EP 45 - CULTURAL APPROPRIATION

In This Episode: 

There has been a lot of talk about Cultural Appropriation these days, and even though I understand where a lot of people are coming from, I still think there is a bit of a double standard regarding the issue. 

I know this is a very controversial episode, but it's my opinion, and I would love to hear yours too. 

[ DISCLAIMER (7:15) - I do not support or condone ‘Black Face’ or any costume that is intended to make a mockery of any race. ] 

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Braids: https://bit.ly/2P4QxKk 
2. Cornrows: https://bit.ly/1QHl7Ab 
3. Kardashians: https://eonli.ne/2ItF549 
4. LGBTQ: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT
5. 4c Natural Hair: https://bit.ly/2yaurIV
6. Human Hair: https://bit.ly/2RvEm5J 
7. Dashiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashiki

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ 

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/ 

EP 44 - WHAT THE MEDIA WILL NOT SHOW YOU ABOUT AFRICA

In This Episode: 

Over the years, I have watched the media portray Africa and Africans in usually the most horrible light. But, the truth is that there is so much more Africa has to offer. We are much more than they want you to believe. 

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Vaseline: https://www.vaseline.com/us/en/
2. Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/#49eb72fc2254
3. Otedola: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Femi_Otedola
4. Rose of Sharon: http://theroseofsharonfoundation.org/
5. Davido: https://www.iamdavido.com/
6. Tiwa Savage: https://www.facebook.com/tiwasavage/
7. Wizkid: https://www.facebook.com/wizkidmusic/
8. Banky W: https://www.instagram.com/bankywellington/?hl=en
9. Hard Rock Cafe: https://www.hardrock.com/cafes/lagos/
10. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ 

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/ 

EP 43 - The Relationship Between India and Africa

In This Episode: 

I was watching a documentary with my husband a while ago, and we were shocked to see an Indian and an African getting married. 

I have always wondered why it’s so rare to find such a union. Is there some underlying issue between Indians and Africans? 

We have so much in common, so why is there such a great divide?

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Anchor Podcast Lab: https://twitter.com/anchor/status/1022501209519915009
2. Excuse My African Blog: https://www.stelladamasusblog.com/2017/04/excuse-my-african.html
3. Code 55 Store: https://www.code55store.com/
4. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/
5. Hollywood: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood
6. Bollywood: https://www.bollywood.com/
7. Nollywood: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nollywood 
8. Shah Rukh Khan: https://www.facebook.com/IamSRK/
9. Amitabh Bachchan: https://www.facebook.com/AmitabhBachchan/
10. Girl Child Education: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/girlseducation
11. Child Marriage: https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/about-child-marriage/

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ 

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/ 

EP 42 - Not All African Immigrants Are Illegal

In This Episode: 

I was absolutely shocked by an article I read on Flipboard, and I just had to share it with you all.

NOT ALL AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS ARE ILLEGAL !!!

It is wrong to assume that any African you speak to, is an illegal immigrant. Not all Africans aim to make you fall in love with them so that they can marry you for a green card. There are very many legal, educated and hardworking Africans, living in the USA. 

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. CODE 55 Store: https://www.code55store.com
2. Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/
3. Kenya: http://www.magicalkenya.com/
4. Immigration Lawyer: http://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/us-immigration/what-do-immigration-lawyers-do.html
5. Green Card: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_residence_(United_States)

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ 

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/ 

EP 41 - Raising Confident Kids

In This Episode: 

These days it seems as if the world is getting a little too ‘in their feelings’. I was watching the news a few weeks ago, and they were talking about a lady who was pissed that even though her kids didn’t make it to the top 3 in a competition, they didn’t get trophies. So she decided to buy trophies for them by herself.

It got me thinking, are we (especially the people outside Africa) raising our kids to be too emotional? Are we raising them to be able to handle the real world? 

