my lower case

A series where women discuss sex, myths, patriarchy and misogyny. 

"Discourse on Africa is geared towards simplicity," explains Edjabe. "Everything must be simple, 'he's a poor black man, he's a victim,' like there has to be a simple story, in a way this is what signifies Africa and global consciousness," he adds.

The Afro-fusion quartet from Nairobi greets the morning birds and joggers on the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge in Austin, Texas, with a version of its recent single "Love or Leave." via NPR

Love it! They should come perform in Minneapolis sometime. Next year's African Summer at the Cedar, perhaps?

Spokesman Recorder's Dwight Hobbes interviewed me last month for Women's History Month. 

A couple of boys playing chess draughts (checkers) using found objects, mostly rocks and twigs, outside the Brian Coyle Center in Minneapolis.

A prayer ceremony led by traditional drum groups and dancers of the North America, and Meshikas of Mexico and Central and South America at the Hennepin Govt Center, now known as the People's Plaza by OccupyMn protesters. 

“Indigenous peoples of North and South America [were at the People's Plaza] to reoccupy our sacred Mother Earth. We will join together as one on this day of national mourning of the genocide of 120 million indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere, as American and the world celebrates the pirate Columbus.”

Images from Minnesota's first day of "Occupy" protests at the "People's Plaza."

The Economist makes the case for Minnesota Nice in immigration:

The difference may be partly because, when it comes to immigration, Minnesota is more like Canada than the rest of the United States. Being far removed from Latin America, the main source of immigrants to the country in general, Minnesota has little cause to worry about unauthorised migration.

But it is also a matter of policy. The state has been a national leader in refugee resettlement programmes since the 1980s, and its main metropolis, the twinned cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, has adopted a series of initiatives aimed at supporting refugees of all kinds as well as regular migrants.

Both are sanctuary cities, for example, meaning that police are barred from asking about migration status during the normal course of business. They have also spent money on integration. Mr Samatar’s centre, for example, specialises in helping African immigrants who want to start small businesses.

Click through title to read the article in its entirety.

I haven't met Timon Bondo, but I have heard a lot about him from many older Kenyans who live here in the cities. Perhaps, it is time I gave him a visit. The Strib's Curt Brown writes a heartwarming piece about this how Mr. Bondo came to the states and continued to live here while building two schools in his hometown on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya. 

(click through the title to read the profile)

Finding my Minnesota identity: the Star Tribune's Curt Brown writes a nice profile of my work on his weekly column My Minnesota.

(click through title to read the story)

Hard Times. Today, I met Patrick at the Hard Times Cafe in Minneapolis. As irony would have it, he has fallen on hard times and has been selling flowers for the past two years on the West Bank. Turns out he is a Nigerian immigrant with a masters degree in pharmacy; and lost his job two years ago. He insisted on buying me one of his roses. Pink for friendship, he said. 

We learned from the 2010 Census that Minnesota’s population became more diverse between 2000 and 2010. There are nearly 107,000 more Hispanic residents in Minnesota today than there were 10 years ago. And residents who checked the box next to “Black, African American, or Negro” on their 2010 Census form rose almost as much: close to 103,000 people. Immigrants settling in Minnesota are driving this new diversity, and as their children come of age and start their own families, Minnesota communities will likely become still more diverse.