Loatrac Express

Happy Juneteenth to all Black Americans celebrating this important day of freedom and liberation. Wishing you a joyous and reflective time as we commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

The African Renaissance Monument in Senegal:

This iconic statue stands tall and proud, symbolizing the strength, resilience, and unity of the African continent.

Located in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, the African Renaissance Monument is a true marvel of art and engineering. Standing at a height of 49 meters (160 feet), it is one of the tallest statues in Africa.

The monument depicts a man, woman, and child emerging triumphantly from the ground, their arms outstretched towards the sky.

The statue was unveiled in 2010 to commemorate Senegal's 50th anniversary of independence. It represents the aspirations and hopes of the African people for a brighter future and a united Africa.

The monument serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and the potential for growth and development across the continent.

Visiting the African Renaissance Monument is an awe-inspiring experience. As you approach the statue, you'll be struck by its grandeur and the intricate details that bring it to life.

The panoramic views from the top of the statue offer breathtaking vistas of Dakar and the surrounding coastline.

Beyond its artistic significance, the monument also serves as a cultural center. Inside the base of the statue, there is a museum that showcases the history, culture, and achievements of Senegal and Africa as a whole.

It's a wonderful opportunity to deepen your understanding of the rich heritage and diverse traditions of the continent.

If you're planning a visit, make sure to bring your camera to capture the stunning views and the monumental beauty of the statue.

It's also worth noting that the monument is surrounded by a beautiful park, providing a serene and peaceful atmosphere for visitors to relax and reflect.

The African Renaissance Monument stands as a powerful symbol of African pride, unity, and progress.

It's a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in exploring the vibrant culture and history of Senegal and the African continent. 🌍

Credit: Africa Unite Zone

17 Facts You May Not Know About Haiti:

(1). Haiti was the first independent black republic, gaining independence from France in 1804.
(2). The Haitian Revolution was the only successful slave revolt in history.
(3). Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic.
(4). The country is prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes and hurricanes.
(5). Haitian Creole and French are the official languages.
(6). Haiti has a rich cultural heritage, influenced by African, French, and indigenous Taíno elements.
(7). Vodou (often spelled Voodoo) is an officially recognized religion in Haiti.
(8). The Citadelle Laferrière is the largest fortress in the Americas.
(9). Haitian art is renowned for its vibrant colors and themes.
(10). Haiti has a young population, with a median age of about 23 years.
(11). The country is famous for its annual Carnival celebration, known as "Kanaval."
(12). Haiti has a diverse and flavorful cuisine, including dishes like griot (fried pork) and rice and beans.
(13). The country has one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the Caribbean.
(14). The Haitian national drink is rum, and the country produces a variety of rum-based beverages.
(15). Haiti has a strong tradition of oral storytelling and folklore.
(16). The country is working towards reforestation after decades of deforestation.
(17). Haitian music, including genres like compas and rara, is a significant part of the national culture.

Do you agree?

No religion that did this to your ancestors can show you the way to heaven.

MUHAMMAD ALI: One of the greatest boxers of all time, reflected on the impact Malcolm X had on his life.👀

“Turning my back on Malcolm was one of the mistakes I regret most in my life. I wish I could tell Malcolm I was sorry, that he was right about so many things. But he was k!lled before I had the chance. He was a visionary before all of us. Malcolm was the first to discover the truth, this color doesn't make you a devil. It is the heart, soul and spirit that define a person. Malcolm was a great thinker and an even greater friend. I might never have become a Muslim without Malcolm. If I could go back and do it again, I would never have turned my back on him. “—Muhammad Ali

This is a controversial new study on Africa's two most widely read and, arguably, her finest writers. Despite their shared levels of prestige, each represents a distinct pole of Nigerian writing. On the one hand, there's Soyinka, the playful imagist steeped in the myth and magic of his native Yoruba culture; at the other end of the spectrum, Achebe's internalized Igbo cultural traditions.

Kole Omotoso - himself a prolific writer and prize-winning Nigerian novelist - explores and defines the differences in style, background, and vision between the two men. Individual chapters describe their childhood, their cultural influences, political involvement, their stand during the Nigerian civil war, their attitudes to the world at large, their contribution to the language debate in African literatures, and there is also a chapter devoted to Achebe's and Soyinka's responses to their critics.

The works of Achebe and Soyinka are considered against three main the pan-African agenda, the Nigerian nation-state agenda, and the ethnic national agenda. Despite their shared nationality, their contribution towards creating 'a community of sensibilities' in Nigeria is questioned by the author in terms of the instability that has bedevilled Nigeria and, by extension, other African countries.

After debating with some people about African History in the comments section, I have discovered that some opinions are not based on racism. Rather, some people just don’t currently have good critical thinking skills in general. If you assume everyone is clever or humble, and seeks out new information in order to update their thinking, you will be disappointed in Facebook or any other social media platform. A lot of people don’t know how to determine the difference between a fact and what they absorbed as a fact from entertainment - memes, jokes, pub conversation etc.

ORI OLOKUN. Ori Olokun (Yorùbá orishá associated with the sea and the patron orisa of the descendants of Africans that were carried away during the transatlantic slave trade or middle passage).
Sculpture which sit at the entrance of the ancestral city of Ile Ife (note: the original bronze sit in the British Museum in London.
Photo: Thomas heynes.