Here is my response to Why I blog about Africa meme by Théophile Kouamouo made popular by the Global Voices blog. There is no grand reason behind me blogging about Africa. I do not blog for hungry kids or to broker peace between warring factions. My blog does not influence which African child will receive an OLPC and one that will not. Blogging about Africa is therapy for me. I have an immense interest in the development on the continent, which most likely was awakened by the trips with my father as he criss-crossed the continent in search of the next deal. This deals were supposed to get rid of poverty in the chosen region. He worked for a development bank. I guess the heated debates about poverty eradication and governance in my family’s living room stuck and have since become impossible to shake off. I have written about the event that ‘pushed‘ me into blogging.
That therapy thing.
Growing up on the continent, there remains a strong desire to live and thrive on the continent. However, fulfilling personal and career goals oftentimes do not line up with living on the continent. For now personal and career goals, for me, trumps my dream of living on the continent. Blogging about the continent is a way of keeping up with events on the continent. Sometimes I am Africa’s most enthusiastic cheerleader, sometimes a strong critic. From experience, blogging remains safer than tugging at my hair over events on the continent.
Oh! Who am I kidding, I’d jump at the first opportunity to save Africa.
Do you blog about Africa? Why do you blog about Africa? See why others blog about Africa.
Tagged:
Oh great, I got tagged!
Nice post. I definitely feel the same about using blogging for therapeutic reasons. It is hard for some to understand, but i definitely do. Will hopefully put my ‘meme’ up this coming week.
I hope all is well with you and yours.
See this wks pambazuka news
Happy Holidays OZ !
I'm 100% with you on the background of your focus on Africa trough your blog.
Personally, I also wish we can all (bloggers etc..) make a meaningful contribution and help foster a change for the better for our respective homeland and the continent as a whole. THAT should be the end game if you ask me.
thanks Armel I am glad you agree. How has your holiday being. I read you wrap up on the financial crisis. Thinking about writing a rejoinder. Have a wonderful new year