""This
is not the sort of story that is easy to summarize in an article, much less make
a viral video about. After all, there is no simple demand to be made and --
since corruption is endemic -- no single villain to topple. There is certainly
no "bridge
character,"
Kristof's euphemism for white saviors in Third World narratives who make the
story more palatable to American viewers. And yet, the story of Nigeria's
protest movement is one of the most important from sub-Saharan Africa so far
this year. Men and women, of all classes and ages, stood up for what they felt
was right; they marched peacefully; they defended each other, and gave each
other food and drink; Christians stood guard while Muslims prayed and
vice-versa; and they spoke without fear to their leaders about the kind of
country they wanted to see. All of it happened with no cool American
20-something heroes in sight.
[....]
What
innocent heroes don't always understand is that they play a useful role for
people who have much more cynical motives. The White Savior Industrial
Complex is a valve for releasing the unbearable pressures that build in a system
built on pillage. We can participate in the economic destruction of Haiti over
long years, but when the earthquake strikes it feels good to send $10 each to
the rescue fund. "" (thanks Redouane)
