiences. "In part, it has to do with coming from a country ... where blacks were in the majority and did not experience the stigma that black children did in the United States," Guinier said. Either explanation creates a divide — as if Africans can only succeed at the expense of black Americans, or vice versa.

I'm curious, do black Africans qualify for affirmative action? Because affirmative action was supposed to be a way of extending opportunity to descendents of slavery and Jim Crow. If you came here as a recent immigrant from Africa that doesn't apply to you.

[Bad Hussar]

(04-09-2014 08:19 AM)speakeasy Wrote:  

...

I'm curious, do black Africans qualify for affirmative action? Because affirmative action was supposed to be a way of extending opportunity to descendents of slavery and Jim Crow. If you came here as a recent immigrant from Africa that doesn't apply to you.

I'm not sure of the legalities, but from observation it seems as if they do. Just think of Pres Obama for a start. While he was born and grew up in America he obviously doesn't have a slave or oppressed heritage. In fact the opposite.

Not that I support AA (I don't), but if you're going to have it you have to be specific. A college admitting someone from Ghana, even if an American citizen, on the basis of AA obviously does nothing for the historical black population of the USA. It just becomes a joke.

As for the tension between black Africans and black Americans in the USA: Basically you're not comparing apples to apples. The kind of black African who can successfully immigrate to America today is probably part of the elite. You can't get to America by rickety raft, and there is obviously no land border. An immigrant from Africa will need a visa, and the US will not issue these to poor people with limited prospects. You can't just get on a plane and claim asylum when you arrive. No airline will let you on a plane bound for the US if you do not have the papers. The fines for them if they do are astronomical.

[kdolo]

"Westerners and Chinese can just go in there and buy up African land, extract the resources and get rich while the people native to that land are still living in squalor. These resources belong to the people of Africa. How the fuck are foreigners allowed to go in there and basically grab it? Are Africans profiting from their own resources? I'm as disgusted as I am intrigued by that trailer.
[/quote]

Stop being a hater.

Any body can go there and buy land. Westerner, Chinese, etc.. it doesnt matter - the operative color here is GREEN.

Why are are you disgusted ??? and who are you disgusted at ?? yourself for not doing the same and going after what you want ???

The resources belong to the people of Africa ??? No. They belong to whomever is willing to pay for them, and take the time energy and risk to extract and market them. Otherwise its just rock in the ground.

Are Africans profiting from their resources ??? YES
in order to mine, you have to buy a claim = typically from the government, pay licensing fees, taxes, engage local labor of some sort, buy equipment locally, import equipment (pay customs duties), eat/drink/buy toiletries while there, etc.

And stop buying the Western media line about all the Africans living in squalor. The economies over there are growing like gang busters.

There are a lot of people doing a lot of business starting and building. And even a rising class of tycoons.

[kdolo]

(04-06-2014 04:59 PM)ColSpanker Wrote:  

I've always wanted to visit Africa. Ethiopia seems like an amazing place with churches that are carved out of solid rock. But the reality of the place has always scared me:disease, poverty, violence. Ghana seems to be getting it together, but it's a very tribal society. You might be able to cut a deal with one of the hereditary kings; there was a Discovery channel show about a Dutchman who married into a Ashante noble family and was appointed Lord Mayor of his town.

You don't know anything about "Africa" and just about everything you know about it comes from propaganda laced and racist Western media.

you are better off doing some real research on your own and traveling there to get the real deal.

[Global Baller]

This topic should not be in the Roosh forum. Period.

[speakeasy]

(04-09-2014 02:58 PM)kdolo Wrote:  

The resources belong to the people of Africa ??? No. They belong to whomever is willing to pay for them, and take the time energy and risk to extract and market them. Otherwise its just rock in the ground.

Are Africans profiting from their resources ??? YES
in order to mine, you have to buy a claim = typically from the government, pay licensing fees, taxes, engage local labor of some sort, buy equipment locally, import equipment (pay customs duties), eat/drink/buy toiletries while there, etc.

[JayMillz]

http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/index.html/lo...’s-tourism

African-Americans in explore Zambia’s tourism

Mr Saunders, who is co- founder of Venue International Professional, Travel and Tourism Consulting Services, brings African-Americans to Zambia to give them a feel of the real “African experience.”

