A tribute by M. I. Soqaga
The
world and literary fraternity is reeling over the plaintive demise of one of the
transcendent black writer the world ever knows.
E.R Braithwaite proves
himself to be sagacious by the number of gargantuan work of literature he
produced. When you read or write about
E.R. Braithwaite, it is important to realise that many pundits would submit
that he did not really write to represent certain philosophy of black people.
E.R.
Braithwaite wrote his books innocuously and not as a Black African or Black
African in Diaspora. As a child he was
privileged to live in the family that was well educated and he also was
educated. Can we say Braithwaite cannot
be celebrated as the black writer? When
you ponder his age and the time he began to write-to blacks which were
completely immersed in anything pertinent to black, he could not be recognised
as someone who was sympathetically attached to Black writing.
That’s
why it will be startling to others who are not familiar with Black writing when
Braithwaite literary work is appraised.
Literary critics and pundits like Raphael Mokoena and Leke Giwa although
they have other views about him but they do appreciate his contribution in
literature. Raphael wrote “He wrote better than most educated
whites and always showed that he was as good as any white man, but there was a problem, as he
could not connect with Africans, I don't
think he ever believed himself to have much in common with Africans.
Moreover, Leke Giwa added “Thank you. A great
writer, Braithwaite, but he always belonged to the western world as can be seen in his most famous book.
He himself feels superior as an
intellectual, looking down on almost everybody - but he made the world somewhat start to respect blacks a bit”
Nevertheless, Braithwaite contribution in
literature is wonderfully significant.
One can reminisce about his famous book (1959) novel To Sir, With Love which was eventually made
into a 1967 British drama film of the same title, starring Sidney Poitier. However, in looking at Braithwaite’s literary
life, can we say Braithwaite despite his fascinating writing and opinion about
racism-was truly genuine about his Black race?
At his literary pinnacle, blacks all over the world were not recognized
by the West. Blacks in Africa were
strongly under the control of European powers and also blacks in Diaspora were
regarded as servitude. Definitely,
Africans throughout the world cannot be ashamed to celebrate the triumphal
victory over racial discrimination and apartheid. Apart from political freedom, in the past
Africans were completely denied freedom artistically. It is through their unflinching enormous
efforts that they emerged prodigious.
During Braithwaite literary times, writers from
Africa prove to be resoundingly excellent.
Sol Plaatje, Peter Abrahams, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa
Thiong’o, Leopold Senghor and many others were all illustrious and
impressive. Braithwaite contribution to
African literature will tentatively be questioned. By the fact that he accepted his status visit
of “Honorary White” to South Africa during apartheid, will of course remain
questionable.
In 1973, the South African ban on Braithwaite’s
books was lifted and he reluctantly applied to visit the country. He was granted a visa and the status
“honorary white” which gave him significantly more privileges than the
indigenous black population, but less than the whites. He recorded the experiences and horror he
witnessed during the six weeks he spent in South Africa in his book Honorary
White.
Braithwaite’s
literary contribution in the world will absolutely remain colossally
important. Avoiding Pan Africanist solidarity
perspective about Africa and Africans, Braithwaite brilliance will be always
respected. As a black intellectual and
academic, he illustrated to the world that colour of the skin cannot make one
obviously sapient or superior. Race and
humanity are equal and it must always be in harmony. Apparently, Braithwaite literary life will remain
monumentally awe-inspiring and something proud to be celebrated.
BOOKS PUBLISHED
BY BRAITHWAITE
To Sir with
love
Paid
Servant
Choice of Straws
Hurricane hits
England
A kind of homecoming
Solid lubricants
and Surfaces.
Reluctant
Neighbours
Lubrication and Lubricants
