This is what we know: research has a questionable past and present. Ethics weren’t always a thing apparently, and they’re very mutable. What’s ethical for a scientist trying to cure a deadly disease may be cruel to a vegan wanting to see no creature harmed; what was seen as an ethical approach to interviewing fifty years ago may be seen as exploitative today.
Read MoreAmong the million other things that make me stick out like a sore thumb in Nevis besides being the palest pickney to ever come from a Black woman, as well as having bizarre hair and social difficulties, a metal band shirt also does the trick.
Read MoreWe need data to be able to closely examine the socio-economic conditions that leave racialized communities more vulnerable. We need it to better understand what systemic racism looks like in our province, and to inform anti-oppressive policy. But we also need it to arm advocates and storytellers, because without data, people just aren’t believed.
Read MoreIs there really such a thing as altruism? Even if you’re not expecting anything tangible in return, what about the non-tangibles? The recognition, social status (as an activist), being able to look at yourself in the mirror and like who you see (personal integrity), public perception?
Read MoreAnyway, say what you want about the systems and industry behind her brand, the best pop music comes from Britney Spears. The dance moves. The sex appeal. And yes, I’ll still credit her for her beauty because I’m not a hater. I’ll be honest about my observations, but I will never be too woke to admit that I love Britney Spears.
Read MoreGrowing up as a Black second gen Canadian, the only example I had of Black people who weren’t recent immigrants were Black Americans. So there I sat with two different ways to be Black. I could participate in the “Black Culture” (a.k.a. the portrayal of African American identity) that I saw on TV, the hallmarks of which were AAVE, hip hop, hilarity, and tragedy. Or I could be an immigrant. I tried to be both, and it didn’t work, because I wasn’t either.
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Wrust playing in South Africa in 2013 (Photo Credit: SueDiduknow)
For someone who has dedicated the last two articles to the metal scene in Botswana, haven’t profiled any bands yet, have I? No worries! Only half as neglectful as I seem, here I am extolling the ominous, aggressive pleasure of three bands, the names of all coincidentally ending in “ust”. Huh. Though not featured, a genuine honorable mention to Skinflint; we love a black girl metal drummer.
Wrust
Formed in 2000 in Gabarone, Wrust’s brand of death metal dips hard into groove metal, gaining comparisons to the classic band Sepultra. Members Stux Daemon, Dem Lawd Master, Oppy Gae, and Benson Phaks released their most recent album, Intellectual Metamorphosis, in 2013. Their music has been both influenced by and compared to many classic death metal bands, such as one of the early and formative bands of the genre, Obituary, as well as Carcass (with whom they have shared a stage), and Pantera, a classic groove metal band that has come under much fire for their use of confederate flags, and Phil Anselmo’s repeated “joke” declarations of white power.
Despite largely American influence, their song Day of the Sacrifice has more traditional Tswana singing and drums in the introduction that seamlessly layers with the growing grooves and riffs of the metal soon to come, a welcomed change from the usual metal intros: of random screaming, sampled audio that sounds out of a haunted house, or worse, clean vocals.
While definitely having its melodeath moments that really let me enjoy and get into the metal mood, Intellectual Metamorphosis somehow feels less sinister than a lot of metal despite the lyrical content. Hate ’em All is almost anthemic death metal, something you could headbang or dance to.
Spiral of Torture and Hate ’em All seem to succinctly sum up the albums themes surrounding systems (of) control and oppression, evoking ideas of a brutal government/world/society with claws around one’s neck.
Recommended song: Hate ’em All
