If you have already met Kenyan writer Shailja Patel, seen her perform, or read her work, then you will know that she is special. I cannot think of another word. Actually, I can. Luminous. Shailja is special and she is luminous. She has changed my view of performance poetry, which I had always thought as the preserve of angry young men who cannot rap. I made the mistake of reading her "Shilling Love" in Kwani? 4 on a plane from Nairobi in December - I say I made a mistake because, much to my embarrassment, and the bemusement of my neighbour, I found myself bawling like anything. Shailja has this unerring ability to aim for your heart, clamp it, and squeeze. And squeeze. And squeeze. She is angry. She is lyrical. Angry and lyrical and special and luminous. See for yourselves. Here is an open letter she wrote to Samuel Kivuitu, the disgraceful Chairman of Kenya's Electoral Commission.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Shailja Patel: A Short Appreciation
If you have already met Kenyan writer Shailja Patel, seen her perform, or read her work, then you will know that she is special. I cannot think of another word. Actually, I can. Luminous. Shailja is special and she is luminous. She has changed my view of performance poetry, which I had always thought as the preserve of angry young men who cannot rap. I made the mistake of reading her "Shilling Love" in Kwani? 4 on a plane from Nairobi in December - I say I made a mistake because, much to my embarrassment, and the bemusement of my neighbour, I found myself bawling like anything. Shailja has this unerring ability to aim for your heart, clamp it, and squeeze. And squeeze. And squeeze. She is angry. She is lyrical. Angry and lyrical and special and luminous. See for yourselves. Here is an open letter she wrote to Samuel Kivuitu, the disgraceful Chairman of Kenya's Electoral Commission.
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3 comments:
Your letter is an eloquent testimony to your love for justice,Kenya and a testament to your own inner beauty.
Although my parents were both born in Tanganyika,I am far away in the States and often pine for the beautiful land and people of Kenya.
The horror unfolding there shows our impotence in the face of greed and brutality of the rich and power-hungry,powerful nations that continue to rape and plunder the helpless.May God bless you for your courage.
Jamil Lone
Thank you Jamil. Shailja's letter is indeed an eloquent plea for justice. I am glad it moved you.
My brother,Salim Lone,who is the spokesman for Mr.Raila Odinga,had to flee Nairobi 2 nights ago and is here in New York with me.
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