tag:www.funtimesmagazine.com,2005:/categories/culture-entertainment?page=23Culture + Entertainment Culture + Entertainment | FunTimes Magazine Page 23Celebrating Africa And Its Diaspora2023-06-12T11:21:12-04:00urn:uuid:628ca21c-cead-42da-9497-d7a8fae246df2023-06-12T11:16:15-04:002023-06-12T11:21:12-04:00From its birth 50 years ago, hip-hop has spread throughout Europe and challenged outdated ideals of Black identity2023-06-13 10:00:00 -0400The Conversation via Reuters Connect<p>Image: Alpha Diallo, the French rapper known as Black M. Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_M#/media/File:Black_Mesrimes.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a></p><p><br></p><p>His name is <a href="https://top40-charts.com/artist.php?aid=15401">Alpha Diallo</a>, and in his 2016 song “I am at home,” the French rapper makes clear who and what he is.</p><p>“I am Black,” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsOqEhMumaw">he sings</a>, “Proud to be French of Guinean origin.”</p><p>Known as Black M, Diallo, 38, is one of many African, Caribbean and Middle Eastern immigrants throughout Europe who use hip-hop to advance racial and economic justice.</p><p>In doing so, they are keeping their music in tune with rap’s <a href="https://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/birthplace-of-hip-hop/">American origins</a>. The genre emerged in 1973 out of the anger and pain within Black American communities such as in the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20130809-the-party-where-hip-hop-was-born">South Bronx, New York</a>.</p><p>Back in those days, as they still do now, rappers talked about their experiences on the <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/hip-hop-standing-black-lives-decades-15-songs/story?id=71195591">margins of American society</a>. Those social messages connected with Black and immigrant youth throughout Europe who themselves were <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/13/arts/music/french-british-hip-hop-afrobeats-afrotrap.html">searching for identity</a> in countries that have become more diverse but yet where discrimination remains entrenched.</p><p>As a <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=CeaQNawAAAAJ&hl=en">scholar of European studies and identity politics</a>, I know how historically oppressed people have used culture, language and music to regain a sense of identity throughout history.</p><p>But in my view, modern-day European rappers, particularly Black M, Arianna Puello and Eko Fresh, are taking those efforts a step further by challenging outdated European views of citizenship and reshaping public debate on racial and ethnic identity.</p><p>As migration from African, Caribbean and Middle Eastern countries to Europe continues to increase and European societies discuss questions of identity belonging, it’s my belief that hip-hop will continue to make significant contributions to ongoing public policy debates, and these three rappers briefly profiled below in particular will lead the charge.</p><p><br></p><h2>French ideal of a colorblind society</h2><br><p>In France, Black M is one of the musicians who raps about racism and the oppressive treatment of immigrants in a nation long known for its <a href="https://hir.harvard.edu/color-blind-frances-approach-to-race/">colorblind ideal</a> that all people share the same universal rights.</p><p>In many of his songs, he uses references to France’s national symbols, including the country’s red, white and blue flag and the <a href="https://ageofrevolution.org/200-object/phrygian-cap/">Phrygian cap</a>, a symbol of freedom.</p><p>But in “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsOqEhMumaw">Je suis chez moi</a>,” or “I am at home,” Black M talks about the mixed feelings he has about the country where he was born after his parents migrated to Paris from Guinea, a West African country.</p><p>“France is beautiful,” he sings. “But she looks down on me like the Eiffel Tower.”</p><p>In the same song, Black M challenges the racist stereotype of immigrants abusing the welfare system by singing: “My parents did not bring me into the world to get financial aid.”</p><p>Black M uses his lyrics as well as his fashion to demonstrate his social activism.</p><p>In another video, where he raps about police violence against immigrants, Black M wears a shirt reading “Justice for Adama: Without justice, you will never have peace.”</p><p><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-europe/assa-traore-and-the-fight-for-black-lives-in-france">Adama Traoré</a> was a Black French man <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/17/adama-traore-death-in-police-custody-casts-long-shadow-over-french-society">who died in police custody</a> in 2016 on his 24th birthday. His death sparked numerous anti-racist protests across France.</p><h2><br></h2><p>Related article:</p><div class="media clearfix"><span class="pull-left"><a href="https://www.funtimesmagazine.com/2023/01/16/424022/8-black-uk-rappers-to-listen-to-right-now" target="_blank"><img alt="8 Black UK Rappers to Listen to Right Now" src="https://cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/976573/fit/80x80/image4.png?timestamp=1686583008" class="media-object"></a></span><div class="media-body"><h4 class="media-heading"><a href="https://www.funtimesmagazine.com/2023/01/16/424022/8-black-uk-rappers-to-listen-to-right-now" target="_blank">8 Black UK Rappers to Listen to Right Now</a></h4><p>These 8 Black UK rappers are among some of the best artists to top the UK Charts and most of them have had major breakthroughs in their music careers. <span class="pull-right"><a href="https://www.funtimesmagazine.com/2023/01/16/424022/8-black-uk-rappers-to-listen-to-right-now">Read More »</a></span> </p></div></div><p></p><p> </p><h2>A Black woman in Spain</h2><br><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1007049/fill/700x0/puello.png?timestamp=1686582761">Image: Arianna Puello performing. Source: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cshh4WNplbg/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram | @ariannapuello</a></div><br><p>Born in the Dominican Republic in 1977, <a href="https://17190.org/ari-puello/">Arianna Puello</a> moved to Spain when she was 8 years old and remembers listening to hip-hop music as she grew up in Salt, a small town nearly 4,000 miles away from rap’s birthplace in the Bronx.</p><p>“I used to listen to rap with my brother who did beat-boxing and my cousin who had contacts in New York and they gave him the vinyls,” she said in an interview. “But I wasn’t active. It was in Salt where I saw the rap groups that were there, the graffiti, break groups. … The whole hip-hop movement of the moment, the parties, the jams.”</p><p>Puello recalls telling herself: “This is my movement, and I want to be part of it.”</p><p>She recorded her first song in 1993, and her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kt8laXBjZE">2008 hit</a> “Juana Kalamidad” reached No. 6 on the Spanish music chart.</p><p>Now 46 years old, Puello is considered one of Spain’s most popular female rappers. Throughout her career, Puello has used her music and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IEr4gnaL9U">rapid-fire delivery</a> to confront the racism that she has faced as a Black female migrant in Spain.</p><p></p><div></div><p></p><p>Her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiAP5yyEQsY">2003 track</a>, for example, “Así es la negra,” or “That’s what the Black woman is like,” tells the “ignorant racist” that “You’re going to have to put up with me, / If I am born again I want to be what I am now, / of the same race, same sex and condition.”</p><p>Puello’s music is successful beyond Spain. She has had several tours in Latin America, the Caribbean and throughout Europe.</p><p>But for Puello and other European rappers, hip-hop is not only about international tours and commercial success.</p><p>“Hip-hop is a way of transforming pain, the darkness of life, into art,” <a href="https://17190.org/ari-puello/">Puello explained</a>. “Instead of picking up a knife, a gun, and going out to shoot, you pick up and write, and your mind turns into philosophy and you turn the reflection of the street into something beautiful.”</p><p><br></p><p>Related article:</p><div class="media clearfix">
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/02/13/425841/east-african-hip-hop-8-iconic-rappers-who-put-east-africa-on-the-map" target="_blank">East African Hip Hop: 8 Iconic Rappers Who Put East Africa On The Map</a></h4>
<p>"East African hip hop" is a genre of music that developed in East Africa in the late 1980s and early 1990s. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/02/13/425841/east-african-hip-hop-8-iconic-rappers-who-put-east-africa-on-the-map">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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</p><p> </p><h2>Three generations of Turkish immigrants in Germany</h2><br><img alt="" src="https://cdn0.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1007045/fill/700x0/eko_20fresh.jpeg?timestamp=1686582084">Image: Rapper Eko Fresh. Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eko_Fresh#/media/File:Out4Fame-Festival_2015_-_Eko_Fresh_-_1.JPG" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a><br><br><p>Since the early 2000s, <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/eko-fresh-mn0001925342/biography">Ekrem Bora</a> has been a hip-hop sensation in Germany. Born in Cologne in 1983, Eko Fresh, as he is known, has rapped about his Turkish-Kurdish ancestry and the social stigma that his family endured in a country divided over the treatment of immigrants.</p><p>In his 2021 track “1994,” he describes his family story that starts with his grandfather leaving Turkey to work a blue-collar job in Germany. At the time, the grandfather only knew one word of the German language – “ja” or “yes” – and, as a guest worker, was not considered a German citizen.</p><p>Despite such meager beginnings, his grandchildren are now German citizens with full voting rights, and Eko Fresh thanks his grandfather for that. “Grandpa kept saying ‘We came here for you’,” <a href="https://genius.com/Eko-fresh-1994-lyrics">he raps</a>. “Because he didn’t come here with anything, his grandson can now have a say.”</p><p>In his <a href="https://lyricstranslate.com/en/aber.html-0">2018 track</a> “Aber,” Eko Fresh explains how he uses his citizenship and specifically addresses the AfD, the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/24/europe/afd-youth-wing-extremist-label-intl/index.html">right-wing political party</a> in Germany that opposes immigration:</p><blockquote><p><i>“I’m working hard and don’t even get a loan for a home</i><br><i>You’ve got big cars, I’m still using the tram</i><br><i>But on election day I’ll punish you, then</i><br><i>I’ll take matters in my own hand and you will all see</i><br><i>I stand for my country because I vote AfD.”</i></p></blockquote><p>Despite his ability to vote, his life as an immigrant in Germany is complicated.</p><p>Much like Black M, Eko Fresh laments his treatment as a second-class citizen in German society.</p><p>“We love Germany from the heart like crazy,” he writes in “Gastarbeiter,” or “Guest worker.” “But unfortunately it does not love us back every time.”</p><p><br></p><p>Related articles:</p><div class="media clearfix">
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/04/05/431142/black-artists-dont-just-make-hip-hop-why-recognition-of-metal-punk-rock-and-emo-by-mobo-is-long-overdue" target="_blank">Black artists don't just make hip hop – why recognition of metal, punk, rock and emo by MOBO is long overdue</a></h4>
<p>Black alternative music is undoubtedly part of Black history, but the genre continues to be associated with whiteness. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/04/05/431142/black-artists-dont-just-make-hip-hop-why-recognition-of-metal-punk-rock-and-emo-by-mobo-is-long-overdue">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<p>Drill is a variant of hip-hop. It is musically innovative, lyrically inventive and globally popular. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/05/26/436093/no-music-doesnt-cause-crime-not-even-drill-rap-">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2023/05/29/436200/tupac-s-dear-mama-endures-as-rap-artists-detail-complex-relationships-with-their-mothers-street-life-and-the-pursuit-of-success" target="_blank"><img alt="Tupacs Dear Mama endures as rap artists detail complex relationships with their mothers street life and the pursuit of success" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1003301/fit/80x80/tupac_20and_20mother.jpg?timestamp=1686583155" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/05/29/436200/tupac-s-dear-mama-endures-as-rap-artists-detail-complex-relationships-with-their-mothers-street-life-and-the-pursuit-of-success" target="_blank">Tupac’s ‘Dear Mama’ endures as rap artists detail complex relationships with their mothers, street life and the pursuit of success</a></h4>
