Western Courier

Issue date: 10/11/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Aubrey Dunham New York University professor Manthia Diawara focused on the experiences of Ngugi wa Thinogo's life and explored clultural diversity issues.

Students and faculty members at Western Illinois University were able to explore issues in cultural diversity through a film and lecture by renowned New York University professor Manthia Diawara. Diawara showcased a first-time-ever screening of his film "Who's Afraid of Ngugi?" and answered socio-political questions surrounding the film's content.

"Who's Afraid of Ngugi?" documents political/cultural fiction writer Ngugi wa Thiongo's return to Kenya after a 22-year exile. In Kenya, Ngugi received support and experienced tragedy. While some Kenyans admired Ngugi for inspiring political change, others had conspired against him, which led to the rape of his wife, Njeeri.

During the lecture, Diawara explained what he learned during his time with Ngugi.

"Ngugi taught me to keep on fighting," Diawara said. "He kept on writing after his tragedy. I respect Ngugi not just as an African writer, but for his life and words."

Ngugi has inspired many readers with his life and written works. His tragedy in Kenya led him to write another masterpiece of fiction called "Wizard of the Crow," written in Ngugi's native language, Gikuyu, and English.

While the Kenyan political system has gone through major changes due to Ngugi's fight for freedom, the political dictatorship continues to oppress its people. Ngugi believes that adversaries in the Kenyan government are responsible for the rape of his wife. Njeeri's rapists have yet to be captured by Kenyan authorities. Ngugi and Njeeri, who now live in California, have revisited Kenya to keep authorities on the search for her rapists. Diawara's film raises several cultural issues.

"This film allows us to experience the political problems that face Kenyans," said African American studies professor Abdul-Rasheed Na'Allah. "Also, the debate of whether Kenyans should write in their own language and how we deal with rape. I think we can learn from these cultural issues to better understand our world."

The people of Kenya deal with several problems concerning their native language, political rights and social rights. Kenyan schools, along with social institutions, disregard Gikuyu as their native language, and have forced their people to speak English.

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