On Wole Soyinka

Because he is who he is in history, he may be viewed as a public figure and criticized. It is the diaphanous veil I have hidden behind over the past seven years as I've relentlessly criticized this fellow whom all my peers have nothing but praise for. I have been asked why. I guess I've surprised myself by my reaction to certain things. Being an African Nationalist was once celebrated, a matter of gossip and parties. But all that's gone now, and I'm still an African Nationalist, one of the few remaining from the Ressurgence of the '90s. And now that I've spent time studying my own history, the amount of ire I have for Soyinka for merely accepting the Nobel Prize in Literature cannot be explained to those who do not know what black is. I am. Now, as you know, few if any read this blog, so this is not constrained by the psychology of others watching. I'm just trying to set some things straight. Functionally, Soyinka and I are on opposite sides of a cultural divide involving methodologies in negotiations concerning power and our people. Because he is who he is there is little pressure on me. Besides the fact that he, at any moment, could cause great trouble for me by calling my father and reporting that I have been badmouthing his reputation--which I have not--he, not I, is expected to lead Nigerians to freedom. He cannot. I can. But until it is documented in history, that I was right and he was wrong, he shall continue to lead the blind towards that cliff. As for his works, I honestly loved and still love those two songs he did. I thought they were such masterpieces that I argued, once, before the world council of mad men, that the first one "I love my country" should be made the national anthem of the Federation. Aside from that, however, as any dilligent scholar-warrior would do, study who might one day be an opponent, I have studied the old man and I am certain that I can take him down. I think there are others who believe this too, so I am told to stand down. He is a valuable son. So am I. Just know where I stand. That's all I ask.