Stemming from an earlier conversation in the office.

The difference between the American mind and African one can be seen in this way:
thearrangement300x450.jpg
What Americans call “sloppy seconds,” we in Africa call “brotherhood.” For the American mind it’s a matter of competition, of winning or losing. Can you believe it? Even here in bed, after a day of careering (in the original sense of that word), the Americans are back at it: FCFS. But for the African it’s about a shared moment, about a bond of the bones. It’s not a question of first and second place; it’s the answer of being the together. We are the same man when we share this one woman. That’s brotherhood.

Charles Mudede—who writes about film, books, music, and his life in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, the USA, and the UK for The Stranger—was born near a steel plant in Kwe Kwe, Zimbabwe. He has no memory...

34 replies on “The Real Difference”

  1. On the other hand looks like both the African “mind” and the American “mind” are about equal in objectifying chicks, mmmm, Charles?

    Another victory for equality.

    Oh yes and for the “mind.”

  2. I have no idea really what you are talking about Charles — everything is coded. “Sloppy seconds” in world has always meant you got the leftover and were considered unworthy of having what you wanted.

    I did look up that book you have posted there, and the guys are indeed in love with each other, and one of them is married to a woman.

    BTW-The excerpt showed predictably tortured writing–like a bad porn script… which it is, I guess.

  3. Africa and the mind of its populace are notorious for equity and selflessness. One needs look no further than the country of … hmm what is that place called Charles?

  4. If we pool our funds to get Charles an escort, might it keep him from masturbating all over the slog for a day or two?

  5. I was going to make a joke about female genital mutilation, but I stopped myself, thinking it was crass.

    Reading some of the comments here, I’m ashamed I stopped myself.

  6. P.S. Charles, many of your posts *are* so lovely. If it will help to keep you on topic, I’ll volunteer to take one for the team. 😉

  7. Isn’t Cat Grant the name of the gossip reporter at the Daily Planet? One can only hope one of those half naked dudes is Superman/Clark Kent and the other is Batman/Bruce Wayne.

  8. Charles posts but does not read comments it seems. If he did he would stop posting stupid shit like this.
    That image is creepy. To imply men get to share some bond of brotherhood by sharing a woman as a sex object is insulting.
    Women rejecting men with ideals like this share a stronger bond of sisterhood if this is to be entertained.

  9. Actually @32, I think Charles is trying to tell us he likes having sex with men as a bonding experience.

    He’s just so coy about it all…..

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