We’re about to do our very last show and I’m missing this already.  Over 30 schools from Vancouver to Winnipeg.  Hundreds of girls, and some boys too.  Honestly, it has been so fun!  Girls,  if any of you are reading this, I love you!!!

I love it when you ask really thoughtful questions, when you show that you’re really thinking and caring about girls’ rights.

One of the questions a lot of you have asked is this: what motivate you to do this?

Well, I work in radio and had a great opportunity to work in Ghana (where my family is from).  When I was there I worked on many human rights stories.  A lot of them involved women, and  I told the stories of women whose rights were being neglected.  Those stories had a strong impact on me.

So working with Tamara of the 411 Initiative for Change and Plan Canada was just a good fit.

But I realize that this isn’t over. You girls who said you want to be the one to make change are cooking up ideas, you’re changing the way you relate to each other and you’re thinking about girls your own age in other countries.

And the more you do this, the better the chances are that global change can happen.

You probably won’t believe this, but YOU motivate ME.

Bye everyone!  Thanks for the hugs and the high-fives!  Love you!

xo Nana

When a girl asked this question after the presentation, I knew what she meant.  She was basically asking – how come you’re ignoring the boys?

And when we do the presentation in schools where the boys are invited, I imagine they might be thinking the same thing.

Success in overcoming poverty and other global issues will require the partnership of both men AND women.  But the fact remains that it makes sense to start with females.

For example, Plan notes that countries with the lowest number of girls in school are doing the worst when it comes to human development.  Plus, in developing countries more men are working than women.

But women reinvest 90 per cent of their whatever they earn back into the household…men reinvest 30 to 40 per cent.

I don’t mean to throw a whole bunch of facts at you, but you can start to see why there’s a focus on the girls.

And the boys are still very important.  If the boys don’t support girls and women, and see them as equally capable in all parts of life… then I honestly don’t think we’ll reach our goals.

Baby girl reppin' her Masia One tee! Bap bap!

Chillin' with my new friends in Surabaya!

At one of the school presentations today, a student asked “Isn’t it more relevant to have a Girl’s Rights presentation like this in one of the countries where early marriage and other issues are happening…how is a “Because I Am a Girl” campaign relevant here in Canada?” I told to her that in my travels, I have met young ladies that lived below the poverty line yet somehow seemed so confident, self sufficient and comfortable to express themselves in creative ways. During my trip to a Plan site in Surabaya for example, I met the most beautiful girls that used drama presentations they put together themselves, to express issues that were pertinent to their community such as teachers trying to date younger female students and the hardships of finding sustenance while dreaming of the possibilities in the big city. In contrast, my time working in the music industry in L.A. has led me to meet some very pretty women that are all Hollywood hopefuls constantly doubting their appearances, remaining miserable about the state of their bodies and playing down their intelligence in order to appease others. I find it mind boggling that these women in such fortunate circumstances are less satisfied with themselves and their lives than girls that struggle to pay for school, books and travel great distances to get basic needs. What are some of the reasons for this?

One reason I started to uncover was, of course, the media – Here in North America we are perhaps more consistently bombarded by advertisements and ideals devised by someone in an office with a specific agenda. Surely in this day an age, we have made leaps and bounds in gender equality and representation of women in mainstream media. Let’s take a gander shall we?

Rather be stupid than fat?

Diesel "Be Stupid" ads

BE SEXY AND STUPID

Most men DO ask is she pretty not is she CLEVER. I believe this is still the case today. The talent or intellectual prowess of a female is rarely celebrated in media and advertisements. I’ve noticed that even commercials targeting females (ie: tampons, soaps, cosmetics, shampoos) girls are depicted as giggly slumber party soul mates that twist one another’s hair and celebrate the ideals of feminine demure behavior. Recently the Miss USA 2010 pageant came on while I was unwinding from a day of shows, and I was horrified at the answers that most of the contestants gave to well thought out questions. There is of course nothing wrong with being pretty – but why must we celebrate the combination of pretty and stupid? With over 50% of the world’s women and girls illiterate…ladies if you can read and write, celebrate your education and independent thoughts.

Keep up the house while you keep down your weight!

Cry for what you want...but just a little.

That's what wives are for.

