A NEMUTANDANI
NEMUTANDANI ASAKUNDWI 52428745
THE WORKS OF WAINAINA: HOW TO WRITE ABOUT AFRICA [2005]
Wainaina wrote this satirical analysis in 2005 where he describes the way in which western people describe Africa, African people and their experiences there.
The focus of this piece is to point how western people exploit Africa in their writing.
Different ways in which Wainaina explained how the westerners write about Africa include:
STEREOTYPED WORD CHOICES
The introductory paragraph of "How to write about Africa" mentions words that most westerners use to describe Africa. These are words like: gorillas, safari, darkness, tribal etc. and many of these words make Africa to sound so outdated and old-fashioned. These words also focus on ethnic groups and landscape by outlining how mountainous and jungle-like Africa is.
STEREOTYPES AND GENERALISATION
Westerners treat Africa as if it were a single country while they ignore its diversity of fifty-four countries and over 900 million people. Africa is represented as this hot and dusty place that is filled with thin, tall and hungry people. Wainaina says that rice, beef and wheat must never be mentioned but instead weird African cuisine consisting of monkey brain, goats and snakes with worms are what we eat.
EXOTICISATION
Wainaina calls out the tendency of western writers to see or view Africa as uncivilized and exotic compared to the western world. And western writers exoticize African bodies by highlighting that they have big, black lips and rounded buttocks. Western writers also view Africans as rhythmic and athletic, and this stereotypes Africans as physical rather than intellectual.
CONCLUSION
This piece highlights harmful stereotypes implied by western writers when they write about Africa. And how writers exoticize Africa by focusing on its wilderness and primitive nature instead of being authentic and complex when writing about Africa. Western writers should rather talk about the continent`s rich resources and diversity in different tribes and ethnic groups.
My colorful day
29 Apr 2024, 21:51
In the vibrant medley of my existence, each day unfolds like a multicolored, aesthetic painting. Let me paint you a picture of my colorful journey in a day.
MORNING SYMPHONY
As dawn tiptoes across the sky, I wake to the soft serenade of birds. Their melodies wave through my dreams, slowly walking me into consciousness. The sun paints the horizon and I stretch my arms towards the warmth. As I make my way to the shower, I start imagining how my day would go about and as soon as I step into the shower, I indulge in the cold water that makes me feel like I have a thousand needles prickling my skin and this coldness awakens me every time. Breakfast dances on my tongue, a medley of flavor: a well-cooked bowl of oats with a dash of ruby red strawberries in the side with a little addition of buttery croissants, and each bite is a burst of joy.
SCHOOL PALATTE
As I wait for my shuttle to come pick me up, my canvas transforms into a worksheet and I start thinking about the color shift cool blues for analytical tasks, fiery reds for urgent assignment deadlines like this piece and soothing greens for creative exploration. As soon as I am at campus, before my classes I give myself the time to fit in the school environment by taking a stroll with my friends by the small ponds. I feel rejuvenated whenever I take a break with my girls. I enjoy the sage wisdom of my friends and their playful banter and also the occasionally storm gray of our academic challenges. As soon as I walk into class the atmosphere becomes tense and heavy and I start to fit in and squeeze myself together within my fellow classmates.
LUNCHTIME MOSAIC
Lunchtime arrives and mostly I take pleasure in having lunch with my intimate cycle of friends, we fill our plates with a rainbow salad with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes and sunshine yellow peppers sitting besides a bowl of curry and its spices add pigment on our plates. conversations blend colors too as laughter paints the room while serious conversations also add depth.
AFTERNOON INTERLUDE
As the sun arcs higher, casting dappled shadows, immediately after my lectures I step outside where flowers bloom in every shade: lavender, coral and azure. Their fragrances mingle straight to my nose creating an all factory symphony. I catch the cold, cooling breeze by the ponds as I watch the ecosystem connect with my body while I wait for my shuttle to take me back to my room.
EVENING OVERTURE
Sunset ignites the sky, a crescendo of pinks, purples and golds I sip green tea in the comfort of my room, its warmth is like a comforting embrace. As soon as am done I indulge in my book beckon which is a library of adventures. I lose myself in prose, my mind painting scenes that are more vivid than any canvas.
NIGHTIME SONATE
Stars twinkle and I trace my eyes imagining stories etched in stardust. As soon as i start dreaming that's when I know that my day blended well and i call it a night