As an assignment, we were asked to do a photo documentary. I chose to photograph my family. I titled it "Mixed Cultures.''
I found it to be easy to talk about my family. My partner is from Nigeria, I am Canadian, and our children are 'mixed'. I take no offence to them being called 'mixed' children. That is what they are. They are Nigerian, Canadian, Yoruba, Swampy Cree, Status Indian, Catholics. Mixed culture is in their names, their blood, and their faces.
Our two cultures make for an interesting combination. One of my photos was of a plate of joloff rice, beef stew, and a cup of Tim Horton's coffee. My favourite things to have for dinner.
Being part of a multi-cultural family is enlightening. I've experienced a new life, different traditions, and different people.
This small town girl has been introduced to a different world and it's a great experience.
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Arrested Movement: Guantanamo Bay
Death Poem by Jumah al Dossari
Take my blood.Take my death shroud and
The remnants of my body.
Take photographs of my corpse at the grave, lonely.
Send them to the world,
To the judges and
To the people of conscience,
Send them to the principled men and the fair-minded.
And let them bear the guilty burden before the world,
Of this innocent soul.
Let them bear the burden before their children and before history,
Of this wasted, sinless soul,
Of this soul which has suffered at the hands of the “protectors of peace.”
Jumah al Dossari is a thirty-three-year-old Bahraini who has
been held at Guantánamo Bay for more than five years. He has been in solitary
confinement since the end of 2003 and, according to the U.S. military, has
tried to kill himself twelve times while in custody.
This poem is so strong and moving. It reveals his truth. It’s
like he’s saying, “You’ve taken everything from me, take it all. Have my life.”
The second verse seems to be sarcastic in the way he says, “to
the people of conscience.” I believe he’s saying the people or government that
put him there are wrong in their reasons for doing so.
The final verse is so sad. He calls himself a wasted,
sinless soul. What have these people done to him, to make him feel this way?
The man has suffered, “at the hands of the ‘protectors of peace’.” I believe he
is speaking of a government, trying to find crime but in the wrong place. The ‘Death
Poem’ is so moving, and disturbing. It’s revealing the final thoughts of a man
who wants to die. This man feels he has nothing more of himself, that it’s been
stripped away from the people who put him in there.
Interview with a Migrant: Reflection
As an assignment for this course, we were
asked to interview a migrant. We asked what their life was like before, during,
and after the transition from one country to another. I chose to interview my
partner.
I’ve asked him questions before as to what his
life in Nigeria was like while growing up and also what it was like coming to
Canada. His upbringing was so different than mine. I couldn’t imagine sending
our children off to boarding school at six years old, or allowing them to move
out of the country, even as an adult. Over the years, I’ve found that he’s a
very independent person, not really relying on anyone for help; whereas I’m in
need of my mom anytime I catch a cold. I found his stories of moving to Canada
amusing. He told me about the first time riding in a vehicle, watching the
other vehicles, the roads, the infrastructure, the buildings surrounding him,
he was amazed. “It was like a paradise.” were his words.
Hearing him speak of how great it was here
made me realize how I’ve begun to take Canada for granted. I was born with a
lot of benefits. Access to education, health care, jobs, and much more are
available for me to use. I am thankful to be a Canadian, and I won't forget it again.
Borders
The border is "an open wound where the
Third world grates against the First and bleeds. And before a scab forms, it haemorrhages
again, the life blood of two worlds merging to form a third, a border
culture"
Gloria
Anzaldua
In one of our class discussions, we talked
of borders within Canada. Rich and poor living right beside one another stuck
out most. I couldn’t help but relate this back to the situation in Attawapiskat,
Ontario. I am a member of Attawapiskat First Nation. In November, Chief Theresa
Spence declared a state of emergency for the community. A great number of
people there are living in third world conditions. Families of 6 or more living
in tents, that are supposed to be used for recreational activities, have been
there for more than two years. Elders living in sheds that are only insulated
enough to keep your garden tools warm. There are a number of families living in
homes that are condemned. Mold, no plumbing or proper heat is what they have
had to live with for a number of years. It’s a really sad story, everyone is
pointing fingers. No one is giving a solution. A lot of people are upset that
Attawapiskat is living in these conditions while they are sitting right beside
a Debeers diamond mine. The operation gathers money in the trillions and their
neighbours are getting clean water from one community tap.
The Canadian Red Cross stepped in and
offered supplies to the community. And many other communities surrounding
Attawapiskat are helping by offering money, emergency supplies, and basic
necessities. The Canadian government has decided though, to send in a Third
Party Manager, to resolve what really happened to the funds that were given to
Attawapiskat over the years. This manager will be paid out of the First Nation’s
pocket. I find it insulting that my government would find it necessary to audit
first, and then help my people. If the government doesn’t trust the community
leaders enough to give more money, why not send supplies instead.
Here is a Youtube video posted by
Christopher Kataquapit, he is a resident of my hometown and works along the
James Bay Coast.
There have been many discussions and
debates over what happened, and how a community could reach this state they are
in now. The truth is, Attawapiskat is not the only First Nation in need of
emergency care. Many First Nation reservations are in states of emergencies,
and have been for many years. Not just with housing but with psychological,
physical, emotional needs too. The community of Moose Factory in the past
couple years has seen many tragedies. The suicide rate along the James Bay
coast is very high. In 2009, more than 80 attempts were made by youth to end their
own lives. My youngest sister has lost so many friends. I stopped counting,
after I ran out of fingers to count how many lives were lost. Something is
happening to all of the First Nations communities. It’s really quite
disturbing.
Here is an article that was posted in the
Toronto Star.
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