Category: Published Articles

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The Great Black North: Obfuscations of Academia

A Year ago Frontenac House published THE GREAT BLACK NORTH: Contemporary African Canadian Poetry.

The compilation was so well received that Frontenac House has published a School Edition. The book is already being used extensively throughout Nova Scotia. This is my contribution.

Obfuscations of Academia
By N Oji Mzilikazi

 

Copyright © 2013 by N Oji Mzilikazi, All Rights Reserved

Originally published in:

THE GREAT BLACK NORTH: Contemporary African Canadian Poetry Frontenac House 2013
ISBN 978-1-897181-83-6

 

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Black History Month Musings

Black History Month Musings

By N Oji Mzilikazi

Originally appeared in Montreal Community Contact Volume 24, Number 03 February 06, 2014

The exploitation of people and resources are intrinsic to capitalism.

Capitalists do not care about the human condition, morals, the environment, or corporate responsibility. Theirs is fixation on maximum profitability. Thus labour for the least possible benefits hired accordingly, low wages, poor and dangerous working conditions — and unions birthed to prevent workers from being overly exploited.

Capitalism/Economics and forced enslavement have a long history of intimacy; being lovers.

The enslavement of Africans to be units of exploitable labour resulted in institutional/structural inequalities, polices that ensure the enslaved and progeny remain economically, educationally, and intellectually poor…

 

To be continued

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2013 Quiet Story: The Contraband Tobacco Bill

2013 Quiet Story: The Contraband Tobacco Bill

By N Oji Mzilikazi

Originally appeared in Montreal Community Contact Volume 24, Number 01 January 9, 2014

Prior to the video surfacing of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford so empowered by alcohol intoxication that he vented he could kill someone, the March 26, 2013, Toronto Star quoted Councillor Sarah Doucette saying: “Other councillors have reported, ‘for at least a year,’ seeing Ford appearing intoxicated at ‘festivals, galas, and other evening events.’”

Given the weight of statistical and irrefutable evidence in regards to alcohol and its harm, also the steadily increasing consumption of alcohol by youths, you’d think the Federal government would gladly expend energies towards a national strategy to reduce alcohol consumption; educate John Public on the harmful effects of alcohol, and see to it that television is free from alcohol advertisements.

In keeping with the Harper government penchant to serve the interests of Big Business and protect streams of revenue, an alcohol policy is not on its agenda. Tobacco is – and not from a health standpoint…

 

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Happiness And The Happiness Of Others

Happiness And The Happiness Of Others

By N Oji Mzilikazi

Originally appeared in the Montreal Community Contact Volume 23, Number 26 December 19, 2013

Regardless as to religious beliefs or lack thereof, and even if it’s on account of the gifts, food and drinks, Christmas brings a spirit of friendliness, joy and happiness. Yet, there are those who only know vex and angry parang. They participate in the festivities, laugh and tell jokes as well, but never succumb to the abandonment of spirit.

They can’t or don’t know how to laugh at themselves, and/or to laugh at the world. They stay guarded; watch what everyone say and do and take notes — to use as a weapon at a later date…

 

…Take stock of your life. Cut people off if you have to; if they are bad for your health; rooted in negativity. Remember, “Anger lies in the bosom of fools,” and “A kind answer turn away wrath.”

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

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READING THIS J’CAN TRINI ANIMOSITY

Reading This J’can Trini Animosity

By N Oji Mzilikazi

Originally appeared in the Montreal Community Contact Volume 23, Number 25 December 12, 2013

Thirteen Jamaican nationals deported from Trinidad became the latest cause for the long-established Jamaican “Exceptionalism Bureau,” and “Hating on Trini Brigade,” to mount the mythical high horse of “Righteous Indignation,” claim victimization, pronounce Trinidad are denying Jamaicans entry, and issue a call for the boycott of Trini goods.

Every sovereign state retains the right of refusal, even when there are agreements between nations for the free flow of goods, persons and traffic — but don’t tell that to the Jamaican “Exceptionalism Bureau.”…

 

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Leadership Round-Table Discussion

Leadership Round-Table Discussion

SHOWING HOW DISJOINTED WE ARE

By N Oji Mzilikazi

Originally published in Montreal Community Contact Volume 23, Number 23 November 14, 2013

At a recent round-table discussion I attended about community, leadership, and what was needed to move the community forward, a lot of people and organizations were fairly and unfairly targeted…

 

To be continued