Åland Sommar Jam off the hook!

I was amazed with the huge number of people that came to Pub Bastun on the 17th July 2009. It was the Åland Summer Jam 2009 organised by Hej Åland and Träffpunkt youths. It was a night that was different from many other nights on the island. The music was exclusively reggae and hip hop.

People started pouring in as early as 21:00 when the guest rapper, Gambia’s own Mo Hawk, was busy sound – checking the instruments before he takes the stage at mid night.

“I like hip hop and this is my chance to enjoy,” said a teenager when he saw me at the entrance.

A local DJ called Johan, started the night by hammering the crowd with some of the best reggae and hip hop tunes you can think of. When DJ Mario from the Energy Sound, Stockholm took over he was also able to keep the crowd going.

“I’m going to give them the best and make them sweat all night,” he said to me shortly before he took charge of the stage.

“Mo Hawk is one of Gambia’s hottest rapper. He is one of the vocalists of the popular Da Fugitivz rap group in Stockholm. Hands together for Mo Hawk!!!” I said introducing him to the crowd, who have never seen him or listened to his music before.

When he started doing his rap the crowd surprisingly went more loud and crazy. Mo Hawk offered an absolutely great performance.

Special thanks to the Träffpunkt, Heidi Öst and all those who supported me in making it happen! More to come…watch out for it!

Click on the link below to watch a bit of the show 

Immigrant Parents Send Teens Away for De-Westernization

Officials say they are learning of an increasing number of cases in which immigrant parents in Finland are forcibly sending teens back to their home countries to de-westernize them.

The Finnish Red Cross as well as social welfare offices say that every year dozens of parents who believe their children are becoming too westernized send their offspring back to African, Asian and Middle Eastern states.

Leena-Kaisa Åberg, head of the refugee and immigration section at the Finnish Red Cross, says school teachers rarely question the sudden absence of students with immigrant backgrounds.

“In some cases sports coaches are the ones who look into these disappearances,” says Åberg.

Authorities say these types of matters often fall beyond their jurisdiction, as parents are responsible for minors.

Janne Kanerva, a legislative counsellor at the Justice Ministry, says it’s not a crime if both parents decide to send their child abroad.

YLE

Men in Finland Facing Increased Sexual Harrasment at Work

One out of eight Finnish men has been sexually harassed by women during the past two years. In the case of under 35-year-olds, the number is one in five. Data published in the syndicated Väli-Suomen newspaper Sunday supplement is based on information from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

International research shows sexual harassment experienced by men has increased in recent years. A police survey reveals one out of five men have experienced sexual harassment at work. One-third of women have experienced sexual harassment in the work place.

Defining and identifying sexual harassment has been problematic. New legislation on equality, which came into force in June, defines harassment as unwanted touching in addition to verbal teasing and licentious gestures.

According to the newspaper report, men find it difficult to report sexual harassment due to their role. It is often the subject of humour because there is always a man who welcoming harassment.

YLE

Mo Hawk to storm the Åland Islands

Talent is great but it is not the only thing you need to become a star.In the absence of dedication and hard work, your talent can be as useless as a chocolate teapot. The Gambian hip hop star, Mo Hawk, has all these and this is why he is waxing more and more strong everyday. On the 17th July 2009, he is travelling to the Åland Islands as the main artist in a program dubbed Åland Summer Jam 2009. This program, which is organised by former What’s On columnist, Alieu Khan, in conjunction with a local youth group, aims at promoting diversity and bringing African and Caribbean music to the doorstep of the islanders.

The Åland Islands is an autonomous region in Finland, situated very close to Sweden. Although reggae and hip hop are popular music on this island, it is hardly played in clubs and pubs. Mo Hawk will unquestionably be the first young African hip hop musician to perform on this popular European Union Island. Speaking to What’s On, the Gambian hip hop star and also sprouting music producer said: “I am glad to be on that island and so happy to support a Gambian brother with his activities.” According to Alieu Khan, the event is expected to attract lot of immigrants living on the island and possibly tourists.

He thanked the youths of Mariehamn city for offering him the opportunity to stage the summer Jam 2009. “I want this to be an annual event and hope it will interest the local people. So the forthcoming one is more like a trial and I am so grateful to Mo Hawk for his cooperation,” said Alieu.

Alieu Khan moved to the Åland Islands 14 months ago and since then he has been involved in lot of community initiatives. In The Gambia, he was the founder and National Coordinator of Children against AIDS. He was popular in student and youth activism and has worked both as a journalist and teacher.

Culled from Daily Observer, Gambia's first and leading daily newspaper

WE APOLOGISE - Indigo Bar & Restaurant

Following the Indigo Bar and Restaurant security guard’s deliberate refusal to let me and a fellow Gambian in, on the night of 5th June, one of the owners of this Mariehamn popular night spot has written to apologise. His name is Stig and in his email he wrote;

“I personally think every human being is equal and that is the policy of Indigo restaurant too.”

He went further to indicate that, as one of the owners of the restaurant he is not racist and when he was living in Sweden his best friends were from Africa, Asia and other developing parts of the world.

Stig quoted Martin Luther King Jnr; “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

I wrote back to accept his apology and assured him that despite how I was been humiliated by the security guard, in the presence of others, I would still continue to patronise them.