For several years anytime I go by slums and worse-than-korle-lagoon areas in the US, I keep thinking "next time I will carry a camera and take pictures for all in African countries to see".
It hurts that some of the pictures used by foreign media that denigrate our continent, are taken by our own people. I guess they have cameras and need the income.
I wonder if it is a tough choice for them to make when they get such contracts.
It would be tough for me to sell pictures of my dirty room to anyone. Can't imagine doing that to my country. That is probably why I suck at photography.
This is why I like (African or otherwise) photographers who take pictures of the beauty and dignity that they witness even in challenging situations. No country should be defined by it's inevitable places of squalor. BTW, I hope that your room is not that dirty:)
ReplyDeleteYou phrased it best - "Inevitable places of squalor".
DeleteAnytime I catch an episode of "Hoarders" on TV, I tidy up. :-)
The media has successfully brainwashed our white siblings..only a few has seen the other side,the rest still believe we live on trees..
ReplyDeleteSad part is that some of our people have come to believe that we have nothing beautiful to offer the world. Our continent is filled with beauty.
DeleteA wise man told me that people will put you down to make them feel good about themselves (the West must be feeling pretty good about itself right about now). It is sad when the one being put down buys into it though.
ReplyDeleteDid I tell you I have pictures of some not so hot places in Canada. Oh boy was I shocked when I found those places (I had to keep checking to be sure someone hadn't wove a wand to land me back in Gh). Dint even know places like that existed on that side of the planet (pictures were for a class assignment. not sure if I can show them here).
But I do love the long weekends we enjoy here though. Some western media house should pick up on that. Speaking of long weekends, I have one coming right up (yeah, I know you green with envy :p )
I think it's *woven a wand*. Not sure (what's happening to my English?). Well, I do hope you understood what I meant though :D
DeleteThis is why I love blogs. I can learn about other parts of the world from the people who live there rather than having to rely on the media!
ReplyDelete