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	<title>Orijin Culture</title>
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	<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community</link>
	<description>A unique &#34;Brand&#34; connecting all African descendants together through culture; Fashion, Music &#38; Lifestyle. Keep the culture Alive.</description>
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		<title>Happy Independence Day to the Republic of Kenya!</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/happy-independence-day-republic-kenya/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=happy-independence-day-republic-kenya</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/happy-independence-day-republic-kenya/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:08:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nekita</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fresh Off the Boat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[independence day]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jomo Kenyatta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kenya]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Masai tribe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Republic of Kenya]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[safaris]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=5397</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[


As one of the most diverse and most developed and economically robust nations in Africa, Kenya has come a long way since gaining independence from the British on December 2nd, 1963. Led by Named after Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kenya, the Republic of Kenya has played and continues to play an important role in African, particularly Eastern African development.
Although numerous media reports have characterized Kenya as being plagued by “ethnic violence” and recent droughts have resulted widespread famine, is makes claims to some of the worlds most spectacular and diverse wild-life reserves and safaris.  Kenya is also home to one of Africa’s most interesting and well known tribes, the Masia.

Like most African and post-colonial nations, Kenya continues to encounter various political, economic and social ills. However, there is always hope for the future. As noted by Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first Prime Minister &#8220;You and I must work together to develop our country, to get education for our children, to have doctors, to build roads, to improve or provide all day-to-day essentials.&#8221; As long as Kenyans continue to develop ways to work together then they will be able to overcome many of the issues they continue to face.
Orijin will to wish the Republic of Kenya and it’s people a happy independence day!



]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Island Girls are Crazy! Ask Chris Brown</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/island-girls-crazy-chris-brown/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=island-girls-crazy-chris-brown</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/island-girls-crazy-chris-brown/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:35:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nekita</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Culturally Misunderstood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fresh Off the Boat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Roots & Culture Effect]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Caribbean]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chris brown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crazy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[island]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[passion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rihanna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[St. Vincent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[traditions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trinidad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Indian]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=5387</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Earlier this summer I took a trip to New York and had a chance encounter with a gentleman by the name of J.R. at a Manhattan nightclub and it went as follows:
J.R. approaches …. Wow…that’s a beautiful shirt you’re wearing. It compliments your beautiful eyes
Me: Thank you….. That’s quite a spiffy shirt you’re wearing
J.R.: You are approachable and you use the word “spiffy” you must not be from around here! Where are you from?
Me: I current reside Toronto and have been for many years but I was born in Trinidad and grew up in St.Vincent.
J.R: I knew you were too good to be true! I love island girls!&#8230; they are always so beautiful and exotic looking… and it’s the beauty and exoticism that pulls you in…. but ya’ll are deadly! I don’t mess with island chicks!
Me, with an obvious look of disgust on my face: I’m sorry… I don’t think I heard you properly because of the music. Can you please repeat what you just said?
J.R.: I’m serious! Island girls are crazy! Ask Chris Brown! I swear, you guys know how to push a man’s button’s to the point where he has no control. American girls get loud but I can handle them… you island girls are on a different level though!

Being the true West Indian woman that I am, I’m pretty sure you can guess where the conversation went from there.
Believe it or not, this was not the first time I have been told that Island aka West Indian women are crazy.  I have been referred to as Miss Cleo (remember her?) or when I mention that I am from t he Caribbean/West Indies I am often told about how beautiful Jamaica is (while I do not dispute Jamaica’s beauty, my point is that many people fail to realize that the Caribbean is made up of many different islands) and how the next door Jamaican neighbour was crazy. I have been told that West Indian women are too headstrong, provoking and will often go to extreme limits to get their points across. While some say that we are crazy, I say that we are extremely, extremely passionate!
I am the embodiment of the typical, traditional West Indian woman.  My looks are ambiguous due to my diverse racial make-up; I “get on bad and wuk me waist” when I hear soca music; when posed with the option of a mango/passion fruit versus a berry drink, I will always choose the mango/passion fruit option; if I’m not careful and think about the word photography before I say it, I will place the wrong emphasis on the wrong syllable and say ‘flim’ instead of film; I will always choose the beach and sun over the snow and cold and I believe that dogs belong outside and not in your house, let alone your bed!