HOUSEKEEPING

Most house work is still considered “Women’s work“. I thought about this statement at one of the presentations as we traveled through some more conservative towns in Canada – would it be offensive to some of the kids or even the teachers by upsetting what has come to be see as the cultural order of things? There are a slew of ads 1950s and beyond targeting women to do their jobs properly by purchasing a particular appliance or pleasing their husbands by keeping the house extra tidy. I wondered how this even became a cultural norm, then stumbled upon another more recent Hasbro ad marketing a “Rose Petal Cottage” to little girls. Start them young…and celebrate the joys of doing laundry, cleaning, taking care of babies and punctuated with “Taking care of my home is a dream, dream, dream…” (Last I checked laundry, cleaning and changing a poo ridden diaper was not my idea of a “dream”.) This commercial continues “Little girls, realize your dreams of growing up to do household chores!” Whoa, keep those aspirations high little girls…there’s no glass ceiling in the go-go world of homemaking.

Automatic driving for women?

Women are soft, gentle...and hit stuff.

Buy a honda and submit to the manly prowess of your mechanic!

Quickly children, save the car from this woman's buttocks! Silly lady, that's not how you drive a car!

DRIVING

The cliche that women are ALL bad drivers is notorious. A tag line from a 1960s VW beetle ad notes that “Women are soft and gentle, but they hit things”. Some of the best drivers I know are women! A more recent magazine ad depicts a women in a vulnerable position, hair up in Geisha girl fashion with man claw marks on her back. Dude…seriously?

BARBIE

“Barbie’s small and so petite,
Her clothes and figure look so neat…”

The ad that launched 150 000 000 eating disorders. The 1st Barbie ad aired during the Mickey Mouse Club and marketed as the “teenaged fashion model”. They were in fact some of the first toys to employ TV ads – and today 3 Barbie dolls are sold every second. Today Barbie is responsible for over 80% of the manufacturer Mattel’s profits.

In today’s mainstream for Hiphop, the only female rapper currently getting media attention is Nicky Minaj that has coined herself the “Harajuku Barbie”. Miss Minaj notes that “All girls are Barbies, we all want to play dress up and put on lipstick to look cute and sexy.” The comments on under the youtube clip that follows just says “Boobies…” followed by the eloquent “She’s got big boobies.” LOL. Mattel…your advertising department has done well. I’m not hating on Nicky if this is what she feels expresses her best. I would simply like to see a balance in how women are represented. For every Nicki Minaj there should be an MC Lyte.

Another charming catch phrase.

Axe Wash Me ads

NO IDENTITY

Whether 1950s or 2010…whether selling beer or body spray, nothing says “buy me” better then a body with no head.

photo by www.kareemajani.com

And it’s no different in Canada.  I think being creative shows a sense of independence and strength.  So I have been looking at girls’ shoes at the schools we visit.  And I decided to blog about it!  My blog is called THOSE KICKS.  Let me tell you, it’s so hard to pick which shoes to blog about.

Here’s a pair of shoes with an interesting story:

Achol is a Dinka girl originally from Khartoum, Sudan.  We met her at a school in South Calgary.  Actually, I learned there are a lot of Sudanese kids living in Calgary.

Dinka people are an ethnic group in South Sudan, where civil war raged for over 20 years.  It’s also a place where many girls are made to marry early and forgo school – and the exact reason why we were at Achol’s school.

I was happy to meet Achol.

Here are some more kicks you’ll find on the blog:

These are Jordan’s shoes – she found them at Winners, and says you can dress them up or down.

These are Christina’s pumps, which she got from her mom.  Christina’s really into politics.  I love that.

And these are Masia’s and mine!  We were driving through the beautiful Rockies and decided to make a stop. Masia’s kicks are sponsored by Adidas and she had someone design them with her company logo.  And I looove my purple shoes.  I got them while I was on a trip in Montreal.  LOVE them.

Tamara & Nana rocking their Because I Am a Girl Tees!

It has been over 6 months since I’ve seen “home” and it is definitely starting to get to be a long journey on the road.  That said, I probably would have become more homesick if my tour mates were not such amazing and interesting individuals!  What better way to celebrate the roles of women and girls around the world then to be in the company of 2 of my favorite women?  I had to write a few words about these fabulous ladies that I have been traveling with for the Because I Am a Girl School Tour.

Nana posing for the camera on our Mother's day cruise in Kelowna

NANA!

Website: www.nanaabaduncan

Nana’s Shoe Blog: www.thosekicks.tumblr.com

Occupation: Associate producer CBC Radio One & Two, Host for GO!

