Blog

  • Dog Eat Dog – Two Sides Of The Same Coin. A Poem That Makes You Think.

    Dog Eat Dog – Two Sides Of The Same Coin. A Poem That Makes You Think.

    Poetry can be beautiful and thought-provoking. I have the pleasure of sharing with you a poem that does both. A student at heart, Amma Birago enables a passion for writing by regularly dabbling in research and conversation-based learning. When Amma shared her poem with me, I felt it was a timely topic considering the upcoming elections in Ghana and other parts of the world. It speaks to the continued frustration people experience within a “democracy” by never seeing the change they voted for.

    Let me know what you think.

    Summary:
    The prevailing converse relations between ruling classes and the ruled in the politics and governance dynamics of contemporary African and other developing countries is subtly addressed in Amma Birago’s “Dog Eat Dog – Two sides of the Same Coin”. It is a case of who the cap fits.

    The Poem:

    dog eat dog – two sides of the same coin

    to not waste your vote is the preserve, the pledge, and anthem of the dispossessed

    to not waste your vote is about the culture and attitude of the benched team and its mercenaries and fans after eight insufferable years of living as refugees in one’s own nation, often third, developing and brain-drained

    to not waste your vote is therefore an exhortation, a sloganeering, designed to urge a lazy bet on the nonincumbent after eight years of abysmal performance of the incumbent

    to not waste your vote is, therefore, to insist on useless self-esteem stemming from the very often accurate and therefore dirt cheap forecasting of the massive win of the incoming

    to not waste your vote is then the safeguarding of entitlement to the leftover of your party after business as usual by the first level of select family and friends, the next level of mercenaries, foot soldiers and servants, and the last level of fans

    to not waste your vote is then the marching song of the lowest rungs when they are about to arrive on the scene and long after filled to the brim the doggy bags have disappeared, and also the floors have been swept clean of pay dirt

    to not waste your vote is the dog eat dog culture of being content, even excited, to have proven to yourself and other close-minded people that like a well trained dog you can pick up the scent of hope six years after the last feast, sixty plus years after the first

    written by
    Amma Birago
    September 2024

    (Cover art by Saatchi Art)

  • Puppet Plants, Celebrity Culture, Global Strategy

    Puppet Plants, Celebrity Culture, Global Strategy

    In this episode, we discuss celebrity culture and the current shift in values, access, and exploitation. Has it become disconnected? Does this influence how we value art?

    Let us know what you think of the episode. You can listen on Spotify or here.

  • My First Business Trip: Italy, Mido Expo, Eyewear Conference, Duomo

    My First Business Trip: Italy, Mido Expo, Eyewear Conference, Duomo

    Hey. I’m in Italy. I took myself on my first business trip to attend the Mido Expo. This is an eyewear expo, trade fair, and conference. This was also my first time in Italy. I came to learn and explore because I’m interested in expanding Bandele Muse products with eyewear frames plus producing eyewear or accents in Africa or the global south. I’m really grateful for this experience. Let me know your thoughts. Share with me in the comments.

  • I Can Be Your Hero Villain

    I Can Be Your Hero Villain

    Are you in your villain era? Are you waiting for a hero to rescue you? How do you think, if at all, superheroes have influenced your moral compass?

    In this episode, we discuss and reflect on the concept of villains and heroes in fiction/ fantasy and how they reflect reality in history and our lives. We share how that connects navigating morals, values, and boundaries that may not be as black and white as heroes and villains portray.

    Let us know what you think of the episode. Listen on Spotify.

  • Why Am I What I Eat

    Why Am I What I Eat

    Why am I what I eat? Let’s discuss and reflect on food, diet culture, the food industry as a scam, and healing through food. We share our experiences navigating our food habits, beliefs, and healing.

    Let us know what you think of the episode. Listen on Spotify.

  • Dear Younger Me

    Dear Younger Me

    Dear younger me, let them choke. Respectfully. What would you tell your younger self? In this episode, we reflect on the concept of self-growth comparing our younger self to our current self. We share our experiences of feeling awkward and confused about becoming a better advocate for ourselves.

    Let us know what you think of the episode.