On “Discourse on Colonialism” by Aime Césaire

It has been a minute hasnt it?! Well glad to be using this space again. I'm only here because I occasionally share thoughts on some books I read and sometimes my thoughts are too long for instagram captions. So every now and again when im inspired, you'll find the longer un-fleshed out thoughts here. this …

I am Not Your Negro: James Baldwin’s view on the reality of America

“You cannot lynch me and keep me in ghettos without becoming something monstrous yourselves. And furthermore, you give me a terrifying advantage. You never had to look at me. I had to look at you. I know more about you than you know about me. not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing …

The Fake Deeps of Body Positivity

What's good everyone?! This is more of a casual post than usual. Now if you are like me, you have been waiting IMPATIENTLY for all this Caribbean festivities to begin because Rihanna! I'm not even a fan of Rihanna like that and I have my reasons. I mean, I will bump to her music if …

RWANDA’S CHILDREN

The new generation of Rwandans is so beautiful and hopeful. The importance of such documenting of history from the lenses of the youth is healing.

Natasha's Chronicles

Natasha D. Muhoza

(Kwibuka22; Our Past 2016)

 

Letter 1:

Manweli muhungu wanjye

Nakwise ntyo mukwizera

Nizera ko iyahanze Gasabo izahora iduhanze amaso iteka

Tukidegembya nta nkomyi

Maze ijoro rirakomanga

Bakuntwara ntakomye

Ntakira Gihanga nikomye hejuru

N’amakoma ntiyadukingira

Kuko ijuru ryari ryagukinguriwe…

I’m sorry I could not protect you, my son

I had vowed the day you were born that would protect you till my last breath,

But I was helpless that night… what could I have done?

They heard your cry and found our hiding place—

Before I knew it, he had grabbed you

Before I could stop him, he had driven a panga through your chest

Before I could gather any strength, the very—animal that had killed you had grabbed me too

He… raped me first

Then his two friends followed

Leaving me for dead, I thought I was coming to join you but…

I survived

I…

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Lessons from conversations with my past

Part one: {the intimate} I am 20 years old. This means, I was born 2 years after the Genocide against the Tutsi. If you know me, You know I breathe, eat and sleep Rwanda My life… is Rwanda And Rwanda… is my life. My drive in life… is Rwanda And when I say Rwanda I …

Reclaiming our identities through names: from Inès to Amata

{there is beauty. rhythm. songs. respect. dignity. pride. history. struggle. resistance. in my mother tongue. everything i forget when i borrow the white man’s language.} All transitions are hard. Nothing concerning change is easy. I know this because ever since I decided to, well not change, more like take on another name, it has been …

i am selfish. with my blackness.

i am selfish. with my Blackness. my Black features. i am selfish with my Black tears. because i’ve cried everyday. for my people. i am selfish with my Black hands. because i’ve had them up in surrender. for so long. i am selfish with my black heart. because i opened my home. to a stranger. he …

Candles and therapy

My sisters and I... We... Walk and talk soft. Like the light.. Of..of... Of a candle. So gentle... So fragile... So pure... So calm... Look closer, come closer Touch our flame... Feel our bond... Wrap your arms, Around our warmth of our sisterhood... Fire! A fire waiting to burst Out like fireworks So Beautiful,  So …

Hey, Black Child! ~ Countee Cullen~

Hey Black Child Do you know who you are Who you really are Do you know you can be What you want to be If you try to be What you can be Hey Black Child Do you know where you are going Where you're really going Do you know you can learn What you …

A mother’s promise to her unborn Afrikan son.

When you get here, The world will be ready for you To receive you as another Black child, Another Afrikan child. But I promise you, You wont be. When you get here Even before you figure out How to open your eyes, You’ll already be labeled As the hungry sick Afrikan child! The world will …