Germany finally “apologizes” to Namibia?

This was certainly a surprise although not in the way that I had hoped.

Germany says they’re sorry to Namibia after committing genocide against that nation over a century ago. They’ve done things such as returning the skulls of the Namibians who were used in experiments and they’re just now returning Henrik Witbooi’s (a national hero for the Namaqua and Herero tribes) bible and whip back to their homeland.

That’s all well and good, but it’s is FAR from enough.

The Namibian Genocide was the first genocide of the 20th century as tens of thousands of people were slaughtered, raped, and starved out by the Germans who colonized their country and called it German Southwest Africa back then. This was perpetrated by the 2nd Reich who gunned them down and also used concentration camps such as Shark Island against the Africans. A whole bunch of people involved in that genocide would also be responsible for the Holocaust decades later. How is it that Germany is just NOW starting to say sorry? Is it because Namibia is rightfully suing that country to get reparations (which they totally deserve, by the way)?

More needs to be done. The real kicker was when the German politician is quoted saying “We can’t undo the past.”

I DARE her to say that to the families of Holocaust victims and see how it would turn out.

I hate this double standard of only giving reparations to everyone that suffered except any African ethnic or national group who suffered as well. Researching things like the Namibian Genocide only added to my anger against humanity as these people were killed while their oppressors never got punished for it. I’m sick of seeing innocent people like them get executed, get the Elephant Graveyard treatment (I’m going to keep reminding people about that analogy especially with Shark Island and also…screw Disney!), and sexually abused by the 2nd Reich. These atrocities should be talked about and I want the Namibians to get justice for what happened in their country.

NEVER FORGET!

Video courtesy of Dr. Mumbi Seraki.

Also, shout out to Dr. Y for talking about this issue on his blog Afro Legends. One of his articles about Namibia was even featured in Dr. Mumbi’s video.

ZAP Records Spotlight: Praiser

It’s been a little while since I talked about some other bands or artists from ZAP Records, but I’ve known these guys for a few years now.

This is Praiser. They are a hardcore/punk band from Hamburg, Germany. They just released a greatest hits album called “20 Again” on ZAP’s Bandcamp page. These guys make some fun music. I like how that can make legitimate punk tunes that are socially conscious, have meaning, and they subvert so many cliches associated with Christian rock despite having that world view. I can’t think of too many other bands of that ilk destroying the Prosperity Gospel, calling out hypocrisy in religious sociopolitical circles, and even criticizing Christians who hold racist, sexist, or homophobic views. Good on them for being brave like that.

You can get this 20 song album for only $8 on Bandcamp. That money goes to making quality DIY independent music instead of some faceless musical conglomerate.

Check out Praiser at the following sites…

http://praiser.de
http://praiser.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/PryrHardcore/

-Curtis

I’m Featured on ZAP Records’ New Comp!

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted on this blog. My apologies. I really need to increase my discipline on posting things more often.

Anyways, I wanted to let you all know that ZAP Records just released a new compilation on their Bandcamp page that’s free or pay-what-you-want. It features Incomplete Specters from my debut EP which you can also find through ZAP Records or my own Bandcamp page. This compilation features my labelmates such as Willem Samuel, The Festal Shout, The Straight Suits, George Hugo, To Live As Sons, The Jim Achen Band, Captive Portal, and The Old-Timers! There are even non-ZAP artists like Anti-World System [Grrr Records], The Hoax [Thumper Punk Records], Praiser, Blast From Oblivion [SkyBurnsBlack Records], and False Idle [Thumper Punk Records]. There are some album cuts mixed in with exclusive songs you can’t find anywhere else.

https://zaprecords84.bandcamp.com/album/friends-vol-2

Download it and listen to the mix of punk, experimental, hardcore, and folk tracks.

Thanks!

-Curtis