Superpower: Speaks and maintains the attention of 200 squirmy highschool kids, ability to turn Value Village into a fashion treasure trove.

Famous quotes: Om nom nom!

Miss Nana is a 5foot power house of inexhaustible energy!  I got to know her on the first Girls Tour last year, and we got along immediately.  I can’t figure out who talks more, the radio personality or the rapper, but it’s really great to meet another woman that is so passionate, opinionated and never afraid to express it.  One thing I really love about Nana is her mix of go-getter attitude + the curiosity of a baby kitten.  I ask her random questions like “If tectonic earth plates move slowly, what happens during an earthquake that shakes things up so quickly?”…if she doesn’t know the answer, before I can even say “Never mind” she’ll already be furiously Googling the topic and finding out all there is to know about it.  She never accepts the answer that things are the way they are “just because”.  We tour the Because I Am a Girl show to encourage students to refuse to be apathetic about the situation of girls around the world. I think Nana’s joie du vie and positive energy is the perfect inspiration to get involved and be the change you want to see.  Thanks for being such an inspiration Naba-friend!

My new camera has a silly frame feature that I had to test out with Nana.

Nana, you're an awesome host!

Nana & her mama!

Nana loves making silly faces

Tamara's famous Y pose

TAMARA!

Website: www.whatsthe411.ca

Occupation: Executive Director 411 Initiative for Change

Nicknames: Boss Lady, T-Pain

Superpower: Putting together 411 TV, organizing 100 emails, producing TV shows, making delicious pasta and typing out excel sheets  all while watching Desperate Housewives.

Famous quotes: We have 20 minutes to eat, move it or loose it.

2 things I learned very quickly from being around Tamara.  1. Tamara is never wrong.  2. If you’re in doubt, refer to rule no. 1…Tamara is never wrong.  I always felt that women are very good at multitasking, but T brings it to new levels.  She single handedly organizes, creates, produces and directs, yet somehow finds the time to do the things that she likes in between.  I learned from her that independent women can get very busy juggling all the different things we undertake in our lives, but it is always important to keep our standards high by striving for quality and balancing work with living life, thereby enjoying the journey.

What’s the 411 Initiative for Change, grew from an idea initiated in Highschool.  She saw how irrelevant many of the school presentations were, and created her own program to both educate and entertain students.  She endeavored to dispel stereotypes and organized her school’s first Black History Month lecture and even brought a Holocaust survivor to talk about Nazi genocide against Europe’s Jews.  I think Tamara’s example should inspire the people we meet on this school tour as an example that you are never too young to get involved and make and impact.

Although T never steps into the limelight seeking for flashy acknowledgement for all she is capable of doing, she is confident and fearless.  If she doesn’t know something, she researches and asks questions.  No one is too big or important for her to cold call on the phone and make things happen.  She knows what she likes and doesn’t like, and is extremely honest about her preferences.  She has taught me that no matter how sugar’d your words or grand your schemes, organization, common sense and hard work is really what holds it down at the end of the day. When I finally decide to grow up, I hope I’ll be just like Tamara! LOL.  Thanks for being my hero T!

I love T's smile!

Tamara humours my stupid faces and I love her for it!

Tamara makes us all dinner, the yummiest pasta ever!

Tamara producing TV segments

Yaaaah! I made T laugh.

Kyle muggin' for my new Hipstamatic iPhone App

HI KYLE…

Occupation: Tour Manager, Soundman, Emcee D-sisive’s no. 1 fan

Nicknames: DJ Kyle, Lundle Bear, Kyle Minogue

Superpower: Speaking Spanish in his sleep even though he doesn’t speak Spanish in waking life

Kryptonite: Vegetables

Famous quotes: “Dead in the middle of Little Italy little did we know...” via Big Pun lyrics.

I can’t forget the man with the master plan, Kyle “Lundles” Lundie.  I guess the saying goes, “Behind every successful man is a good woman”…well the opposite works on this tour and Kyle has been holding it down with cross Canada driving, hustling everyone to get to shows on time and singing in falsetto til I can laugh no more.  Thanks for being a Man supporting Girls Rights Kyle…ps: Don’t forget to call you Mama today, it’s her birthday!

Kyle has a Tattoo that says "Stick to your vision" inspired by Maestro Fresh Wes' song. Good words to live by.

Lindsay's smile lights up the room!

