Today I arrived in Entebbe, (Kampala)– the capitol of Uganda, located in the heart of Africa. Uganda is said to be the most diverse country in Africa– geologically, culturally, and biologically, and it includes the largest lake in the world, Lake Victoria, that is the source of the Nile River. (Oh yeah, it’s also home to the largest population of Gorillas in the world!) I’m really thrilled to see the landscape as we drive 6 hours North to Gulu in just an hour or so. And- I’m so (VERY) excited to begin photographing; I’ve been waiting & wanting a lifetime for this privilege! Before I head into Gulu, I want to briefly share with you what I’ve been learning about Africa, from an African perspective. This information is the knowledge base that I will be pulling from as I photograph WGEF ‘s event on Saturday and micro-finance program this week.
photos courtesy of my Iphone.
As I’ve been reading Wangari Maathai’s book, “The Challenge for Africa,” I believe it can be applied to any culture in the world! Maathai speaks to the issues that plague the African continent from an African perspective, rather than that of an economist’s or sociologist’s perspective, who are usually educated and white, and therefore unable to truly understand the heart of the African struggle. Maathai points out that Africa is the wealthiest continent in the world, full of rich natural resources, yet it is home to the majority of the world’s poor; it produces 5% of the world’s income yet holds 2/3 of the world’s debt. She attributes the state of Africa today to a variety of causes including colonialism, corrupt government & broken infrastructure, international hand-outs given as aid, unruly debt from bad loans, arbitrary borders in a country with many diverse micro-nations (Nigeria alone speaks over 400 languages), but mostly she contributes Africa’s current state to the poverty/inferiority mindset that is prevalent in the majority of Africans today. Maathai believes that Africans as a whole have experienced a sense of inferiority and marginalization beginning from the time colonists and missionaries overtook their land. This mindset has since been perpetuated in their culture through greed and jealousy that was a reaction by Africans to their “inherent shame”. The colonists made it clear to the Africans that they should be thankful for their presence on their land, (ha!), because they were saving them from their “ignorant and immoral ways”, therefore Africans should not “forget their place”. Select Africans sought to join the ruling class of colonists as lynchmen to govern over their “immoral” people and by doing so, they would free themselves of their own shame and receive much of the white man’s power and wealth. These newly placed leaders treated their people more horrifically than the colonists ever did, rather than honoring and serving the people with generosity and dignity. As a result, “they lost their sense of collective power and responsibilty and sucumbed, not to the god of love and compassion they knew, but to the gods of commercialism, materialism, and individualism.” “The result was an expanding impovershment, with the people’s granaries and stomachs as empty as their souls.” Africa’s culture prior to colonization was one where no one owned anything, and where no one considered themselves poor. Yet with colonialism came the “realization” of their “wayward” culture, causing most Africans to loose their ability to make judgements about how to best care for themselves and their people. Their history was passed down orally, and with the understanding that it was wrong, their history was then replaced by a written history written by the white man, distancing Africans even more from their heritage and cultural identity. Maathai believes that the re-connection of Africans to their culture is the missing link to creativity, productivity, and confidence in every Africa today.
Maathai belives that Africans gave away their power to think and share their voice by over-trusting unaccountable leaders, which led them to being exploited. Africans were taught to deny their culture’s wisdom and in doing so, were left extremely vulnerable. Africans then became dependent on others who would exploit them, believing that these exploiters were sent to take care of them, enabling a culture of poverty to be passed down for many generations. Maathai proposes that “for a society to function, one must take charge of their life.” That Africans must decide to be empowered, to behave responsibly with genuine autonomy, to be held accountable and demand accountability of their leaders, and re-instill discipline and pride in their work, their history, and livelihoods. This progress towards self-sufficiency and equity will lend to long term stability/sustainability and as a result, will remove the harmful effects of short-sided vision and immediate gratification that is the predominant culture in Africa today. Well set priorities that are properly targeted, with well spent monies focused on holistic development by governments, and a mindset to prevent problems and diminish the crisis mentality, will surely, in time, set Africa free; because only Africa can only set Africa free. She encourages Africans to get involved in the decision making process of their government and civil services because properly using their voices will create a culture of service and foster talent rather than an environment of of terrorism and poverty. Maathai firmly belives that though, “we can’t change the past, we can try to mold the future.” Through the teaching of the values of hard work, honestly, justice, fairness, and accountability, Africans might grow into the leaders and citizens that Africa needs.
Wow. “Only Africa can set Africa free.”
How true, though, not only for Africa, but for mankind in general. I really believe that I could take out “Africa” and insert “America”, or even “Jenn”! As I read her words, I am struck with overwhelming conclusion that I must “pick up my mat and walk”, and contribute and collaborate. To hide, to play small, to allow others to exploit me by telling me where I belong or what to believe will no longer pass. To shirk responsibility, to not be held accountable, to not collaborate my efforts in community is unacceptable… Talk about a wake up call! If we don’t walk with integrity and speak up for our rights, we will loose them. I can tell you right now, that though I do make contributions, I am quite often content with my material comforts so I don’t speak up and create as I am capable. Africa is a shining example of a fundamental identity that plagues all of humanity– and is a model for what happens when we stop listening to our hearts and live by an identity of shame and greed. I am deeply saddened by the state of Africa and yet, I am also honored to get to know the joy by which they live, despite the world they live in. I look forward to capturing a glimpse into their world this week. In closing, Maathai belives that “In seeking restoration for my continent, I am quite literally restoring myself.”
Exactly.
Lets be the change that we want to see in the world.
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