Saturday, March 24, 2007
Sound of talking [collective experience]
At http://www.sokwanele.com/ -->
Tracey Chapman famously informed us in song
that ‘Talkin’ about a revolution sounds like whisper”.
Zimbabweans could add that ‘talking about a revolution looks
like an sms message’.
The first message I received from Harare read
‘mass arrests @ rally. 1 killed. lots beaten by police.
v v bad. r u ok where u r?’
It was the first of many sms messages
that day. The details of our collective experience filtered down slowly via texts, emails, and phone calls from concerned family and friends in the diaspora who have blissful access to extensive information.
The majority of people in Zimbabwe do not have
the luxury of an internet connection or a cell phone, and they rely on second or third hand information, constantly re-cycled and checked. On their way to work they walk past newspaper billboards broadcasting disinformation and blatant lies. If they are lucky enough to have a radio, the state controlled media brings more of the same to their ears.
¶ Saturday, March 24, 2007
Tracey Chapman famously informed us in song
that ‘Talkin’ about a revolution sounds like whisper”.
Zimbabweans could add that ‘talking about a revolution looks
like an sms message’.
The first message I received from Harare read
‘mass arrests @ rally. 1 killed. lots beaten by police.
v v bad. r u ok where u r?’
It was the first of many sms messages
that day. The details of our collective experience filtered down slowly via texts, emails, and phone calls from concerned family and friends in the diaspora who have blissful access to extensive information.
The majority of people in Zimbabwe do not have
the luxury of an internet connection or a cell phone, and they rely on second or third hand information, constantly re-cycled and checked. On their way to work they walk past newspaper billboards broadcasting disinformation and blatant lies. If they are lucky enough to have a radio, the state controlled media brings more of the same to their ears.
¶ Saturday, March 24, 2007
