Tag: africa

Social Commentary, Motivation, Common Sense, politicsLeave a comment

Telling the Truth to Power vs Knowing the Truth About Power

Julian Michael Yong

If you live in a place where you can get on a public platform and speak critically of the people in political power without worrying about getting up in the morning a free man or woman, there’s a strong chance the truth you are telling holds no weight on their tenure in power. If this is the case, why the exaltation of the expression: TELLING TRUTH TO POWER. It is a term highly favored by activists in the United States. It is often regarded as an expression of courage. Among these are aspects such as; calling out incidents of injustice … Continue reading Telling the Truth to Power vs Knowing the Truth About Power

Social Commentary1 Comment

On the Sofa: Growing Up Last and A Generation Apart

Julian Michael Yong

Respect: A very healthy tenet in the relationships among family. Often taught to us by our parents who instill in us the practice of respecting them. Then comes the practice of respecting other grown-ups around us. The fundamental understanding is that it is part of our survival. Or so I was taught. “Respect me or I will kill you!” It was usually just a beating but the point of the beating was to set on course the fear of death. Let me back track. I grew up in a Cameroonian household as the youngest of eight siblings and… cousins. Here … Continue reading On the Sofa: Growing Up Last and A Generation Apart

Global Economy, Motivation, Social Commentary, Uncategorized2 Comments

Conquest: A Martial Take on Racism

Julian Michael Yong

The experience of racism by the Black American and the African is, to be honest, an effect of CONQUEST. We lived or had civilisations that were attacked, conquered and later exploited. We were forcefully subjected to a position in civilization by forces that had no respect for our culture, morals or faith. Most of us today live in an assimilated society, whether on African soil, Asia, Europe or the United States. We learn, pray and trade in languages, scriptures and currencies that we had to acquire. Much of where our culture prevails among others it has been stolen, repackaged and … Continue reading Conquest: A Martial Take on Racism

Election 2016, Global Economy, Social CommentaryLeave a comment

Politics: Accessory OR Device for Change?

Julian Michael Yong

Courtesy of the Odysseyonline.com Conservative or Liberal? Pro-Life or Pro-choice? Pro LGBT or Awaiting Judgment Day? Creation or Evolution? Healthcare Bill or Replace Healthcare Bill? Freedom of Religion or Freedom from religion? Equality or Make America Great again? Black Lives Matter or Tough on Crime? Somewhere in America today there is someone or a group of people arguing about one of the motions above. Someone is losing or gaining Facebook friends. Someone is joining a Facebook group or snapchat video series about their opinion on one of them as well. We have gotten so good at pontificating our political astuteness … Continue reading Politics: Accessory OR Device for Change?