I don’t know about you, but I will raise my kids in the African way. To be confident in themselves whether they win or not, and to learn to work harder to achieve their goals; instead of rewarding them when they really do not deserve it. 

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Grade School: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/grade_school

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ 

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

EP 40 - Marriage and Contracts

In This Episode: 

A while ago I was watching TV, and the news came on about a very popular female musician in America. She had just gotten a divorce from her husband, and was asked to pay him $50,000 every month in ‘Spousal Support’!

I was shocked beyond words because I could not imagine this happening in Africa.  African men are raised to be very independent, and they tend to be slightly egotistical. I was so sure this could not happen in Africa, so I decided to do some research and was surprised by what I found out. 

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Prenups (Prenuptial Agreement): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prenuptial_agreement
2. Spousal Support: https://family.findlaw.com/divorce/spousal-support-alimony-basics.html
3. South Africa: http://country.southafrica.net/country/us/en/

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ 

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/ 

EP 39 - SHOULD I SAY SORRY?

In This Episode:

In Africa, saying sorry to people is a normal thing. We say sorry when we do something wrong but we also say sorry to show compassion and sympathy. It's a part of who we are.

However, after some years of living in America, I was shocked to realize that 'sorry' to people here means a whole other thing!

Connect:
Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com
Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/
Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com
Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

EP 38 - The Truth About Africa and Refugees

In This Episode:

When you speak of refugees, you often think of people fleeing their countries to seek refuge in America or Europe. But did you know that according to the UNHCR, “Sub-Saharan Africa hosts more than 26 percent of the world’s refugee population” !!!

Yet, we are made to believe that Africa is so horrible and so much of a sh**hole continent that no one would ever want go to there.

Mentioned In This Episode:
1. Filipo Grandi: http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/the-high-commissioner.html
2. UN: http://www.un.org/en/index.html
3. 2015-2016 Refugee Crisis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_migrant_crisis
4. South Sudanese & Congolese Conflicts: https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/underlying-tensions-south-sudanese-refugees-and-pathways-conflict
5. UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/

Connect:
Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com
Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/
Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com
Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

EP 37 - Can Your Kids Survive?

 
In This Episode:

I was watching a documentary a few weeks ago and was surprised when I found out that a lot of children between the ages of 9 & 13 could not tell the time on an analog clock, only on a digital clock. It made me wonder whether the advancement in technology is doing our children more harm than good.

Growing up in Africa, we are taught to handle things with and without the assistance of technology. This is what informed the quote ‘Throw an African man anywhere and he will learn to adapt’ to life.

Connect:
Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com
Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/
Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com
Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

EP 36 - Gender Neutrality

In This Episode:

About a week ago, my daughters went to an ‘anti-prom party’ in the city and they had a blast!

However, of all the memories they made that night, the one that would probably never leave her mind was when she had to use the bathroom only to realize that the bathrooms at the venue were gender neutral.

I believe that everyone should be allowed to live their truth and be themselves freely, but do you think maybe allowing young boys and girls, who are in the stage of discovery and curiosity; use the same bathroom at the same time might just be taking it too far?

Mentioned In This Episode:
1. Anti-Prom Party: https://www.nypl.org/education/teens/anti-prom
2. NYC Public Library: https://www.nypl.org/
3. Gender Neutral Bathrooms: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unisex_public_toilet

Connect:
Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com
Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/
Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com
Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

EP 35 - Teaching Your Kids Your Language

In This Episode:

I am talking about the importance of teaching your children how to speak your local African language, especially if you live outside of the continent of Africa.

It is important that our children stay connected to their roots because there would come a time where the world would turn back to Africa, and you do not want them to be considered the lost ones when that happens.

Mentioned In This Episode:
1. Pidgin English: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English-based_pidgins
2. Igbo Language: http://aboutworldlanguages.com/igbo
3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
4. Obyno Daddy Muna: https://www.instagram.com/obynodaddymuna/
5. ESL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_as_a_second_or_foreign_language

Connect:
Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com
Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/
Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com
Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/