There comes a time, when one, eventually graduates from schooling, of any kind. For some, it is met with trepidation; for others, with enthusiasm, and great joy. What instills both feelings, in either group, is the version of history, they are taught in school. Many, are made to believe, that history, and its formation, is in the palms of their hands, and they can do whatever they want, with it. Most believe, history, will remember them; all they have to do, is trigger an event, that will make it so.
However, many of these "youngbies", on graduating, soon or eventually discover, that real life, runs on a different version of history, than the event filled version, taught in school. The City, is where most people out there, make their living in, and if you're going to make it big, you have to know, the history of the City, or your City at least. Most cities out there, are based on three types of history: Group history, Heredity and Clusters. The three, are heavily associated, with genes, and are what have made, genetic studies, increasingly popular, especially, via the net. People seek this method, of knowing their history, really due to its popularity, through the net, and its holding, of certain truisms. It is the ideal way, of looking, at the history, of the City.
We shall give an explanation, of each below, and one will be able to understand, how history, shapes their everyday life.
Group history - Most of the World, but especially Asia and South America
Group history, is a version of City history, that tells one, that a certain City somewhere out there, was founded by a certain group, and they have run it, ever since. Most "youngbies", who live in a Group history City, believe that its the mayor, or the local CEO, that's the most powerful person, in the City. They aspire then, to be such. Unknown to them really, there is often, a powerful group or family, that actually runs the city. They know the mayor, and advice him, on what to do, when problems arise. They know the local CEO, and probably, have a controlling stake, in his company. They even perhaps, hold local events, like the annual beer festival, or the annual marathon. Most "youngbies", on graduating, believe that eventually, they too will own, a marathon race, of one kind or another. They can make it happen, all on their own. But eventually, many "youngbies", discover, whats really going on. Many then begin, to believe, that the system is rigged, its all about 'class' now, and they just don't belong, to the right 'class'. Some seek, to upstage this, not knowing, they are actually destroying, the City itself. They seek to do this, via engaging, in local politics. There are others though, who see everything, for what it is, and decide on one thing: becoming a member, of the ruling group. They see a picture, of the daughter, of the ruling family and wonder, "I wonder if she would like me." Eventually, it all comes down to one thing, genes: not attractivity, as many believe, but good breeding.
Heredity - Africa and the Middle East
Heredity, is a version, of City history, that deals, with skin tones, rather than skin colour. Unknown to many, people in Cities, in the Middle East and Africa, divide themselves, by skin tones, rather than supposed tribal affiliations. Skin tone, not skin colour, is dividing people, as being brown, light brown, dark brown, black, white, dark white, and just about every other possible division, out there. People develop such skin tones, due to the kinds of work, they do. This history, is often associated, with migratory routes, and while the text books, claim, that its all about hominid migrations, originating in Africa, the truth is, that it deals, with workforce migrations. The hominid migration theory, is not very convincing, for those who have lived in Africa. Those who have done so, know, how difficult, it is to leave Africa, once you enter it. All forces, seem to be against one. Different skin tones, eventually, find themselves living in different areas of a City, and even go, to different schools and different 'churches'. Different restaurants too. Cities like this, do not appear, to be divided, since the different tones, put up their 'stuff', all over the City. Gives a false impression, of whats going on. Many a young African, will graduate from university, local or 'abroad', and somewhat believe, due to having an education, the 'world' is theirs for the taking. They however come to realize, that its impossible, to do anything in Africa, with the wrong skin tone. A black skinned person, will learn, that they can't own a trading business, as they are only run, by dark brown skinned folk. A brown skinned person, will learn, that they can't run or manage a company, as such positions, are only offered, to black skinned people. A dark brown skinned person, will learn, that they can't work in, a financial services business; they only really employ, brown skinned people. Thats Africa, and the Middle East. Many often wonder, why the Middle East, is often thrown in together, with Africa, when it comes to Economic issues, not knowing, its due to migrating workforces, on both continents. More Africans, work in the Middle East, than in Europe or America. They have been doing so, since the times, when the Swahili Sultanate, was a known entity, in India. More on this below, in the form, of a Case Study.
