Kémi & I in DRC

Let the record reflect. I did not hapharzadly meet Kémi Séba. I had a drink with him & his wife. We talked about Kinshasa traffic. We pondered, where are the traffic lights? We did not linger on the topic – for our obsession with Africa does not permit… We talked about pure democracy not being an African solution & rather explored traditional modes of governance like “chiefdoms”.

Kémi turned to his wife and whispered a milkshake recommendation for her to try next time. I was surprised by how normal it felt. Wifey eminated a certain “douceur” I don’t possess. I’m more of a savage queen. She is also very “reflechie”. Every word that comes out of her mouth is well thought out. I, on the other hand, bla’bd on about everything and nothing. Kémi, ever man of the people said, “petite soeur c’est un honneur.” (Lil sis, it’s an honor). He later spoke of his first time in America in 1989 where he dabbled in the Nation of Islam. We laughed & joked. He is super easy to talk to and he smiles a lot. I had brought a friend with me. He asked, “is this a rapper?” “better!” I thought. I had no time to explain. Had to soak in every second.

KS is famous for burning his French passport, screaming “We are Africans, we are not dogs.” He is the pioneer of anti-CFA movements. (You know the ridiculous french monies certain African nations still operate on. Sh*** so ridiculous, CFA’s central bank is in France.) Though I don’t agree with all his positions & I musn’t: the man isn’t my siamese twin —- I do very much resonate with his anti-colonial rhetoric.

A message to the critics. Until you step foot on the African continent and watch your brothers live in abject poverty while (in the literal sense) bowing down to the white man on the ground due to decades of indoctrination. Until you watch said white man operate NGOs on the ground while getting paid exhorbitant amounts, & shamelessly proclaim he doesn’t mix with locals! Spare us with the “y’all too extremist”… Extremist are those that trade human beings (literally or figuratively.)