Africa Is a Country

The Waka Waka Award*

The Waka Waka Award*

By
Sean Jacobs

This may yet become a weekly award on AIAC.

The inaugural Waka Waka Award–name in honor of Shakira–goes to Jack Burkman, “GOP strategist,” who recently decided to insult Ethiopians and Nigerians in a Fox Business News studio “discussion” about closing the United States Post Office–work that out. Watch it here.

I know no one watches Fox Business News. But anyway, Burkman, who has an interesting bio (to say the least), decided that the Post Office’s biggest problem was immigrant unskilled labor: “Most of these guys in the post office should be driving cabs. And we should stop importing labor from Nigeria and Ethiopia.”   He blamed the US government and trade unions for apparently letting this happen.  At least Al d’Amato, a former New York Senator, called Burkman out about his “racist bullshit.” Added D’Amato at the time: “… You should be ashamed of yourself and have your mouth washed out. What the hell are you talking about?” So did another guest. Burkman still insisted his nonsense was “based on fact.”

Jack Burkman. Winner of the Waka Waka Award.

Further Reading

Not exactly at arm’s length

Despite South Africa’s ban on arms exports to Israel and its condemnation of Israel’s actions in Palestine, local arms companies continue to send weapons to Israel’s allies and its major arms suppliers.

Ruto’s Kenya

Since June’s anti-finance bill protests, dozens of people remain unaccounted for—a stark reminder of the Kenyan state’s long history of abductions and assassinations.

Between Harlem and home

African postcolonial cinema serves as a mirror, revealing the limits of escape—whether through migration or personal defiance—and exposing the tensions between dreams and reality.

The real Rwanda

The world is slowly opening its eyes to how Paul Kagame’s regime abuses human rights, suppresses dissent, and exploits neighboring countries.

In the shadow of Mondlane

After a historic election and on the eve of celebrating fifty years of independence, Mozambicans need to ask whether the values, symbols, and institutions created to give shape to “national unity” are still legitimate today.

À sombra de Mondlane

Depois de uma eleição histórica e em vésperas de celebrar os 50 anos de independência, os moçambicanos precisam de perguntar se os valores, símbolos e instituições criados para dar forma à “unidade nacional” ainda são legítimos hoje.