Clusters - America
Everybody knows, that American Cities, are different, from other cities, out there. Many urban planners, students that is, simply believe, "its just a different, type of planning". There are many, who will attempt to create, American styled Cities, and wonder why with time, they remain stagnant, or breakdown. American Cities, are not created, like others; others, like Australians and Canadians, do not truly know this. They just simply put up, American styled Cities, and wonder why they are not as dynamic, as real American Cities. The origins of many American Cities, are as follows: a group/cluster, shows up, at a vacant spot. They look around, and all they see, is empty land. And they say to themselves, "On here, we shall erect civilization." They do this, and as they settle down peacefully, to enjoy what they have built, they are surprised, by the arrival, of another group/cluster. The latter, are not met, too enthusiastically. The first thing they are told is, "you can't stay here, you've to go, to the other side." They move to the "other side", which is mostly empty, and with nothing in it, and begin, to build civilization. Eventually, the two groups/clusters clash. One Cluster, decides to do something, erect a standing of some sort, or hold a festival and the other group gets involved: "you can't do that here." It is then, that a kind of haggling, arises, which in some cases, makes its way, to the High Court, or even, the Supreme Court. Thats America for ya. In most cases though, such cases, are solved via one way: decking. Decking, is a form, of a simple, American Martial Art. It involves timing, where two opponents, cheered on by crowds, on either side, face each other, attentively, awaiting each other, to make a false move, so as to deliver a swift blow, that totally fazes, their opponent. "We decked them good Johnny, we decked them hard", is the kind of stuff, heard in American bars, after such bouts. Decking, is also what had American moms, buying their sons, punching bags, as birthday gifts. What divides, two clusters, is really their way of life. In general, each is supposed, to develop, a unique way of living; copying, is lowly looked upon. This is what makes American Cities, interesting. Once you begin to copy, in America, you are on your way down. No woman will ever look at you. What defines clusters, is their hair type. People in a certain cluster, tend to have the same hair. This history of clusters and hair, has been messed up, by the arrival of immigrants, who simply don't understand American City history. They tend to believe, its about having, the right hair, and the end result, has been the politicizing, and even racializing, of hair types in American society. "Its all about having good hair", is what an immigrant, will point out to one, behind closed doors. This mentality, was the original source, of racializing and politicizing modern America, turning it, into something ugly really. In America, Hair, is big business. They say, the first Black millionaire in America, was in the Hair business.
Now, down to the Case Study.
Case Study: Nairobi, Kenya
Most people out there, who eventually garner, an interest in Africa, eventually hear, of one place: Nairobi, Kenya. Some of these, even believe it, to be the first City, ever built, in Africa. Nairobi, has even been mythologized, by some, who don't really know, how it all works. This is simple. If you open most history books, on Nairobi, Kenya, they begin, by telling one, that Nairobi began as a trading post, that connected the Baganda in Uganda, and the Swahili. That they get right. The rest, is pure mashmallows. Nairobi today, as it has always been, is really, a transportation hub. Its a place, where, a good percentage of the people, are really passing through. But still, it is not that simple. Due to it being a Transportation hub, Nairobi, has developed, a good, or average really, services industry, to serve those passing through. Funnily enough, of all the industries in Kenya, least invested into by the Government, Transportation, is at the top. Nairobi, also has, another history, that is more, of a Colonial legacy. Unknown to many, Nairobi, was once, a party stopover. What are known, as the 'Glitterati', or false Elites, from Europe and especially England, were known to stop over in Nairobi, and party. This eventually, gave rise, to a needed workforce, to make this constant partying possible. Cooks, drivers, guards, fence-makers, carpenters etc., were all needed, to erect 'parties'. With time, this got even more dynamic; the Americans arrived, and they brought with them, big bucks too. Not only that, they were friendly, to the Africans. The end result, of all this, was the rise, of a Manufacturing sector, partly to support the partying, and partly for the people of Nairobi. There is an area, known as Industrial Area, in Nairobi, which has its origins, in similar manufacturing spots, in California. However with time, the partying stopped, and things began to get bad, in Nairobi. Lots of unemployed people, milling around, eventually leading, to a high crime rate. The women, turned to prostitution. The saviour for many, was the birth, of the services industry. It employs many, especially women, who believe that just about any traveller through Nairobi, is dying to meet them, and take them far away, to another land, to live grand. They are delusional like that. Thats Nairobi, services serving travellers, and a huge unemployed, workforce, due to a high birth rate, and migrations into it, from other parts of Africa. Even the Nigerians go there. Hopefully, the Partygoers, will one day return to Nairobi, and make it, what it once was: the Monaco, for the Glitterati. There is nothing more to it. If I was part, of the leaders of Kenya, I would concentrate, on making Nairobi, and even Kenya, a party stopover. Its why Tourism, is the largest industry in Kenya; people still go there, to party, and most Kenyan touristic spots, are more like, party stops. Enough of lions, more parties, would be the way, for Kenya to go. The party economy, would work, for there are many, who love Nairobi, as a stopover. Harare, would make, for a better Manufacturing hub. If there is one thing Kenyans know, its partying, and bringing people together. Bring people together, have them talking, politics, economics etc. Let the world meet, in Nairobi, and not in hell or heaven.
