How Not to Write About Africa - Binyavanga Wainaina - narrated by Djimon Hounsou

(RED)Wire's 2nd edition came with this awesome short - here is the blurb.

When Bono edited the Africa issue of Vanity Fair, it included an essay written by Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina. Through that, we became aware of another piece he'd written for Granta a number of years ago called "How (Not) to Write About Africa." Director Jesse Dylan and his company FreeForm worked with Binyavanga and the Beninois actor Djimon Hounsou to create this filmed performance of the essay. Thanks to W Hotels for the location and Kenyan musician Ayub Ogada for the music.
Read the entire essay at http://www.granta.com/Magazine/92/How-to-Write-About-Africa

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• africa
• hounsou
• wainaina
• (RED)Wire

[aiwudaho]

Good one! For a broader perspective, see Achebe's book, "The Education of a British Protected Child." Also google an article, titled, "Engaging Africa Beyond Disaster Pornography, Humanitarianism, and Afropessimism."

Achebe writes that the problems is historical: “ their centuries old obsession with lurid and degrading stereotypes of Africa has been bequeathed to the cinema, to journalism, to certain varieties of anthropology, even to humanitarianism and missionary work itself.” 

[quaerentia]

@aiwudaho thanks very much for the suggestion... sounds fascinating

[Dipstikk]

I'm glad I got into racial politics. Videos like this have really opened my eyes to new things.

Thank you for sharing.

[KaraMayonakaSora]

Bravissimo.

[mo508]

EXcellent. this is much needed for Westerners to hear. Millions of Africans are not starving or disease-stricken. People need to know the truth.

[babyface2k]

I REMEMBER seeing Djimon Hounsou playing a trumpet on Envogue's 1990 Hold On video.

[MrMwanafalsafa]

It's up to African writers to challenge the stereotypes they don't like.

[kmerkelboruff]

Binyavanga, brilliant. I heard you on NPR and can't wait to read ONE DAY. I found KWANI, Wambui Mwangi, and Mehul Gohil's "Farah Aidded Goes to Gulf War" and sent to my students to read. Also sent your "How" piece to my students to read for their creative writing class.

[Oo4QoO]

Is it true monkey brain carried/s the AID's disease? I've heard rumours.. but I'm not sure..

[NaxNax96]

Djimon Hounsou has style (and an awesome accent)!

Also, I remember listening to Ayub Ogada's Kothbiro back when I was in 7th grade, in a CD from Real World Music that came with a random magazine. Coincidences are weird... and fun :D

[aiwudaho]

@sassfem You are welcome.

[sassfem]

@aiwudaho I have to thank you for the information on the book and the article as well. I have to look into them.