As children, West Indian women are imbued with a strong sense of pride and independence. We are taught to cook and clean not to become housewives but because “your house [...]]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Lark of Music: Cuban Soprano</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/lark-music-cuban-soprano/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=lark-music-cuban-soprano</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/lark-music-cuban-soprano/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 17:37:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>michelleflowers</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fresh Off the Boat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cuban jazz vocal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cuban soprano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ernesto Lecuona]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Havana in 1950]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xiomara Alfaro]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=5378</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As the winter temperatures drop in the northern hemisphere, it helps to listen to the hot Cuban jazz vocal stylings of Cuban soprano, Xiomara Alfaro. She was born in Havana in 1950. She performed with Cuban composer and pianist Ernesto Lecuona. Her version of the song Siboney was the composer&#8217;s favorite. Her musical style of choice was bolero, and she sang in a sky-high range only attainable by birds in the sky. She was aptly called “La Alondra de la Cancion,” or The Lark of Music.




Indigo Thread: Women of Vision and Purpose is a column on Orijin Blog and Magazine. The column focuses on Black women in the media and other areas of society, including social, cultural, economic and spiritual. The blog appears on Thursdays, and the magazine version of the column appears in each edition of the publication. It is written by anthropologist and actress, Michelle Flowers, who is based in Los Angeles, CA.
]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Orijin Culture: African Caribbean Business Council 2011</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/acbc/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=acbc</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/acbc/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:49:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cadmin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Event]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[African Caribbean Business Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ambassador]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Botswana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Diaspora]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ghana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nigeria]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Orijin culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sierra Leone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Togo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trinidad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Western Union]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=5353</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Watch Highlights of the Round Table below..

[PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS]
Orijin&#8217;s Memorable message from the great event:
&#8220;In our minds all of us when we leave this hall, we need to continue to preach the message that Africa is a continent. It is so unfortunate that to this day, in a lot of peoples minds Africa is a Country. But I can also appreciate the fact that in the United States, you look at those divisions between the States and you just transpose it to Africa and say because Africa is all these lines and United States these lines it means it is one. The powerful message however of looking at Africa as one is the solidarity; because that solidarity is important for trade, its important for us as a people&#8230;. How many of us were taught by history that Africa is the dark continent. Today that we know better, you wonder a continent so rich in minerals, in people, in cultures, in beauty,  in tourism, how could anyone ever have said it was a dark continent?&#8221; &#8211; Honorable Tebelelo Seretse(Botswana Ambassador to the US)
]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>acirfA rethoM</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/acifa-rethom/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=acifa-rethom</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/acifa-rethom/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:09:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Zack</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Free Your Mind (Poetry, Spoken words)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fresh Off the Boat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acirfA rethoM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beauty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[genocide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[image]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mother africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rwanda]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=5268</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Acirfa Rethom, the earliest memory I have of her has been glossed over by the passage of time and yet the sensations of our first meeting still come to mind. The warmth of her embrace was like the sun coming through a gap in the curtains on a lazy Sunday morning. Her laugh was infectious, and sparkled like the early evening sun reflecting back off the rippling waves of Lake Victoria. Her eyes deep and seemingly fathomless, held promise of understanding that endeared trust. Her smell was like the damp earth just after a rainstorm.
Like a child I loved her completely. Like a child, understanding was not a prerequisite for love.

&#160;
Time passed and I grew up. I was exposed to others who though beautiful in their own right could never quite measure up to the adore with which I held her. With time and appreciation, her smile had taken on a more mischievous glint. Her hair fell over her eye, like the reeds on a riverbank, hiding the mystery that lurked therein. The mere mention of her name sent shivers down my spine and had me puffing out my chest, strutting around like a young buck on the Savannah.
I had begun to hear whispers though. She was broken. She was twisted. She was not who she claimed to be. She was a plaything for the highest bidder. She was a bad apple that simply knew how to dress up nice.  

