Our Black History!

As you may know the running theme for our February blogs is a celebration of our BLACK history. And if you live in the States (Yankee-town), then all around you, through various mediums, you will find yourself bombarded with facts, dates, VIPs, and other celebratory achievements of African Americans. You will hear widespread reports, receive invitations to historical re-tellings of a life and time when things were different for Blacks in America, and feel inclined to participate in the teeming number of cultural events held all around the country. Not to denigrate the expansive and well-deserved recognition of Black American history in the States, but as a Black person that is not necessarily American I feel impelled to ask, "Where is my Black History?" Where are the facts, dates, VIPs, and other celebratory acheivements of my fellow Nigerians? Where do I attend the cultural events depicting the re-tellings of my family's history? Where are my reports? Where are my invitations?

Maybe my rearing in the States has been a handicap to my development as a Nigerian women. I think I missed taking the course in Nigerian history in high school and college (not that it was offered in either place) and maybe I should have asked my parents more questions. But would they have known the history of their country as well as I can recapitulate the history of oppression and slavery in the States? I think that the answer here is a giant NO! I'm sure that my parents can help me with the culture aspect of the Nigerian lifestyle, but the historical precedence that nourishes that culture, I'm not too certain. Where would they have learned it? It could have been in their primary or secondary school; I know that Nigerian history is taught there. But for me, for my individual set of circumstances that render me removed from that kind of direct teaching and removed from the memories of my 40+ year old parents, where can I learn this information?

I don't think that anyone has thought that this information is important enough to put in print. I tried to go to Amazon and purchase the "Concise Introduction to Nigerian History" and "1960: The Annotated History of a Civilization" but I don't think they are out yet (probably because I just made them up). I assume that this information, in the thorough way I find in African American history, is not out there (and just to lay into the point a bit more and prove to you that I did my research: I spent all of 30min on Google trying to find this information and its not there. Experience has taught me that if it can't be googled then it doesn't exist!). So what do I do? I must celebrate BLACK history month. It's simple: I'll re-tell my history myself!

On a majority of African American owned radio and television stations I have noticed that their commercials provide you with information about what happened "on this day" in history. I love it! and feel that it would be appropriate to institute this same kind of "commercial break" as we celebrate the history of all Blacks this month. So for the month of February, this is what happened on a particular day in the history of Nigeria: (if you have anything to add, please feel free to leave it in the comment section)

February 9, 1979 - Nigeria amends Constitution.

February 11, 1971 - Whitney Young Jr, National Urban League director, drowns in Nigeria.

February 13, 1976 - General Murtala Mohammed, head of Nigeria, killed during a coup.

February 13, 1944 - Rebop Kwaku Baah,the Nigerian percussionist, was born.

February 27, 1999 - Olusegun Obansanjo becomes Nigeria's first elected president since mid-1983.

February 26, 1885 - Congress of Berlin, gives Congo to Belgium & Nigeria to England.

(all facts come from http://www.historyorb.com/countries/nigeria )


Happy BLACK history month!

Love,

Ronke A. Oke
Miss Nigeria in America, 2008

P.S. : I was just kidding about not finding it on Google. I just said it for dramatic effect. EVERYTHING can be googled! But the point I was trying to make is that we need to know the history of our county and our people, and celebrate the strides we have made especially this month. It doesn't matter if that country is Nigeria, Cameroon, Haiti, Jamaica, Madagascar, or Ghana. Next year I hope to hear about some events or exhibitions depicting our rich history. We can make it happen. We need to make it happen for our future generations. They need to know their story and we need to re-tell it as often as we can.

TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE YOU MUST FIRST KNOW WHERE YOU COME FROM!!!

Here are some websites that discuss the history of Nigeria

• http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad41
• http://history1900s.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.motherlandnigeria.com/history.html
• http://www.iss.co.za/Af/profiles/Nigeria/Politics.html
  

Here is a book on the history of Nigeria:

• http://www.amazon.com/History-Nigeria-Toyin-Falola/dp/052168157X

Evolution of a Legacy

So it’s Black history month again, and traditionally, we celebrate and recognize the achievements and contributions of Africans and African Americans from our respective societies. The election of the first African American President of this country makes this year’s celebration a little more unique.

Amidst the excitement that I’m sure most of us feel this Black history month, we must take a moment and reflect on the shift that has occurred in our history with the election of President Obama and what stories we will produce for future generations to celebrate in their black history months. The change that we have all hoped for is finally upon us. Knowing that this moment is possible because of the sacrifices that individuals that have walked this earth before me continues to serve as an inspiration to me.

