Tag: Somali Bantu
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The Heart of City Heights
Community-based centers and organizations create stable, safe places for youth and community members to feel connected. Many of these spaces and places provide education and literacy programs, as well as services that support youth in developing leadership and communication skills. They also provide opportunities for youth to voice their own opinions without feeling doubtful or…
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The World is in Our Voices: The Power of Youth Storytelling
Youth voice has always been vital to social and political change. Young people shape the way we see social progress and our future, yet sometimes the power of youth voice is forgotten. We are told that we are “too young,” that we “don’t know enough,” that “our opinions are invalid.” These sentiments have the power…
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Embracing What’s Natural
The natural hair movement was created to encourage women with African ancestry to celebrate their kinky, curly, hair texture. For most, being natural has involved unlearning the deep-rooted beauty standard that straight hair equates to “good hair.” From a very young age, many black youth are forced to get their hair chemically straightened in order…
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Mental Health: Opening Dialogue in the African Community
Bantu refugees have endured continuous marginalization in Somalia since their arrival as slaves from Bantu-speaking tribes in the 19th century. Even though they lived in Somalia for almost two centuries, the Bantu were still viewed and treated as foreigners and outsiders. The persecution of the Somali Bantu during the Civil War in the 1990’s…
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Community members celebrate placemaking
The gathering space on the corner of 50th and University has been in development for some time. Local efforts to slow down traffic and increase pedestrian safety are showing results in this new “Place-Keeping” effort. The City of San Diego has now officially permitted the benches and tables, a place for the Somali community to…