The Heart of Darkness

Although I am still still intrigued by the topics we have discussed through our readings, The Heart of Darkness by far has been my least favorite. I can't completely understand the full concept of what Joseph Conrad was trying to portray. It's as though he's telling his story in so much detail that I often miss the main points made throughout the reading. What I simply mean is what I basically just said (as far as use of words), SIMPLE. There is a phrase that says "less is more," and I believe Conrad didn't receive that message.

Yet, with all jokes aside, this reading does stand to be proven a novel of sorts. I had questionable feelings for each of the characters, Marlow being the first to come to mind. His role was a very important one in terms of personifying the ignorance and hatred possessed by many of the European colonialist that refers back to the happenings throughout King Leopold's Ghost. While in the same reference, somehow pure consciousness arrives as Marlow begins to make his own questions about what exactly is taking place which leads to my doubt of his true character. Being as it may, irony strikes my mind as I considered the new thought of these European explorers describing the Africans as inhumane savages, yet the thoughtless actions they committed were far from what they deemed to be "civilized."

All around this, to me, is considered a novel Worthy of attention due to it's meaning and symbolism. Yet, I fear to make it too great of a mention due to it's what one might call "over intelligence" as far as things like word play and tone are concerned. Still, who am I to judge? Maybe it's just me being too far behind instead of Conrad being too far ahead. Yet I think people will agree with my opinion.

The Horror of What Was, and The Nightmare of What Is

Though this picture seems to be forged together from the scattered horrors in the back one's already altered and disturbed mind, it is the very reality of this image that brought it to life. I know many of you as the readers will most likely think this picture may be too graphic and over the edge as far as getting the point across goes, but this (to me) is a physical description of what was given in Adam Hochschild's "King Leopold's Ghost."

This is what was done for the greed of wealth and power. THIS was done for the gain of something such as rubber, a once valuable resource that today is rarely even used. THIS was done ignorantly and involuntarily (loose choice of word) by those who committed it's work. THIS was done purposely and mercilessly by those who commanded those working hands (Allen Webb uses a prime example in his latest blog). THIS, which was genocide in its purest form (or what Hochschild calls a 50% decrease as though death was a pay cut) was the result of what horror really is.

Sure heroic names such as George Washington Williams and Roger Casement should have honorable mention for what they had done to inform and reform from such a harsh reality, but such atrocities (though seemingly not as severe) continue throughout the world to this very day. Sure they took a chance at saving the face of Africa's history, but how well did they really do!? Then what comes to mind is "Why has this monstrosity gone unwritten from the history books!?" If that's the case, who's to say that other places that have endured these hardships have had their mention or concern? It hurt that even I myself knew nothing of these events until now.

The horror of this is that it happened, but the nightmare of it all is that it has gone unheard and that it could happen again (in multiple ways on multiple levels) if continued to stay as such. The horror of the atrocities that struck the Congo and Africa as a whole is that man has a disturbed enough mind to imagine and create such an environment willingly. The nightmare is that that same man who exist only in today's time has the ability to imagine farther with new resources at his disposal to create a much more vivid reality of it willingly or not (an example might be what this war in the Middle East has done, yet not on the level of what was written in the novel). I once heard that we are taught history in order to keep mankind from making the same mistakes. With countless information such as this going untold, what can keep nightmares like this from becoming reality once more!?

King Leopold's Ghost (and where I hope it may be!)

Throughout the reading of "King Leopold's Ghost," several emotions manifested within me. Anger, disgust, hatred, but most of all sorrow. I know I am supposed to elaborate on what I've read exactly within the first hundred pages of the book, yet with me being of African decent and of a sound mind tempered with a heavy heart, can only think of how sad this story is.

Leopold II of Belgium, being just one of a number of attributing factors to the depletion of a rich and beautiful land, struck me as a cold and heartless man. Blinded so much by his own greed and ambition, that he can't see the very injustices he has orchestrated. To me, he is simply a thief, taking what he as no right to possess in order to better himself. Leopold will forever be known as a tyrant, at least in my eyes.

Not to get to far off subject concerning the novel, I was amazed within the first few pages. The actual ideas these men had of what abides in Africa astounded me. Giant elephant-eating birds (Roc), one legged, three faced, lion headed humans, or being capable of covering their heads with their feet.

Many would find that humorous that men could have such wild imaginations, but I just found it demeaning and ignorant. As the book goes on my thoughts begin to take a true form, and my assumptions become more than just a shell of my own ignorance. Maybe they still are, but whose foolishness is more tolerable? Hopefully those who choose to judge my calculations search themselves and come to their own conclusion. Maybe then you could known what I mean.

