Page 79 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 9

CUMMUNITY

Westerners?" excuse we may have or limitation
I was, however, more amused at the we think we have, is what is mak-
twitter responses she got for the ar- ing others tell our stories, but from
ticle. Let me put a few of the twitter a twisted perspective. We have to
comments below: change this and the time is now.

First response: I have gone to a few Afrikan coun-
The writer dares not say the reasons tries within the past three years. One
as: (1) Perpetuating the White savior thing that keeps being highlighted
complex; (2) Reinforcement of rac- for me it how there is no differ-
ist stereotypes by having people not ence in the Afrikan that is from the
tell their own story. North, West, South or East. And
[Author replies: I decided it was another thing is this, it seems this
more effective to let readers draw attitude of "our hands are tied" or
their own conclusions on this. I "what can we really do to change I am not one of those who sit on
don’t know if that makes me a things" or "we have tried all we can" their behinds, complaining about
coward, or a diplomat. You, sir, are is the one factor that is keeping Af- how things are not changing in Af-
neither. Thanks for commenting.] rikans in a state of helplessness. rika, but then won't take part in the
various ideas put in place for change
Second response: But are Afrikans really helpless? to happen.
Because their photographer will
capture Africa in the worse light Not true and never will be true. At the same time that this magazine
possible and keep perpetuating the We are not helpless. We just mostly went live in 2018, we also launched
image of Africa they want the world don't have die-hard and passionate a stock photography website where
to see and believe as per their real people who don't care about self we share free high resolution photos
mission. gains and who will go the lengths from Afrika and by Afrikans. We
[Author replies: This is an import- required to do what must be done started this website with a simple
ant dynamic, and I missed it in the and then do it for the right reason, intention in our mind and which is
story. Several readers made similar which is a pan-Afrikan approach to capture below:
comments, such as the next couple. the liberation of Afrika.
Thank you, all.] Vision: To capture and share with
I do not really care about what out- the world the unseen and the
Third response: siders, foreign aid workers or anyone unknown beauty and purpose of
A local photographer will do his who has never felt the Afrikan pain, Africa.
best to make his community show say about Afrika. I care more about Mission: Re-framing Africa one
the best it has to offer while a for- what Afrikans say about themselves. photo at a time.
eign one will do exactly what they And quite frankly, I am not seeing
want. enough Afrikans saying the right We have been passionately doing
things. And that I believe is so be- this project with all we have, but
Why do we need aid workers to cause, most of them have lost sight clearly we need more passionate
tell our Afrikan story anyway? of the positive Afrikan reality and Afrikan photographers to come
have embraced the faulty and weak on board and join us in building a
I do not know if you are seeing ideology about Afrika which has better image about Afrika.
what I am seeing from the excerpt always been the plan of the foreign
of the article and the comments media tools. But is there a solution? So are you a passionate Afrikan
from those who read it, but it is photographer or do you know
clear in my mind that, our inability Introducing Aduaaya.com anyone who is and who wants to
to tell our own story, for whatever join this movement of true Afrikan
image makers, you can reach out to
us at captured@aduaaya.com
To see and also download free Af-
rikan photos by Afrikans from the
website, you can use the link below:
www.aduaaya.com

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