I wrote a short piece yesterday talking about an observation I made about the difference in Ngannou’s attitude in and out of Cameroon. Many who read the short article thought my wish to see him more opinionated in Cameroon was asking too much of him. Basically they thought he is not obliged to get politically involved just because he is a celebrity.
Without going too deep into what constitutes politics, let me just say here that even those who claim they don’t do politics are, by so doing, doing politics. To say, you vote by not voting. We are all doing politics whether we like it or not. Francis Ngannou taking a picture with Frank Biya is politics whether you agree or not.
In the article I wrote yesterday, I did mention that I understand the difference in attitude in and out of Cameroon but that difference leaves some of the respect I would have given him in my pocket.
To take an extreme analogy, imagine a man who beats up his wife and children at home but will accept disrespect from his boss in the office. Some will argue that he has to do that so he can keep his job and continue feeding his family. I can think of the time when I was sent home for school fees because my dad had quit his job. He quit because he was being disrespected, just like Ngannou quit the UFC for not feeling respected enough.
Do I think Francis Ngannou should never meet with Frank Biya? No. They can meet all they want but putting out a photo is communication. Whether you chose to agree or not, it is showing support for Frank Biya whose name has political implications. Do I think Francis admires or supports Frank? Definitely not. I also know that there is no reason for him not to accept an invitation. If I was him, I’d respectfully ask that I don’t want any photos. That alone will be enough of a message to Frank. If Francis has however become friends with Frank, I’ll find that rather unfortunate and laughable. If he wants to post a picture with Frank, he should explain what they discussed, otherwise, it just says “I’m happy to finally rub shoulders with the son of the president.” Given his history, that will just make him not the baddest man on the planet but someone exhibiting a form of Stockholm syndrome.
I’m reminded of the time when some bloggers were invited to the ministry of communication. How all of them were so happy to post selfies with the minister and none of them could say what was discussed during the meeting. I’m reminded of when we were planning a meeting with the minister of arts and culture. How we had all these plans to grill him on pressing issues; only for people to end up laughing at his useless jokes and being excited to take pictures with him. How many times do we see things like this in Cameroon?
Here is what I think is happening. Most of us are well aware that we have become powerless in the face of a government that is oppressing us in every way possible. We have all accepted that we are a bunch of spices in Nji’s moulinex and we pray Eneo doesn’t bring back electricity so we don’t get whipped. We hate that we are spices and we would hate ourselves more to see that one of us is not a spice. We therefore defend everything that makes someone a spice so that we can all feel better about ourselves knowing we are not alone in the moulinex.
Is there a law that says the daughter of a president should not be on onlyfans? Definitely not. Would you love to see Brenda on onlyfans? I’m sure many would fancy that. Does Brenda being on onlyfans give the country a bad reputation? Not according to many in Cameroon because she is human and she has the free will to become whatever she wants.
Whether you like it or not, as a celebrity, your actions have far reaching implications and consequences. I’m sorry if I expect a little bit more from the baddest man on the planet. I’m sorry if I believe that every Cameroonian with a platform should be actively using that platform to fight the cankerworm of government regime we have.
At the same time, I am against all forms of activism that are chaotic. I have written multiple times to condemn a certain group of activists who have separatist and radical views. I have personally worked with many young people to form non radical movements that are built on reasonable and strategic action rather than bursts of anger and other emotional responses – quite difficult.
I wrote an article a year or two ago titled “I do not want to be the next Francis Ngannou.” You should read it. The point I was making is that, I want to succeed in this world without having to leave my country and cross the Sahara Desert. The greatest thing any of us can do for Cameroon is to fight for a change in the regime. Protecting our investments and helping a few people is good but it is not the greatest thing we can do. Even the thieving ministers are doing that. So for the title of Baddest man on the planet, Francis seems to be making Biya look badder than him when he is out here hobnobbing around Frank.
I am not one of those people who are invested in making Biya and his cult look like they’re beyond superhuman. I do not expect you to be one either. If Francis can give up a few million dollars just because he wants health insurance for fighters who won’t even back him openly, he can tell Frank “No pictures, please.” No pictures is the opinion I am asking for, not for him to go on national television to denounce Biya.
What I ask of Ngannou, I demand from myself and from every other Cameroonian. It is not only about him being a celebrity. His celebrity only helps us get the message further.
One reason why we cannot have the change we all claim we want is because we have been mentally defeated. Most of us approach the fight with the mind of losers. That’s why we say things like “voting doesn’t matter, he will still win.”
Activism is not about shouting in the streets. Refusing to pay a bribe is activism. Respecting a traffic light, in Cameroon, is activism. Not being proud of meeting a minister is activism.