<p>In hip-hop music, it sometimes seems as if songs to and about mothers are common enough that audiences might take them for granted. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/05/29/436200/tupac-s-dear-mama-endures-as-rap-artists-detail-complex-relationships-with-their-mothers-street-life-and-the-pursuit-of-success">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<p> </p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.funtimesmagazine.com">FunTimes Magazine</a></small></p>urn:uuid:526d0b97-7a59-4ee6-845b-af2df10567142023-06-12T10:29:20-04:002023-06-12T11:27:55-04:00Dambe, the African combat sport tied to historical warfare, known for its brutality2023-06-12 14:00:00 -0400Jerrywright Ukwu<span><p>Photo Credit: Abubakar Ogaji<br></p><p><br></p><p>Dambe, also known as Kokawa, is an African combat sport that originated in northern Nigeria and was used to prepare men for war in the olden days. It is also a prominent sport in Senegal and the Gambia. Historically, Dambe included wrestling components, but today it is a striking art. </p><br><p>It has now become one of the most celebrated sports activities in the region. </p><br><p>But it isn’t your run-of-the-mill combat sport because of its brutality. Knocking someone down in Dambe is known as ‘killing’; many techniques allude to warfare. It was historically practiced by butchers of the Hausa tribe around harvest or festival time and was considered a test of bravery.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn0.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1007022/fill/700x0/dambe_202.jpg?timestamp=1686579744">Photo Credit: Abubakar Ogaji</div></span><span><br><p>Matches take place in arenas or markets, often on religious holidays. Music, particularly drumming, accompanies the competition. Opponents wrestle until one is thrown to the ground.</p><br><p>Competitors in a typical match aim to subdue each other into total submission, primarily within three rounds. It often results in serious bodily injury.</p><br><p>There have been arguments about whether Dambe should be incorporated into modern sports. Still, these have been met with strong reservations. Some regard the sport as too “crude,” while others find the possible use of amulets unsettling. </p><br><p>The traditional wrestling competition is already a significant part of the famous Argungu Festival in Kebbi State. The festival is Africa’s most prominent fishing celebration.</p><br><p>There are three rounds in the game with no time limit. Instead, they end when:</p><br></span><blockquote><p>1) There is no activity again</p></blockquote><br><blockquote><p>2) One of the participants or an official calls a halt</p></blockquote><br><blockquote><p>3) A participant’s hand, knee, or body touches the ground</p></blockquote><span><br><p>To be declared a winner, the competitor must subdue the opponent in total submission within three rounds.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Related articles:</p><div class="media clearfix">
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/04/01/430368/traditional-wrestling-in-senegal-much-more-than-a-sport-it-keeps-culture-alive" target="_blank">Traditional wrestling in Senegal - much more than a sport, it keeps culture alive</a></h4>
<p>Traditional wrestling plays an important role in much of Senegalese society and is one of the country’s national sports. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/04/01/430368/traditional-wrestling-in-senegal-much-more-than-a-sport-it-keeps-culture-alive">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2022/02/02/389279/most-popular-sports-across-the-african-continent" target="_blank"><img alt="Most Popular Sports Across the African Continent" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/897259/fit/80x80/rugby.png?timestamp=1686580039" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2022/02/02/389279/most-popular-sports-across-the-african-continent" target="_blank">Most Popular Sports Across the African Continent</a></h4>
<p> In the last several decades, Africa has been a major source of dynamic athletic talent that spans a wide range of sports. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2022/02/02/389279/most-popular-sports-across-the-african-continent">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2023/06/12/437884/homowo-festival-celebrating-harvest-and-migration" target="_blank"><img alt="HOMOWO FESTIVAL CELEBRATING HARVEST AND MIGRATION" src="//cdn0.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006692/fit/80x80/image1.png?timestamp=1686580080" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/06/12/437884/homowo-festival-celebrating-harvest-and-migration" target="_blank">HOMOWO FESTIVAL: CELEBRATING HARVEST AND MIGRATION</a></h4>
<p>The Homowo festival is a vibrant and significant cultural celebration observed by the Ga people of Accra, the capital city of Ghana. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/06/12/437884/homowo-festival-celebrating-harvest-and-migration">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<p> </p><p><br></p><p>Read more from Jerrywright Ukwu:</p><div class="media clearfix">
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/04/26/432369/breast-ironing-a-harmful-practice-hiding-under-tradition" target="_blank">Breast Ironing: A Harmful Practice Hiding Under Tradition</a></h4>
<p>You may have heard of female genital mutilation and other forms of gender-based violence crimes, but have you ever heard of breast ironing? <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/04/26/432369/breast-ironing-a-harmful-practice-hiding-under-tradition">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2023/06/10/437894/cwf-participates-in-code-for-america-conference-workshop" target="_blank"><img alt="CWF participates in Code for America Conference Workshop" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006689/fit/80x80/IMG-7092.jpg?timestamp=1686580135" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/06/10/437894/cwf-participates-in-code-for-america-conference-workshop" target="_blank">CWF participates in Code for America Conference Workshop</a></h4>
<p>The workshop title was: Innovative Expansion of VITA: Advancing Equity through High School Youth Empowerment and Community Engagement. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/06/10/437894/cwf-participates-in-code-for-america-conference-workshop">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/05/28/436161/mental-health-awareness-we-need-more-professionals-speaker-joanna-mcclinton-says" target="_blank">Mental Health Awareness: ''We Need More Professionals'' - Speaker Joanna Mcclinton Says</a></h4>
<p>Joanna McClinton, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, spoke exclusively to FunTimes Magazine on her new status, how Black communities can be heard, and policy conversati... <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/05/28/436161/mental-health-awareness-we-need-more-professionals-speaker-joanna-mcclinton-says">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<p> </p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.funtimesmagazine.com">FunTimes Magazine</a></small></p>urn:uuid:009226c9-66f5-4614-873b-e9fd587898c82023-06-09T13:15:31-04:002023-06-10T13:15:31-04:00HOMOWO FESTIVAL: CELEBRATING HARVEST AND MIGRATION2023-06-12 10:00:00 -0400Minna Davies<span><p><br></p><p>The Homowo festival is a vibrant and significant cultural celebration observed by the Ga people of Accra, the capital city of Ghana. It is a time of immense joy, gratitude, and reflection, where the community comes together to honor their rich heritage, commemorate their migration, and give thanks for a bountiful harvest.</p><p>The word "Homowo" translates to "hooting at hunger" in the Ga language, reflecting the festival's core theme of overcoming scarcity and celebrating abundance. The origins of Homowo can be traced to the Ga people's migration from Notsie, present-day Togo. It serves as a reminder of their ancestral roots and the challenges they overcame throughout history.</p><p>The festival occurs in August and September, with the main event occurring on the first Saturday of August. The dates may vary each year as the festival is determined by the Ga Mantse (the King of the Ga people) and the traditional priest.</p><p>One of the essential rituals of the Homowo festival is the preparation and consumption of a particular dish called "Kpokpoi." Kpokpoi is made from maize, palm nut soup, and other ingredients, symbolizing the essence of the festival. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006693/fill/700x0/image3.jpg?timestamp=1686417052"></div><p><br></p><p>Learn more about the Ga people:</p><div class="media clearfix">
<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2023/05/27/436160/accra-the-ga-peoples-annual-ban-on-noise-restores-a-spiritual-connection-with-the-sea" target="_blank"><img alt="Accra the Ga peoples annual ban on noise restores a spiritual connection with the sea" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1002812/fit/80x80/ga_20tradition.png?timestamp=1686417214" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/05/27/436160/accra-the-ga-peoples-annual-ban-on-noise-restores-a-spiritual-connection-with-the-sea" target="_blank">Accra: the Ga people's annual ban on noise restores a spiritual connection with the sea</a></h4>
<p>Once every year, between May and September, the Ga impose a ritual ban on noise-making and funeral rites in Ga towns for a period of one month so as to commemorate their annual harvest fe... <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/05/27/436160/accra-the-ga-peoples-annual-ban-on-noise-restores-a-spiritual-connection-with-the-sea">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The dish is believed to bring prosperity, good health, and abundance to the community. Families and friends come together during the festival to cook and share Kpokpoi, fostering unity and a sense of togetherness.</p><p>The Homowo festival includes vibrant cultural performances, traditional music, dance, and storytelling. The beating of drums, rhythmic chants, and colorful attire create a lively and festive atmosphere. </p><p>Traditional dances such as Kpanlogo, Adowa, and Agbadza are performed enthusiastically, showcasing the Ga people's rich cultural heritage and artistic expression.</p><p>A significant aspect of Homowo is the cleansing ritual that takes place throughout the community. This involves sprinkling traditional foods like maize and palm nut soup in the streets and corners of the town. </p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006694/fill/700x0/image2.jpg?timestamp=1686417133"></div><p> </p><p>The cleansing serves as a symbolic gesture to ward off evil spirits, misfortune, or bad luck, ensuring the well-being and prosperity of the community.</p><p>The Homowo festival provides an opportunity for the Ga people to express their gratitude for the blessings of the harvest and their cultural identity. It is a time of reflection on the community's history, resilience, and unity. The festival also serves as a platform for promoting tourism, attracting visitors from across Ghana and worldwide to witness and participate in vibrant celebrations.</p><p>As the Homowo festival continues to evolve, efforts are made to preserve its traditions while embracing modern influences. Contemporary elements, such as cultural exhibitions, fashion shows, and art displays, are incorporated to showcase the Ga people's creativity and adaptability.</p><p>The Homowo festival is a celebration of the Ga people and an opportunity for cultural exchange and appreciation. </p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn0.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006695/fill/700x0/image4.jpg?timestamp=1686417188"></div><p> </p><p>It promotes understanding, unity, and respect for Ghana's diverse cultural heritage. Through this festival, the Ga people pass down their traditions and values to future generations, ensuring the preservation and continuation of their rich cultural legacy. </p><p>Homowo festival is not only a time for celebration but also serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the Ga people. It is an opportunity for them to connect with their cultural heritage, reinforce community bonds, and express gratitude for the blessings of the harvest season.</p><p><br></p><p>Related articles:</p><div class="media clearfix">
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<p> </p><span><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p></span><div class="image-medium image-align-left"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/934785/fill/300x0/IMG_7548.jpeg.jpg?timestamp=1686416647"></div><span><p> Minna Davies is a creative writer and a thespian with a degree in theatre arts from the University of Lagos. He has been privileged to have some of his works featured on Nigeria's big stages. It is important to dream, but if no one gets to see it, it is as good as dead. <br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Read more from Minna Davies:</p><div class="media clearfix">
