Kony 2012 and the single story

When I first saw the link to the Kony2012 video and read what Invisible Children was intending, I thought to myself, “No, I’m not going to make this infamous man famous!” But then the flood of articles and heated debates on social media changed my mind. I had to see what the uproar was all about.

I have followed the arguments against saving the kind, warm-hearted, greater than thou, paternalistic white man saving the poor, helpless black Africans with a lot of interest. A collection of them is presented here: http://www.boingboing.net/2012/03/08/african-voices-respond-to-hype.html

The contributors made me reflect on what Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the world-renowned Nigerian author, said about telling a single story:  ”The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” She further states: “Show a people as one thing — as only one thing — over and over again, and that is what they become.”

Watch the video: The danger of a single story (ted.com)

I like to think of the vibrant debate that this film has elicited as an indication of how, with the help of social media, global conversations can take place, ensuring that myths are deconstructed and our stories are completed.

Now on to other questions that I’m asking myself: Did Kony commit the crimes he is accused of or not? Do the people who were affected deserve justice? Should he be held responsible for it? Who is going to hold him responsible then? What are they waiting for?

Maybe I’m a sucker for happy endings, but I must admit I was touched to read about Jacob, who at 10 wanted to die and go meet his brother in heaven, doing what he thought he would do, study law. If Kony was to be arrested, it would give me hope of the possibility of international justice systems. Until then, I think I’ll just join in the global conversation and pray that he isn’t a spirit.

So, did I just contribute to making Kony famous? It was inevitable. Those Invisible Children guys really know how to get their campaign going!

A Showcase of Local Art at the LaBa! Street Art Festival

Mackinnon Road in Nakasero in central Kampala was transformed into colourful spectra of artistic creation as the young and old trooped to Plot 6 to take part in the 2011 LaBa! Street Art Festival.

The festival, dubbed 365 days of celebrating art, was organised by the Uganda Cultural Society – UGCS (Goethe-Zentrum) is in its fifth year now. LaBa! means ‘to see’ in the local Luganda language, an apt title for the forum which was open to different art forms and free to the public.

Participants turned up early in the morning and by eight a.m., the street was abuzz with activity as painters, sculptors, fashion and jewellery designers, dancers, photographers, actors and musicians set up their tents.

The weather, which is sometimes unpredictable, was glorious. The sun was up in its full glory and a light breeze kept those hanging their banners and arranging their displays in an upbeat mood. A cocktail of jazz, typically Ugandan percussion and local hip-hop wafted from different tents and built up the momentum for the day.

By the time the large crowds started coming in at mid-morning, the art festival was fully underway and promising to be a treasure trove for art collectors, a fun-filled day of events for children and a place for friends to meet and discuss the African fashion on display. The artists made full use of the day to showcase their talent and masterpieces, while others used unusual means to market upcoming events and get orders for their products.

As dusk dawned and the tents began to fold, those who still felt up to it sauntered to the neighbouring Goethe-Zentrum for a fun filled evening of music, beer and wine. Among the evening’s highlights were Lillian, one of the star performers of the group, Blu 3 and the Sundowners, Mista Poa and the hilarious Carl Joshua Ncube from Zimbabwe.

Artists set up their tents on Mackinnon road and start receiving visitors by as early as ten a.m.

Artists such as this one, is using her talent to fundraise for vulnerable members of society. Rosa Achola got sponsored by the Independent, a media house in Uganda, to set up her studio and paint portraits at a fee. The proceeds will go to Sista Sista, an organisation that provides support to physically abused women

Dance proves to be a popular art form, especially for younger visitors as the crowd around the Break dance Project Uganda shows. The group is a youth centred grass roots organization that uses hip-hop culture to unite young people and provide them with skills to be confident, active and social individuals.

At the end of the exhibition, crowds were treated to an outdoor concert. The main act was Lillian Mbabazi of the all girls group Blu3, accompanied by the Sundowners Band.