Good evening fellow bloggers and readers! Mhoroi to all (Yes- Mhoroi means hello in Shona)! My greetings come to you this week from Zimbabwe, where our current author's roots lie. Tsitsi Dangarembga, writer of Nervous Conditions, has been brave enough to show readers a new point of view in the world of colonialism. After reading her true-life accounts, I now have a better understanding of how the white-European mindset was planted in the minds of Africans. She boldly unveils how it can uproot and detach one from their home and their self.
Well, I guess we should begin by becoming acquainted with the contenders of tonight's match. Ladies and gentlemen: in corner number one, standing grizzly at around forty-years old, we have Bad Babamukuru! He is selfish, egotistical, and crudely overbearing. In this patriarchal society, Babamukuru calls himself King. Pfff. (Boo!)
In corner number two, standing just about five foot, our brave fourteen year old, we have Nervy Nyasha! She is rebellious, truly intelligent, and hard working. In this patriarchal society, she has been given two choices: Bow down to Babamukuru or suffer the consequences. (Goo Nyasha!)
I was extremely disturbed by the fight that took place. I believe that Babamukuru was out of line: he accused Nyasha based on his assumptions. Might I say, that as teenagers, almost all of us experience this trust issue with our parents. "Where have you been young lady?" Jeesh, I know that they worry because they love me, but was the tenth degree necessary those times? So, take this situation which almost all of us have had and can relate to, then multiply it by one million. Babamukuru completely crosses the line when he escalates from questioning to torturing.
I do believe my mouth dropped wide open when I read of Babamukuru climbing on top of Nyasha, who was already in "her miniscule skirt riding up her bottom." This was a sickening case of sexual abuse, poor Nyasha, and it only grew worse. Babamukuru proceeded to call her a "a daughter who behaves like a whore," layering on the verbal and mental abuse. I soon feared for Nyasha's life, for he continued to beat her until it looked as though "he would kill her with his bare hands." What also bothered me at this point was the action, or gross lack thereof, on the sidelines. Maiguru, Tambu, and Chido all stood there silently, watching Babamukuru nearly take the life of his fourteen year old daughter. Ugh! Uh, hello? A little help please? And then, the family called Nyasha selfish for sulking after that horrific event. Good grief!
Yet, it is their silence and Babamukuru's actions that uncover the ugly affects of colonialism. No one interfered with the fight because they were all brainwashed into believing Nyasha deserved to be punished for defying her patriarch. Unlike the English mindset of those characters, my clear mind had a great respect for Nyasha and for her bold attitude. I simply could not understand how the onlookers could be so spineless as to let such abuse go on! However, I later realized the white European mindset was that powerful. It cultivated, grasped, and lived off of the fear one had of not being accepted in society. Dangarembga is telling us to resist the poison of such colonialism. I agree with her, for the only place one should feel the need to be accepted is in one's self.
Great title. It is hilarious how you are finding all these great phrases. It is equally entertaining how you made this a pro-wrestling match, which is actually apt, I must say. Your deconstruction of the fight is very interesting. Your commentary on the silence is good: silence is often one of the most powerful collaborators in violence. Remember that.
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