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<p> </p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.funtimesmagazine.com">FunTimes Magazine</a></small></p>urn:uuid:80d87e95-98f5-4bca-9bc1-33bc3d4b3eb22023-06-07T11:04:56-04:002023-06-10T12:22:37-04:00Up-and-coming African American photographers2023-06-11 14:00:00 -0400Anand Subramanian<span><p>Image: Photographers Tyler Mitchell (<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Photographer_Tyler_Mitchell_in_New_York_January_23rd_2020_photo_by_Ithaka_Darin_Pappas.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a>) and Joshua Kissi (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Joshua_kissi_captured_by_Street_Etiquette.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a>)</p><p><br></p><p>Photography has always been a potent tool for self-expression and narrative. It can capture moments, evoke emotions, and challenge societal standards. <br></p><br><p>Photographers from all backgrounds have contributed to the profession, bringing distinct insights and storylines. </p><br><p>A new generation of great African American photographers has arisen in recent years, making tremendous gains and achieving recognition for their remarkable work.</p><br><p>The world of photography has seen an enormous boom in talent and originality in recent years, with African American photographers taking center stage. </p><br><p>These extraordinary artists are transforming the visual environment by presenting fresh viewpoints, celebrating diversity, defying stereotypes, and capturing the essence of the African American experience. </p><br><p>This article will spotlight a group of emerging African American photographers establishing a name for themselves in the art world, showcasing their distinct techniques, strong storylines, and contributions to the business.</p><br><h2>Tyler Mitchell:</h2><br><p>Tyler Mitchell is one of the most well-known names on our list, and his ability was recognized internationally when he became the first African American photographer to shoot the cover of <i>Vogue</i> magazine in 2018. Mitchell's art frequently addresses issues of identity, ethnicity, and youth culture, reflecting the beauty and resilience of the African diaspora. Vivid colors, intimate settings, and youthful enthusiasm distinguish his images. Mitchell's photography defies conventional beauty standards and pushes the boundaries of depiction.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn3.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006279/fill/700x0/adidas_20wale.png?timestamp=1686241414">Image: Adidas x Wale Bonner by Tyler Mitchell. Source: <a href="https://www.tylermitchell.co/photography" target="_blank">tylermitchell.com</a></div></span><span><br><h2><br></h2><h2>Ronan Mckenzie:</h2><br><div>Ronan Mckenzie is an emerging artist whose work highlights the beauty of blackness, femininity, and community. Her images frequently depict private moments and unashamed displays of self, emphasizing the stories of black women. Mckenzie's unusual style blends fashion, portraiture, and documentary photography, capturing the soul of her subjects in a raw and honest manner. Her work has appeared in prestigious publications such as <i>Vogue</i> and <i>The New Yorker</i>.<br><br><br><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn0.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006329/fill/700x0/ronan_20mckenzie.jpeg?timestamp=1686244983">Image: Photography by Ronan Mckenzie. Source: <a href="https://www.ronanmckenzie.co.uk/11706407-2023/photo#6" target="_blank">ronanmckenzie.com</a></div></div></span><span><br><h2><br></h2><h2>Joshua Kissi:</h2><br><p>Joshua Kissi is a photographer based in New York and the co-founder of the creative agency TONL. Kissi's work focuses on chronicling people of color's tales and experiences, showing their strength, joy, and ordinary moments. He has worked with well-known businesses such as Apple, Google, and Adidas and has used his position to advocate for better inclusion and diversity in the industry. Kissi's photographs are distinguished by their spectacular compositions, vibrant hues, and a real connection with his subjects.</p><br></span><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn0.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006318/fill/700x0/lynn_20nottage.png?timestamp=1686244638">Image: Portrait of Lynn Nottage by Joshua Kissi. Source: <a href="https://www.joshuakissi.com/photo" target="_blank">joshuakissi.com</a></div><span><br><h2><br></h2><h2>Adrienne Raquel:</h2><br><p>Adrienne Raquel is a multidisciplinary artist whose photography straddles fashion, fine art, and still life. Her photographs are vivid and aesthetically rich, with solid colors, amusing settings, and a hint of surrealism. Raquel's art is noted for highlighting the beauty of black women, questioning social norms, and redefining beauty standards. Her engaging portfolio has piqued clients' interest, such as Nike, Gucci, and Refinery29, allowing her distinct perspective to reach a larger audience.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn3.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006327/fill/700x0/adrienne_20raquel.png?timestamp=1686244808">Image: Photography by Adrienne Raquel. Source: <a href="https://www.adrienneraquel.com/work/project-five-x7z2h" target="_blank">adrienneraquel.com</a></div></span><span><br><p>These are just a handful of the great young African American photographers revolutionizing the profession and challenging the status quo. </p><br><p>Their work emphasizes the value of varied voices and narratives in photography, providing a new perspective on African American culture, identity, and experiences. </p><br><p>As these photographers' reputations and portfolios grow, they encourage future generations to pursue their artistic passions and tear down boundaries. </p><br><p>These photographers' efforts improve the art form and pave the way for a more inclusive and representative business.</p><p><br></p><p>Related articles:</p><div class="media clearfix">
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<p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><div class="image-medium image-align-left"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/814912/fill/300x0/anand.jpg?timestamp=1686245171"></div><p> Anand Subramanian is a freelance photographer and content writer based out of Tamil Nadu, India. Having a background in Engineering always made him curious about life on the other side of the spectrum. He leapt forward towards the Photography life and never looked back. Specializing in Documentary and Portrait photography gave him an up-close and personal view into the complexities of human beings and those experiences helped him branch out from visual to words. Today he is mentoring passionate photographers and writing about the different dimensions of the art world.</p><p><br></p><p>Read more from Anand Subramanian: </p><div class="media clearfix">
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<p> </p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.funtimesmagazine.com">FunTimes Magazine</a></small></p>urn:uuid:ec5cdbe8-2ac9-4abb-95d0-5439c380be7d2023-06-08T11:50:42-04:002023-06-08T13:55:39-04:00From sit-ins in the 1960s to uprisings in the new millennium, Harry Belafonte served as a champion of youth and Black nationalist activism 2023-06-10 10:00:00 -0400The Conversation via Reuters Connect<p>Image: Harry Belafonte in 2011. Source: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Belafonte-cropped.png" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a></p><p><br></p><p>Of all the contributions for which Harry Belafonte will be remembered, perhaps none is more enduring than the celebrated entertainer’s lifelong support for youth activism.</p><p>This support can be traced back to Belafonte’s early involvement in the Black student-led protests of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s, but it didn’t end there. Using his social stature and personal wealth from a career that once made him the “<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/25/arts/music/harry-belafonte-dead.html">most highly paid Black performer in history</a>,” Belafonte also <a href="https://rockthebells.com/articles/harry-belafonte-hip-hop-beat-street/">helped establish hip-hop</a> as a dominant cultural force in the 1980s and spoke out in support of Black uprisings against police brutality in the 2010s in cities such as Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore.</p><p>As a historian who has <a href="https://uncpress.org/book/9781469661445/shelter-in-a-time-of-storm/">examined Black student activism from the civil rights era</a> to today, I see Belafonte, who <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/25/arts/music/harry-belafonte-dead.html">passed away on April 25, 2023</a>, as one of America’s preeminent “<a href="https://guides.osu.edu/africana/raceman">race men</a>,” social justice warriors and elder statesmen for youth-led racial justice movements.</p><p><br></p><h2>Born in a new Black era</h2><br><p>Born in Harlem in 1927, Belafonte was immersed in the politics and art of the <a href="https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/naacp/the-new-negro-movement.html">New Negro Era</a>, an era that gave birth to radically new interpretations of the Black aesthetic and launched new efforts toward Black liberation.<br><br></p><p>As the modern Civil Rights Movement unfolded in post-World War II America, Belafonte joined the ranks of Black entertainers who sought to use their platforms to advance the cause. But it was the direct-action phase of the movement, pioneered by Black college students throughout the South at the start of the 1960s, that elevated the movement to a more intense confrontation with Jim Crow America.</p><p><a href="https://civilrightstrail.com/experience/student-led-sit-ins-across-the-south-lead-to-desegregated-businesses/">Sit-ins</a>, <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-freedom-riders-then-and-now-45351758/">Freedom Rides</a> and <a href="https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/jail-no-bail/">jail-ins</a> orchestrated by organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee – or <a href="https://snccdigital.org/inside-sncc/the-story-of-sncc/">SNCC</a> – and the <a href="https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/congress-racial-equality-core">Congress of Racial Equality</a> brought Belafonte deeper into the orbit of the freedom struggle. Belafonte once said he admired the young activists for the “<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/10860/my-song-by-harry-belafonte-with-michael-shnayerson/">power of their independence</a>.”</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006270/fill/700x0/march_20on_20civil_20rights.jpg?timestamp=1686239368">Image: Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, and Charlton Heston at the Civil Rights March on Washington in 1963. Source: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Civil_Rights_March_on_Washington,_D.C._(Actors_Sidney_Poitier,_Harry_Belafonte,_and_Charlton_Heston.)_-_NARA_-_542061.tif" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a></div><p><br></p><p>Related articles:</p><div class="media clearfix">
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</p><p> </p><p><br></p><h2>A unifying force</h2><br><p>One of the tensest moments for the young activists was the <a href="https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/freedom-rides-1961/">Freedom Rides</a> that brought waves of young Black college students into the Deep South to challenge the legality of segregation in interstate busing. Many of them ended up as victims of police brutality in the infamous <a href="https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/mississippi-state-penitentiary-at-parchman-1901/">Parchman Farm Penitentiary</a> in Sunflower County, Mississippi. Not only did Belafonte make a generous donation to their cause, but his willingness to support the activists strengthened their admiration of him.</p><p>“Folks were just overwhelmed,” <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Ready-for-Revolution/Stokely-Carmichael/9780684850047">recalled civil rights organizer Kwame Ture</a>, formerly known as Stokely Carmichael, “and I believe that marked the beginning of Bro. Belafonte’s long relationship – as adviser, benefactor, and big brother – to the young freedom-fighting organization.”</p><p>As students courageously languished in Mississippi’s sweltering prison, they converted Belafonte’s signature song into a freedom anthem. The calypso singer’s hit single <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO7M0Hx_1D8">“Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)</a>” echoed through Southern jails as students arrested for challenging Jim Crow laws <a href="http://civilrightssongs.blogspot.com/2014/12/willie-peacock-calypso-freedom-freedoms.html">repurposed the song with new lyrics:</a></p><p><em>Hey, I took a little trip on a Greyhound bus.</em></p><p><em>Yeah!</em></p><p><em>Freedom comin’ and it won’t be long.</em></p><p><em>Well, to fight segregation this we must.</em></p><p><em>Yeah, Freedom comin’ and it won’t be long.</em></p><p><em><br></em></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn3.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006269/fill/700x0/harry_20belafonte.jpeg?timestamp=1686239187">Gustav VI Adolf, Harry Belafonte and Martin Luther King Jr. Source: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kung_king_belafonte.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a></div><p><em><br></em></p><h2>Financed the SNCC retreat to Africa</h2><br><p>The apex of Belafonte’s involvement with the SNCC was his facilitation of a <a href="https://snccdigital.org/events/sncc-delegation-travels-to-africa/">sojourn to the West African nation of Guinea in September of 1964</a>.</p><p>Sensing the burnout and frustration that was brewing within the organization due to its growing dissatisfaction with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xNNrgesvx8">moderation and stall tactics</a> from both the liberal left and conservative right, Belafonte organized and paid for a three-week sabbatical. Eleven SNCC activists, including <a href="https://theconversation.com/john-lewis-traded-the-typical-college-experience-for-activism-arrests-and-jail-cells-143219">John Lewis</a>, <a href="https://snccdigital.org/people/fannie-lou-hamer/">Fannie Lou Hamer</a> and Stokely Carmichael, made the trip. Belafonte introduced them to Guinea’s political dignitaries, including <a href="https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/toure-ahmed-sekou-1922-1984/">President Sekou Toure</a>. The trip proved critical in sharpening the SNCC’s focus on the potential for Black empowerment back in the States – a revelation that would greatly shape the coming Black Power Movement that unfolded in 1966.</p><p>Ideological tensions concerning the direction of the Civil Rights Movement after 1965 <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Pillar-of-Fire/Taylor-Branch/9780684848099">pushed Belafonte closer</a> to the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference.</p><p>However, the politically conscious showman never turned his back on the youth activists who helped to define the decade.</p><p><br></p><p>Related article:</p><div class="media clearfix">
