Ousmane Sembène: the revolution in his portrayal of Afrika through film

"Europeans and Arabs have nothing to teach us about morality"- Ousmane Sembène Many times we talk about how art is political. Increasingly in the past ten years, there has been talk about representation and its importance. Faces such as Lupita Nyong'O, Issa Rae, the entire cast of Girls Trip and that of the the long …

The privilege in learning an oppressed group’s native tongue

What is the point of learning a dying language? It creates dependency and furthers the white savior mentality.

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 …

The cost of being a conscious student activist.

My heart has been bleeding every day since I started my activism. Whether my eyes are closed, enjoying my own company or simply trying to find peace in silence, I cannot stop myself from thinking about the discomfort I have faced since I got here. In my free time, I watch political documentaries, listen to …

Dear media, please accept my decline to Pray for Paris.

Two days ago, on November 13th 2015, there was an attack on France by terrorists (allegedly a part of ISIS) that left approximately 128 dead and another 200 injured. After this was reported by literally all news sources; from CNN, BBC to FOX and The Guardian and New York Times, of course I would say …

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 …

The absence of Afrikan women in feminist dialogues.

When I got to college, I decided to take a gender’s studies courses because I thought hearing and learning about other women’s stories would be empowering and would help me find the sense of self-love I had been looking for all my life. I had always been the type of person that spoke her mind …

Unlearning lessons of injustice: The conscious decision of spelling AfriKa with a “K”

From birth, my parents wished and bestowed upon me blessings of wealth and prosperity through my name.  I am Giramata.  Born and raised in the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda- the heart of the fertile soils of Afrika.  When I was younger, for every holiday I packed my bags ready to leave my luxurious …

My children will NOT be lied to: Why I decided to give ALL my children female Afrikan warrior names.

When I took my first women studies course, my LIFE CHANGED drastically. Besides the obvious fact that you learn about women’s oppression, intersectionality and ways to bring about change, I owe my renewed strong love for Afrikan women to this course. Towards the end of the course, for our final project we were supposed to …