Novelist David Maillu
- 387 views
David Maillu, a prominent African literary figure, has unveiled a provocative monument, titled “President Donald Trump S***hole,” coinciding with the inauguration of Donald Trump tomorrow.
The statue serves as a protest against racism and a call for African dignity, inspired by the derogatory remarks attributed to Trump in 2018, which were widely regarded as racist. Maillu, who is both an artist and scholar, expresses that the statue is intended as a satirical commentary on Trump’s past insults and aims to ignite conversations surrounding racism. The project was initially launched in 2018 but was temporarily halted following Trump's defeat in the 2020 election.
It was revived after his recent victory over Kamala Harris. The statue notably features a tuft of dry grass for hair, combined with red oxide paint and white cement to represent skin colour, and is set to be unveiled on the day of Trump’s swearing-in. In his explanation of the artwork, Maillu emphasizes his hope that the statue would bring attention to Trump’s prior views on Africa and stimulate public discourse regarding racism and African identity.
He articulates the expectation that, as the leader of a powerful nation, Trump should condemn racism and acknowledge the significant contributions of the black community to the American economy. Now 85 years old, Maillu has consistently utilized his artistic endeavours to challenge authority and critique neocolonialism, a recurring theme throughout his body of work. His recent publication, "Push Gen Z Push Harder: Storm of Political Revolution," discusses white supremacy and neocolonialism as primary factors driving political uprisings in Kenya.
Maillu’s extensive literary contributions span multiple languages, including English, Kiswahili, and Kikamba, with notable titles such as "My Dear Bottle" and "Black Madonna." In his advocacy, Maillu argues that many Africans continue to struggle with the psychological ramifications of colonialism, which have led to an erosion of identity and creativity. Through his art, he seeks to educate the community about reclaiming their lost identities.
His home in Mathemboni is marked by seven flags, each representing former colonial powers, symbolizing their ongoing influence, particularly through institutions like the IMF and World Bank. Additionally, Maillu’s compound houses a statue of Syokimau, a respected Kamba prophetess, which promotes cultural consciousness within the Kamba community. This figure, inspired by Maillu's novel "Wasya wa Syokimau," aims to counteract the diminishing of African cultural values due to modernity and Christianity.
Maillu affirms the significance of spirituality in African culture, asserting that colonial narratives wrongly suggest Africans were oblivious to spirituality prior to colonization. Through his various artistic mediums, Maillu persistently confronts the challenges of neocolonialism and advocates for the reclamation of African identity and dignity.