“I remember a time when I too felt unbeautiful. I put on the TV and only saw pale skin, I got teased and taunted about my night-shaded skin”
Arts and Culture
Arts and Culture Why elders deserve only earned respect
One of the things our cultures have in common is their reverence for elders. But is merely being around for a long time enough? Shouldn’t respect be earned? Not all elders are wise. Should we also defer to an elder known to be ignorant, misogynistic and cruel?
Arts and Culture Yoruba deities as movie superheroes
“Oya: Rise of the Orisha” is an upcoming feature film that blends the Western superhero genre with Yoruba mythology. The film garnered internet attention following their Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign.
Arts and Culture Photos for social change in Mozambique
African photography is on the rise. From street to art photography, conceptual and documentary to fashion shoots, home-grown photographers are increasingly showing the world what they see through the lens (and not only in Africa’s Francophone countries).
![Who taught you to hate your [dark] skin?](https://xyz-cdn.com/thisisafrica_me/uploads/2014/02/Ajuma-Nasenyana-760-x-500-660x445.jpg)
Arts and Culture Who taught you to hate your [dark] skin?
Skin-lightening/bleaching is a problem, but it’s only a sign of much deeper inter-related issues: self-hatred, a race-based identity crisis, and the internalisation of Western-created cultural ideas that are inimical to the mental health of black people.
Arts and Culture The quiet explosion of contemporary African art in the global art market
Modern contemporary art from Africa has not gained significant popularity in the West until now. Now there’s a quiet explosion. There’s a growing inclination within Africa amongst the wealthy to collect art made by artists from within their culture, and there’s an increasing realisation in Europe and America that African modern art can offer quality and diversity
Arts and Culture Writing Invisibility: Conversations on the Hidden City – Why sex workers should be recognised as feminists, and other thought-provoking essays
A TIA must-read
Arts and Culture The quiet rise of heavy metal in South Africa
Away from the eyes of the world, the sub-culture of heavy metal has been healthily bubbling under in South Africa, the result of a generation of musicians and fans growing comfortably with the country’s post-apartheid identity. South Africans have been enjoying rock and metal music for years, yet with a tincture of coverage outside the continent
Arts and Culture Mental freedom and the omission of African achievement from history
We hang our hopes on economic development playing a large role in allowing us to reclaim our history from the West, but which comes first, understanding of our own history or economic development? Is real economic development even feasible without a grasp of history?