<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2023/05/10/434641/harry-belafonte-a-singer-and-actor-but-an-activist-at-heart" target="_blank"><img alt="Harry Belafonte a singer and actor but an activist at heart" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/999621/fit/80x80/harry_20belafonte.jpeg?timestamp=1686238287" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/05/10/434641/harry-belafonte-a-singer-and-actor-but-an-activist-at-heart" target="_blank">Harry Belafonte: a singer and actor but an activist at heart</a></h4>
<p>Belafonte led a life of tireless activism and was present at the many peaks of 20th-century civil and human rights struggles across the globe. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/05/10/434641/harry-belafonte-a-singer-and-actor-but-an-activist-at-heart">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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</p><p> </p><p><br></p><h2>Supported hip-hop in its early years</h2><br><p>It should not surprise anyone that a man who had a deep affinity for folk music and songs of the people gravitated toward hip-hop as it emerged in the 1970s and 1980s. Belafonte saw hip-hop as a logical next step in the evolution of Black cultural expression and a vital space for Black militancy. In a 2006 interview, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXqL84U3VP4">he declared</a>, “When I hung out up in the South Bronx with <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140309032121/http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/public/page/Afrika_Bambaataa">Afrika Bambaataa</a> and <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/grandmaster-melle-mel-mn0000739282/biography">Melle Mel</a>, and watched the dawning of the hip-hop culture, it brought to me a profound sense of a wonderful thing that was in our future.”</p><p>Belafonte produced the 1984 film “<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086946/">Beat Street</a>,” a celebration of hip-hop that was critical in introducing the art form to wider audiences. One of the featured artists, Melle Mel of the pioneering hip-hop group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, <a href="https://rockthebells.com/articles/melle-mel-harry-belafonte-beat-street-breakdown/">recalled that he met with Belafonte</a> prior to penning his verse on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrfO6kW8EIs">soundtrack’s title song, “Beat Street Breakdown</a>. His <a href="https://genius.com/Grandmaster-melle-mel-and-the-furious-five-beat-street-breakdown-lyrics">lyrics</a> reflected his exchange with the civil rights legend:</p><p><em>Peoples in terror, the leaders made a error And now they can’t even look in the mirror Cause we gotta suffer while things get rougher And that’s the reason why we got to get tougher</em></p><p></p><div></div><p></p><p>Belafonte intensified his backing of hip-hop in later years, whether it was encouraging <a href="https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/harry-belafonte-giant-of-the-arts-and-the-struggle-for-justice-and-democracy/">Fidel Castro to carve out support for Cuban rappers in the 1990s</a>, or through various hip-hop summits that he hosted in an effort to prod and push hip-hop’s <a href="https://www.okayplayer.com/culture/jay-z-harry-belafonte-feud-trayvon-martin.html">most prominent entertainers to be more outspoken</a> on issues related to social justice.</p><p><br></p><p>Related article:</p><div class="media clearfix"><div class="media clearfix">
<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2023/04/27/432701/how-hip-hop-has-enhanced-american-education-over-the-past-50-years-from-rec-rooms-to-classrooms" target="_blank"><img alt="How hip-hop has enhanced American education over the past 50 years from rec rooms to classrooms" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/996355/fit/80x80/pexels-tnarg-2932804.jpg?timestamp=1686238363" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/04/27/432701/how-hip-hop-has-enhanced-american-education-over-the-past-50-years-from-rec-rooms-to-classrooms" target="_blank">How hip-hop has enhanced American education over the past 50 years, from rec rooms to classrooms</a></h4>
<p>Educators are not only remembering the obvious ways hip-hop has influenced language and fashion or provided the soundtrack to our study sessions and sports events, but we are also acknowl... <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/04/27/432701/how-hip-hop-has-enhanced-american-education-over-the-past-50-years-from-rec-rooms-to-classrooms">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<p> </p></div><p><br></p><h2>Mentored young activists</h2><br><p>In his twilight years, Belafonte continued to mentor youth activists. In the aftermath of <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2018/07/31/631897758/a-look-back-at-trayvon-martins-death-and-the-movement-it-inspired">Trayvon Martin’s</a> killing in 2013, Belafonte visited Tallahassee, Florida, to support the work of the <a href="https://www.wuft.org/news/2013/10/15/who-are-the-dream-defenders/">Dream Defenders</a>, an organization founded by former students from Florida A&M University to, among other things, draw attention to the injustice of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/18/stand-your-ground-laws-us-deaths-racist-violence">Stand Your Ground </a> law that was used to justify Martin’s fatal shooting.</p><p>Standing with the students in solidarity, Belafonte <a href="https://www.cityandstatefl.com/first-read/2023/04/remembering-harry-belafontes-visit-dream-defenders-florida-capitol/385633/">told them</a>: "I’m here because I am a part of your history. You called, and I’m here to tell you that those of us who have been in this struggle for over a century are happy to be part of this moment.”</p><p><br></p><h2>Embraced Black Lives Matter</h2><br><p>Belafonte’s tireless devotion to human rights perfectly dovetailed into support for the <a href="https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0016241/">Black Lives Matter movement</a> in the 2010s, as he continued to argue for disruption of political systems that upheld state-sanctioned violence.</p><p>Belafonte’s defiance and support for the movement was unwavering. “Radical thought at its best is supposed to make people feel uncomfortable,” Belafonte <a href="https://crosscut.com/2015/10/harry-belafonte-on-black-leadership-and-activism-and-the-importance-of-making-people-uncomfortable">declared in 2015</a>. “We talk about the uprisings in communities like in St. Louis and Baltimore, and it is what protests are supposed to do.”</p><p>From the 1960s until Belafonte’s passing, young people across several generations sought him out for wisdom and guidance. His enduring commitment to youth and idealism always made him easy to find.</p><p><br></p><p>Related article:</p><div class="media clearfix">
<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2023/02/15/426358/the-black-lives-matter-movement-and-its-impact-on-modern-day-activism-" target="_blank"><img alt="The Black Lives Matter movement and its impact on modern-day activism" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/981835/fit/80x80/image1.png?timestamp=1686238306" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/02/15/426358/the-black-lives-matter-movement-and-its-impact-on-modern-day-activism-" target="_blank">The Black Lives Matter movement and its impact on modern-day activism.</a></h4>
<p>The Black Lives Matter (B.L.M.) movement has been at the forefront of the fight for racial justice and equality in recent years. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/02/15/426358/the-black-lives-matter-movement-and-its-impact-on-modern-day-activism-">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2023/01/25/424435/who-are-the-black-civil-rights-leaders-we-should-follow-" target="_blank"><img alt="Who are the Black Civil Rights Leaders we should follow" src="//cdn3.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/977762/fit/80x80/civil_20rights_20leaders.jpg?timestamp=1686239494" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/01/25/424435/who-are-the-black-civil-rights-leaders-we-should-follow-" target="_blank">Who are the Black Civil Rights Leaders we should follow?</a></h4>
<p>These young activists, organizers, and thinkers have pushed for racial justice and equality, using their platforms to amplify marginalized communities' voices and demand change. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/01/25/424435/who-are-the-black-civil-rights-leaders-we-should-follow-">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2021/08/29/366627/youth-and-the-revolution-how-the-young-population-contributed-to-many-historical-moments" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="//cdn0.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/848693/fit/80x80/little_20rock_20nine.png?timestamp=1686239507" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2021/08/29/366627/youth-and-the-revolution-how-the-young-population-contributed-to-many-historical-moments" target="_blank">Youth and the Revolution: How the Young Population Contributed to Many Historical Moments </a></h4>
<p>This article will look at four revolutions led by Black teens that changed the course of history and paved the way for a more just and inclusive society. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2021/08/29/366627/youth-and-the-revolution-how-the-young-population-contributed-to-many-historical-moments">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<p> </p><div><div><div><div><div></div></div></div></div></div><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.funtimesmagazine.com">FunTimes Magazine</a></small></p>urn:uuid:74a9582f-a100-429d-a0fd-31a640c1b12a2023-06-07T10:58:29-04:002023-06-09T14:09:38-04:00The Reading Quilt: The Marva Collins’ Way2023-06-09 10:00:00 -0400Dr. Rachel Slaughter<span><h2>Back to School<br></h2><br><p>Education is paramount: This is a famous and powerful maxim in the African American community. When we flip through the pages of African American history, we meet a host of academic activists who opened the doors for African American children to learn and discover our vast world. Notable twentieth-century scholars like <a href="http://www.cornelwest.com/" target="_blank">Cornel West</a>, <a href="https://ta-nehisicoates.com/" target="_blank">Ta-Nehisi Coates</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Louis_Gates_Jr." target="_blank">Henry Louis Gates Jr.</a> walked freely through academic halls paved by scholars like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheikh_Anta_Diop" target="_blank">Dr. Cheikh Anta Diop,</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henrik_Clarke" target="_blank">Dr. John Henrik Clarke</a>, and <a href="https://www.funtimesmagazine.com/2022/12/27/422132/black-female-philosophers" target="_blank">Angela Davis</a>.</p><br></span><div class="image-medium image-align-left"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/798581/fill/300x0/Quiltcover-1-791x1024.png?timestamp=1686159778"></div><p> “The Reading Quilt” provides a short synopsis of a book that a teacher may use to spark conversations about culture and race. This month “The Reading Quilt” shines a spotlight on the late Marva Collins, who worked passionately to help educate African American children who were dismissed as learning disabled, harmful, or unloveable. Often using her finances, Collins devoted her life to providing quality education to those most in need. Her book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0874775728?pf_rd_p=c2945051-950f-485c-b4df-15aac5223b10&pf_rd_r=QQT6K5CF3SW2VSVC8YRW">“The Marva Collins’ Way”</a> was published in 1990.</p><h2><br><br></h2><h2>Marva Collins</h2><br><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006095/fill/700x0/marva_20collins.jpeg?timestamp=1686159664">Image: Marva Collins. Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marva_Collins#/media/File:National_Medal_of_Humanities_Recipient_Marva_Collins_in_the_Oval_Office_(cropped).jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a></div><p><br></p><span><p>Born August 31, 1936, in Monroeville, Alabama, Collins lived most of her 79 years as an advocate for children. Considered a pioneer in education, Collins is best known for opening Westside Preparatory School in the impoverished Garfield Park neighborhood of <a href="https://chicagodefender.com/2016/07/13/west-side-stories-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly/">Chicago in 1975.</a> It is her work at Westside Preparatory School that helped Collins’ develop a style of teaching that became known as the “Collins’ Method” with the hopes of offering an alternative to the substandard schools in the area.