Most Notable Books in My Library
I list my favourite books so far and what I love about them! You will also get a sneak preview of how I got into reading. Everyone has a few stories about that, and each is unique. Could be that you were introduced to the reading culture by a relative or friend, or it was some sort of escape!
Photo by Aliis Sinisalu on Unsplash
What are you reading during this pandemic season?
I’ve been a sucker for books for as long as I can remember! In fact, I was so obsessed with words when I was younger, that I would read anything and everything in sight. Growing up, my dad worked as a lecturer at a Kenyan parastatal. All of our neighbours were colleagues in a huge compound at the edge of Karura forest, housing over a hundred homes. We co-existed with monkeys, often peacefully and sometimes not so much. It was quite a serene and sheltered childhood.
When we got sick, we would go to the dispensary, or what my dad referred to as ‘the infirmary’. It was either a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute drive away from home. At the infirmary, they put posters up on the notice board, describing the symptoms of different ailments, with tips on care or how to prevent them. They also had basic ones that teach hand hygiene and that sort of thing. While waiting to see the doctor, I would read every single one! It might have fed the mild hypochondriac tendencies I am now accused of exhibiting (sometimes).
I was really drawn to fiction as a child and would read most genres except the scary ones: anything from comic books to murder mysteries, and legal fiction novels. I was a big fan of ‘Nancy Drew’; read every ‘Sweet Valley’ book my friends and classmates owned; and most of John Grisham’s novels. Every Sunday morning, I would knock on my parent’s bedroom door for money to go and buy the newspaper. I read the comic section (including Modesty Blaise, which I had absolutely no business reading), and my two favourite features: ‘Surgeons Diary’; and ‘Whispers’ by the late Wahome Mutahi.
In a sense, books have raised me, influenced my way of thinking and how I process information. They also gave a little break to the adults around me. I was, afterall, a very inquisitive child.
I have continued to love books, even though I don’t get through as many as I used to when younger. I would like to think that it’s because I take more time to immerse myself in the story; and because my library has diversified to include non-fictional books. Quality over quantity, right?
So, my fellow book lovers, here are some of my all-time favourites. The list is not exhaustive!
My All-Time Favourite Books (so far…)
Reading this memoir was like sitting with Trevor over a cup of tea as he recounts tales of his childhood! It really feels like he’s having a conversation with you, and being the comedian that he is, he has you bursting out in laughter, even in public places! Embarrassing yourself.
Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I have often heard of, and even read about the sometimes icy, other times conflicted relations between Africans in America and African Americans. It was even addressed on a scene in the Box Office hit, Black Panther. Different people have their own theories about why the two hardly seem to get along.
In this book, Chimamanda explores this and other ways that African Americans and their complexities can be rather perplexing to an African. It is done through the eyes of a character who is bold, intelligent and articulate, without seeming condescending.
I had hardly enjoyed fictional books, for a while, when the Alchemist fell on my lap. It was very timely, as it spoke of things that I needed to hear at that point in time. Paulo’s style is reminiscent of old tales that contain mysticism and magic while speaking to the universal human journey. He explores the emotions and experience of self-discovery and chasing your dreams in a beautiful and colourful way. Hardly the kind of book you read once!
3.5 Notable mention: More recently, I read The Prophet’ by Khalil Gibran, and it was a similar experience, with lots of lessons on how to navigate this ride called life.
And the Mountains Echoed – Khaled Hosseini
Khaled has that ancient gift of storytelling that very few people in a lifetime possess. He weaves tales so layered, yet with such simple beauty, that you can’t help but be in awe of his superpower. His particular strength is in building characters you get so attached to, root for, and are heartbroken when they don’t seem to win. After reading these three books, I bet there is nothing he would write that I will not be utterly enthralled by.
London Cape Town Joburg – Zukiswa Wanner
I took an African Literature course in university and was very fascinated by books about South Africa and lusophone countries like Angola. Although South Africa had a similar history to Kenya, having been a former colony of Britain (besides the Dutch, in their case); the stories, culture and experiences seem very different from those I was familiar with.
I grew up reading african literature mostly by East African and anglophone West African writers. This book is a trip through the three South African cities, in a way that lets you explore and weave the tapestry of its people, culture, and the imprints of its colonial history.
Most of us love a good road trip, and if anyone has created that experience in a book, it’s Velma Pollard! This might as well be at the top of my list as I’ve read it about six times already. I was introduced to this gem in high school, it was an alternative set book for high school english literature. I have hardly put it down since. It was also the first book I read, by a writer from the Caribbean. Velma Pollard, showcases the diversity of Jamaica through some of my favourite things: people, food, music, culture, language and nature! One of its positive side-effects, was my newfound interest in learning to speak Patois. It really is one of those underrated books that everyone should read at least once.