I paid them no mind. What did they know? How could they doubt the realness of what we had between us? Could they not see that ours was a love that little could break? With a flippant attitude, I rattled off the list of whisper to her, confident that like myself she would pay them no mind. That we would laugh at the haters and carry on where we had left off.
She didn’t laugh though. She simply smiled as I came to the end of the list.  It was a different smile. This one tinged with sadness, robbed of the warmth that I had come to know and expect. 
 
A tear worked its way down from her left eye as she raised her hand to pull away the hair from the right side of her face. That is when I saw the first bruise. Like a blemish on a Sunday dress, prominently unmistakable. I sat there in horrified silence as she continued to strip away the rest of her clothing, revealing with each layer scars both new and old. Some scabbed over while others festered. Purple bruises, old burn wounds replete with purulent discharge. The sickeningly sweet smell of liniment washed over me where once there were only sweet fragrances.
How could I have not noticed? How could I have been so blinded? My mind spinning, my heart filled with thoughts of betrayal, I ran as fast and as far as my legs could carry me. The last sound I heard as my frantic feet cleared her doorstep was the anguished sobbing [...]]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Introducing Orijin Boutique &amp; VERNA Kyulah, the New Collection.</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/orijin-boutique/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=orijin-boutique</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/orijin-boutique/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:42:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>NoelleBonner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fashion & Style]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=5186</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Since it&#8217;s inception, Orijin Culture has been dedicated to connecting all African descendants together through culture, and breaking the negative perceptions that plague Africa and the African Diaspora. Creating a unique voice of great writers over the years with enlightened perspectives to bring the “Unspoken” and the “Unheard” information to our intellectual curious audience, Orijin is taking its mission to the fashion world by re-branding its fashion line and launching &#8216;Orijin Boutique&#8216; ; An African influence fashion store designed to show the beauty of our culture and identity.
“Culture is not limited to one space. It lives through people, places and things. It creates a trend and a lifestyle.”-Archyn Orijin
&#160;
VERNA Kyulah, the New Collection&#8230;


“VERNA Kyulah”(Vernacular) literally means a mother tongue or native language of a group of people. The idea behind this line came about from acknowledging the history of “silencing” many people of African descent have endured by loosing their native language and identity through the force of  speaking the language of their colonizers (usually English, Portuguese or French).  But “VERNA Kyulah,” the trendy “urban” voice  is here, speaking its native tongue. A language that the modern diverse world understands.
The &#8220;VERNA Kyulah&#8221; Collection with bold type T-shirts such as &#8220;99% of the image portrayed about Africa is Bull$h*t&#8221; and &#8220;Give me 1% of your mind and I will occupy it with the True Image of Africa&#8230;I&#8217;m the 99%.&#8221;, is designed to grab people’s attention, creating an awareness to inspire others to inquire about the multitude of meanings behind the simple declarations.  Africa and its different cultures are so much richer than the negative perception certain medias perpetuate. It is time we changed THAT voice. We are the people with the new voice. VERNA Kyulah
The Pidgin language is here. The Slang is here. The Cockney is here. The Creole is here. The Patois is here. We have RECLAIMED our VOICE. VERNA Kyulah.

Visit Our Boutique today:  http://www.orijinstore.com!!
Get Discount codes on our Fanpage: http://facebook.com.com/orijinculture


&#160;

Bullshit:- A blatant lie, a fragrant untruth, an obvious falicy (Urban Dictionary)
&#160;





