#but ive been bothered by his first post and couldnt reblog anything about this

[fullgazly]

I wish I could articulate my thoughts in English better to explain why I've been uncomfortable with Lewis's posts about his vacations. I thought of saying nothing at all bc what I wrote doesn't have all the nuances I would like. But even if i cant express my feelings the way i wish, I think it's important to talk when you don't agree with your faves and call them out. So here it is.

I've seen people say omggg u can't say everyone in Africa is poor, omggg it's so diminishing of their culture to pity them for being barefoot as if its better to have shoes. I don't (fully) agree. Bc that's not what is the most shocking to me. What I find shocking is how he goes to ""Africa"" (where he says his ancestors come from. Do we think he goes in any european country and feels like he is connecting with his ancestors?) anyway so, he goes to some countries where he sees people living in poor conditions (ok it's not the only thing he sees of course!! But he still sees it) and what he gets out of this is.. he feels peaceful and re-centered? okay. I get that he wanted to be positive in his posts but seeing inequalities and posting things that sounds like #blessed is so crazy to me. It's not like everyone there avoid social media bc of their culture, some just don't have access to it. The same way (some of them) don't have access to food safety and security, health care, education, sex equality and sooooo much more. And this is not about pitying them. This has nothing to do with culture either. (Btw the way he talked about culture like he was a tourist visiting people could also be interesting to develop). Anyway. So that is what bugged me the most. him being #blessed, and not acknowledging inequalities he might(must) have seen. I haven't been to these countries in particular but I've never come back from Africa peaceful. If anything I came back with a whole lot of rage. and I hope the rage helps me to take a career path that can make a difference.

Let me be clear I don't think he should get hate about all this. Deconstruction is a learning process and he has already proven that he is willing to learn. And I know he meant well. But it doesn't mean it shouldn't be talked about, on the contrary we should be talking about problematics view people still have, even when they mean well, even if they are still learning. That's what the learning process is all about. Btw if I was ever ignorant or offensive, pls feel free to contact me I am willing to learn and listen aswell. As I said it's not easy for me to find the words and I still feel I didn't really manage to say what I wanted to say.