However, many of these "youngbies", on graduating, soon or eventually discover, that real life, runs on a different version of history, than the event filled version, taught in school. The City, is where most people out there, make their living in, and if you're going to make it big, you have to know, the history of the City, or your City at least. Most cities out there, are based on three types of history: Group history, Heredity and Clusters. The three, are heavily associated, with genes, and are what have made, genetic studies, increasingly popular, especially, via the net. People seek this method, of knowing their history, really due to its popularity, through the net, and its holding, of certain truisms. It is the ideal way, of looking, at the history, of the City.
We shall give an explanation, of each below, and one will be able to understand, how history, shapes their everyday life.
Group history - Most of the World, but especially Asia and South America
Group history, is a version of City history, that tells one, that a certain City somewhere out there, was founded by a certain group, and they have run it, ever since. Most "youngbies", who live in a Group history City, believe that its the mayor, or the local CEO, that's the most powerful person, in the City. They aspire then, to be such. Unknown to them really, there is often, a powerful group or family, that actually runs the city. They know the mayor, and advice him, on what to do, when problems arise. They know the local CEO, and probably, have a controlling stake, in his company. They even perhaps, hold local events, like the annual beer festival, or the annual marathon. Most "youngbies", on graduating, believe that eventually, they too will own, a marathon race, of one kind or another. They can make it happen, all on their own. But eventually, many "youngbies", discover, whats really going on. Many then begin, to believe, that the system is rigged, its all about 'class' now, and they just don't belong, to the right 'class'. Some seek, to upstage this, not knowing, they are actually destroying, the City itself. They seek to do this, via engaging, in local politics. There are others though, who see everything, for what it is, and decide on one thing: becoming a member, of the ruling group. They see a picture, of the daughter, of the ruling family and wonder, "I wonder if she would like me." Eventually, it all comes down to one thing, genes: not attractivity, as many believe, but good breeding.
Heredity - Africa and the Middle East
Heredity, is a version, of City history, that deals, with skin tones, rather than skin colour. Unknown to many, people in Cities, in the Middle East and Africa, divide themselves, by skin tones, rather than supposed tribal affiliations. Skin tone, not skin colour, is dividing people, as being brown, light brown, dark brown, black, white, dark white, and just about every other possible division, out there. People develop such skin tones, due to the kinds of work, they do. This history, is often associated, with migratory routes, and while the text books, claim, that its all about hominid migrations, originating in Africa, the truth is, that it deals, with workforce migrations. The hominid migration theory, is not very convincing, for those who have lived in Africa. Those who have done so, know, how difficult, it is to leave Africa, once you enter it. All forces, seem to be against one. Different skin tones, eventually, find themselves living in different areas of a City, and even go, to different schools and different 'churches'. Different restaurants too. Cities like this, do not appear, to be divided, since the different tones, put up their 'stuff', all over the City. Gives a false impression, of whats going on. Many a young African, will graduate from university, local or 'abroad', and somewhat believe, due to having an education, the 'world' is theirs for the taking. They however come to realize, that its impossible, to do anything in Africa, with the wrong skin tone. A black skinned person, will learn, that they can't own a trading business, as they are only run, by dark brown skinned folk. A brown skinned person, will learn, that they can't run or manage a company, as such positions, are only offered, to black skinned people. A dark brown skinned person, will learn, that they can't work in, a financial services business; they only really employ, brown skinned people. Thats Africa, and the Middle East. Many often wonder, why the Middle East, is often thrown in together, with Africa, when it comes to Economic issues, not knowing, its due to migrating workforces, on both continents. More Africans, work in the Middle East, than in Europe or America. They have been doing so, since the times, when the Swahili Sultanate, was a known entity, in India. More on this below, in the form, of a Case Study.