</p><br><p>Collins’ school, which she first opened in her home on a meager budget, was a space for her to teach young people to love learning. The curriculum celebrated philosophers like Homer and Plato and literary giants like Chaucer, who is considered “the Father of English literature.” Collins engaged students with scholarly lessons. The kids who were once considered “unteachable” were memorizing the words of great philosophers. Marva’s Way brought lots of media attention her way. </p><br><p>Soon, American Hallmark Hall of Fame movie producers were intrigued with Marva and offered her a chance to see her life on the big screen. With Morgan Freeman by her side, playing Collins’ husband and source of inspiration, Cicely Tyson portrayed Collins’ life of service in the 1981 television movie “<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082719/" target="_blank">The Marva Collins Story</a>.” The movie immortalized Westside Preparatory School, which Collins ran in a separate building on Chicago’s South Side for more than 30 years until it closed in 2008.</p><br><p>Often invited to speak at public events, Collins was celebrated for her work in the education system. She received many prestigious awards and honorary doctorates from institutions like Amherst, Dartmouth and Notre Dame. In 2004, President Bush bestowed Marva Collins the National Humanities Medal. In her spare time, Collins wrote books about her experience as an educator. Collins died June 24, 2015.</p><p><br></p><p>Related article:<br></p><div class="media clearfix"><span class="pull-left"><a href="https://www.funtimesmagazine.com/2022/12/27/422132/black-female-philosophers" target="_blank"><img alt="Black Female Philosophers " src="https://cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/972219/fit/80x80/black_20female_20philosophers.jpg?timestamp=1686160198" class="media-object"></a></span><div class="media-body"><h4 class="media-heading"><a href="https://www.funtimesmagazine.com/2022/12/27/422132/black-female-philosophers" target="_blank">Black Female Philosophers</a></h4><p>Philosophical study fosters an enhanced ability to put oneself in the shoes of others and gain insight into how various civilizations see the world. <span class="pull-right"><a href="https://www.funtimesmagazine.com/2022/12/27/422132/black-female-philosophers">Read More »</a></span> </p></div></div><p> </p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn3.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006097/fill/700x0/marva_20collins_20way.png?timestamp=1686159866">Image: Cover design for <i>Marva Collins' Way</i>. Source: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marva-Collins-Way/dp/B001I0B4Y2" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a><br><br></div></span><h2><br>Remembering Marva Collins: </h2><span><br><p>In 2009, Dr. Rachel Slaughter interviewed Marva Collins.</p><br><p>As a veteran educator and journalist, I was thrilled to meet Marva Collins at Plate Restaurant in Ardmore, Pa. (now defunct). When I met my academic idol, I had been teaching for nearly two decades, read her book a dozen times, and memorized <a href="https://www.funtimesmagazine.com/2021/02/02/344890/celebrate-the-life-of-actress-cicely-tyson" target="_blank">Cicely Tyson</a>’s lines in the 1982 television movie. Yes, I had done my “Marva Collins” homework. However, nothing could prepare me for the moment Collins stepped into plate with her entourage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Concerned-Black-Parents-Inc-27827508969/">(members of Concerned Black Parents)</a> and husband by her side. Collins was statuesque in her flowing pale-colored pants suit, short cropped hair, and distinctive jewelry. Once she passed the threshold, the clinking of wine glasses and din of voices muffled in awe, and the entire restaurant gave pause. For a second, I thought I had made a terrible mistake inviting this queen to Plate. I thought a lady of her refinement and grace might find it brash. Instead, Ms. Collins, in her voice reminiscent of a griot, absorbed the festive vibe and ordered a child’s mac and cheese because she didn’t want to break my budget. It was over mac and cheese and plates of hor d’oeuvres that Collins gifted us “pupils” with wisdom I treasure to this day. </p><br></span><br><span><p><b>Q- What are your thoughts on the high percentage of African Americans placed in special education? </b></p><br><p>A- Placing kids with so many specialists makes kids think they are sick...like there must be something wrong with them. In reality, kids often need special services to compensate for teachers’ ineptness. We beat kids down academically, which makes them think they are stupid.</p><br><p><b>Q- How can we help these at-risk students?</b></p><br><p>A- Every teacher talks about saving children. The teachers really need to save themselves first. The student reflects the teacher. If the teacher has personal problems, shortcomings, and limitations, the students will reflect those deficiencies. First, the teacher must bond with her student. Next, she must discuss with the student what mutual respect looks like. Students need to be treated like customers...with respect. For example, the teacher needs to know the mind of a teenager. But, the teacher does not need to argue with the student. In the classroom, I know that I am the master of the game. No kid can outwit me. </p><br><p><b>Q- Often, minority students are limited by financial barriers. How can we, as teachers, introduce these students to other worlds?</b></p><br><p>A- I create imaginary passports for my students to take them around the world. Teachers often concentrate on the wrong things. Let’s focus on what we can do. Let’s agree that we are going to travel and worry later about how to get there. Sometimes we are too busy pointing out deficiencies and lack (of money or materials). We must remember that everything is in a book. </p><p><br></p><p><b>Q- In many school districts, the demographics of the teaching faculty does not match the demographics of the study body, which often results in cultural bias. What are your thoughts on this situation?</b></p><br><p>A- You can look with disdain at a child, and they can tell when you are putting them down. In any case, kids need strong leaders. Not fakers. Sometimes the adults teach the kids one thing but do another. When you talk about excellence, the teacher has to be excellent too.</p><br><p><b>Q- There is so much wrong in public education which makes the teaching profession hard. Many teachers get frustrated and quit. What are your thoughts on this situation?</b></p><br><p>A- Before a teacher leaves her school, she should ask herself, ‘What have I done that is excellent where I am?’ If you can’t answer that, how can I trust where you say you are going? Every day I do something that will make me excellent and expand my mind. What did you do this year that would win the Teacher Academy Award? You can’t cheat others without cheating yourself. When you don’t explore excellence, you can’t be excellent. </p><br><p><b>Q- I know you believe at-risk schools can be turned around. But the obstacles that public educators face can be overwhelming. </b></p><br><p>A- The enemy wants you to think the problem is too big. The cup is half empty if you are going to drink from it. But it is half full if you are going to fill it up. Be optimistic. Think outside of the box. Be bold, innovative. What really matters is the children.</p><br><br><br>Related <br></span><div class="media clearfix">
<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2023/04/09/431391/globetrotting-black-nutritionist-flemmie-p-kittrell-revolutionized-early-childhood-education-and-illuminated-hidden-hunger" target="_blank"><img alt="Globetrotting Black nutritionist Flemmie P Kittrell revolutionized early childhood education and illuminated hidden hunger" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/993068/fit/80x80/flemmie_20kittrell.png?timestamp=1686160213" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/04/09/431391/globetrotting-black-nutritionist-flemmie-p-kittrell-revolutionized-early-childhood-education-and-illuminated-hidden-hunger" target="_blank">Globetrotting Black nutritionist Flemmie P. Kittrell revolutionized early childhood education and illuminated 'hidden hunger'</a></h4>
<p>Throughout a trailblazing career that spanned half a century, she worked to enhance food security and to improve both diets and children’s health – under the umbrella of home economics. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/04/09/431391/globetrotting-black-nutritionist-flemmie-p-kittrell-revolutionized-early-childhood-education-and-illuminated-hidden-hunger">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<p> </p><div class="media clearfix"><br><br></div><p><br></p><div class="image-medium image-align-left"><img alt="" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/809849/fill/300x0/Rachel_20Slaughter_20author_20photo300.jpg?timestamp=1686159113"></div><span><p> Dr. R. A. Slaughter’s (Doc) textbooks <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Turning-Page-Ultimate-Multicultural-Literature/dp/1475857632/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Turning+the+Page:+The+Ultimate+Guide+for+Teachers+to+Multicultural+Literature&qid=1608648897&sr=8-1">Turning the Page: The Ultimate Guide for Teachers to Multicultural Literature</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Turning-Page-Securing-Multicultural-Literature/dp/1475864159/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QPMFEV6TOS0R&keywords=turning+the+page+a+guide+to+securing&qid=1650118306&sprefix=turning+the+page+a+guide+to+,aps,80&sr=8-1">Turning the Page: A Guide to Securing Multicultural Literature for Schools</a>, both published by Rowman & Littlefield and available in all bookstores, have brought Doc global recognition. For more information, log onto DrRachelSlaughter.info or check out “The Reading Quilt” talk show, every Monday, at 3:30pm on<a href="https://phillycam.org/schedules/2023-04-03"> PhillyCam</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>Read more from Dr. R.A. Slaughter:</p><div class="media clearfix">
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/05/08/434149/the-reading-quilt-letter-to-my-daughter" target="_blank">The Reading Quilt: Letter to My Daughter</a></h4>
<p>In her book Letter to My Daughter (Random House, 2008), Angelou details her life as a young mother to a daughter she never had. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/05/08/434149/the-reading-quilt-letter-to-my-daughter">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/03/01/427399/the-reading-quilt-a-breed-apart" target="_blank">The Reading Quilt: A Breed Apart</a></h4>
<p>Victor Woods, motivational speaker and author of A Breed Apart (Atria, 2015), is a model of redemption from crime and victory in rebuilding a better life. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/03/01/427399/the-reading-quilt-a-breed-apart">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2022/01/07/380290/the-reading-quilt-yes-you-can" target="_blank">The Reading Quilt: Yes, You Can</a></h4>
<p>This may be the book that motivates a young scholar to explore the history of African American men in the teaching profession and take up the mantle of teaching. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2022/01/07/380290/the-reading-quilt-yes-you-can">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<p> </p><span><p><br></p><br></span><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.funtimesmagazine.com">FunTimes Magazine</a></small></p>urn:uuid:20a3ac74-cc22-4559-85c4-cbc2161353732023-06-07T09:35:57-04:002023-06-08T09:59:18-04:00Kenya’s Samburu warriors still practice a rock art African tradition that tells their stories2023-06-07 14:00:00 -0400The Conversation via Reuters Connect<p>Samburu rock art. Source: <a href="https://lnu.se/en/meet-linnaeus-university/current/news/2022/samburu--one-of-few-peoples-that-still-create-rock-art/" target="_blank">Linnaeus University</a></p><p><br></p><p>The <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-samburu-community-of-kenya-national-museums-of-kenya/JwWh0Lc7NlRtIQ?hl=en">Samburu</a> people in northern Kenya’s Marsabit county are pastoralists. They migrate from place to place in search of pasture and water for their cattle, goats, sheep and camels. As part of their lifestyle, Samburu boys go through an initiation period when they live in rock shelters, learning how to take care of their animals and how to become warriors.</p><p>During this time the young warriors – called lmurran – express themselves by painting images on the rocks. This is one of very few ongoing rock art traditions in the world, but it has gained almost no attention among rock art researchers.</p><p><br></p><p>Rock art has been made for more than 60,000 years and it exists on every continent except the Antarctic. Papua New Guinea and parts of Australia are among the few other places where new rock art is still being created, maintained or repainted like at the Samburu sites.</p><p>Ancient rock art images offer glimpses of human thoughts and beliefs from times when no written records existed. But it is difficult to interpret these images since first hand information is lacking. The ongoing Samburu rock art tradition, therefore, presents a unique chance to know where, when and why rock art was created.</p><p>Linnaeus University in Sweden and the University of Western Australia initiated a community-led project together with the Samburu to learn about this tradition. The first outcomes of the project were recently published in <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cambridge-archaeological-journal/article/i-have-done-hundreds-of-rock-paintings-on-the-ongoing-rock-art-tradition-among-samburu-northern-kenya/C68375C5B9570BD7C42A6DE2165561DC#fndtn-metrics">our research paper</a>.