To My Beloved Africa, With Love

Stephen Lewis’ piece “Pandemic: My Country Is On Its Knees” is an amazing story of one man’s journey though the many countries of Africa.  It starts in the early 60’s when Africa was “a continent of vitality, growth and boundless expectation.”  There was still poverty, but hunger was never an issue.  When the HIV/AIDS virus spread through Africa, his beloved country was reduced to desperation and was literally dying right in front of him.

I think Lewis could not have made his point more clear.  This is a serious situation.  It’s reality and it’s still ongoing.  “In Swaziland, it’s expected that up to 15% of the entire population will be orphans by 2010” Lewis stated.  He continues by telling heart-wrenching stories about grandmothers he has met, who had to bury all 5 of her children and a 14-year-old girl having to be the mother of the house and all her younger siblings.  I know that it is a common known fact that Africa is greatly suffering from the AIDS pandemic, and Stephen Lewis knows that too.  But what he is trying to achieve is to give a closer, more personal look.  It is proven that we are more likely to care about something, if we can relate to it on a more personal level.  That is exactly what Lewis did.  He was building empathy within his readers by describing to us, in great detail, some of the tragic sights and situations he came across on his many journeys. 

One of the examples that stood out in my mind was, “To the right of the door stood his two wives, one seventy-six, the other seventy-eight.  Between them they had given birth to nine children, eight of whom were dead.  The ninth was visibly dying in our presence.  In the interior of the hut, the orphans had gathered, and sitting on the floor, looking up at us expectantly, were thirty-six orphan children between the ages of two and sixteen.”  Another example that really made my heart break was, “There, kneeling by the side of a bed, embodying anguish and despair, rocking violently back and forth, was a young mother crazed by loss, watching a nurse firmly place a sheet over the body of an infant and take the child away.”  There were many examples similar to these, and I found all of them very effective.  There was nothing in his writing I found not effective.  It was brilliant.

This is a topic that is very close to my heart, as I was born in South Africa and therefore have citizenship.  I have been back twice since then, and have seen with my very own eyes, the poverty and suffering that resides there.  It was easy for me to fall in love with Africa all over again, the way Stephen Lewis did every time was there.  “Pandemic: My Country Is On Its Knees” is a beautifully written piece that re-opened up my eyes to the desperation of Africa, but also shows the readers that there are treatments and organizations out there, and that we CAN make a difference in the lives of people living with AIDS.  Lewis’ personal stories will remain with me forever, and I hope they had the same effect on you.

If given the chance to work along side with Stephen Lewis, on a project in Africa, which country would you visit, and what would be the focus? (Education, medication/AIDS treatments, nutrition, recreation, housing or clothing… anything.) J

I’ve attached a picture of myself (at age 11) in a town called Sowetho, just outside of Johannesburg, South Africa.  It’s a very rural area with much poverty.  Homes are made from scraps of tin and metal, about the size of a small dining room and usually sleep about eight people. 

You Say You Want A Revolution...

Letter To America: By Margaret Atwood

In this letter, Margaret wrote about the serious changes that are happening in America right now.  She wrote to clarify the identity of this country that she no longer knows.  Margaret expressed her confusion towards their current economic and constitutional path, referring it to the downfall of the USSR.  She wrote this letter to show America - from the view of a Canadian witness and caring neighbour - a glimpse of what they were, to what they are becoming, along with a passionate warning that change needs to happen.

 Margaret began her letter by referencing the wonderful memories she has of American culture, such as Mickey Mouse, Ella Fitzgerald and Humphrey Bogart; simply stating “You were a ton of fun.”  She went on to write about the American Constitution, saying “You stood up for freedom, honesty, and justice; you protected the innocent.  I believed most of that.  I think you did, too.  It seemed true at the time.”  Margaret used this positive historical evidence to further strengthen her argument of change, not necessarily change for the better. 

I believe the purpose of this letter was to open up America’s eyes to really take a look what they are doing to their country and who it is affecting.  As Margaret stated, “Because your business is no longer merely your business.  To paraphrase Marley’s ghost, who figured it out too late, mankind is your business.”  This statement brings America’s downfall to global proportions.  It resonates especially strong with Canada, as Margaret described our strong connection with them:  “As for us, you’re our biggest trading partner;  We know perfectly well that if you go down the Plughole, we’re going with you.  We have every reason to wish you well.”  Margaret achieves this purpose by providing the reader with examples of statistical evidence as well as “what-if” scenarios, letting the reader imagine the long-term consequences of the current path America is taking. 

Her insightful paragraphs of the statistical evidence I found very effective.  She began many of these paragraphs with a strongly stated fact, such as, “You’re gutting the Constitution”, “You’re running up a record level of debt” and “You’re torching the American economy.” Margaret continued by supporting these statements with facts and questions that led to her reasoning.  However, her least effective quote (in my opinion) was probably one of the earlier references, such as, “You were Hammett and Chandler, heroic walkers of mean streets” or “You were Lewis and Arthur Miller, who, in there own American idealism, went after the sham in you, because they thought you could do better”, simply because these references are before my time, so they did not resonate with me.  Perhaps they would support a stronger message to someone of that generation.  In all, Margaret Atwood’s letter was a very in-depth view of the American recession and her unique style of writing made it a pleasure to read.

What do you think of when you hear the word “Revolution”?  Does it need to be violent or irrational?  What about a Peace Revolution?  Do you think America would stand a chance for positive change if they could open their mind to a different understanding of this word?  

First Post!!!

Hello Blogspot world!
This blog is mostly going to be for my English Composition assignments, but I may also throw in some other things for entertainment purposes!  My tribute band has just made a blogspot!  We will be posting info, pictures and hopefully some video footage in the future!  Feel free to check it out or follow us at www.summeroflovetribute.blogspot.com

Good day to all.  Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!