The Effects of Slavery on Africa

Though many have heard the tails of slavery's origin concerning the European slave trade, few have heard exactly how slavery in Africa began. Little do people know that slavery was actually known as punishment for criminal acts throughout African tribes. Although they were treated somewhat fair, criminals worked as slaves to repay the debt they owed to their society. The terms of African slavery would soon change once the information of European demand for human labor was spread.

Dated around 1510, slavery had became "Big Business" among European societies. With Africans already using slavery plus the threat of the European's advanced weapons, it was easy to do as well. As the demand for slaves grew, so did the demand for slaves by Europeans. African chiefs even began to trade their "criminal slaves" in exchange for the European's weapons, which those African chiefs later used to sell to their tribe making crime which was punishable by slavery more likely to occur.

Considering Europeans were also making their move to what is now the United States, coastal African tribes had an easier time exchanging slaves for profit. they even began invading inland villages to capture and trade "criminal slaves." All those who resisted were killed being as their means of weaponry was no match for the coastal African's European artillery. This embarked an era in African history which will live in infamy. Those actions lead to centuries of violence, war, fear and famine which subconsciously affects the world today. Look closely, and you to can still see the effects of slavery now!

"Jim Carey's Got Nothing On Me!!!"

I was very intrigued by all of what I saw once I had finished my "rebirth", and awakened in a virtual world as a completely different person, but this picture in particular caught my eye. The first thought (Though it may have been wrong to do so) was "Wow, how is he holding up that heavy looking mask with such a feeble looking body!?" It was a thought that made me laugh to myself for a minute, but shortly after I thought "I wonder how much better I could even hold that up on my head, if at all!?"

You see, the point I"m trying to make is that although we exist as one species, we live as many different people. What would give me the right to even comment on a culture I know virtually nothing about. What I thought was funny to see, may be the very thing that defines manhood, pride, accomplishment, or celebration in this man's world.

So as I came across all of these thoughts it made me more focused to learn of not only this culture, but as many cultures as I can because I feel for someone to build their world, they must first understand the worlds around them. So I plan to learn from these worlds, because I may never know whose learning from mine!

Things Fall Apart (When Your Trying Hardest to Keep Them Together)

If you've read the novel "Things Fall Apart"(1959) by Chinua Achebe (this being a photo of Achebe), then the photo you see here seems, at least to me, to be a clear visualization of the stern, fierce, grimacing face of the Umuofia clan's most wealthy and respected warrior (as well as one of the most profound characters in the novel), Okonkwo. No offense to Achebe in any way, but this photo in particular gives the image of threat, discipline, and punishment. It also gives the image of honor, pride, respect, and accomplishment. All of which was sought after and greatly achieved by Okonkwo.

A main focus point I zoned in on was the sense of what makes a man in the Umuofia clan as well as the neighboring clans nearby. In the story, this topic seemed to be heavily emphasized when mentioning anything pertaining to Okonkwo. Not so much of him proving his manhood, because he had done that long ago according to the storyline (such stories of him defeating Amalinze the cat in a wrestling match come to mind), but the fear of him not displaying it. Although it be silently, Okonkwo was afraid of being, or even portraying a description of what any man claimed to be "weak".

This fear may have been instilled in him growing up around his father, Unoka, who was without titles or wealth. In fact, Unoka was known mainly for his constant and ever growing debt and outstanding laziness. Umuofia considered him a complete failure and abomination to the earth. With that in mind, Okonkwo didn't have much to look up to or anything to inherit, making him hungry for success and titles. It is even noted that Okonkwo declared to hate everything his father may have stood for, and he planned to live in the exact opposite footsteps his father walked. This desire Okonkwo had he wanted also his family to have, and hated everything they may have done against his will. I guess he may have felt as though even if a man's family shows weakness, it is a reflection of his own.

There was much more emphasized throughout the course of the novel, but Okonkwo's desire to show no weakness and be considered a man in all aspects astounded me. For those who have read this novel, you can most likely picture the great lengths he went to in order to train and discipline (which was often along the lines of threatening and beating) his family. that alone made me feel as though his approach on "manhood" was a bit blurred, but I take it that may have been acceptable at that time.

Overall, that interpretation of what was considered manhood made me take a look at myself. I thought of what work have I done towards gaining titles and success. It made me think more on how far am I willing to go to gain these things, and keep them upon achievement. Will I be capable of gaining as much as Okonkwo? If so, can I do it without the actions he took, or the conflicts he had (many of which seemed to be brought upon himself). So for the young men reading this (of coarse having first read and gained an understanding of the novel), I hope this pierces your mind with similar questions.

Coptic Christianity

Coptic Christianity is a religion used in the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, the largest Christian church in Egypt. Established by Saint Mark the apostle and evangelist in the middle of the first century (approximately AD: 42). their congregation is being currently lead by Pope Shenouda III. He leads and ministers to more than 95% of Egypt's Christians. This church has been alive for more than nineteen centuries.

