Spectra Speaks
Framed by the United Nations global initiative to provide equal access to education for girls by 2015, the documentary film, To Educate a Girl, takes a ground-up and visually stunning view of that effort through the eyes of girls in Nepal and Uganda, two countries emerging from conflict and struggling with poverty. Catch a screening with UNICEF and the Filmmakers on March 8th in New York, or watch the full feature for free online!
ZHE is a humorous, thought-provoking and haunting drama explores the lives of two British Africans living at the crossroads of culture, nationality, gender and sexuality. Journeying from childhood to adulthood and across continents, the play examines the joys and pains of coming to terms with the complexity of our many identities.
For Lent, I’m trying something different this year; in place of denying myself physical pleasures, I’m ridding myself of ingratitude and negativity. I’ll be sharing daily positive reflections and affirmations via my Facebook Page & Twitter Handle (@spectraspeaks), and invite you all to share yours as well. I plan to post a weekly blog of my favorite updates from all of you! So join me — and a community of positive spiritual growth-seekers — for “40 Days on Love”!
On February 16th, 2012, Africa Women’s Development Fund out-doored NNEKA (one of my favorite Nigerian artists) as their first Ambassador of the Arts. NNEKA was born in Warri, Oil City in the Delta region of Nigeria at the height of its new found wealth in the mid 70s. Her lyrics reflect much of her history and life in Nigeria as well as her time spent in Western Europe. Her songs stress the issues of capitalism, poverty and war and are often loaded with moral and biblical messages and references, with some music commentators comparing her to Erykah Badu, Neneh Cherrynd Floetry. Women’s Rights and African Music = Magic.
Homosexuality may be outlawed in Kenya but there is a long tradition among some communities of women marrying each other. In recent news stories, twelve Kenyans girls are suspended for “lesbianism” while older women are allowed to marry, and even inherit property from their deceased spouses. This presents quite a dichotomy, and though I’m over the mixed messages, I know why they’re there.
Warning: This is a rant. AKA I’m pissed, and don’t feel the need to explain myself further than this: I’m Nigerian. I’m African. I’m Black. They don’t compete, they complement, which is why when I’m asked to silence one for the sake of the other, I don’t. Deal with it. Dedicated to the person who diagnosed me with internalized racism for claiming my Nigerian identity. And no, not “with love.”
Africa has had much of its history depicted through mainly male characters; the on-going plight of women and children during times of war has often been reduced to b-roll (i.e. supplemental or alternate footage intercut with the main shot) and action scenes portraying sexual violence for shock value. Hence, the film adaptation of Half of a Yellow Sun, an intricate and emotionally honest story told through the lives of two very different Nigerian sisters, could mean a huge leap for the preservation of Nigerian women’s history, as well as the portrayal of African women in film.
But now, the draconian bill which began the chain reaction that led to David Kato’s death is back. A copy of Uganda’s Parliament Order Paper, dated February 7, 2012, has been making its way around the internet. The return of the “Kill the Gays” bill is a major concern for Ugandan LGBT activists, but many have vowed to continue their struggle. As the ongoing battle for LGBT tolerance in Uganda continues, activists abroad are also lending their support by leveraging media to spark critical conversations about LGBT rights in Uganda.
The existence of LGBT Africans ultimately challenges the view that Africans are naturally attracted to people of the opposite sex (i.e. the Homosexuality is UnAfrican mantra). However, this pigeon-holes the entire continent — straight and LGBT Africans alike — into addressing homophobia from just one angle: sexual orientation. The danger in this approach is that it leaves out transgender people, intersex people, and a whole slew of people — including straight Africans — who do not conform to traditional gender roles.
How about we — as global gender justice advocates — subvert the idea that women are perpetual victims by covering our collective resistance? How about we cut back on the sensationalism — the shock tactics and controversy we once deployed to get mainstream media to pay attention to issues important to us — and now spend time amassing a historical archive of positive happenings that could inspire legendary bed time stories of the many feminist heroes and heroines that have been paving the way to our liberation?
About Me
Meet Spectra: Nigerian Writer & Media Activist, Queer Afrofeminist Social Commentator, Human Rights Advocate, Social Entrepreneur, Africa's Cheetah Generation, Idealist Warrior Woman.Latest Pins on Pinterest
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African fashionistas.
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Becca -- African music artist, reppin' Ghana. Beautiful.
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EDWARD ZWICK (Director): I don't care what the race intellegentsia says, he's my favorite white American filmmaker because he consistently produces films that illuminate the role of the US around the globe, and on its marginalized citizens. His films are "human" -- less preachy then Spielberg, more realistic than Cameron. I'll always respect his commentary on cultural appropriation (and his...
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