EP 48 - Margaret Ekpo : An African Amazon

In This Episode: 

I am going to introduce to you, a woman who made a remarkable impact in Nigeria. Many of you may have heard of her in passing, but unfortunately, you may not be aware of all the amazing things she did and how she shaped Nigeria as we know it today. She stood for what she believed in and became a hero of our time. 

Her name is Margaret Ekpo, and I am honoring her as our African Amazon of the month.

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Margaret Ekpo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Ekpo 
2. Dublin Institute of Technology: http://www.dit.ie/ 
3. Me Too Movement: https://metoomvmt.org/ 
4. Time’s Up Movement: https://www.timesupnow.com/ 
5. Child Not Bride: https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/ 
6. Let Girls Learn: https://www.usaid.gov/letgirlslearn 
7. African Feminist: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_feminism 
8. Fela Kuti: http://fela.net/  
9. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funmilayo_Ransome-Kuti 

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 47 - Christmas As An African Child

In This Episode: 

I was feeling very nostalgic this Christmas, so I decided to take you all on a journey of how I used to spend Christmas as a kid in Africa!

It was so much fun back then because we weren’t bothered about putting up a tree filled with lights and ornaments or what gifts we got. We just loved gathering together to spend time with our family, friends, and neighbors.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. New York City: https://www.nycgo.com/ 
2. Rockefeller Center: https://www.rockefellercenter.com/ 
3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.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 46 - An African Amazon (Honorable Martha Karua)

In This Episode: 

Last week, I had the opportunity of meeting a wonderful Kenyan woman. I call her an ’African Amazon’ because she defies the standards of what is expected of an African woman and risks even her own life to seek what is true and just. 

Honorable Martha Karua is our African Amazon of the month. 

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Honorable Martha Karua: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Karua 
2. High Court of Kenya: https://www.judiciary.go.ke/courts/high-court-2/ 

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 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/