</p><p>Rock art researchers tend to think about images as representing rituals and myths. In contrast, our project has revealed that the current Samburu rock art tradition commemorates real-life events and is made as a leisure activity.</p><p><br></p><p>Related article:</p><div class="media clearfix"><span class="pull-left"><a href="https://www.funtimesmagazine.com/2021/10/23/372162/history-and-elements-of-african-art" target="_blank"><br><img alt="African Art Source - Google" src="https://cdn0.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/861760/fit/80x80/african_20art.png?timestamp=1686144892" class="media-object"></a></span><div class="media-body"><h4 class="media-heading"><a href="https://www.funtimesmagazine.com/2021/10/23/372162/history-and-elements-of-african-art" target="_blank">History and Elements of African Art</a></h4><p>The beginnings of African art history predates documented history and have been preserved in the mists of time. Rock art dates back millennia, while shell beads fashioned into a necklace ... <span class="pull-right"><a href="https://www.funtimesmagazine.com/2021/10/23/372162/history-and-elements-of-african-art">Read More »</a></span> </p><div><br><br></div></div></div><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006037/fill/700x0/Samburu_fire.jpeg?timestamp=1686144726">Samburu men in traditional attire, lighting a fire. Source: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Samburu_fire.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a></div><p><br></p><h2>Samburu warriors and rock art</h2><br><p>At the age of 15, Samburu boys leave their villages and go through initiation rituals which mark the passing from childhood to warriorhood. During the two month initiation period they learn about their protective duties. As young warriors, lmurran move from camp to camp and live in rock shelters or caves where they eat, relax, dance and sometimes arrange feasts. It is during these stays at the rock shelters that they create rock art.</p><p></p><div></div><p></p><p>The images they paint commemorate real-life events related to the warrior life-world and they express the wishes and expectations of the young men. It may be an animal they have seen or hunted, or a girl back home in the village. Dancing is an important part of Samburu culture and some paintings depict boys and girls dancing together.</p><p>The images are made using red, white, yellow and black paint. Before the arrival of Europeans in the 1940s the artists preferred a pigment of red ochre, which was also used for smearing their hair and bodies. The white colour was animal fat, which turns light when it dries. To make black paint they used charcoal. As a binder, all pigments were mixed with fat from slaughtered animals. Today, commercial paint is also used along with more traditional pigments.</p><p>When speaking to Samburu today, they often downplay the importance of rock art. The paintings are not talked about but are done for leisure. By interviewing current and former lmurran we found out that they were well aware of rock art sites made by previous generations. The oldest rock art the elders remembered was more than 150 years old.</p><p>When visiting the rock art sites we saw an intriguing relationship between rock art made by different generations of warriors. Present warriors are inspired by older art, but add their own memories and style, and sometimes also the names of the artists. The images become an inter-generational visual culture that reflects and recreates a warrior identity and lifestyle.</p><p><br></p><h2>Samburu visual culture and rock art research</h2><br><p>Another thing we learned from Samburu rock art is that the artists always have specific people, animals and objects in mind when making their drawings. This is not clearly expressed in the drawings as they lack identifying details. Studying the images doesn’t reveal the artist’s intention: you need to talk to the artist to understand what they wanted their art to express. Many of the artworks reflect first hand experiences of the warriors.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1006036/fill/700x0/samburu_20brothers.png?timestamp=1686144601">Lmapili Lengewa and Leramis Lengewa with paintings of Lmapili’s brothers made in 2005. Photo: Ebbe Westergren via the Conversation<br><br></div><p>One example comes from Mount Ng'iro at South Horr. Here at least five generations of lmurran have created rock art. The most recent was created by two older brothers of a participant in our research, Lmapili Lengewa (26). The brothers, Lpalani and Lejinai, were around 20 and 16 respectively when they made the paintings. Lmapili was present when the paintings were created, although he was too young at the time to be an lmurran. The brothers learned from studying older paintings, but their paintings were made to commemorate what they had experienced as newly inducted lmurran. A bull figure, for example, depicts a bull they slaughtered and ate. At the time there were about five or six people in the shelter; most of them focused on preparing the food, while the two brothers created rock art.</p><p>While there are indeed many rituals in Samburu culture, rock art is not part of such practices. Certainly there are norms guiding the creation of the rock art, but the artist is free to express himself as long as the images reflect young men’s experiences.</p><p>Being able to hear the artist’s own reflections, perspectives and stories about specific paintings is a unique opportunity for rock art researchers globally. Our ongoing community-led project aims to learn more about Samburu lmurran life-worlds and to bring their stories to the world, also benefiting the local Samburu communities.</p><p><br></p><p>Related articles:</p><div class="media clearfix">
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/03/22/429525/the-beauty-of-african-art-exploring-the-richness-of-the-continents-creative-expression" target="_blank">The Beauty of African Art: Exploring the Richness of the Continent's Creative Expression</a></h4>
<p>African art demonstrates the continent's people's ingenuity and talent. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/03/22/429525/the-beauty-of-african-art-exploring-the-richness-of-the-continents-creative-expression">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/01/30/424863/cultural-significance-of-south-africas-zulu-reed-dance-festival" target="_blank">Cultural Significance of South Africa's Zulu Reed Dance Festival </a></h4>
<p>South Africa’s Reed Dance Festival is an ancient tradition of the Swazi and Zulu people known as the Umkhosi womhlanga, or the Zulu Reed Dance. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/01/30/424863/cultural-significance-of-south-africas-zulu-reed-dance-festival">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<p> </p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.funtimesmagazine.com">FunTimes Magazine</a></small></p>urn:uuid:e10caf90-0c6a-4e3d-b345-f7dd16d18f632023-06-05T11:40:11-04:002023-06-06T14:34:58-04:00US’ Coco Gauff Vs UK’s Emma Raducanu 2023-06-07 10:00:00 -0400Mike Butscher <p>Gauff at 2019 French Open, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coco_Gauff#/media/File:2019_Roland_Garros_Qualifying_Tournament_-_86_(cropped).jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a>, Raducanu at Wimbledon in 2018, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Raducanu#/media/File:Raducanu_WMQ18_(16)_(42834286534).jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a></p><p><br></p><span><p>They are both world class tennis sensation who stunned the world at Wimbledon 2019 Open in London. Gauff was 15 when she became the youngest female to play at the main draw of Wimbledon in 2019 after receiving a wild card. She surprisingly defeated five-time Wimbledon champion <a href="https://www.biography.com/athletes/venus-williams">Venus Williams</a>, one of her tennis idols in the first round. With her win at the Austria’s Linz Open, she becomes the youngest American woman to claim a top-100 ranking since Jennifer Capriati in 1990.</p><p> Gauff also reached the third round of the U.S. Open and won her first singles title. In 2021, she added a second singles title to her name and played in the quarterfinal of the 2022 French Open. In 2020, Gauff reached the fourth round of the Australian Open after beating Naomi Osaka in the third round. Gauff ascended to the quarterfinals of the French Open in 2021, to become the youngest player to reach that spot since 2006. </p><p>Raducanu introduced herself to the world in 2021 aged 18 at the time to become the youngest Briton to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon SW19. After beating Venus Williams in the first round, she made it through to the second week and lost to eventual champion Simona Halep.</p><p>Two months on in 2021, still only 18, Raducanu became the first qualifier to emerge victorious in US Open in New York, winning 10 matches without dropping a set in victorious grand slam run to take home $2.6 million as prize money. “It was an achievement that was so premature in her career and exploded her onto the world stage”, media reports described Raducanu’s victory. Others say her act was one of the biggest shocks in sporting history. </p><p>In January 2023, both met again at the Melbourne Australian Open 2023 with Raducanu losing in straight sets to Coco Gauff in an enthralling second-round match. The 20-year-old battled an ankle injury before the Melbourne major.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn0.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1005562/fill/700x0/image2.jpg?timestamp=1685979104">Tennis sensation in Australia January 2023 after each winning first round. Credit: AP/Getty Images </div></span><span><br><p>Raducanu is ranked 77th and Gauff is ranked seventh in world tennis.</p><p>Gauff, 5’ 9”, was born on March 13, 2004, to Candi Odom Gauff and Corey Gauff, both of whom are from Delray Beach, Florida. She has two younger brothers all born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia.</p><p>Father, Corey, was a basketball player at Georgia State, and Candi was a hurdler and heptathlete at Florida State. Inspired by the Williams’ father, Coco’s parents set out a plan for her daughter that has paid off. Coco’s mother is her private teacher.</p><p>Gauff is said to be worth $3.8m. With her brand partnerships with sports major New Balance, tennis equipment company, Barilla, food items, and Microsoft, she has already generated millions in prize money and sponsorships at the outset of her career.</p><p>Gauff won $538,103 in prize money in 2019 and $509,862 in 2020. Her winnings climbed to more than $1 million in 2021. She also has endorsement deals with companies that include New Balance and Barilla. Gauff is represented by Team8, an agency co-founded by <a href="https://www.biography.com/athletes/roger-federer">Roger Federer</a>.</p><br></span><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1005563/fill/700x0/image4.jpg?timestamp=1685979369">Coco Wins WTA title aged 15 at 2019 Linz Open in Austria. Credit: onlinegambling.com </div><span><br><p>Emma Raducanu, 5’ 9” (1.75 cm), was born in Toronto, Canada on 13th November 2002. Her family moved to the U.K., London when she was 2 years old and she grew up here. Her father, Ian, is of Romanian origin, and mom Renee, is of Chinese descent. She has a brother.</p><p>Besides playing tennis, she loves to write, draw, read and play football. Finished school at Newstead Wood School Bromley in London and she has A-levels in Maths and Economics. </p><p>Raducanu is currently coached by Andrew Richardson, former professional player but never won an ATP succeeding Nigel Sears, a proven and more senior coach. Her father, Ian, is still an important part of her team and has a say on her coaching but tennis experts believe Raducanu’s frequent change of coaches is affecting her performance.</p><p>She has sponsorship and agreements. Raducanu is also the brand ambassador of Vodafone, Porsche, Tiffany & Co, and the popular watch brand Dior. She is also earning quite a lot from her sponsorship with Nike and Wilson. Her estimated net worth is a minimum of $7 million.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1005572/fill/700x0/image3.jpg?timestamp=1685979431">Photo by Elsa/Getty Images<br><br></div></span><span><p>Despite the hectic schedule, Raducanu still managed to find time to visit her grandmother in Romania, whom she loves spending time with.</p><p>She said: “My grandma, Mamiya, still lives in central Bucharest. I go back a couple times a year, stay with her, see her. It’s really nice. I love the food. The food is unbelievable. And my grandma’s cooking is also something special.”</p><p>The pair have beaten the odds to change tennis history in several ways and demonstrated to the world that they are the new breed of tennis champions with age in their favour. Both are irresistible to watch. They have a lot more surprises coming. and have a lot in common and are poised to win many more accolades for their countries.</p><p><br></p><div><span><br>Related articles:<br></span><div class="media clearfix">
