Wednesday 31 January 2018

A French journalist asks Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, "Are there bookshops in Nigeria?" ๐Ÿ“š ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท

Would you do the same to a Pakistani author? Start asking him or her about Osama bin Laden i.e. Did you know Osama bin Laden was hiding in Pakistan? Would you ask a renowned Liberian or Sierra Leonan author or artist whether he or she has ebola? How far does your stupidity and racism go? Are you too lazy to get out of your privileged, racist, arrogant European arm chair and read about the rest of the world? Or, should celebrated authors read their books for you, underline the paragraphs and summarise the themes and plots for you? 


The renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was recently asked by a French journalist whether there were any bookshops in Nigeria. She followed it up by asking whether they read her books. In response to the audience's boo's and Adichie's polite, patient but annoyed remarks, she explained that all they hear about in France about Nigeria is Boko Haram, violence, and security. 

This enlightened exchange took place Institut Francais’s cultural event, La Nuit des Idรฉes. Ms. Adichie was invited by the French Foreign Ministry itself to participate in this Night of Ideas. It should rather be dubbed Night of Stupid and Lazy Racist Ideas.



That Ms. Adichie was asked "Are there bookshops in Nigeria" by a French personality and/or journalist naturally made headlines. I myself watched clip after clip of this interview, in disgust and shock. The Twitter responses were angry.

See some articles:
  1. Interviewer asks Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: 'Are there bookshops in Nigeria?' | Alison Flood | 30 Jan 2018 | The GUARDIAN
  2. The 'ironic' question of Nigerian writing | Paul Harrison | 29 January 2018 | BBC Trending 
  3. Reporter to Adichie — 'Are there bookshops in Nigeria?' | 30 Jan 2018 | Mail and Guardian
When I posted the AJ+ video on my Facebook page, a couple of friends did not think it was an offensive question. One friend said maybe it was a genuine interest in different reading habits of difficult cultures. Another friend said Ms. Adichie's novels would only be found in glittering malls and although books are found on roadside stalls, the books available are only about business or religion. Sadly, my friend went on, most Nigerians are very poor and don't enjoy the joys of fiction. These two friends are European. The other indignant responses were from non-Europeans who all were either insulted or poked fun at the blatant rudeness of the question itself. 

Comments typed up in haste in quick reaction to Facebook-style argument and debate should not be representative of any national mentality and, I don't judge my good friends. Nevertheless, it was good to see the contrasting reactions: innocence of the question and, a damning anthropological colonial commentary of poverty versus anger and observations about the ignorance of the French journalist. 

My own reaction has been one full of rage. I simply cannot get over the question: "Are there bookshops in Nigeria?" Is this French journalist actually asking whether the most populous country in Africa has bookshops ? Did she actually ask whether the cultural fountain that is Nigeria has any bookshops and whether any Nigerian has managed to find a copy of Ms. Adichie's books and read them? Is not Nigeria known for its cultural diversity, music, culture? There are more than 500 languages spoken in Nigeria and, surely there must be one bookshop or books in Nigeria? Has Caroline Brouรฉ not heard of the giants of Nigerian literature and letters: namely, Wole Soyinka and China Achebe? Hasn't everyone come across 'When Things Fall Apart' in their literature class? This is general knowledge. Then there is a whole generation of Nigerian authors writing in English such as Ms. Adichie and Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Teju Cole, etc who if even if one hasn't read, appear in headlines that we keep scrolling through our social media accounts or online. Those of us who read and keep up with cultural and political news. 
Again, I ask, is it Chimamanda (I keep referring to her by first name as if I personally know her!)'s job to educate the French about Nigeria's history, culture and love of peace simply because French and indeed international media doesn't have anything besides war to report about Nigeria and rest of Africa? Is it her problem or your French or Western problem? 

Some of the best English writing is in fact coming out from young authors from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Kenya, etc. Ironic, tragic and amazing that post colonial literature being produced in the former colonies is written in the language of the former colonial masters. There is rigorous debate and commentary on how much the languages of these regions suffer and how much it points to the common pattern of the apartheid of colonial versus national language in school systems, job markets and cultural expressions. 