Lindsay

Lindsay is our Plan Canada rep that is coming out to all the schools with us.  She is a ball of sunshine with a heart of gold.  Miss Lindsay I’m so glad you could join us and help encourage schools to develop Girls groups of their own.  ps:  I LOVE when I catch you humming my songs when they get stuck in your head LOL.  My master plan is coming together.

Deep in thought...my paparazzi is strong!

A Tsuu T'ina encampment at the base Mount Royal Hill looking down on Calgary 1890

Yesterday 411 and the Because I am a Girl team visted the Tsuu T’ina Nation just outside of Calgary. We had a great presentation with the female students at the Tsuu T’ina Jr & Sr High School. We talked about a number of topics  body image,  peer pressure among teenage girls and violence against women – many of which hit close to home for the girls at the school.

Before going to the school we  read up on the history of the Tsuu T’ina (which means “a great number of people”) and learned that they are among the first inhabitants of what is now Calgary and have their own language (Dene). They also have their own strong culture and heritage some of which we were able to check out at the school.

Our friend Lydia came with us to volunteer for the afternoon. Lydia has just arrived to Canada three weeks ago from Ethiopia. She was shocked by the standard of living on the reserve – since this wasn’t the picture of Canada she had learned about. But she thought it was great to see the girls getting excited and motivated to affect change in their community and school.

One of the things we discussed in the program was the importance of girls getting an education in relation to the stories of girls in Haiti and South Sudan. However education and staying in school is also important for the girls at Tsuu T’ina too.  61% of the young people living on reserves in Alberta have less then a high school education. I also learned that only 1% of aboriginal women in Canada have a masters degree. For girls they are facing many complex issues growing up on a reserve plus being girls. So congratulations to the girls we met who are staying in school and making a difference for themselves.  Here are some pictures from our visit and a great poem called “I Am” which was hung up in the school.

Masia, Nana and our friend and volunteer Lydia

Masia and Nana before the show

Can you spot Masia and Nana in this picture with the Tsuu T'ina Girls

But the truth is, sometimes words hurt. And when you don’t feel sure about yourself, you worry about what people are saying. And you take it to heart, and even believe it.

I’ve been called a few things in life, and sometimes it hurt. And I’ve even obsessed over what I thought others thought about me, or were saying about me. But I realize I only felt horrible when I forgot about my skills, my personality, my creativity and my own beauty.

I say this: concentrate on what makes you happy. Focus on whatever it is that makes you feel alive when you’re doing it. If you like fashion, if you like architecture, if you like singing, if you like politics or chemistry… DO it. Do it and do it and do it till you know it inside out. And then when you know it inside out, allow yourself to feel proud about what you know, and what you can do.

THEN tell me whether anyone’s words – if they call you stupid or fat or ANYTHING else – can touch you.

I’m willing to bet they won’t.

Me & the tour ladies eating Korean food in Vancity!

Just arrived in Golden BC today after 2 shows just outside of Kelowna at George Elliot & Immaculate Highschools.  What a great crowd!  The girls were engaging and gave answers that were both creative and reflective.  Today when asked by Nana how the students would personally become involved in supporting girls rights, one girl piped up that although fundraising and volunteering is great, it could be as simple as encouraging the girls around you and not feeding into negative gossip.

This allowed me to reminisce a little, especially because we have been rocking shows in the place that I grew up…Beautiful British Columbia.  I remember that when I was in high school cliques and crews was all powerful and often what defined one’s position in the cruel Hierarchy of  high school.e.  I gotta be honest…there are a LOT of gangs in Vancouver, and at a young age I was involve to some degree with a couple female gangs.  We did all the regular things that kids do; hang out with your friends, gossip, go shopping, but we also got ourselves into trouble by picking fights with other girls.  It’s funny because I have been on both sides of the coin – being picked on, and doing the bullying.  In the end I do wish that all the time I spent posturing to look gangster and important, I had invested into something I was interested in. In my case, I wish I started learning how to record myself or produce music at that time so that I could be even better at my craft once I left high school.

Since those days I’ve managed to take chances with my path in life, shake off some growing pains and redefine myself as a girl…as the woman I strive to be.  I never thought I would be a rapper running a record label (MERDEKA GROUP), but here I am years later following a path that allows me to use music to tell other females to bring up and support one another.  It’s fun to be feared and feel dangerous, but it’s even better to be feel dangerous because of your ability and talent through a skill you have worked on.  All of this ranting really is to remind girls that we choose where we direct our energies in life, why not make it something that will benefit you in a positive way in the long run?