I cannot help but to think about Nigeria as the whole world celebrates with America. It saddens me that we find ourselves in this very dismal situation, the future seems bleak, and I shudder to think about how brave men and women who sacrificed and fought for our independence would react if they woke up today. We have become apathetic and it seems that we have lost our zeal to survive. However, it gives me pleasure when I talk to other young Nigerians who are hopeful about the inevitable change that will come to our home land. To those people who are holding on to this hope, thank you! For me, I am hopeful as well. Surely we know that change does not come by the waving of a magic wand.

What sacrifices are we willing to make today so that our children and grand children can one day stand in unison and declare that change has finally come? How will history remember our generation? We must all play a role if we want the vision of the new Nigeria to come to pass. It is not enough to sit and hope for things to happen. We must support each other, affect change even if only one person is touched, and we must preserver because that moment, our moment will be so much larger than any of us can imagine today.

I encourage us to stay in that hope, motivated by that dream and commit ourselves to the vision of effecting that change that we wish to see come to fruition and together make a difference that will inspire the future generation to also continue the spirit of hope that we instill in them.

Remain Inspired,

Queen Gideon

MNIA. Inc. Team

"Ask Me Anything" w/ Ronke A. Oke

I really don't know what I want to call it. Ask Me Anything gets right to the point, but its not catchy enough. Another suggestion is either I Tell Ya! or The Inquisitive Soul but neither one of these really captivates me. You're probably wondering what I'm talking about. I'm talking about my video blog, the program/show/videoepisode that I initiated that would allow me to respond to the questions that you all ask me. A lot of people ask me questions about myself and want to know where I stand on certain issues. Others, I am aware, are simply dying to ask me some questions (and this may be an overstatement but I hope its true). I want to share my responses to these questions with my audience and also give those who have inquired into the personal areas of my mind a medium to join the spotlight. I think this would be an innovative way to reach out and see who is listening and who is supportive. Here's how it works: If you have a question for me just send it to ronke@missnigeriainamerica.org. If you want me to personally mention who submitted the question, please leave your name. All submissions are due by Friday and you should see a posting by Monday or no later than Wednesday (unless there are extenuating circumstances, i.e. the first video response). I am also giving shout outs. So if you have an event, or just want your name stated for the world to hear or see, or even if you want to share anything, send it to me and I will make sure that you get your space. I would also include any poems, songs, spoken word or (this can be recorded or written) original peices, questions you have for those who are watching, an problem that you want advice on, or a picture that you want others to see. I will make sure that it makes it on and give you the credit you deserve.

Now I want to know what you all think about this. How does this idea work for you all? Do you all feel more involved with what I am doing? That is the goal for all of this to get you all involved. Please let me know and feel free to share your comments, thoughts, and suggestions for a name for this videoepisode.

Much love,

Ronke A. Oke
Miss Nigeria in America, 2008

The Inauguration/Oprah really got to me

One unforgettable moment, five words: The Inauguration of Barack Obama! It was my intention to join the 1.5+ million people in DC and stand face to face with the man whose story is the stuff of legends. But the $800+ airlines were asking for plane tickets to DC made me rethink how I was going to celebrate this moment in history. I normally do not praise Memphis but the city actually came through during the Inauguration. The relationship that many drew between President (hee-hee. I can say that now) Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made Memphis the 2nd best place to watch the Inauguration. Memphis is the city where MLK was assassinated 40 years ago and I was able to view the inauguration at the exact location MLK was assassinated, the Lorraine Motel, which has been transformed into the historic Civil Rights Museum. I even managed to make it on CNN....well not me exactly but the auditorium of the Civil Rights Museum made it onto CNN. I was honestly almost brought to tears (and I am not one to shed them, but I was at the brink of complete exposure) when I saw Pres. Obama cross the threshold of the Capital and take his place on the podium. I mean I definitely felt the presence of something in that room and felt a great wave of joy and confidence overtake my body. But as all things, my reflection of the moment did not mimic my sentiment of the experience.