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<p> </p></div></span><span><p> </p><div><br></div></span><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.funtimesmagazine.com">FunTimes Magazine</a></small></p>urn:uuid:d870b825-58fc-4e6c-97b3-e361d0d468f02023-06-06T13:23:22-04:002023-06-08T15:05:37-04:00Over the moon in June2023-06-06 16:00:00 -0400FunTimes Staff<span><p><i><b>FunTimes Magazine </b></i><b>Culture & Entertainment, Week of June 5, 2023</b></p><br><br><p>It’s almost like Kwanzaa in June because there are so many beautiful gifts of celebration this month in the world of events. These activities highlight food, history, music, dance, and African culture. So, from morning until night, here are some cool reasons to eagerly explore a few upcoming neighborhood festivities in Greater Philadelphia. And better yet, it’s free for all, meaning all the events are free to attend.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn0.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1005886/fill/700x0/image3.png?timestamp=1686071446">Jakeya Limitless & Solomon Temple </div><br><h2>Go to the Temple for a Limitless performance</h2><br><p><b>Jun 9, 2023.</b> Solomon Temple & Jakeya Limitless will light up <b>Friday Happy Hour Sessions</b> at the Kimmel like a holiday tree. Check out soul-stirring live performances featuring original compositions and inspiring interpretations of covers by Philly’s own Temple and Limitless. Limitless is a global alternative soul Indie artist with a commanding stage presence. Temple is a non-binary singer-songwriter and show producer who knits a soulful blend of gospel and jazz. Kimmel Center (Commonwealth Plaza). Free, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. 215-893-1999 or <a href="http://Kimmelculuralcenter.org" target="_blank">Kimmelculuralcenter.org</a>.</p><h1> </h1><h1> </h1></span><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1005887/fill/700x0/image5.png?timestamp=1686071545"></div><p> </p><span><h2>Blow off steam on the waterfront </h2><br><div><b>June 9, 2023. </b>Dance, dance, dance. But do it under the stars by the river. Come out for a night of music, dancing, performances, food vendors, adult beverages, and more at After Work Sessions at the Waterfront. Surprise guest performers, DJs, and giveaways will be announced. The lively night is hosted by<a href="https://www.shekhinahb.org/"> Shekhinah B</a>. of <a href="https://www.thewce.org/">The Women’s Coalition for Empowerment, Inc</a>. (WCE) through a partnership with the Delaware Waterfront Corporation and the WCE. Free, 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., 301 South Columbus Blvd., 708-792-3462, e-mail: <a href="mailto:Info@TheWCE.org">Info@TheWCE.org</a> or <a href="https://after-work-sessions.eventbrite.com/">https://after-work-sessions.eventbrite.com/</a>.</div><div class="image-main"><br></div><h2><br></h2><br><br></span><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn0.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1005895/fill/700x0/image7.jpg?timestamp=1686071698"></div><p> </p><span><h2>Go all in, and veg out!</h2><p> </p><p><b>June 10, 2023. </b>Order us up cauliflower-chickpea tacos with guacamole. Yes, siree. It’s time to nosh on vegan and whole-food-plant-based goodies at the Philly Vegfest 2023, where they do meatless right. But hey, open-minded meat lovers are invited, too! Enjoy music, vegan/wfpb speakers, and informative panel discussions about food, health, and wellness. Free but register. South Street Headhouse District, 200 Pine St. Email: <a href="https://allevents.in/philadelphia/philadelphia-vegfest-2023/200024202211109?aff=u1gjbz&action=interested&atkn=M0xGVm1HRzh2SHN3ZWVYNHRLL3QwT0g3YVhONjVkbE00QkY4ZXBDclcvbW9OUWV1aHdlWWlabkUrSTg0NnlXUmsyS3VjODFSTzJkZDIrcFEzdjdNQkNRWHFOeGR1VDNDM1RRaEFlVVM1Qjg9&utm_source=event-recommendations&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=event-recommendations-v2&utm_content=interested&unsub_key=f2e6f6c91406cd85f556249e43fceda5">info@phillyvegfest.com</a>, <a href="http://phillyvegfest.com" target="_blank">phillyvegfest.com</a> or <a href="https://allevents.in/philadelphia/philadelphia-vegfest-2023/200024202211109" target="_blank">AllEvents.in</a>.</p><br><br><br></span><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn0.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1005896/fill/700x0/image6.jpg?timestamp=1686071763"></div><p> </p><span><h2>High praise for ODUNDE</h2><br><p><b>June 11, 2023.</b> We mentioned this before, but just a quick reminder: Philly’s treasure -- <b>The ODUNDE festival </b>-- is back and bigger than ever. The annual community event highlights awareness and pride in Black history and culture. An estimated 500,000 folks will enjoy 15 blocks teeming with 100 arts & crafts, food vendors, and two stages of entertainment. Established in 1975, the local cultural festival is highly regarded as a prototype of African-American festivals worldwide, hosting many world-known African and Caribbean performers, folk artists, and global cultural leaders. Free entrance, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., near 23rd and South Streets in South Philadelphia. 267-324-9932, email: <a href="mailto:odundefestival@gmail.com">odundefestival@gmail.com</a> or <a href="https://www.odundefestival.org/.">https://www.odundefestival.org/.</a></p><br><br><br></span><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1005898/fill/700x0/image2.jpg?timestamp=1686071820"></div><p> </p><span><h2>Black Music City Showcase is revealing</h2><br><p><b>June 11, 2023.</b> Long-anticipated new music will be presented through <b>The Black Music City Showcase</b> grant program to help mentor and jump-start the careers of rising creatives. The original works of 30 new artists-performers who were chosen under this initiative will be exhibited and performed in public for the first time. The “reveal” is hosted by performing-artist Seraiah Nicole and WXPN radio. The works feature live ad recorded music, poetry, dance, film, video, painting, photography, fashion, apparel, handcrafted porcelain dolls, and a graphic novel. They are inspired by innovations and enduring influences reflective of Philadelphia’s rich musical legacy of jazz, soul, R&B, pop, rock, and classical music. The event includes a gallery viewing of media and physical projects, a grantees’ awards ceremony, and performances. Free, noon to 5 p.m., World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, <a href="mailto:elisewxpnpr@gmail.com">elisewxpnpr@gmail.com</a> or <a href="https://www.blackmusiccity.com/">https://www.blackmusiccity.com/</a>.</p><br><br></span><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1005900/fill/700x0/image1.jpg?timestamp=1686071886"></div><p> </p><span><h2>Teriyaki mushroom fried rice sounds yummy…</h2><br><p>Get refreshed this summer and delicious-fy (we made up a word here) your life. Learn how to make simple money-saving vegan recipes like vegan tacos with tropical fruit, berry beet, blueberry smoothies, blood orange sesame tempeh, or make plant milk. The menu is yumcious and plentiful through the Afro-Vegan Society’s vast cooking demo library of vegan-inspired meals from Black food vendors and chefs. You don’t have to be a foodie or a practiced cook to love these how-to videos. Bon appetit! <a href="http://Afrovegansociety.org" target="_blank">Afrovegansociety.org</a>.</p><br></span><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.funtimesmagazine.com">FunTimes Magazine</a></small></p>urn:uuid:db8e5a36-49b4-44f2-ac08-bf2837b61a512023-06-01T10:57:16-04:002023-06-05T11:21:16-04:0011 Incredible Guinness World Records Held by Black People2023-06-06 12:00:00 -0400Boitumelo Masihleho<span><p><br></p><p>It’s frequently claimed that records are set only to be surpassed and replaced with better ones. The Guinness Book of World Records is an authoritative source for evaluating human records and outstanding accomplishments. Since its debut in 1955, many individuals today actively want to have their names added to the book. </p><p>During the early years of recognition by the Guinness World Record, only White people get the privilege to feature in this global list of achievements. Nevertheless, in recent years, Guinness World Records has recognized many Black people from around the world. </p><p>Here are 11 amazing world records held by Black people.</p><p><br></p><h2>Largest Coffee Sketch in the World</h2><br><p>South African Artist Percy Maimela, in September 2019, won a spot in the Guinness World Record after successfully creating a giant mosaic made from coffee. The then 33-year-old created a picture of popular South African Grammy-award-winning deejay, DJ Black Coffee using nothing but coffee. The artist completed his painting on a 5×5 meter canvas, with the sheet 100% covered in ground coffee with zero negative space to qualify for the Guinness World Record title. “This was my first experiment with coffee, and it came out perfect. I love what I do; whatever goes on in my mind, it’s magic, I actually talk to the art, but I couldn’t because it’s public”, said Maimela. Maimela dedicates his achievement to every South Africa who is scared of chasing their dream.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn3.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1004515/fill/700x0/image3.png?timestamp=1685630533"></div><p> </p><p>Related article:</p></span><div class="media clearfix">
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2021/09/30/369927/best-coffee-brands-throughout-the-african-diaspora" target="_blank">Best Coffee Brands Throughout The African Diaspora</a></h4>
<p>These coffee brands have become the biggest sellers, generating huge profits by offering the richest taste and finest flavor to the people of Africa and beyond. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2021/09/30/369927/best-coffee-brands-throughout-the-african-diaspora">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<p> </p><span><p><br></p><h2>First Double-double Dismount on beam in competition</h2><br><p>Simone Biles became the first person in history to perform a double-double dismount (a double salto backward tucks with 2/1 twist) on the balance beam in competition, at the United States National Gymnastics Championships, in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, on 9 August 2019. During a floor routine the same week, she became the first woman in history to perform a triple-double (a double salto backward tuck with a 3/1 twist). It was named the Biles II. Biles is the most decorated gymnast of all time, male or female, with 25 world championship medals - 19 of which are gold.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn0.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1004516/fill/700x0/image2.png?timestamp=1685630701"></div><p> </p><p>Simone Biles received the Presidential Medal of Freedom:</p><div class="media clearfix">
<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2022/07/27/406356/13-black-legends-who-received-the-presidential-medal-of-freedom" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/937426/fit/80x80/presidential_20medal.jpg?timestamp=1685630609" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2022/07/27/406356/13-black-legends-who-received-the-presidential-medal-of-freedom" target="_blank">13 Black Legends Who Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom </a></h4>
<p>On July 7, President Joe Biden awarded the presidential Medal of Freedom to 17 Americans. In light of this prestigious event, here’s a look at some of the wonderful and deserving Black l... <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2022/07/27/406356/13-black-legends-who-received-the-presidential-medal-of-freedom">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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</p><p> </p><p><br></p><h2>The Largest Afro on a Living Person</h2><br><p>Aevin Dugas from Louisiana has the largest afro on a living person, winning the Guinness World Record for a fourth time. When Aevin first achieved the record title in 2010, her afro had an incredible 4 ft 4 in (132 cm) circumference. Between frequent trims and styling regimens, quite a bit goes into upkeeping Aevin’s afro. Despite Dugas’s effort in her hair’s upkeep, she said she rarely wears it in an afro. However, during the occasions where she does let her afro loose, Aevin said she receives all kinds of reactions from people in public. “Some just yell things in admiration, some stare, some ask questions, then some just walk up and take a little tug. I’ve learned to just give them a little pop on the hand with a few words of choice. I won’t repeat them here.”</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1004517/fill/700x0/image5.png?timestamp=1685630733"></div><p> </p><h2>The Longest Cooking Time</h2><br><p>Indian chef Lata Tondon is the current holder of the cooking marathon record after a marathon of 87 hours and 45 minutes in September 2019. This month, Nigerian chef Hilda Bassey completed a 100-hour cooking marathon, using her culinary skill and stamina to combine local and foreign dishes to create over 110 meals, aiming to set a new world record. Bassey’s time still needs to be certified by Guinness World Record officials before it can be made official.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1004519/fill/700x0/image4.png?timestamp=1685630773"></div><p> </p><p><br></p><h2>First Female Artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame</h2><br><p>Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is most known for her incredible hits, including<i> Respect </i>and <i>I Say a Little Prayer</i>. One of the most respected musicians of all time, she was also the first female artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the class of 1987. This year, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott became the first female hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. </p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1004520/fill/700x0/image7.jpg?timestamp=1685630810"><br><br>Related articles:<br><div class="media clearfix">