The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is known considerably for its teachings and academic prowess. The most well known institution it works from is The Catechetical School of Alexandria, founded by St. Mark himself, which is the oldest catechetical school in the world. Students their were graced with the brilliance of scholars such as Athenagoras, Clement, Didymus, and the native Egyptian Origen, who was considered the father of theology and who was also active in the field of commentary and comparative Biblical studies. he wrote over 6,000 commentaries on the Bible in addition to his famous Hexapla. Expanding pass the theological aspect of its teachings, the School of Alexandria also taught mathematics, science, and humanities. Wood carving was used as well to help engage the minds of the blind. Though not to stray to far, The Theological college of the catechetical school of Alexandria was re-established in 1893. This campus stretches to areas such as Cairo, New Jersey, ans Los Angeles. Missionary work was also apart of the church's growth and movement.

With such a large congregation base and with several brilliant minds working together, theological disputes were not to be factored out of the constant building to becoming a stronger church. as a result of these disputes, councils were made to oversee and advise certain aspects of the Coptic religion, as well as the different mindsets of each scholar. So throughout the course of expansion the Council of Nicea (AD 325), Constantinople (AD 381), Ephesus (AD 431), and Chalcedon (AD 451) was created to give a variant perspective of what was believed upon by each scholar who lead it. unfortunately, these changes wouldn't be the only ones.

By AD 639, there was a Muslim Conquest of Egypt, which lead to a large conversion amongst the Coptic Christians. By the 12th century, most Egyptians were indeed apart of the Islamic religion. However, The position of the Copts began to improve early in the 19th century under the stability and tolerance of Muhammad Ali's dynasty. The Coptic community ceased to be regarded by the state as an administrative unit and, by 1855, the main mark of Copts' inferiority, the Jizya tax, was lifted. Shortly thereafter, Christians started to serve in the Egyptian army. The 1919 revolution in Egypt, the first grassroots display of Egyptian identity in centuries, stands as a witness to the homogeneity of Egypt's modern society with both its Muslim and Christian components.

Today, there are about 15 million Coptic Orthodox Christians in the world. 11 million in which abide in Egypt, other countries such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, and Sudan (known as the Diaspora make up roughly 4 million Coptic Orthodox Christians. There is also the 350,000 to 400,000 native Africans who live on the East side of the Continent, yet the are not considered Copts due to their ethnic background being other than Egyptian. There are also other churches such as the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (roughly 45 million), and the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church (roughly 2.5 million) who are treated as members of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Catch me on campus with a Spider-Man backpack... You know me, just your friendly neighborhood rhyme-slinger!!!

The young man you see here is none other than Brady L. Bennett (or as you can see from the picture, Brady Backpackin' Bennett in accordance to the almighty Facebook.com), a second year journalism major from Detroit MI. Most people who make formal introductions normally follow with the basic cute, cuddly description of themselves. You know..."I enjoy long walks on the beach and watching the sunset," things like that! Well, that's exactly what your NOT going to get from me! Lets be real! I'm not trying to waist my time on coming up with a bunch of lies for people to think I'm such a great person, and you as the readers aren't trying to hear it! So as you can see now that I'm not the conventional person, we can get to the facts.

I'm your typical 19 year old college guy. You know, hard headed and sometimes reckless with his decisions. Don't get me wrong, I'm as nice as the male leads in your favorite chick flicks that make the guys envious, and the girls dream up fairy tale lives of riding off in the sunset with their knight in shinning armor. The question is, who can be that way 24-7!? So from time to time I'm a hot head who makes it his way or no way at all, but overall I'm a gentleman. As you can see both through my major in which I stated previously, and by the length of this blog that I love to talk (and listen as well.) I enjoy sports such as basketball, and the latest activities I've deemed sports which I'm sure you'll agree with, eating and sleeping! (maybe not eating because that one guy who you catch on your daily tabloid shows with highlights of him destroying hot dogs has made due.)

I also love to listen, write, and produce music. I'm actually in the process of completing my first professionally made Hip Hop album which I'm very excited about (hence the title of this little banter.) It's a project I've been working on for about 2 years now with my friend Kyle Clifford (A music producer who goes by the name Mr. Vinyl),who attends Wayne State University. He's making great strides because not too long ago he signed with a independent record company as part of its production team, which really helps our progress. The name of the album will be "A Mic Unplugged" under our group name "The Mute." (there's a picture from our latest photo shoot!) Hopefully we can get everything done soon, so keep your ears open for us. Yet, to keep this description of me as short as possible, you'll have to ask me for the rest. I'm sure you can find me to ask what you want to know. Just be sure to check for a Spider-Man backpack!