UMOJA IS ALIVE AND EXERTS POWER.
“Umoja” has its roots in my culture and language. It stems from the Swahili language spoken in most parts of east Africa. The word has been used to fight wars, racism and for equal rights for all men, it has brought nations together and people together to make necessary change. That is why to me it is a word that brings forth life and gives power to those at the time feel weak.
During the early 1900s most of Africa was a colony of another country, East Africa was colonized by the British and they had full control of our nation and its resources, the men who stood to fight for our freedom used this very word in every speech to keep the fight going, its meaning of people coming together as one, seeing the strength in numbers made Umoja not just a word but a principle to live by.
For generations, the Umoja way of life was implemented to certain degree indoctrinated through the education system that came after the colonial period, we were taught the importance of coming together as one to voice out an opinion or a complaint.
The Kenyan national anthem was founded on the word Umoja and how we will always stand as one nation united. This word sits in our national anthem as a reminder of how those who came before us used the power of Umoja and worked together to bring us our freedom. It is part of our history and heritage.
When I recall in 2007 we had the first ever civil war in my country, it was just after a general election and the opposition had just lost the election, the Luo tribe from the western art of Kenya had lost to my tribe the kikuyu, the resort was to start killing any kikuyu living in their region and burning down all businesses owned by my tribe.
In retaliation, my tribe resorted to killing and tormenting the other tribe, I remember in my town they declared that all lose were to be dragged to the street and lit up to burn, if you were found protecting any one from the other tribe you would die along with them.
During that time a well-known musician released a song calling for peace and it was amazing how it changed people’s hearts, the song was replayed every 30 minutes until we all knew the words, the song said how our unity, our Umoja is our pride, he reminded that those who came before us could not have gotten us the freedom we enjoy if not through Umoja.
The song brought many to tears, we realized to save our country we need to stop looking at ourselves as different but as one and that was the whole point of Umoja to be one despite the difference. Kenya comprises of 42 tribes but we made it about the kikuyus and the lose, about the western and central Kenyans, we had lost the whole foundation of our freedom and success as a nation which was our unity our Umoja. The song “Umoja ni fahari yetu” by Eric wainaina reminded us as a country what we had all forgotten, this was the beginning of the healing our our nation.
When I look at Umoja at Highline is see the same power being exerted, this program is a haven that unites us as students despite our different backgrounds and our diversity. Being in a class of an age group of 17-year olds to 42-year old’s is such a rare opportunity that can only be found at Umoja.
Being part of the Umoja Scholar program has given me a whole different experience, I have gotten the opportunity to interact with different people and learn of their culture as they learn of mine, I have realized that we are not so different and that we share common problems if not similar, and the power of coming together as one can bring positive change around us.
Looking at our current political mood I believe this country could use some Umoja vibe, we are living in one of the most diverse countries in the world full of people from different cultures and backgrounds, people who have different stories to tell that we can all learn from. If we as a nation came together as a united front we could possibly make this country great again as our president proposes.
The power that the word Umoja has is one that exerts itself into those who let it, it is a word that had grown and manifested itself to represent not just coming together but also refuge and safety. In Kenya, a village was founded in 1990 by a group of 15 women who were survivors of rape by local British soldiers. Umoja’s population has now expanded to include any women escaping child marriage, FGM (female genital mutilation), domestic violence and rape – all of which are cultural norms among the Samburu.
This is one example of how the word has manifested to represent more than the act of coming together as a united front, and this is seen across the board with our cohort, being part of the Umoja cohort is a haven for most of us, a place of refuge as we are all running from different things and there is no better place to seek safety and peace of mind lie the women of Samburu than with your family.
In a class setting getting your education because being educated is one way to cope and survive whatever problems we are going through. The fact that I get to do that with the same people quarter after quarter makes me feel accountable to be present for each class held. it becomes more than just doing my assignments and getting the grades, being an Umoja scholar is about the growth of the whole community, we move as one or not at all.
Honors Project
“DOING JUST FINE”
Dear dad
I am not sure if I should address you as such, as time has gone by I have questioned myself if calling you dad is simply a cultural deflection or do you deserve to be addressed as my father, I ask myself if that title is given and can never change or whether this is a title that as a father you defend every day, you prove every day.
I guess I am too traditional that even with all the education I have and all the wisdom I have received from those who picked me up along the way I still cannot change who I am, I still cannot adapt to a way of thinking that is more reasonable, I guess you raised me right huh?
Growing up I thought the world of you, you were the man in my life I could depend on constantly and never feared disappointment, as I grew up I felt the need to defend you from those I felt did not understand your nature , your loving and giving nature and were always out to take advantage, those I felt did not appreciate you because with me you wore a white garment with wings and like an angel but to many you drew your claws and showed no mercy.
To my own mother I saw as an enemy and when she left I stood by your side asking the hypocritical question, crying with one eye for her as I stood with you and against her for breaking the family that you worked so hard to keep together, I said anything and did everything you asked to punish her for abandoning us not knowing I was destroying my only hope of survival. You blinded me, lied to me and betrayed me.
Today I say to you an doing just fine, you held the bear bottle so close to you that it blurred your vision and saw me as a threat or so I thought when you beat me down until you passed out, over and over you apologized and I believed you because you had never done me harm, you blamed me , for it for not letting you find love again and being a liability that you had to raise and cater to yet I am the one who was running around bars, night after night trying to find you and bring you home to safety.
Fourteen years and my speed dial numbers was the three bar managers down town and the local district hospital. Instead of going out for movies and flirting with boys or simply doing what fourteen-year old’s do; get grounded for mischief I was making dinner, shopping for groceries and watching the late night shows on a school night hoping for your safe return home. Just in case you were wondering I am doing just fine.
Sitting on the steps of the home my mother build with her bare hands as you call me my mother’s child and send me out of the only home I knew, on your side a woman I have never known, a woman who had no share in your sweat dancing with rejoicing to occupy my home our home, seeing you blind to the loss you are going through and the disconnect in your eyes. Forgotten in your memory in a span of three months. In case you were wondering Iam doing just fine.
Today I stand in soil of safety, arms of love taken back by the very one I disgraced for your love, now reality has dawned on you, the mess you have created, the relationships you have broken and you seek salvation and I ask myself can I give it?
Do I have it myself?
The answer is I don’t know, like wound I hoped the hole in my heart would heal and I would be left with just a reminder but with you it stays open and never seems to heal or want to, a lot holds me back, the memories are alive in me as if it happened yesterday.
Do I want you to pay? yes is it enough for me? no. I am confused as to what will close my wounds and stop the pain, I want it to stop but at the same time I want it to last, to last as a reminder that you do not deserve my forgiveness, but it destroys me more than it will ever destroy you.
Just in case you were wondering others have come to love me, and yes I have found healing for my soul, healing through history reading about others who have endured much more than I have, when I look at the civil rights movement in the USA I draw strength from their struggle, and their resilience and hope that I will heal one day. If Mammie Till can lose her son in a in such a cruel and cold blooded way and still find the strength to share her story so others can find strength I believe all is not lost. I will find my peace and I will find my strength.
So, dad if you still go by that title I am doing just fine, far from forgiving you but on the path and movement with my demons to cast you out and be free, free from guilt and free from hate and ultimately lead to the freedom of my soul. I keep my eyes on the prize, freedom of the soul and mind.