FASHION&#8230; HUMANITY&#8230; CULTURE&#8230; DIVERSITY&#8230; STYLE&#8230; IDENTITY&#8230; LOVE.
]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Indigo Thread: Getting to Zero</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/indigo-thread/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=indigo-thread</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/indigo-thread/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:06:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>michelleflowers</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fresh Off the Boat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[african]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alicia keys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Black women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Getting to Zero]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hispanic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Keep a child alive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNAID]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[World AIDS Day]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=5243</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Today marks the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day. The Day is about raising awareness and money to end the spread of the HIV virus. This year the theme is “Getting to Zero,” which aims to elevate our collective drive to put an end to the disease. We are a long way away from that day.
According to UNAIDS data, there are currently more than 34 million people living with HIV throughout the world. Sadly, there were an estimated 1.8 million deaths last year related to AIDS.
Unfortunately, among women with HIV, black women are disproportionately affected. In recent years, black women accounted for 30% of the estimated new HIV infections among all black people. The rate of new HIV infections for black women was greater than 15 times as the rate for white women, and three times than that of Latina women.
There are resources available to help our community. A short list includes: Alicia Keys’s Keep A Child Alive Foundation (http://keepachildalive.org/), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (http://www.aidshealth.org/), The Foundation for AIDS Research (http://www.amfar.org/), National AIDS Foundation (http://www.aidsfund.org/), and Elton John AIDS Foundation (http://www.ejaf.org/).
Get tested.
&#160;
Indigo Thread: Women of Vision and Purpose is a column on Orijin Blog and Magazine. The column focuses on Black women in the media and other areas of society, including social, cultural, economic and spiritual. The blog appears on Thursdays, and the magazine version of the column appears in each edition of the publication. It is written by anthropologist and actress, Michelle Flowers, who is based in Los Angeles, CA.
PLEASE GIVE YOUR THOUGHTS?


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		<item>
		<title>The Next BIG Shoe Designer: OBI CYMATICA</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/big-shoe-designer-obi-cymatica/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=big-shoe-designer-obi-cymatica</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/big-shoe-designer-obi-cymatica/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:19:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>NoelleBonner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fashion & Style]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian Louboutin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fashion history]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jimmy Choo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mr. John Galliano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[OBI CYMATICA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shoe Designer]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=5207</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Many people don&#8217;t know that behind luxury designer powerhouses like &#8220;Jimmy Choo&#8221; and &#8220;Christian Louboutin&#8221; there are actually armies of talented designers. Each furiously working to make their shoe illustrations stand out among the rest, so they are picked to go into production and ultimately decorate the feet of the consumer. In the fashion industry, it&#8217;s part of any designers right of passage to lend their creative genius to household names before striking out on their own. Using their time working for brands to learn the business and build contacts so they are equipped with everything they will need to make their individual mark in fashion history. And with the industry already incredibly cut throat, it only allows the truly gifted and driven to survive.
(the following illustrations were drawn by Obi Cymatica)



&#160;
OBI CYMATICA is one of those truly &#8220;gifted and driven&#8221; designers. Growing up in Nigeria, and moving to New York at the age of 16 with his family; it was in a high school art class that a teacher recognized his sketching ability and recommended that Obi visit FIT&#8217;s museum to gain an understanding of what fashion illustrations were all about. A true art form themselves alone, Obi was taken up in the magical designs and sketches by the uber talented Mr. John Galliano. Falling in love with the artistic grace of Galliano&#8217;s work, he knew that he had found his calling.
&#160;
After graduating from high school, Obi went to school in Hungary for four years to hone his sketching talent, and learn the skills and techniques he would need to make them come to life. Upon returning to New York, he quickly got an internship at the Patricia Fields store, and then went on to illustrate clothes for Kai Milla (Stevie Wonder&#8217;s wife). Though a talented clothing illustrator, he wanted to get back in to designing shoes. So next he moved into sketching designs for Bon Chic Bon Genre, otherwise known around the world as BCBG. His next job was a major one&#8230; working for the king of couture Mr. Oscar de la Renta. His first truly high fashion job, it was an exciting achievement for Obi when he landed the position. Currently working for Jimmy Choo- known for its diversity in style, but always maintaining a classiness not always achieved by other shoe brands-his creativity is encouraged, and he is given the freedom to explore his shoe fantasies.
(shoe illustrations by Obi Cymatica)


 