<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2023/03/12/428735/the-power-of-black-excellence-highlighting-african-and-african-american-achievements-in-various-fields-part-1" target="_blank"><img alt="The Power of Black Excellence Highlighting African and African American Achievements in Various Fields - Part 1" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/987220/fit/80x80/black_20excellence_201.jpg?timestamp=1685630854" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/03/12/428735/the-power-of-black-excellence-highlighting-african-and-african-american-achievements-in-various-fields-part-1" target="_blank">The Power of Black Excellence: Highlighting African and African American Achievements in Various Fields - Part 1</a></h4>
<p>Black Americans have imprinted on the globe in multiple fields, including politics, entertainment, athletics, and science. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/03/12/428735/the-power-of-black-excellence-highlighting-african-and-african-american-achievements-in-various-fields-part-1">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<p> </p></div><h2>The Youngest NBA player to start a game</h2><br><p>Late Kobe Bryant was a former Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard who was highly respected on and off the court. He made history early in his career at 18 years 158 days, when he started his first NBA game for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Dallas Mavericks on 28 January 1997, breaking the record for being the world’s youngest NBA player to start a game. The NBA superstar and basketball icon entered the NBA straight out of high school in 1996. During his playing career, he utilized his passion and perseverance to earn five NBA championships, 18 NBA All-Star selections, and two Olympic gold medals.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1004521/fill/700x0/image6.png?timestamp=1685630900"></div><p><br></p><p>Read more about Kobe Bryant:</p><div class="media clearfix">
<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2021/08/23/365883/celebrate-the-life-and-career-of-nba-star-and-girldad-kobe-bryant" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/846379/fit/80x80/kobe.png?timestamp=1685629610" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2021/08/23/365883/celebrate-the-life-and-career-of-nba-star-and-girldad-kobe-bryant" target="_blank">Celebrate the Life and Career of NBA Star and #GirlDad Kobe Bryant</a></h4>
<p>Kobe was selected by the Charlotte Hornets as the 13th overall pick of the 1996 NBA draft but was later traded to the Los Angeles Lakers where he would remain for the entirety of his NBA ... <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2021/08/23/365883/celebrate-the-life-and-career-of-nba-star-and-girldad-kobe-bryant">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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</p><p> </p><h2>Most People Brushing their teeth simultaneously</h2><br><p>On July 4th, 2013, about 300,000 participating students within 376 locations throughout Lagos, Nigeria, brushed their teeth simultaneously for the full minute, smashing the previously held record set in 2007 when 117,000 performed the same feat in India. The largest gathering was at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, with smaller events organized simultaneously at hundreds of other locations across the capital. The former Nigerian Dental Association President, Dr Olurotimi Olojede, said the event aimed to teach pupils how to brush and to help them understand the importance of good oral hygiene.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1004522/fill/700x0/image9.png?timestamp=1685630935"></div><p> Related article:</p><div class="media clearfix">
<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2021/03/20/350913/5-foods-that-help-with-oral-hygiene" target="_blank"><img alt="5 Foods That Help with Oral Hygiene" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/810158/fit/80x80/oral_20hygiene.png?timestamp=1685631337" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2021/03/20/350913/5-foods-that-help-with-oral-hygiene" target="_blank">5 Foods That Help with Oral Hygiene</a></h4>
<p>Taking care of your teeth isn't difficult. Eating the right food can help prevent tooth decay and strengthen your teeth. This World Oral Health Day, learn what foods are right for your te... <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2021/03/20/350913/5-foods-that-help-with-oral-hygiene">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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</p><p> </p><p><br></p><h2>Most FIFA World Cup Wins by A Player</h2><br><p>Edson Arantes do Nascimento was a Brazilian professional footballer, better known by his nickname Pelé. By the end of his career, Pelé had won three FIFA World Cups with Brazil, the most wins of the World Cup by any player. Pelé’s first World Cup win came in Sweden in 1958, a tournament in which he provided an assist for a goal in his only first-round-match appearance before scoring the only goal in a quarterfinal victory over Wales. Pelé’s third and final triumph came in 1970. He returned to World Cup play after vowing never to play in the competition again because of the brutal targeted tackling he suffered throughout the 1966 tournament. He won the Golden Ball, scoring four goals, the pick of which was the opener in the 4-1 final victory over Italy.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn3.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1004523/fill/700x0/image8.png?timestamp=1685630966"></div><p> </p><p>Read more about Pelé:</p><div class="media clearfix">
<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2022/12/28/422198/pele-the-soccer-legend" target="_blank"><img alt="Pele - The Soccer Legend" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/972424/fit/80x80/pele4.jpeg?timestamp=1685629478" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2022/12/28/422198/pele-the-soccer-legend" target="_blank">Pele - The Soccer Legend</a></h4>
<p>Pele started his career at Club Santo in Brazil, at the age of 16, and in 1958 when he turned 18, he won the World Cup. The same year, he paused his career to join the Brazilian Army and ... <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2022/12/28/422198/pele-the-soccer-legend">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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</p><p> </p><p><br></p><h2>World’s Largest Paradise Cocktail</h2><br><p>During an appearance at BottleRock Napa Valley music festival alongside fellow rapper Warren G and Top Chef Season 6 winner Michael Voltaggio in 2018, Snoop broke the Guinness World Record for the biggest gin and juice by stirring up a drink that contained 180 bottles of gin, 154 bottles of apricot brandy and 38 jugs of orange juice. Snoop then topped the giant boozy beverage off with a massive red drinking straw, a pink parasol, and a garnish of pineapple and melon on a sword. According to Guinness, the whole cocktail weighed in at more than 132 gallons, officially cementing Snoop’s place in gin and juice history.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn3.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1004524/fill/700x0/image12.png?timestamp=1685630993"></div><p> </p><p>Read about Black-Owned Gin Brands:</p><div class="media clearfix">
<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2021/03/28/351560/5-black-owned-gin-brands-to-buy-for-your-next-g-t" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/811734/fit/80x80/gin_20brands_20black_20owned.png?timestamp=1685629663" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2021/03/28/351560/5-black-owned-gin-brands-to-buy-for-your-next-g-t" target="_blank">5 Black-owned Gin Brands To Buy For Your Next G&T</a></h4>
<p>Myriad Black-owned gin brands are delivering top-quality gin that would make a great addition to any at-home bar. We highlight five brands that are blazing the way for other Black spirits... <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2021/03/28/351560/5-black-owned-gin-brands-to-buy-for-your-next-g-t">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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</p><p> </p><p><br></p><h2>Holder of Two World Records for Half Marathons</h2><br><p>Nigeria’s Tuedon “Tee” Omatsola Morgan earned two Guinness World Records titles for the fastest time for a woman to run a half marathon on each continent (10 days, 23 hours, and 37 minutes) and the quickest time for a woman to run a half marathon on each continent and the North Pole (62 days, 12 hours, 58 minutes and 49 seconds). An accountant by profession and mother to four boys currently living in Qatar, Morgan began her record-breaking journey with a desire to change her unhealthy lifestyle. “I went from an unfit 121 kg to the Guinness World Record”, she explained and said she hoped her amazing story would inspire others.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1004525/fill/700x0/image10.png?timestamp=1685631022"></div><p> </p><p><br></p><h2>Music Artist with the first track to reach one billion streams on Spotify</h2><br><p>Ayo Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has a Guinness World Record for being the artist with the first track to reach one billion streams on Spotify. Wizkid achieved this with <i>One Dance </i>by Drake (Canada), featuring him and Kyla on December 16, 2016.</p><p><br></p><div class="image-main"><img alt="" src="//cdn0.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1004527/fill/700x0/image11.png?timestamp=1685631084"></div><p> </p><p>Read more about Afrobeats:</p><div class="media clearfix">
<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2023/05/10/434642/from-nigeria-to-the-world-afrobeats-is-having-a-global-moment" target="_blank"><img alt="From Nigeria to the world Afrobeats is having a global moment" src="//cdn1.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/999818/fit/80x80/Wizkid_at_Iyanya_s_album_launch_concert__2013.jpeg?timestamp=1685629549" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/05/10/434642/from-nigeria-to-the-world-afrobeats-is-having-a-global-moment" target="_blank">From Nigeria to the world: Afrobeats is having a global moment</a></h4>
<p>Another Grammy Awards season and there is a growing list of African nominees. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/05/10/434642/from-nigeria-to-the-world-afrobeats-is-having-a-global-moment">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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</p><p> </p><div class="media clearfix"> <br></div></span><p><br></p><div class="image-medium image-align-left"><img alt="" src="//cdn3.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/776121/fill/300x0/boitumelo.jpg?timestamp=1685631151"></div><div> Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies. <br></div><p></p><p>She's an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/BoitumeloM" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">YouTube channel </a>where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content. </p><p><br></p><span><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>Read more from Boitumelo Masihleho:<br></span><div class="media clearfix">
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/05/22/435591/the-amazing-black-woman-behind-some-of-the-biggest-black-art-exhibits-in-america" target="_blank">The Amazing Black Woman Behind Some Of The Biggest Black Art Exhibits In America</a></h4>
<p>Pauline Forlenza, Director of The American Federation of Arts (AFA) has been at the forefront of curating exhibits nationwide that highlight the work of Black artists and increase access ... <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/05/22/435591/the-amazing-black-woman-behind-some-of-the-biggest-black-art-exhibits-in-america">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2023/02/10/426000/nicole-lynn-becomes-first-black-woman-agent-to-represent-a-player-in-the-super-bowl" target="_blank"><img alt="Nicole Lynn Becomes First Black Woman Agent To Represent A Player In The Super Bowl" src="//cdn3.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/980935/fit/80x80/image1.png?timestamp=1685631210" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/02/10/426000/nicole-lynn-becomes-first-black-woman-agent-to-represent-a-player-in-the-super-bowl" target="_blank">Nicole Lynn Becomes First Black Woman Agent To Represent A Player In The Super Bowl</a></h4>
<p>She is representing Jalen Hurts, an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/02/10/426000/nicole-lynn-becomes-first-black-woman-agent-to-represent-a-player-in-the-super-bowl">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<span class="pull-left"><a href="/2023/05/14/434827/best-black-country-singers-of-all-time" target="_blank"><img alt="Best Black Country Singers Of All Time" src="//cdn3.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1000160/fit/80x80/image1.png?timestamp=1685631248" class="media-object"></a></span>
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<h4 class="media-heading"><a href="/2023/05/14/434827/best-black-country-singers-of-all-time" target="_blank">Best Black Country Singers Of All Time</a></h4>
<p>Here are the 11 famous Black country singers to add to your music streaming platforms. <span class="pull-right"><a href="/2023/05/14/434827/best-black-country-singers-of-all-time">Read More »</a></span> </p>
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<p> </p><br><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.funtimesmagazine.com">FunTimes Magazine</a></small></p>