Today before leaving the school, one girl came up to me and said “You’re such a big deal”…I began explaining to her that fame was relative, and not to uphold the idea of celebrity too much when she corrected me and said “No no…I just mean that guys always have a rapper, I don’t know any female ones…and now we have one that represents us”.  This made my day – I’ll do my best to make you proud lady friends!  One love to all the amazing gyal dem I met today!!!

Nana interviewing me at this morning's show

Time to wipe the sleep out my eyes and rock for yal

Because I Am a Girl School Tour, Interview with Nana in Victoria (photo by Corey Norman)

It’s been a long time on the road for me, having spent the last 5 months between California & Jamaica recording.  I ended 1 tour across Canada, hopped on a plane to LA to finish my record with Kops & Robbers, then back to Vancouver a couple coffees later to get started on the “Because I Am a Girl” tour.  Phew.

The night before our first show for BIAG in Victoria, I quickly updated my Facebook Fan page to say “I am so excited to start a tour for Girls Rights”.  A few moments later, a young boys posts a reply…”Girls have no rights!”  I asked him to explain and he replied “MAKE ME A SAMMICH THATS HOW I MEAN.”  Taken a back a little, I thought about this kid.  I remembered him from one of the Vancouver schools (on the last tour), noticing everything from him freckles and skinny jeans, to how nervous he got asking me for an autograph.  Where do young boys learn such things to say? Family? Friends? Television?  Music?  I simply replied “I hope we come to your school as you have a lot to learn.”

I am proud to be on the Because I Am a Girl School tour for so many reasons. The things I take for granted that most people should already know…they don’t.  We shouldn’t discriminate again girls, yet right here in Canada young boys are emulating what they hear in the general consensus be it media, family or friends – and taking such thoughts and words as jokes.  Sexist jokes and remarks manifest into a general understanding when repeated enough times, especially when misogynistic punchlines get a laugh and rise out of a group of peers.  Little boys, grow into men that function in the work force and are often seated in decision making roles…it is important to change the status quo of such thought at a young age.  I want all young ladies out there to speak out against these remarks whenever they hear them.  It could be as simple as saying “Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?” or “I know you can’t be speaking to me, because that is not who I am as a girl!”  I want all young boys that appreciate the women in their life to also speak out against such hurtful statements, and simply say “That’s not cool man...” or “I love and support the girls and women in my life“.

As for my mouthy little friend, all I have to say is I am far too busy as a woman, touring, recording, running my record label and signing your autograph request to make you a sandwich.  Mayhaps you have the time to make me one?  Turkey club, hold the mayo.

Back on the road again.  One Love.

Nana before first show in Victoria BC

I love rocking the show. (photo by Corey Norman)

I got to see my long time friend (and supporter) Cappy One in Victoria!

Ferry Ride Victoria to Vancouver...I'm doing my best Titanic impression

Early marriage is really common in Ethiopia – 60% of girls are married before they turn 18. Kidan’s story always reminds me of my 16 year old friend Banchu who I have spent a lot of time with over the past two years in Ethiopia. This post is dedicated to Banchu and her struggles against early marriage.

Banchu at her 16th birthday party.

Banchu comes from a small remote village in Northern Ethiopia.

When Banchu was 13 years old her mother arranged her marriage. The first Banchu heard of the marriage was on her wedding day. Having no choice in the matter Banchu went along with the marriage. However after being married for 2 days she decided marriage was not for her and that she wanted to run away. With some money from her uncle Banchu ran away leaving behind her community, mother,  younger sister and a pretty angry husband. Arriving in Ethiopia’s capital city Addis Ababa after days of travel by bus Banchu was taken in by a local church. After a few months she was “adopted” by my aunt.

When Banchu arrived to live with my aunt she had never been to school and was nearly  14. This June Banchu will have completed the 3rd grade and is getting straight A’s. She is like most teenage girls I know here in Canada she likes to listen to music, go to the movies and try out new styles with her hair.   Banchu dreams of becoming a pop singer and wants to audition for Ethiopia Idol.  But she also wants to complete her university education first.

Banchu has little communication with her mother who doesn’t agree with her choice to go to school and wants to find her a new husband. Banchu is the first girl in her family to go to school and I for one am pretty proud of her.

She is the one girl who will make a difference in her family.

Banchu Christmas 2009 with my grandmother and with her foster brother Ammanuel