Being a fellow African trying to forge my path in the fashion industry, I asked him what it has been like being a shoe designer of African descent. And he described that his major challenge has been in interviews with potential employers. With them often &#8220;expecting to see someone else&#8221; and &#8220;surprised&#8221; that he is the individual that shows up for the interview. He said &#8220;They are unable to connect with how an African male will be able to design women&#8217;s shoes with mass appeal.&#8221; This narrow ideology has made finding work hard for Obi, causing [...]]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Male RAPE by Women: Myth or Fact?</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/male-rape-women-myth-fact/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=male-rape-women-myth-fact</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/male-rape-women-myth-fact/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:21:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cadmin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fresh Off the Boat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kelvin Hazangwi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[man raped by woman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[men]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Padare Menâ's]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sexual violence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taboo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zimbabwe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=5177</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#160;


I just read this in the news :
Three women in Zimbabwe are accused of raping at least four men to get their sperm for traditional rituals. The women, who have been charged with 17 counts of aggravated indecent assault, go on trial today in a case that has shocked the country. Police officials in Zimbabwe believe the alleged perpetrators are part of a nationwide syndicate that may be using the sperm for a traditional ritual claiming to make people lucky and wealthy. They were apprehended in a town about 170 miles outside of the capital city of Harare after police found 31 used condoms in their car. At least nine men have come forward with similar stories of being attacked. One of the alleged victims told his story on a popular national talk show called Maichiamba. He said he was raped after accepting a car ride from the women.
&#8220;One of the women threw water in my face and they injected me with something that gave me a strong sexual desire. They stopped the car and made me have sex with each of them several times, using condoms,&#8221; he said. &#8220;When they had finished they left me in the bush totally naked.&#8221; The man said he went to the hospital to be treated for the drug&#8217;s effects and called the police. After facing ridicule and scorn over the attack, he said he came forward publicly because he wanted to help other victims.
Female Rapists Go On Trial Today
&#8220;I&#8217;ve noticed that the men who have come forward are really traumatized after seeking medical assistance of these rapes and need counselling,&#8221; Kelvin Hazangwi, National Director of the Padare Menâ&#8217;s Forum on Gender, tells ABC News. &#8220;Some of them, their partners left them and they could not go back to their families. Their social networks have broken down.&#8221;
Hazangwi says that male rape is still a taboo subject in a society that has very clear definitions of masculinity. For example the women have been charged with aggravated indecent assault rather than rape because a man being sexually assaulted by a woman is not recognized under Zimbabwean rape laws.
&#8220;This case is shocking not only for the men but also for the society as a whole,&#8221; says Hazangwi. &#8220;Many people drove to the police station just to get a glimpse or a view of the women that would rape men.&#8221;
The women have denied the charges, claiming they are prostitutes and did not have time to dispose of the condoms. Cousins Rosemary Chakwizira, 24, and Sophie Nhokwara, 26 told local media that since being out on $300 bail, they&#8217;ve been in hiding after having their lives threatened.
&#8220;Are we not suspects until proven guilty? It&#8217;s as if people have already made their judgments and found us guilty,&#8221; Nhokwara said in an interview with New Zimbabwe.com.
Regardless of the outcome, the case has started a dialogue in the country about attitudes and treatment of sexual violence against men
&#8220;We are realizing that rape whether it happens to grandmother, a child, or a man is wrong,&#8221; [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Giving Thanks</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/giving/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=giving</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:16:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>michelleflowers</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Of the Day]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=5165</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Be thankful, grateful and generous. During this Thanksgiving holiday, I encourage all of our Indigo Thread readers to give thanks for all of the good things in life, but also to give thanks for the ability to reach out and help others. Volunteer. Support. Give back. Here is a list of several non-profit organizations that have been founded by and continue to support women of color in the community:
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Bam Crawford Ministries http://www.bamcm.org/index.php/giving/
EmpowHer Institute http://www.empowher.org/shop-and-give.html
The Girl Blue Project http://thegirlblueproject.org/donate.html
The Links Foundation http://www.linksinc.org/foundation.shtml
The Walk in Closet http://www.thewalkincloset.org/
Urban Possibilities http://www.urbanpossibilities.org/donate.htm
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Happy Thanksgiving!
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