I began to wonder why I was so invested in this election and what it meant for me as a Nigerian to be excited that this man is now the President of the United States. How can I and do I relate to this moment? Pres. Obama is not Nigerian; his father is from Kenya so that makes him partly African and I can relate to the occasion because of his ancestry. But he's not known as the first African President of the United States but the first African American President of the United States. He does make a point to acknowledge and re-emphasize the diversity of his background, especially his African roots, but is this simply it? Does it even make a difference? I know most of you all are thinking that I should just be happy for this moment and rejoice in the triumph of truth, justice, faith and hope, and in the power of democracy.....but as a Philosopher I must ask these tough and trying questions. Do I have a place in President's Obama's legacy? Is his dream the same as mine? How deep is the bond between President and constituent? Obama includes me in his dream on the condition that I keep my end of the bargain and work to make the Dream a reality not only for myself as an resident of the Americas but as a citizen of the world, a believer in a more perfect, harmonious and equal utopia. The thing that me, MLK and Obama have in common is that we are all Dreamers and we all believe that our dreams will one day be a reality. Whereas I tried to cause division by making the Dream about country lines, the Dream is really about the width of one's heart and the triumph of one person who will work to elevate millions. That's the significance of January 20, 2009 and the legacy of President Barack Obama.

Then enters Oprah Winfrey. One particular statement she made during her Inauguration recap show with Gail, Forest Whittaker, and Bon Jovi really boiled my blood. Everyone was commenting on how the entire world tuned in to watch President Obama take the oath of office and Oprah made a comment that aggravated the biggest pet peeve I have about references to Africa, bigger than the question "Do you all wear clothes/shoes?"It is the pet peeve of referring to Africa as a country. Oprah said that even her girls in Africa were watching the Inauguration, as if to say that from this statement one could pinpoint the location of the girls. The picture I imagined was a small cottage with the words "Africa" written on the mailbox and all of Oprah's girls sitting around cross-legged watching the tv screen as President Obama took his oath. Africa is not a small cottage but an enormous palace with 54 rooms, all with unique decores, structures, and styles. I am sure she did not intend to mean that Africa was a country but when I heard her statement I immediately heard her saying: Africa = country, not continent. I would rather, in circumstances where you know the specific country in reference, people call the country by name. If it is not a country that most people know you can do them dual service to list the country AND the continent. That way they will know that the country is within the continent and not continue to think that the continent is a county. She could have said that (1) her girls in Johannesburg were watching the Inauguration or (2) her girls in Johannesburg, South Africa were watching the Inauguration. Truly, I would have liked for her to say that her girls in Henley-on-Klip were watching the Inauguration. I opt for the latter statement because I think it would encourage people to do research on their own and figure out exactly where it is located. A significant majority of people (and I will go out on a limb and say Americans) are not aware of a world outside of their country, especially the world of Africa (and here I can sayAfrica because I am referring to the continent and not to a specific country or locale. And I also know that Africa is a continent not a country).

Well I guess that's it for now. I'm sure you have a lot to say in response to this blog and I LOVE IT! I welcome all opinions and comments. This is a discussion not a personal rant (even though at times it could read as such :-P). Even if you agree with my statements, the whole point is to make your voice heard. If you don't then that's even better. Make your point so we can talk about the world around us and open up the world around us......

Much Love,

Ronke A. Oke
Miss Nigeria in America, 2008

Some days it really is HARD!

Good ideas are fairly easy to come up with, but every good idea is never as easy to implement. I guess this becomes the ever growing pile of discouragement that some Nigerian men and women cite as reasons they are spectators to the perpetuating problems and fail to contribute to the solution. The problems facing Nigeria are, without a doubt, overwhelming, and before a sign of hope appears in the horizon, it is met with more obstacles and increasing problems at every corner. Some believe that in order to defeat the obstacles they must secure better positions that enable them with the capacity and resources to make a difference (i.e. being a citizen with one vote cannot guarantee that your voice is heard but being an elected official with one vote can move and shake a multitude of things), but that too doesn't make matters easy. Sometimes it really is the state of things, and in particular the state of a nation, that is the impediment. Sometimes it really is HARD!!

As Miss Nigeria in America it is assumed that I am in a position to "move and shake." It is true that I have resources and a wide network of individuals and, even if I cannot manage to make direct contact with a resource, I can quickly be put in contact with someone who can. But with all these benefits I am still having difficulty trying to get what I want DONE. It is not a lack of passion or because of an impeding schedule but rather the difficulty in understanding what is really going on in Nigeria. It is at this point when I try to wrap my head around the fact that my call to the Orphanage in Okwelle just will not go through and added to that the fact that no one in Owerri knows where the orphanage is, that I realize what has happened: I have become Westernized. I operate with Western ideals and hopes, clouded expectancies in which I expect that answers to my questions will return to me in an "instant"; spoiled by the luxuries of communication devices, transportation systems, and other "advancements". I erroneously think that the world resembles my immediate surroundings and commonplace experiences. I have shut myself in from the outside world and have lost touch with reality. And the reality for most, including those in Nigeria and from Nigeria, is that my tunnel vision focus is surreal or rather, no reality at all.