“Americans want to experience the African culture, explore wildlife and enjoy the hospitality of the Zambian people. Zambia is a model of the real Africa and provides an opportunity for people to feel at home,” Mr Saunders said.

He commended ZTB for its efforts in promoting Zambian tourist destinations on the American market.

“ZTB needs enough people to market Zambia in America. America is a very big country, you cannot just do Chicago, Los Angles and New York but you need to go to places where there are people that want to travel to Africa,” Mr Saunders said.

He said it is important for Zambian professionals to work with the Americans to promote the country.

Mr Saunders said there is very little publicity on Zambia and Americans only know of the country’s politics and its history but not real life experience.

He also said Americans do not know where the Victoria Falls or Zambezi River is located but they know about Nile and Congo Rivers.
The team, which will be in Livingstone for five days, will visit the Mukuni village.

The team will also participate in a sunset cruise, elephant ride, canoe ride and bungee jumping among other activities.

Mr Saunders said African-Americans are among the largest group of world travellers, who want to explore the globe but they know very little of Africa.

“The Americans know a lot about Europe, China, Caribbean beach life but nothing on African tourism. The more they visit Africa, they more they would to return to the continent,” Mr Saunders said.

He said there is need for a reliable airline, affordable tour packages and aggressive marketing of the country to lure American visitors.

And Horace Abney, a first time traveller to Zambia, said he is excited to be in Africa and he looks forward to knowing the country and to meet Zambians.

“As African-Americans, we sometimes forget who we are and where we came from. Coming to Zambia is a reminder of where we came from,” Mr Abney said.

[JayMillz]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/halle-...avel&ir=Travel
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/halle-eave...&ir=Travel

What You Need to Know Before Traveling to South Africa
Posted: 04/17/2014 11:29 am EDT Updated: 04/17/2014 11:59 am EDT Print Article

What You Need To Know Before Traveling To South Africa

Visiting Africa conjures up images of jungles, safaris and elephants, deserts and adventure (at least,it does for me!) While Africa indeed contains all these elements, visiting South Africa is an easy choice for most Westerners because they speak the same language (English) and have a variety of cosmopolitan and modern culture that balances the unsullied wilds. In fact, South Africa has an immense range of opportunities for travelers, whether you're looking for a rugged adventure, a food and wine tour or a spiritual experience.

Here's everything you need to know before you travel to South Africa:

How long can I stay without a visa?

Many countries do not require a visa for South Africa so long as you're visiting for less than 90 days. If you're not sure if you need a visa, check here. Please note that your passport expiration date MUST be at least 30 days after the date of your intended return if you are a US Citizen. Always check the latest regulations before you travel just to be sure. Ensure your passport is up to date. You'll need at least one blank page in your passport for the entry stamp which they will add at customs, and they recommend that you have two blank pages, just in case you get a squirrelly customs official.

What's the local currency? Do they take credit cards?

You'll use the South African Rand when you're there, which is the local currency. The Rand to the USD fluctuates regularly, sometimes extremely; depending on when you travel, you should check the rates both when you price and when you book. Over the past 4 years, it's been as high as 15 Rand and as low as 9 and it can change quite quickly. Once you're there, you will get money out of an ATM in Rand, and you will often be charged a foreign transaction fee of about 3 percent by your bank, whether you get cash out or use a credit card. This can be expensive, so make sure you budget for it. Note that some credit cards have no foreign transaction fees. Also, banks close early in South Africa; usually 3:30PM and are only open until noon or 1PM on Saturdays (and are closed Sundays), so plan accordingly.

Are you going into the bush or on a safari? ATMs may be unavailable in rural areas; this is one time you might want to consider bringing extra cash and really planning ahead, but note that a money belt (especially an invisible one that you wear inside your clothes, is extremely important in that case. If you want your debit/credit cards to work in South Africa, or any foreign country, call your bank before you leave! Many times, we have had tour guests calling back to their home country because their transactions were declined. It's a fraud concern for the banks, so they are all pretty careful.