Notwithstanding this, there are bookshops in former colonies (whether they are situated in fancy malls or roadside stalls) and people do read books. And, even if the wretched poor of these countries do not read the books of internationally acclaimed middle and upper middle class writers, they have culture, art, history and identity. Perhaps they sing folk songs. Perhaps they read their own language in public schools or holy texts in temples or madrassah's.  Perhaps they watch films or television plays on old television sets or on their mobile phones. Perhaps they even talk about films or songs or books. 

To reduce a nation, even if created artificially thanks to 19th century European machinations, with a population of hundreds of millions, to a question - Are there bookshops  there - is an act of utter racism. It is not an innocent question. It is a loaded one. 

I do not know how Chimamanda was able to hold herself so gracefully. 

Culture, whether the high culture of the elites or common folk culture, exists in every people. Whether that culture produced the novel, play, sculpture, oral traditions, dance, murals, ghazal, qawwali, painting, block prints, Mughali cuisine, Kathak dance, bhajans, opera, truck art, Nollywood films, hipco, rap, jazz, hip hop, Afrobeat, reggae - and the list goes on - or whatever cultural expression, it does exist and, deserves respect and, understanding. There are bookshops in Nigeria in 2018 and, what's more, they sell books and, it's just one element of culture and history of letters and thinking in that country. 

How can a French journalist think she can get away with asking such an inappropriate question to a literary guest, even if it may have been delivered with tongue in cheek? Is it Ms. Adichie task to leave aside more deeper analysis, commentary and explanation of her writing and beyond and educate France? Did the French journalist, Caroline Brouรฉ, not know there are bookshops in Nigeria? Did she not find out more about the country Chimamanda hails from? But these are irrelevant questions. Even if there isn't a single bookshop in Nigeria, what is her point? What is she really trying to ask? Do people read? Or, let's go in a different line of thought. Has Brouรฉ read any of her guests's books? Did she appreciate the experiences of black people in America and Europe in Americanah? Is she privy to to any of her guest's fame as a voice for feminism and against the single narrative

You would imagine someone more learned and illustrious should have then been paired with such a famous and respected author? Isn't it the tradition to honour guests with your best? So, an esteemed writer should have been in conversation with Chimamanda, instead of a journalist who thought she would demolish "deliberate, entitled, tiresome, sweeping, base ignorance about Africa " by asking a racist question. But Ms. Brouรฉ, you completely blundered. You tried irony without understanding the irony of your question. And you have offended everyone tired of the very thing you pretended to also stand against. 

Is it appropriate to ask a renowned Nigerian author (when she is your guest, on your invitation at a so-called intellectual cultural event) whether her country has any bookshops? And then to back track and say we simply don't hear anything about Nigeria except for Boko Haram? Again, I ask, is it Chimamanda (I keep referring to her by first name as if I personally know her!)'s job to educate the French about Nigeria's history, culture and love of peace simply because French and indeed international media doesn't have anything besides war to report about Nigeria and rest of Africa? Is it her problem or your French or Western problem? 

One doesn't insult a guest, moreover a learned and accomplished personality, in this manner. This is what I feel and Nigerians feel. 

Would you do the same to a Pakistani author? Start asking him or her Osama bin Laden i.e. Did you know Osama bin Laden was hiding in Pakistan? Would you ask a renowned Liberian or Sierra Leonan author or artist whether he or she has ebola? How far does your stupidity and racism go? Are you too lazy to get out of your privileged, inherited racist, arrogant European arm chair and read about the rest of the world? Or, should celebrated authors come and read their books for you, underline the paragraphs and summarise the themes and plots for you? 

French people, learn some tehzeeb from South Asia and tolerance and patience from Africa. 

Imagine, a German person of letters being asked "Are there Nazis in Germany?" Imagine asking a French writer, "Why is French  society obsessed with humiliating Muslim women with the issue of hijab?" What about asking an American "has any family member of yours held sympathies toward KKK and other extremist organisations" in a visa application? There are certain embarrassing, controversial, sensitive, and even erroneous aspects of our perceived national identities which have to  carefully and respectfully navigate, no? 