Its not that I was disappointed that I could not get through to anyone at the orphanage but I honestly could not and do not understand why I couldn't get through and ultimately, why Nigeria is the way it is. Why don't we have better communication devices? Why aren't the roads paved and the transportation vehicles reliable? Why aren't we more advanced (technological and otherwise)? It is definitely not because we suffer from a lack of ingenuity. There are thousands of Nigerians in the States and all across the globe that are Engineers of all sorts, Entrepreneurs, Nurses and Doctors, Lawyers, Politicians, Educators, Inventors and Scientists, and who hold a host of other occupations and degrees, and whose opulence and intelligence would shock us all. This should at least warrant us a multitude of progressive staples in our country but to our dismay Nigeria is still the way it is and I am still a bit disconnected from it all.

I wanted to write this entry as my attempt to communicate to you the difficulty in getting anything of substance accomplished in Nigeria. I truly wanted to discuss the relentless attempts MNIA has made to make the dream of free education possible to the children at the Motherless Babies Home in Okwelle. I wanted to describe the setbacks of such a dream and the setbacks of Nigeria, but all I seem to point out are the setbacks of being away from home. I have spent 23 years way from my home and have let ambitions and other commitments prevent me from getting in touch with my roots. And though it really is hard some days to hold on to a dream, its even harder to let go of it. The great thing about this dream is that it not only allows me to be of service to others but it also keeps me grounded in Nigeria.

Much Love,

Ronke A. Oke
Miss Nigeria in America, 2008

A New Year. A New Queen. A New Vision.

WOW! I just have to thank GOD! People tell me that the shock and excitement will eventually wear off but I'm not convinced that it ever will. Well...let me not say that because as soon as I have to hand over my crown to make way for a new queen with a new vision I'm sure I'll be shocked but in no way will I be excited! (LOL) I can't believe that 4 months have already passed. It seems like yesterday I was jumping up and down after hearing my name and the announcement that I, Ronke Abidemi Oke, have been crowned Miss Nigeria in America, 2008! WHOA! Now its four months later and I am just now beginning to track my journey. This is actually a great place to start. I am now settled in my new position, have set up my vision and platform for the year, and from today on out will be engaged in what I like to call "Implementation." I am very excited about this year, about what will happen next. But it seems fair to bring you up to speed....

September 6, 2008
As soon as I was crowned I was given my first appearance as Miss Nigeria in America. I presented an award to Honorable Patience Jonathan (wife of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Vice President of Nigeria) at the 'Beyond the Tears' Humanitarian Awards Show in Harlem, New York. My presentation would have been memorable if in fact I had a chance to meet the 2nd Lady Mrs. Patience Jonathan. Unfortunately for me she and everyone else of importance in Nigeria made an emergency trip back to Nigeria. I just stood on stage smiling that big smile of mine as I presented to the Secretary who accepted the award on her behalf. But it didn't turn out too bad. I was pleased that everyone was excited about my appearance at the event and genuinely wanted to meet me, exchange business cards, and take pictures. I felt like a celebrity and received all of the perks that comes with fame. I also got to reconnect with one of my fellow Delegates from the Pageant and my twin, Joycee Awojoodu, Miss Enugu 2008.

October 25, 2008
The next event I attended was Nylah's Catering's Charity Gala, "Feed the Children". The event was phenomenal. I learned so much about the lives of our children back home in Nigeria. The event sought to provide food for the thousands of child hawkers on Nigeria's street and sponsored the Poorest of the Poor orphanage in Abuja. It was also my first speaking engagement. I was so committed to the efforts that Nylah's Catering was sponsoring so the words I offered were directly from my heart. My speech, I think, encouraged everyone to take responsibility for the state of our children and to make it their duty to provide these street children with a life of love, hope, opportunity, security, well-being and prosperity. I also took the opportunity to introduce the audience to who I was and to make them aware of the work I plan to do this year. I think that my main appeal is that I do everything with passion. From the words I speak to servicing the community to getting all Nigerians involved to the platform I adopted this year, all of this resounds the passion I have for other people and the pride I have in my culture and country. I was delighted to have an opportunity to share this message with the people at the Gala event.