I would be glad to hear about your favourite books too, so please comment below and share why you love the ones you do!
Every Voice Counts in the Quest for Social Justice
This year has caused major ripples in the fabric of society. Not only are we dealing with a worldwide pandemic, but also having to address societal ills like racism and police brutality. Systemic issues that have been brimming under the surface for way too long. I give my take on the responses that this uproar for black lives has caused on social media.
Photo, courtesy of Thomas de LUZE on Unsplash
The last few weeks have been dominated by news of racism in America, specifically the extrajudicial killings of black people by the police. If you, like many of us, find yourself scrolling through social media on a daily basis, you’ve probably noticed how this narrative has overtaken all others. The video that captured George Floyd’s last breathe started a wave that has reverberated throughout the globe. This chain of events triggered protests around the world starting conversations that have been on the hush for too long. While the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement started in the US, it has created room for conversations about similar incidences in various local contexts.
In Kenya, we have witnessed and often protested against extrajudicial killings by the police. In our context, the victims of police brutality are often from a low socioeconomic class. While the rest of the world lent their voices to the fight against racism in America, they also talked about the way racism played out in their own backyards. In Nairobi, protests were organised by different groups including the US embassy. The outcry was as much against police brutality in our own soil as it was about what was happening thousands of miles away.
The Kenyan government had declared a curfew as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. While the intention of this was to ensure the health and safety of Kenyans, it posed a new threat for those who were to make the mistake of being caught outside after-hours.
As the narrative against racism in America gained momentum, I was surprised to find online criticism of Kenyans who chose to share their views on the Black Lives Matter movement. It appeared to be based on the assumption, that they were quick to speak against injustices elsewhere while being completely silent about what was happening in our own country. Though there is a correlation between police brutality in Kenya and in America, the distinction is also very clear. The excessive force used against black people in America is largely based on their skin colour. They are almost 3 times as likely to be killed during police encounters than their white counterparts, according to a New York Times article.
We certainly need to worry about and speak out against police brutality in Kenya, there have been fatalities linked to enforcement of the curfew, as Citizen TV among other local and international news platforms have reported. The killings here have nothing to do with race, rather, they are more influenced by socioeconomic factors. It is completely OK to speak out against either or both.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
Throughout history, movements that fought for the rights of the marginalised got their fuel from allies who empathised with their plight and wanted to be part of the change. To do their part in getting rid of the status quo. Whether it was the civil rights movement in America, the fight against apartheid in South Africa or Women’s marches, around the world, demanding equal treatment for men and women. Every movement that seeks to make the world a better place, often only gains traction when supported by those who are not directly affected, but recognise that oppression is wrong no matter where or to whom it is directed.
Charity does indeed begin at home. But we would be remiss if we do not acknowledge the deep sense of connectedness that technology, along with frequency and ease of travel have shaped. Dismantling racism and racial bias will be beneficial to us all. We can play a part, and say our piece on global matters as well as local ones. It is up to the individual to choose when and how to speak out without being ‘policed’. While it is highly recommended that each one does their part in ensuring that we all live in a just and fair world, if you find yourself getting bothered by what someone decides to give their attention to, remember to keep playing your part. Standing for what you believe in. When you are taking action towards improving or reducing the injustices that matter to you, it is more likely that others will take note and join in.
As we continue to find our voices…remember, making a difference comes in many ways, some are activists and speak out loud and proud against injustices. Others do it in more subtle, incremental ways by practicing what they would hope for in a better world. It all adds up in the end. All little drops that make an ocean.
Awkward Emoji Encounters and Why Representation Matters
Does how we use emojis matter? I explore my experiences with awkward emoji moments and how using an inappropriate emoji could send the wrong message. Have you had any awkward emoji encounters? I’d love to hear from you!
Which coffee do you rep?
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Let’s talk about emojis! How do you use emojis? Do you pay particular attention to their meaning or do you just wing it?
Do you use ‘colored’ hands or the default yellow? Does it matter to you? Is it even that deep (I hear you say)?
I am one of those people, who are partial to virtual interactions with friends, family and acquaintances. I much prefer the good old face to face (with a cup of tea or a glass of wine) conversations. They are easier to handle and reduce the chance of: misconstruing the meaning behind someone’s words; or developing passive aggression because you feel misunderstood. There is also less room for overthinking. If you tend to let thoughts marinate, turn them inside out and upside down in your mind, it can sometimes take very little to jump into the wrong conclusions. Granted, in-person interactions don’t always go as smoothly as the picture I am painting here, but at least you have more than one communication style to work with. If you get offended, you’ll probably make a face that the other person can read and react to appropriately.