I have been muttering "Are there bookshops in Nigeria" over and over again to myself. When I forget, I remember again and laugh or feel my blood boiling. I simply can't get over it. 

I decided to cool down and look up the whole interview on YouTube (see French Journalist to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Does Nigeria Have Bookstores? and African Writer Chimamanda React to Racist Question 'Does Nigeria Have Bookstores?')  to see maybe if I'm just over reacting. I found a few videos. It appears that the Caroline Brouรฉ introduced Chimamanda with the right whistles and bells, outlining her illustrious career as a writer and, then proceeded to ask her guest about her craft. However, she somehow still decided to pose The Question and the rest is history. She asks it with a smile and says, "Pardon, but here in France all we hear about is Boko Haram and I would like to take benefit from your presence to talk more about Nigeria and hear about another facet and here in France there are fewer bookshops and people are reading less and less so I ask, are there bookshops in Nigeria and do they read your books in Nigeria"? She acknowledged the boos of the audience and even the obvious foolishness of her questions but still she rolls on. Chimamanda doesn't choose to educate her interviewer about Nigeria but responds fittingly, laughs a little and then talks about how her books are actually taught in schools. 

Instead of elevating the conversation, Caroline just dumbed it down. Ms. Adichie was gracious enough to post on Facebook that Caroline had held an intellectual conversation but The Question was meant to be in an ironic vein which she totally missed. Either way, the ironic question was a stupid one. It is not Chimamanda's task to start educating the French about Nigeria. 

But to go on, Ms. Adichie herself notes in the rest of the interview, she knows about life and politics of the Anglophone countries and not much about Francophone ones. She doesn't know the experience of living in France but she did talk pointedly about the unpleasant and unnecessary detentions she herself went through 3 or 4 times in the past 2 years. She said she was asked "ridiculous" questions even though she had legally arrived in France. She spoke how rude and contemptuous the Immigration officials were who detained and ignored her and were an "ass." She said with such a sardonic smile - that "France does not realise it's no longer an 18th century world power." She smiled and said she has affection for France and "Oh, the Minister has left...good." Was I watching a Masterclass in how to deal with French Arrogance? Indeed. 

So, Ms. Adichie not only had to answer ridiculous question at Immigration but also at La Nuit des Idรฉes.

I am sure I am also an arm chair reactionary who loves spending time on Facebook, subscribing to very intelligent publications, and reading difficult articles. Out there, activists are struggling and writing about the struggles and suffering of the working class and oppressed. They write about revolution and what it really means. These petty rivalries and online debates are narcissistic and have no clue about the suffering that people go through. For example, I attempted to read Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak's On Revolution. It's not a long piece but for me, it wasn't light reading. There are a few lines in there which inspired and made an impact on me including:

I mention this because identity politics lays waste the democratic possibility of achieving flexibility of the imagination toward others. And I began with an example of how violent extreme identitarianism can become.

It's ironic, though that The Question I'm blogging and obsessing about is all about identity politics.  I am French and you need to educate me about your Nigeria, you Nigerian author. 

How is this flexibility of the imagination toward others to be achieved? Education? What kind of education? Inclusion of colonialism, its crimes and its legacies? More secular societies? How can we overcome historical baggage and prejudices and, instead learn we must strive to rid our societies of suffering? 

I've watched the interview a few times now and it now appears as a leaf out of a distant and ignorant history. It's an absurd moment where a writer hailing from a different continent is asked to sit in for her country and ask elementary questions. As if she is from a far away galaxy, millions of miles away and, the conversation has to be reduced to an infantile level in order to placate a public that is throwing a childlike tantrum, insisting to be told whether those people from that distant galaxy are even capable of thinking or talking. 

Tuesday 30 January 2018

I'm so proud I made seekh kebabs

I'm so proud I made seekh kebabs and they turned out well on my first try. I got the recipe from here. 