Many places will take all the usual credit cards, but again, some may not -- plan according to your trip -- if you're in a big city like Joburg (what the locals call Johannesburg) it's not a problem; if you're staying in a rural area, plan for extra cash and extra vigilance to go along with it! Also, note that they have problems in a lot of countries with ATM fraud; this may include cloning your card for later use. Some travel insurance providers offer an identity theft protection that continues for 6 months after you return from your trip, so you may want to consider this option.
As with many European countries, make sure you always see your credit card during the transaction; they will have a mobile swipe device; never let your card out of your sight, as that's when fraud might occur. The legit places know and expect this, so the service they provide during credit card processing will be in front of you

How do I get around

Probably you'll be traveling in-country with either a group tour in a comfy air-conditioned coach with guide/tour leader. You can also rent a car. South Africa has a good road network. For the most part the roads are tarred and well sign posted, one can also hire GPS units with your vehicle and your tour operator will supply driving directions to complement your GPS. Plan your trip in advance if you're driving; you may need a 4x4 for places where the road becomes gravel or dirt.

You can also opt for a fully packaged holiday itinerary, where you are picked up and dropped off from your arrival point (airport, port etc.) in each destination that you visit, and then simply catch a taxi around the cities and make use of day tours in each area. Taxis are readily available within the cities.

In Johannesburg, the relatively new Gauteng Rail System -- the Gautrain -- is a good option -- make sure your hotel has a train station near enough and you may be able to take the train from the airport.

Public transport in South Africa, particularly the bus system, is not ideal and neither is the public train system in South Africa unless it is the luxury passenger trains that have an itinerary all of their own. Public trains and busses are not recommended in most areas, so always make sure you make use of a taxi service recommended by your tour operator or the hotel in which you are staying (don't catch a random taxi, as you may be taken for a ride in more ways than one!)

What languages do they speak?.

South Africa has 11 official languages and the country is often termed the 'rainbow nation' because of its cultural diversity. Although English is spoken throughout the country and is most used in a business environment, it is actually only the 5th most common home language spoken. The most widely spoken home language is isiZulu, then isiXhosa (Nelson Mandela's 'home' language) and then Afrikaans. Most South Africans are multilingual, which means they will be able to converse with you!

What customs are appropriate for me to follow?

Tipping is different in South Africa than in the States, for example -- tip 10 percent at a restaurant and tip $1 to a porter for a bag. If you got good service somewhere, be sure to tip. Review your restaurant bills, as certain restaurants automatically add the 10 percent tip onto the bill before they give it to you to pay -- don't pay double unless the service was fantastic!

If you are self-driving, you will come across many 'car guards' in most public areas. Car guards 'man' a certain section of parking space and 'guard' these cars whilst you are in the mall or on the beach; on your return it is not compulsory to tip the car guards, but it is pretty much the norm to tip up to R10 (approx USD $1). You can tip as much as you would like, but between R5 and R10 is considered a 'good' tip. These car guards can be quite insistent and at times you may feel a little harassed; keep smiling!

Note that one custom in South Africa is restrictive carry-on and luggage requirements, including specific dimensions for bags, so check with your airline before you travel. This is particularly relevant if you are on a fly-in safari into a game lodge on a light aircraft, which strictly control luggage, as weight directly impacts safety in-flight. The standard for light aircraft travel is 20kgs (just over 40 lbs) including carry-on hand luggage per person. For light aircrafts, you also need to pack in soft bags -- no suitcases or bags with frames/trolleys will be accepted, as these are difficult to fit into the cargo hold and take up unnecessary space. On light aircrafts there is also a personal weight limit for flyers, so do check with your tour operator if you are more than a couple sizes overweight.

Do they drink/do drugs/party?

While you can drink in South Africa almost anywhere, and there are clubs in the big cities like Joburg and Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth as well as a plethora of bars and restaurants throughout South Africa, The drinking age in South Africa is just 18. Many of the more popular night clubs do charge an entrance fee. Although drugs are available in the bigger night clubs, this is not in plain sight. Marijuana is illegal in South Africa, but if you go looking...