In the last 2 years I’ve had a few odd, sometimes uncomfortable digital conversations with people based on the emojis they chose to use, and it got me thinking. How do these cute, seemingly harmless symbols affect our day to day interactions?
The very first time I had one of these cringe-worthy moments was while visiting my partner in Malawi. I would often be around the expat community (which happened to be mostly white). Isn’t it odd that while writing this it felt awkward to call people white or point to their ‘race’? I put it in quotes because race is a social construct that has often been used to harm or exploit others. But, I digress.
A lady I shared mutual friends with was planning a trip to Kenya for the first time. She was curious about where to go and what to do for fun. We exchanged numbers so I could give her tips on the music and arts scene. When you are a minority in social circles, there’s a tendency to want to paint the best picture of where you’re from. If I was to have anything to do with her experience in Kenya, it would have to be good! When I sent her a quick message so she could save my number, she replied with a ‘like’ emoji in the darkest skin tone. I’m not exaggerating when I say I got a mental whiplash reading that message. I was completely dumbfounded!
My first thoughts were: “What’s that supposed to mean? Is she trying to make some point about me being black (because that emoji looks nothing like her actual hand)? Is this low-key shade?”
We hardly knew each other so it didn’t occur to me to confront her. Suffice to say, it was an awkward experience that, figuratively, left an unpleasant aftertaste. We hardly spoke after the incident.
Fast forward to more than a year later. As history tends to repeat itself, a similar thing happens again. While texting back and forth with another (white) acquaintance it is quickly apparent that she only uses the light brown emoji, the second darkest tone. The difference this time, was that we had built a good rapport. So naturally, the first time I noticed it, I figured it was some kind of mistake. Maybe involuntarily selected or simply done out of ignorance. When it happened a few more times it started to bother me. I decided to address it from a place of curiosity, whilst looking to open up a conversation on this sort of thing. If indeed, it was an honest mistake, I was keen to shed some light on how that could be perceived by people who deliberately use emojis that represent them.
It started off really well. An open discussion. She had no problem hearing me out and I was interested in her perspective. When the reason for using said emojis was, ‘it just doesn’t matter or mean anything’ that hit a nerve.
At this point I’m going to throw a caveat and mention that a friend of mine, a Kenyan of African descent uses the lightest (read white) hand emoji when texting. So I’m well aware of how this has varied degrees of relevance to different people. However, that doesn’t mean we should dismiss the value that representation holds for a lot of people. Why would the emoji creator(s) bother to represent human diversity, if not so that people would feel included and find a more authentic representation of themselves?
I remember the first time I noticed the variation of complexions on emoji hands, and how excited I was to find one that closely matched my own. It felt really good to relate to something as simple as a drawing. Especially one that has morphed into an integral part of text messaging. Before, everything was neutral and we would all use the yellow hands, but now we can personalize our expression even more! Like this one time I was posting an update of my natural hair journey, and how delighted I was to find out that there was a curly haired, dark complexioned face. The hair was not just curly but a TWA (teeny weeny afro)! In a sentimental way, it validated my existence.
When these ‘little things’ many might take for granted, have an impact on one’s sense of belonging or being part of a larger world. It is rather disconcerting when someone decides that it’s ‘no big deal’ and uses whatever emoji.
As we debated I tried to think of how to explain it in a way that would make sense for those who couldn’t relate to the race argument. At this point I had been keenly observing the evolution of emojis. I noticed that there were now bald emojis in different age ranges and sexes. This could be representative of not just naturally bald people, but those who had become bald as a result of medical conditions like alopecia or as a side effect of chemotherapy, for instance. The appearance of these new emojis probably brought joy to people who felt like their unique experience, and how it altered their physical appearance was just as valid. They felt seen, and they were not alone.
My attempt at having an enlightening discussion was unsuccessful. It taught me that these sensitive conversations can be quite difficult to navigate. It is not easy to get to a place of understanding and mutual respect, when the someone feels judged or not viewed in the best light. Naturally, one might get defensive.
These conversations are necessary as they point out our biases, and we all have them. When we are truly willing to participate and learn from them we will find the opportunity to know better and do better. Only then can we raise our awareness on things that could be far from our reality. Things that affect others who look different from us, come from another background or simply have a lifestyle that’s different from our own. It helps to think of how our actions, big or small, may affect those around us. It is a little practice in empathy that goes a long way!
Because at the end of the day, representation matters! 🧡
