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Subversive Art: “Exit through the Gift Shop”

By Bonny Ibhawoh, I saw this movie by chance. I was recently on a transatlantic flight and it was one of the few movies available that sounded interesting. The title certainly caught my attention. “Exit...

Viewing of the Month: Amélie

By Bonny Ibhawoh, I do not consider myself a movie aficionado but every once in a while I delight in foreign movies to extricate myself from Hollywood’s stranglehold on our collective psyche. Old Iranian and...

Guy Fawkes: The Face of Anonymity and Defiance

By Bonny Ibhawoh, I have always wondered what the real story is behind the ubiquitous “V for Vendetta” mask that has become synonymous with the Occupy Wall Street protests in the US and around the...

PFC2: A Theme Song for Peace and Justice

By Bonny Ibhawoh, Readers of this blog will know that I am a big fan of the musical Group “Playing for Change.” Playing for Change is an initiative that digitally brings together musicians from all...

“Telling African Stories” celebrates diversity

By Bonny Ibhawoh, Thursday, February 11th 2010 By NATALIE TIMPERIO THE SILHOUETTE The month of February marks a significant occasion in our calendar. Black history month has been celebrated for years; however, it is more than just an annual...

Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story

Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice -- and warns that if we hear only a single...

Playing for Change

  Playing for Change is an interesting initiative that digitally brings musicians from all over the word together to create beautiful and empowering music aimed at bringing positive change to the world. Their videos have...

Mandela Day: July 18

By Bonny Ibhawoh, Prisoner for 21 years Activist for 67 Inspiration for 91 years

Summer Delight: The Preservation Hall Jazz Band

  One of the attractions of attending a conference in New Orleans is the opportunity to enjoy great jazz music. No stay in New Orleans iS complete without a walk down Bourbon Street to enjoy...

The John Hodgman Raost

By Bonny Ibhawoh, John Hodgman delivers one of the funniest roasts ever delivered. A classic example of how to be pleasantly funny without being offensive. Many of today’s shock jocks could use a lesson or...

Race Culture and Society

"Race Culture and Society" A public talk marking Black History Month at McMaster University organized by the African Caribbean Students Association and the African Students Association. Watch video of the talks Feb 2/09 - Dr. Gary...

Billy Holiday “Strange Fruit”

  This is a video I use often in my undergraduate class on “African Diaspora” to mixed reviews. Some students like it because it captures the pain and injustice of African American experience in the...

THELONIOUS MONK – Blue Monk

I consider Thelonious Monk one of the most important jazz musicians and composers of all time. Yet, I am often surprised that many jazz enthusiasts know little about him. Born at the turn of the last...

Of pseudo-erudition and Netiquette

By Bonny Ibhawoh, I participate in and contribute to several listserves and online discussion boards where, I am frankly dismayed by the language and tone of the discussion coming from scholars and activists who I...

Witchcraft and Human Rights

By Bonny Ibhawoh, Witchcraft and Human Rights It is sad to note that in the 21st century countless number of people around the world still suffer exclusion, social ostracism, violence and even death based on spurious...

Gandhi Peace Festival 2008

By Bonny Ibhawoh, Photos from the annual Mahatma Gandhi Peace Festival organized by the Centre for Peace Studies at McMaster University http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=70652&l=73edf&id=673696944

Oscar Peterson – You Look Good to Me

Classic jazz piano from the great Oscar Peterson who I had the honour of seeing live in concert. This is what great music sounds like – placid, serene and engaging. Enjoy.

Obama’s Quest for his African Roots

Obama's Quest for his African Roots This is my favorite photo of Barack Obama. It was taken on his way to the village market in Kogelo, Kenya. He tells in his autobiography “Dreams of my Father...

Dusk at the Lake

A quiet evening at the lake brings glorious photograph! - Cootes Paradise 2007

Cartoons and Stereotypical Depictions of Africa

Dear Sir/Madam As someone who teaches African history to post-secondary students in our community, one of the challenges that I grapple with is stirring my students away from the stereotypical and often inaccurate representations of...