Like most of the US, you can't smoke in restaurants or any public areas in South Africa. Some restaurants offer a smoking room, which is usually glassed-in and sealed-off. Certain restaurants do not allow you to smoke if you are dining alfresco (outdoors) which is similar to most US laws. Always ask before lighting up.

What vaccines do I need prior to visiting South Africa?

You don't need any, unless you have been traveling through other countries in the "Yellow Fever Belt" in which case you will be required to show proof of a yellow fever shot. Note that this includes Zambia, partial home to the amazing Victoria Falls. While the CDC recommends many immunizations for all travelers (such as measles, mumps, polio, etc.) they also suggest rabies, hepatitis A, tetanus, and typhoid, as there is a risk of exposure to all of these. However, they make the same recommendations for visitors to the UK, and I've been in England almost every year of my life without contracting any of these diseases, so make your own decision with your doctor.

Is it safe? Should I buy travel insurance?

South Africa is relatively safe as far as homicide rates, with US cities like New Orleans and Detroit ranking far higher than any South African city, though Cape Town has a high rate of crime common to tourists, such as muggings. While that absolutely shouldn't affect your choices to go (I just created a tour for a lovely church group going to do missionary work in Johannesburg followed by a terrific safari) it does mean you should travel in groups and in larger cities like Cape Town or Joburg take extra precautions. Some suggestions: don't leave your hotel grounds alone at night, keep your tour guide and other party members informed as to your whereabouts, and be smart about your safety (like keeping your cell phone in your pocket and not wearing earbuds while you are walking around outside).

Make sure to keep your belongings hidden in public, don't leave them in your car (on a tour bus is fine so long as the driver is staying on the bus) and make sure to use your hotel's safe for your passport and any valuables. Consider leaving expensive jewelry at home.

Of course consider travel insurance -- have you seen the volcanos/tsunamis/earthquakes we've been having lately? A cancelled flight can ruin a vacation. If you are headed out into the bush, where medical treatment may not be readily available or a local hospital may be below first-world standards, the medical part of your travel insurance policy will likely offer coverage called "medical evacuation." This means you can get airlifted out of the area to a major airport, where a trained nurse from the insurance company can assess whether you will be sent home or operated on. Unless you are traveling deep into the jungles or desert, you don't need the million dollar coverage; $100K-$250K will be plenty.

Note that the travel insurance you buy for a few dollars with your plane ticket will likely not cover you fully for your trip, especially if you're not on a tour. So read the fine print -- you have a short cancellation period once you purchase the insurance.

What kind of power converter do I need?

South Africa uses a currency of 220/230 volts, 15 amps for a 3-prong, round pin plug and 5 amps for a 2-prong round pin plug. If you are coming from almost anywhere, you will need a power converter.

Will my cell phone work there (and cost more than I earn in a month to use?)

Like many foreign countries, it will be far cheaper for you to buy or bring a small cell phone with no bells and whistles and get a local number, than it will be for you to use your own cell phone, which will likely cost hundreds of dollars in extra roaming charges and fees before you are done. Ask at your hotel, ask your tour guide, etc. It won't be the first time they've gotten the request.

How's the food? Can I drink the water?

If you're staying at a 4-star hotel in Cape Town, they will likely have a full water filtration system. On the other hand, if you're out in the bush, you'll likely bring tablets or a filtration system to make your available water potable. Make sure you plan ahead depending on the needs of your trip.

In remote locations at the game lodges, you will be able to purchase bottled water; most of the lodges will also offer filtered water, where you can fill up with a water bottle (a souvenir water bottle is often provided by lodge). The lodges focus on being ecologically friendly and bottled water is one of the blights on the environment with all the plastic, so water filter 'station' in the public areas is often available for guests to fill up with 'free' water. Bottled water is charged for unless otherwise stated.

As to food, of course you can get fresh local food these days, and if you are on a high-end safari such as the Eco sport offered by Thula Thula you'll be dining on gourmet meals every night. That said, the variety of food offered may be different from what you are used to; make sure you make arrangements ahead of time through your travel agent or tour operator if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.

Enjoy the vastness of nature and the variety of culture in South Africa as you see the world through new eyes.

Caveat: this information was accurate at the time of writing, 4/2014