We're Cool Like That

Even though I’m from Cote d’Ivoire and I love our music, some of the best music on the continent comes out of Nigeria, Zaire and South Africa. I recently learned about Trenton and Free Radical. Trenton, the lead singer, is originally from South Africa and his band members are from Uganda, Zimbabwe and Spain. Though Trenton’s musicianship may be minimal, I like where his heart appears to be. Listen to and watch the video of Mr. Mandela. I especially like how African people are presented. I like the range of looks and ethnicities that are showcased and which comprise both South Africa and the continent. I see beautiful people celebrating their hero- Mr. Mandela. …no big stomachs, no big bellies, just people living. Click the link to see what I mean. Also, I’m posting my poem, again, “We’re Cool That” as a complement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D77PM62YqJQ

We’re Cool Like That

By Sojourner Ahebee

I’m cool like that, I’m proud like that and I’m African like that.
Not a bloated stomach, not a face encircled by flies, not a beggar’s hand
I am part of a billion people, with a million dances and thousands of tongues
to tell not only stories of tears, to play not only in the mourning band
I have a direct link to the origin of all humanity and shout this fact with my lungs
filled with the sands of the Sahara and the Kalahari.

I’m cool like that, I’m proud like that and I’m African like that.

You place me in your books and newspapers as one mass face
of AIDS and Malaria and T.B. –always the loser of the human race
I am one piece of a mosaic of 53 countries full of resources and grace
I dream, when you come to arm the hungry and take our wealth out of its place
that the Mediterranean and Rea Seas, the Indian and Atlantic Oceans would give chase
to drown your greed and let the waters be its burial place.

I’m cool like that, I’m proud like and I’m African like that.

You dare to rescue Africa with aging rock stars and uninspired actors
with agendas that do not include using us as our own benefactors
Listen to our voices filled with wisdom and experience and not be only our detractors
Listen to Kofi Annan, Nelson Mandela, Wangari Maathai, Wole Soyiknka, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Listen to Africa.

Because we’re cool like that, we’re proud like that and we’re part of humanity like that.