Clusters - America
Everybody knows, that American Cities, are different, from other cities, out there. Many urban planners, students that is, simply believe, "its just a different, type of planning". There are many, who will attempt to create, American styled Cities, and wonder why with time, they remain stagnant, or breakdown. American Cities, are not created, like others; others, like Australians and Canadians, do not truly know this. They just simply put up, American styled Cities, and wonder why they are not as dynamic, as real American Cities. The origins of many American Cities, are as follows: a group/cluster, shows up, at a vacant spot. They look around, and all they see, is empty land. And they say to themselves, "On here, we shall erect civilization." They do this, and as they settle down peacefully, to enjoy what they have built, they are surprised, by the arrival, of another group/cluster. The latter, are not met, too enthusiastically. The first thing they are told is, "you can't stay here, you've to go, to the other side." They move to the "other side", which is mostly empty, and with nothing in it, and begin, to build civilization. Eventually, the two groups/clusters clash. One Cluster, decides to do something, erect a standing of some sort, or hold a festival and the other group gets involved: "you can't do that here." It is then, that a kind of haggling, arises, which in some cases, makes its way, to the High Court, or even, the Supreme Court. Thats America for ya. In most cases though, such cases, are solved via one way: decking. Decking, is a form, of a simple, American Martial Art. It involves timing, where two opponents, cheered on by crowds, on either side, face each other, attentively, awaiting each other, to make a false move, so as to deliver a swift blow, that totally fazes, their opponent. "We decked them good Johnny, we decked them hard", is the kind of stuff, heard in American bars, after such bouts. Decking, is also what had American moms, buying their sons, punching bags, as birthday gifts. What divides, two clusters, is really their way of life. In general, each is supposed, to develop, a unique way of living; copying, is lowly looked upon. This is what makes American Cities, interesting. Once you begin to copy, in America, you are on your way down. No woman will ever look at you. What defines clusters, is their hair type. People in a certain cluster, tend to have the same hair. This history of clusters and hair, has been messed up, by the arrival of immigrants, who simply don't understand American City history. They tend to believe, its about having, the right hair, and the end result, has been the politicizing, and even racializing, of hair types in American society. "Its all about having good hair", is what an immigrant, will point out to one, behind closed doors. This mentality, was the original source, of racializing and politicizing modern America, turning it, into something ugly really. In America, Hair, is big business. They say, the first Black millionaire in America, was in the Hair business.
Now, down to the Case Study.
Case Study: Nairobi, Kenya
Most people out there, who eventually garner, an interest in Africa, eventually hear, of one place: Nairobi, Kenya. Some of these, even believe it, to be the first City, ever built, in Africa. Nairobi, has even been mythologized, by some, who don't really know, how it all works. This is simple. If you open most history books, on Nairobi, Kenya, they begin, by telling one, that Nairobi began as a trading post, that connected the Baganda in Uganda, and the Swahili. That they get right. The rest, is pure mashmallows. Nairobi today, as it has always been, is really, a transportation hub. Its a place, where, a good percentage of the people, are really passing through. But still, it is not that simple. Due to it being a Transportation hub, Nairobi, has developed, a good, or average really, services industry, to serve those passing through. Funnily enough, of all the industries in Kenya, least invested into by the Government, Transportation, is at the top. Nairobi, also has, another history, that is more, of a Colonial legacy. Unknown to many, Nairobi, was once, a party stopover. What are known, as the 'Glitterati', or false Elites, from Europe and especially England, were known to stop over in Nairobi, and party. This eventually, gave rise, to a needed workforce, to make this constant partying possible. Cooks, drivers, guards, fence-makers, carpenters etc., were all needed, to erect 'parties'. With time, this got even more dynamic; the Americans arrived, and they brought with them, big bucks too. Not only that, they were friendly, to the Africans. The end result, of all this, was the rise, of a Manufacturing sector, partly to support the partying, and partly for the people of Nairobi. There is an area, known as Industrial Area, in Nairobi, which has its origins, in similar manufacturing spots, in California. However with time, the partying stopped, and things began to get bad, in Nairobi. Lots of unemployed people, milling around, eventually leading, to a high crime rate. The women, turned to prostitution. The saviour for many, was the birth, of the services industry. It employs many, especially women, who believe that just about any traveller through Nairobi, is dying to meet them, and take them far away, to another land, to live grand. They are delusional like that. Thats Nairobi, services serving travellers, and a huge unemployed, workforce, due to a high birth rate, and migrations into it, from other parts of Africa. Even the Nigerians go there. Hopefully, the Partygoers, will one day return to Nairobi, and make it, what it once was: the Monaco, for the Glitterati. There is nothing more to it. If I was part, of the leaders of Kenya, I would concentrate, on making Nairobi, and even Kenya, a party stopover. Its why Tourism, is the largest industry in Kenya; people still go there, to party, and most Kenyan touristic spots, are more like, party stops. Enough of lions, more parties, would be the way, for Kenya to go. The party economy, would work, for there are many, who love Nairobi, as a stopover. Harare, would make, for a better Manufacturing hub. If there is one thing Kenyans know, its partying, and bringing people together. Bring people together, have them talking, politics, economics etc. Let the world meet, in Nairobi, and not in hell or heaven.
