Leap of Faith
Karibu!
I was asked to be a “guest speaker” for an English class in Kilimani, a suburb of Nairobi. My friend Jabari, of JabariInspires (http://www.jabarinspires.com/), teaches at The Language Center, which is quite the establishment. I met people from literally all over the world who are trying to learn some type of language. It was really cool connecting with some dudes from Congo (DRC). They were psyched that I knew DRC so well and could spit off some Lingala. I tell you, languages are extremely important in this world. I want to give a shout out to my parents who basically taught me 3 languages growing up. It has been a GAME changer for me and will continue to be.
Quick shout out to Jabari. It has been dope to have someone from a similar background (Black and from the US) that can break things down for you in a way you can fully understand it. How much you should pay for this or that; places to get a haircut, good spots for a quick beer etc.
So the talk I gave today that I totally pulled out my ass, was about taking a leap of faith. I explained to them why I was in Kenya and that’s what the first thing that came out of my mouth. I explained to them that was what I was taking, how confident I was about it. I told them that I came here for love (1st) and also to just try and work in Media or Multimedia Journalism, which is what my new Kenyan of Somali descent taught me to call it (Shout out to Ahmed).
What has been the most interesting thing I’ve noticed about Nairobi is how so many people are just doing their thing. Everyone is on the go trying to get better. Now, I’ve only been exploring the western part of Nairobi where there is a stronger middle-class presence. Also, being able to travel freely has been a huge advantage. In other countries I’ve lived in, primarily for work, I was not allowed to travel outside of a company car. Now since I’m here independently, I am getting to know the city by going from point a to point b and c on my own.
Back to Nairobi and the middle-class part, I bring this up because what I’ve seen so far has made me happy and almost afraid at the same time. Afraid because in all of history, the world has not let black people have anything. Think back to that “controversial” episode of Blackish where Dre (Anthony Anderson) is explaining to his wife Beaux (Tracie Ellis Ross) how he sees this idea of “hope”. He referenced to 2008 when Barack was inaugurated and he and Michelle got out of the bulletproof limo and was strolling down Pennsylvania waving. He was shook. I was there and I was shook. Get back in the car guys, please get back to the car. That feeling of “this is too good to be true and he will end up dead, jailed or arrested for selling crack” type feeling. Another example; Greenwood in Tulsa Oklahoma, otherwise known as Black Wall Street by Booker T. Washington. Black owned and black run everything; Law firms, doctors offices, and general shops. Burned to the ground by racist whites, after a weak accusation of sexual assault on a young white woman by (shocker) a young black man. (See article below)
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/7/19/survivors-of-infamous1921tulsaraceriotstillhopeforjustice.html
I’m bringing this all up because Nairobi, at least where I have been thus far, while not perfect, is a very impressive city. While many businesses are run by foreigners, Kenyans in Nairobi are employed, educated and are doing great things. I truly believe that the more I explore the continent; I will continue to share these thoughts and sentiments of that mixed bag feeling of happiness and fear at the same time. Damn.