November 28, 2008

After the Charity event I visited the women of N Street Village. N Street Village is in the District of Columbia and the organization provides food, clothing, showers, transitional and permanent housing, mental and physical health care, and support for homeless and low-income women. N Street Village empowers the women and encourages them to reach their highest potential in all areas of life. Serving over 600 women, N Street Village has been built and maintained with principals of strength, dignity, ability, and personal responsibility. I participated in the Sister's Circle program and drew from my personal experiences and ideals to empower the women of the N Street Village. But the main inspiration came from the women of N Street. The stories that they shared and their willingness to open their lives so that others could learn from their decisions was amazing. They taught me that day that life is a fight for happiness and realizing that happiness is not just momentary pleasure but a way of life that you commit to every day of your life. And they also reminded me that life is also about the decisions you make. Though we cannot always make the best decisions, we have to prevent ourselves from reaching rock bottom before we begin to fight for our happiness. I think I learned more from the women than they did from me. That's how life is sometimes. You think you are going to be of service to someone else but you end up being served. And it is in those moments that you realize how valuable the spiritual bond between women really is. For this reason, MNIA, Inc. is going to continue working with the women at N Street and have made a pact to continue to support this mission in uplifting women globally.

December 13, 2008

For the Christmas season, I made a trip to Los Angeles to support Miss Nigeria in America, 2007, Ms. Peace Amadi, as MNIA, Inc. returned to PATH Regional Homeless Center. This year marks the third year MNIA has been involved with PATH. With a mission that seeks to "break the cycle of homelessness by empowering people with the tools for self-sufficiency," PATH assists their members with finding work, securing housing, and life empowerment. Their "hand up" approach (as opposed to a "hand out") to tackling the growing problem of homelessness is innovative and simply inspirational. This event seemed to me to be the epitome of selfless service:it was not about MNIA at all that day, it was about the men and women at PATH. Everything we did was a full commitment to ensuring that the people at PATH felt the love that only the holidays can bring. While preparing the meal for that evening we put more than our foot into it, we put our hearts, our souls, and every fiber of our being. And as we sang the Christmas carols, we poured out our hearts. I read this quote that seems fitting for this event: The best exercise for the heart is to bend over and help someone out." And I can honestly say that we got a full workout.

As you can see, the first 4 months have been a tailspin of adventure and appearances. With magazine interviews, photo shoots, invitations to various events, and a large network of supporters and contributors, I truly feel like a queen. I also feel extremely supported. Everywhere I go and everyone I have met has shown me nothing but love and support. They want to help. People want to be involved in the changes that Nigeria is beginning to see. They are excited about fresh ideas and persons who are committed to resolving the problems that thwart the growth and development of such a strong nation. I thank everyone for their support. It is truly what keeps me going.

If people are excited about the past 4 months, just wait until you see what I have in store. 2009 is a big year for the world and I plan to do my part and, as my sister Dupe always says, leave my footprint on the world!

Much Love,

Ronke Abidemi Oke
Miss Nigeria in America 2008

Day 3 & 4 -(Saturday and Sunday)

Well nothing much happened this weekend as I will be going to the doctor tomorrow to check out why this bad cold keeps resurfacing... I have nothing to report today and I will continue my journal tomorrow. I will be back in full swing....

I know some of you came to read thinking I had posted something new today but I didn't so I encourage you to go back to my previous posts and read about Diabetes, the types of diabetes and causes

Here were the questions and my responses that I posed on Friday

1. Do I go to the gym? If so, is my workout routine working? Do I do enough exercise?
Well I go to the gym but not as often as I should and I have made a commitment to myself to try harder. I have a couple of classes scheduled for this week and I bought a skipping rope.

2. How much do I weigh? Try this test and figure out what your weight should be http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm

Wow..(Did I ask this questions lol) Okay I weigh 165pounds. In other words, I gained a cool 25 pounds which I intend to lose in the next couple of months. My weight for my age and height is supposed to be 140 pounds.

3. What commitments will I make to myself now to make sure I stay healthy.
I am committed to eating healthy, exercising and keeping fit.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I promise a full week of exercise, information and a lot more to help us with the Diabetes Awareness Week.

Love

ChiChi Dike
MNIA, Inc.