Literature is a Choice and Not a Dictatorship

 In my senior three, when we read 'The Concubine,' by Elechi Amadi, as part of the syllabus. my friend and I vowed that we would never read a book by an African author again, given that this one was too tragic to bear.

Without stating the obvious, I read about Ihuoma and I was like "You go girl and do your thing," and that was the point when the gap in my teeth, became my own crown jewel. And we know that being regal does not necessitate a crown.

During my first degree in Education, with Literature as one of my teaching subjects, we conducted extended studies on 'Things Fall Apart.' I made another declaration. There is no other greater book in the world, than 'Things Fall Apart.'

It inspired all the right activist emotions, primal taste for raw energy and drew us into lengthy discussions into cultural curations, cultural acceptances and the dichotomy of the real world that we lived.

Two decades after, I have met and read dozens more books by authors of African descent. At the 65th anniversary of its first publication, there is still so much more to discuss.

The evolving nature of fashion, the lives of idealists who want everyone to speak any language but English and the modern texture of teaching, watching children in school discussing every other author except Chinua Achebe, Ama Ata Aidoo and Elechi Amadi.

Are we okay with that? Yes, we have to become okay with it. I have earned that when we introduce these authors who still hold our fascination because of their boldness against the status quo, we must also listen to others as they speak of 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid,' because those texts speak to them, too.

I have learned that when I listen to other important discussions that vary from my own, I become a better person, I become more aware of what is important.

Literature is not a dictatorship. It is a choice.

I will celebrate the 65th anniversary of 'Things Fall Apart,' and I will also buy copies of 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid'. I will buy every novel that 'Jennifer Makumbi writes, while I will also pay for tickets for my children to watch Spiderman.

The world I live in. Literature is a choice and not a dictatorship.

Bless.

Bev