Comments on naijablog: Arise, the hymn

I think I agree that Thisday is the leading newspa...

2009-10-09T08:01:57.469+01:00

I think I agree that Thisday is the leading newspaper in the country. The flagship used to be the Guardian but Thisday is now considered by most as the flagship. I also know of no other newspaper house that parades the kind of solid management team as Thisday (including its alumni staff). NEXT printing quality is superb but its early days to judge yet.

What i find irritating about the piece is not so m...

2009-10-08T16:26:07.985+01:00

What i find irritating about the piece is not so much what was said but the tone which implies that the writer is not part of the media that is guilty of perpetuating these views of Africans.

For one, anyone can call any magazine 'Nigeria...

2009-10-06T19:00:02.517+01:00

For one, anyone can call any magazine 'Nigeria's leading newspaper' so the qualifier is ok. Plus, I like ThisDay too.

The intro to the piece only retold the typical American ignorance. Don't blame the messenger, even if he's cut from the same ignorant cloth.

Not everyone with an English sounding name and ope...

2009-10-06T16:37:44.287+01:00

Not everyone with an English sounding name and operating from London is not African . Case in point, I am (Wilfred Wright), based in the UK and work for the African Virtual School. However, I am from Freetown (we do have some English sounding names) as a result of a resettlement program organised by one William Wilberforce / Granville Sharp some 200 years ago!

Awww, leave them to it! I mean they've got to ...

2009-10-06T15:10:09.242+01:00

Awww, leave them to it! I mean they've got to sell their magg rite? Anything to make their readers happy abi? Even if it is the 'gospel truth' according to the london based editor.....

Peace: there is a difference. Cassava Republic is ...

2009-10-06T14:30:06.657+01:00

Peace: there is a difference. Cassava Republic is based on the continent, engaged in the development of local talent and with local staff. Arise is based in the UK and appears to use international contributors.

I agree with ano 12:02 re: the opening paragraph.T...

2009-10-06T14:17:39.635+01:00

I agree with ano 12:02 re: the opening paragraph.That *is* very to the letter of how African women (and Africans, in general) are portrayed. I bet even some Africans don't immediately think abundance or stylish woman reading "Arise" when sub saharan Africa is mentioned.

Also, as far as I know, you own Cassava Republic with your wife. Does that make Cassava Republic any less African? Yes, an African editor would be great for "Arise" but in the absence of one, we'll take what we can get...which isn't a shabby alternative by any means.

he is just saying the truth, duh.

2009-10-06T05:57:47.093+01:00

he is just saying the truth, duh.

but he is not far from the truth as he accurately ...

2009-10-06T00:02:22.065+01:00

but he is not far from the truth as he accurately describes how africans (women) in general are portrayed to the outside world. You don't see celebrities hugging hungry looking white kids in europe or america, but they see them doing so all the time with african kids. Madonna has single handedly put malawi on the map, and i won't be surprised if a lot of americans believe that she is worth more than the country in fortune.
Aside from South Africa, the rest of Black Africa is portrayed in the worst light. So the article does little to irritate, it only is, in a sense trying to enlighten the rest of the world that SHOCK HORROR African women read the glossies in the midst of pervading suffering, hunger, poverty, violence and the like. HA!