It's not a very difficult recipe at all and I might even add more chilli flakes or green chillies to the mince. I asked Haresh to come in and help me shape the kebabs which he seemed to be good at doing! The only difficult thing to do is actually fry them in shallow oil which in this weather, can get very hot. But they didn't take look to cook through. Once the oil is very hot, it takes 3-4 minutes on each side. 

















Friday 26 January 2018

What an epic: Padmavaat

We just came home after watching 'Padmavaat' at the Silverbird Cinema at the TM Mall in Mamba Point. It's surreal to be able to watch this big film, released a day ago in India, a movie that has been causing such shor sharaba, here in Monrovia. 

Now that we have a 'proper' cinema in Monrovia that is showing the latest films, one can start to appreciate again that the film experience on the big screen is so different from watching it on TV at home. Folks who know pre-war Monrovia can tell you they enjoyed cinema going but since I only know Monrovia in the post-war era, I have never experienced the cinema here.

As you can appreciate, it's a treat to watch the latest films now. Since December, we have seen the latest Star Wars and Jumanji 2. Tickets are $ 6 and include a soft drink.

We went with a group. The theatre was full of desi people and, there were a few families too which got me wondering how appropriate it was to let children watch this film, particularly with rape, sex and assault scenes. I am also one of those guilty parents and took Kavita along. I tried to cover her eyes in some of the scenes and, thankfully, she was asleep by the time the women were jumping into the fire.

Padmavaat has been in the headlines for quite a long time and even international media picked up on it. There's even an AJ+ video. I also had read quite a few articles explaining the real history behind the legend of Padmavati so it was exciting to know I actually had the option of stepping out of articles and headlines and actually see the film. 

The film is of course breathtakingly epic and stunning. Yes, take us back to a glorified history of India of sultans and shehanshas and maharajas and their ranis and malikas dripping with jewels, brave with courage and honour! Gosh, wasn't Indian pre-colonial history glorious? Those majestic palaces and forts. What a lively contrast to the drab and dreary Europe of the Dark Ages/Middle Ages. 

As expected the stars radiated on screen with their beauty and ripped bodies. Shahid Kapoor's kohl lined eyes stared lovingly into Deepika's gorgeous eyes, a face laden with jewels. Their clothes were majestic and regal. The dances were beautiful. The music was so befitting. 

Ranvir Singh played the most neurotic, loony character of all: Allauddin Khilji. He's mad and without remorse but is singular in his purpose. All he seems to be obsessed with is : is Padmavati. If his madness is not enough, he has an equally psychopathic servant played by Jim Sarbh (he is an actor to watch out for, ahem, not only his good looks but his style and delivery). Even while assault, murder and deadly plots are being made, Jim Sarah's servant just dances about or enjoys the show. It's kind of alluded that the servant is in love with the Sultan. The madness of Allauddin is clear but it's acted out in the most entertaining manner. 

The scene where Jim Sarbh steps out of the bath (fully clothed) after helping to bathe the Sultan is  erotic. But if that wasn't enough, he starts serenading the Sultan who then starts swaying to the  music while still in the bath. The servant leads him to his bed, where a woman is waiting for him, perfume/ittar in her hands.

Epic sagas like these rarely have the time to pause for psychological analysis and revelations. That the film gives space for the psychotic Sultan and his servant to depict an on-screen chemistry is interesting to say the least. Many Bollywood blockbusters are famous for comic relief scenes where the 'comedy actors' made almost fools of themselves in their humiliating get up and crass dialogues. These scenes between Allauddin and Malik Kafur are fascinating.

Padmavati equally has the chance to show her intensity, devotion, courage, and wit. Deepika is not only unbelievable beautiful and graceful in all the scenes but she glows with intensity, especially when the takes are non-verbal. The intimate scenes between Shahid Kapoor and her are beautiful, as they both look adoringly at each other. 

"Khalibali" where Ranvir Singh dances like mad is such a strange moment for a Bollywood film where usually one is 'treated' to an item number. Here, we have the Sultan himself dancing mad! 

