Thursday 29 January 2015

ACTIVISM

BIG NO TO CELEBRITY ACTIVISM
A simple dictionary definition of activism is the use of vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change. If you are indeed not outraged by the tear-gassing, beatings using clubs and even jailing of activists by policemen in the force when activists take to the streets then, a part of your humanity is missing.
Leave alone all that, my concern and take on this, is the ‘new in thing’ about activism, this is the celebrity activism. I highly condemn this, even though it has some positive light on it, real activists should not wait for celebrities to show up in their campaigns so that they can feel that they will be heard. Celebrities only show up to take pictures and show off what they are made of and thanks to technology, they post loads of pictures and updates in their social pages and groups to be lauded by their followers for the good work they are doing.
As one of the real activists, I say no to celebrities who take credit for the success they are not worth. And I don’t just reduce activism to giving of credit or to gain popularity, so don’t get me wrong. I am just not for the bit of it where other people with their own greedy interests join to fulfill their agendas. The #mydressmychoice campaign was one of the successful drives which were started by a number of celebrities but the ‘real actions’ were done by the real activists we know of. At freedom corner loads of celebrities were present but after starting the walk into town, only the real and true celebrities who know in the first place what made them join the walk were present, the rest were nowhere to be seen, they had gone back to the parking lots along Haile Selassie avenue and taken off and were perhaps watching from the comfort of their homes.
Another take is the set of celebrities who wait till the momentum of the walks has gained high media traffic then they show up to voice and take dues where they don’t deserve, this is after the real activists on the ground have gone through hell including running battles with the policemen and women, tear gas canisters lobbied to them, some have been arrested etc.

So this goes to the real activists, the many whom I know of who have gone through both physical and emotional torture to let their grievances heard and perhaps make the international community hear the cry of the poor Kenyans through their courageous actions. Let’s know the real activists and shun the ‘selfie’ kings and queens who show up to take credit on our behalf yet their main agenda is to gain popularity.