Kenny's Camera, Cooking & Crazy Confessions

At Long Last, The DNA Results Are In!  I Am From... More than 15 years have passed since the day I was approached by a complete stranger on the street, asking me if I was "from home" (if you're new to my blog or simply missed this post, the story can be found here in the story, Africa: MORE Than Just Hollywood's "Black Panther" [Pt. 2 of 2] ).  She was the first of over 50 (yes, 50) people who either thought I was from, or told me that I looked like someone from Ghana, Africa . I didn't give it much thought in the beginning, but as time progressed and I met more and more Ghanaians who closely resembled my own family members, I really began to wonder if it was more than just coincidence.  Especially since people from other countries in Africa supported this comparison.  What's funnier, is not a single person believed I looked like I was from any country other than Ghana. Last year, I decided I should find out for myself during my talks ...

Hello and welcome back for Episode 3 of my 5-part series, Africa To America , which I call "Hatred Of Self" (if you're new to the party, I strongly suggest you go back to the beginning of my blog series - "Africa To America [Pt. 1]: More Than Just A Slave Journey" ).  This week I want to share a few thoughts on the troubling concept of self-hatred in the black community.  This, as always, is for ALL to hear and I hope that everyone takes something away from this.  Warning: I'm not pulling any punches and this will be raw, so there will be no apologies for what I have to say.  One of my favorite movies is Spike Lee's "School Daze" (1988).  It gives us a closer look at fraternity/sorority pledging, divided friendship, intra-racism and other issues that are believed to occur at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).  Set at the fictional Mission College, the film became quite popular by touching on a subject that you don't n...

Welcome back for Episode 2 of my "Africa to America" series.  In the first installment, I directed you to the moment AFTER the classic scene in Alex Haley's "Roots" where Kizzy was taken from her family and sold to another plantation.  I shared that the little known understanding was how the loss of his daughter was the breaking point for Kunta Kinte.  Kunta was a proud Mandinka warrior, abducted from Africa and cast into a life of servitude.  Until this tragic event, Kunta had always stood strong in the face of adversity, never abandoning his training and beliefs.  Sadly, the loss of Kizzy and the staggering message from his wife that his beliefs had failed him were more than he could bear.  If you missed my first post, I strongly suggest you read Part 1 first at this link . I hope you had an opportunity to sit back and digest my thoughts on the symbolism behind it.  This was a moment that may have been lost on many who were still caught in Kizzy's ...