Akinbode's BLOG on Faith, Politics, Science, Engineering, Education and Health

With Russia's 2nd (1st was seizing of Crimea in 2014) invasion of Ukraine today, the world peace order has changed in a way that many who are students of history will understand. We are at a perilous time. This is how Hitler started his madness in Europe in the early 20th century and the world looked on. Putin's vision is to reclaim the old USSR that has fueled the current strategic move to invade its neighbor, it has nothing to do with Ukraine joining NATO. Putin let out his original intent yesterday in a one-hour ranting - he does not believe Ukraine should be an independent nation. Putin's number one goal in 1999 when he seized the rein of power in Russia was to restore the USSR kingdom - he started with the Georgian Republic, followed it with the annexation of Crimea in southern Ukraine, and he controls a lot of the former USSR republics like Belarus where he continues to prop a dictator who brutalizes oppositions. Africans may say it does not concern us - I disagree....

  Late last year, I was listening to NPR (WEKU) as usual on my way to work. Can't remember which of the programs it was, and the topic of discussion was "Impostor Syndrome" (IS). I was struck by this discovery. I had thought I was the only one that suffered from this experience - apparently, it is a common feeling among those we respect, people who have inspired in history, and those who continue to motivate us. Maya Angelou was a renowned poet and she continues to inspire humanity long after her death, here is what she wrote: "I have written eleven books, but each time I think, 'Uh oh, they're going to find out now. '” Can you imagine, Maya saying this - of course, she was an African American woman who came out of the civil rights era - being a colored person and a woman for that matter, and with a dark past. But she was highly accomplished. Here is an endless list of famous entertainers that have suffered from IS at one point in their life: Tina Fey Sop...

When prejudice, bias, and racism (implicit/explicit) prevail, society at large loses. Many talented people will be prevented from using their gifts to add value to their community (organization, county, state, university, country, etc.) while below par candidates are fielded and given chance to lead with more of the same .. all because of "self-preservation" or perception based on stereotype - students of history will never participate in the stupidity of discrimination. More than enough evidence to debunk any form of homo-superiority The gains of capitalism are the evidence of freedom - let there be an equal playing field for all, let us create an equitable platform for all to thrive and we will be beyond convinced that we are all equally blessed - the environment and the opportunity are two of the factors that shape who we become. Let freedom reign wherever you find yourself ... #opportunity , #letfreedomreign , #allliveshouldmatter