So, what was the khoon kharaba for? If anything it is the Sultan who is depicted as the evil, unprincipled and shameless despot. The Rajputs are the heroic and honourable lot. 

******

What do you take away from the film? I can't discuss whether or not this film actually hurts Rajput sentiments or dishonours the figure of Padmavati. I read that she is first mentioned only in a Sufi poem. Did she really exist? And does this film really dishonour her? 

As for other themes, is this a film which elevates Padmavati as a courageous, skilled and brilliant Queen and even shows her to be more strategic and adept at politics than her own principled King?  Women must have felt good when they saw that it is Padmavati who not only has the Sultan send her Raqhav Chetan's head but also rescues him, with the help of Malika Jahan, Mehrunissa. But in the end, Padmavati performs jahaur when Rattan Singh falls on the battlefield and all is surely lost. Why didn't he just listen to all her caution from the beginning? Or was it just doomed from the beginning?

Does this film show that courage/principles are better or outwitting your enemy? Why didn't Rattan Singh apprehend/finish the Sultan when he had several chances? Was he smart or principled in missing every single opportunity to destroy Allauddin? Why did he never listen to his wife?

Is this epic glorifying the courage of the women of Chittoor or pandering or very archaic values?

At the outset, the filmmakers say none of the characters in the film are based on reality nor do they endorse sati.

The women who commit jahaur are depicted as even more courageous and valiant than the men but didn't they all die because their maharaja made one false move after another? Can Ratan Singh still be the hero?

The most disturbing moment was watching a pregnant woman and a little girl walk towards the fires of the pyre. Is this a moment of glory or tragedy? Deepika's Padmavaati is hauntingly beautiful and fierce as she walks so courageously with a victorious smile on her face. Is this film glorifying sati? The Partition is full of stories of women who had to jump into wells to save their honour. We weep when we think about it but we don't feel proud about it.

While watching the epic, of course, we know that it is the Rajputs who were the good guys who stood  by their principles of courage, honour, fair play, devotion, and hospitality. The evil Sultan does not hold to any principle.

But, this saga falls short of speaking to us in the modern era where women willingly burn themselves rather than succumb to the enemy, especially if their doomed end was thanks to their men, who just weren't good at plunder and war. 

At least kings fought in battle themselves. These days, President brag about the size of their nuclear buttons. 

Thursday 25 January 2018

Evening walk

After almost 2 months of no walking, I have finally started my evening walks. Today, we convinced Kavita to join me after school. We told Kavita there was no point in going home as Haresh was off to a meeting so she should come along. 

I first had to stop at Abi Jaoudi Supermarket to get her a snack (a biscuit) and then we set off. It was a very enjoyable walk and everyone was glad to see Kavita. 

Can you believe it that they are going to be showing Padmavaat?! 





Monday 22 January 2018

Inauguration Day ๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡ท

So, I didn't get invited to the Inauguration and nor did I make any concerted efforts to find a way to attend this most important day. Never mind, we watched it live on watchkwese.com. In fact, we have Internet on our TV so we could comfortably watch it sitting on our sofa. One could also watch it live on KMTV.

Afterwards, we drove towards the Stadium to see how far we could get in the anticipated traffic. We got as far as the CDC Headquarters. There was a jubilant crowd and, I decided to enjoy the atmosphere.

The CDC Party Headquarter grounds were full of people, decorated with streamers, and the from the stage, soft drinks were being thrown to a crowd.

Everyone was smiling at me (folks must have thought I was a journalist - again). I made a video. You can see it here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5FmkPzRNOA.

The excitement and joy in that crowd was contagious of course. Are the people happy that someone is finally going to stand for them? Do they really love their new leader? In that hot sun, they were there, singing, shouting, and, cheering on the cars coming back from the Stadium.

And there I was taking photos and making videos. I didn't feel uncomfortable or stared at. Everyone was only too happy to pose and smile for me.

Liberian women experience sexual violence and, live in a society that is dominated by men. Still, it is striking to see that women are in the so-called 'public spaces' and, can dance and cheer alongside men in crowds. This is not common in Pakistan.