Death and Deities.
One of the ways I resolve my concern over areas of ambivalence on many issues in life is by reminding myself of F. Scott Fitzgerald's famous quote, "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. One of the ways I have always thought about any issue is to respect peoples' right to choose their reaction and not coerce anyone to any side( you can acknowledge people's views without accepting them). We are impacted differently by people, places, and events. It is wrong to ask for conformity or make people acquiesce to specific ways you think are appropriate or inappropriate. Lawyer and activist Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu captures one way I think about this. she said, "two things can be true at the same time."
Before I went to bed last night, I thought about this as I read the mixed reaction to the HRM's death. This reaction comes up every time. I recalled when Governor Ajimobi and Abba Kyari in Nigeria died during COVID-19; one of the prompts I asked my student to reflect on as I struggled to keep the class engaged was the public response to the deaths of famous people( depressing, I know, but I have reasons). One event I wanted to attend, but I can't due to competing demands, is Emilie Songolo's send-off. I don't know her in person(I only saw her at the event celebrating the erudite late Professor Tejumola Olaniyan), but I have heard amazing things about her, including her work in curating collections of funeral programs in Africa.
In the last few years, my scholarship has shifted to look at the margin, not the center, even if it seems to focus on the center (African celebrities). Still, there are peripheries even in the center of the center (I promise you this is not a tautology). I am organizing a panel at LSA 2023 and hopefully at another conference in the Queen's country. If you write on death, dying, and all these inevitable issues that seem to be on the margins but her center and central to life. Or if you know anyone who studies condolence letters and messages to and of famous and non-famous people? Please mention their name in the comment section or watch this space if you are currently doing something in this regard.
Nigerian Fuji Maestro Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister has a line from one of his albums; I don't know the album's name or track but trust Late Prophetess (Mrs.) Ololade Popoola ( my mother) has used it in her many undocumented sermons," I jo aba ku la dere" ( The day we die, we become diety). It seems to suggest that all your sins are forgiven when you die and become venerated. The validity of the Fuji philosopher's claim may need further research.
Posted on Facebook on September 9, 2022.
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