When one thinks of Africa, or perhaps Cameroon in particular, what would one imagine seeing the most? Trees? People? Colorful clothing? Amazing animals? Markets with fresh fruits? Red earth?
Think again. If you come to Yaoundé, Cameroon right now, you will see one thing more than all. One billboard all over the city with the exact same photo and message— the campaign ad of this country’s current ruler. I understand that during elections, billboards are a part of the game. But without exaggeration, whilst driving along in Yaoundé at the present time, this large campaign ad can be seen about every 30 seconds, often with one identical billboard next to the other. The boasting of power is overwhelming.
To avoid controversy or problems, I can’t go into a frank discussion of politics in Cameroon. Let’s just say the book Animal Farm by George Orwell might as well be turned into a movie (cheaply and quickly) by filming what’s going on right now in Cameroon with a camcorder.
The Presidential elections are on Sunday. Because of places like the Ivory Coast and recent incidences of unrest in Africa, everyone is on alert in Cameroon and the rumors and predictions are all people talk about. Most of us who live here aren’t extremely worried. Without doubt, there will be deaths. There will be cruelty. There will be people who vanish and never return like they did during a short “rebellion” in 2008. But overall, I’m not worried. I hope that I don’t look back on this last sentence I wrote and think, if only I had known.
Nah.
Much to my shock, I’ve learned that they don’t announce the results of a Cameroonian Presidential election immediately after the elections take place. “Sometime around October 24th” is when we can expect to hear the news (as if we’re in for a surprise, uh, again, no frank discussion here). I’m so sickened with the entire filthy and manipulative game that it’s no wonder I was at the hospital yesterday for stomach ailments and insomnia.
Not all parasites are insects.
Soon, very soon, the city (and country) will be bathed in “free” clothing material with the country’s current ruler’s face all over it, sewed into frothy and exciting African outfits. T-shirts will be distributed displaying His Excellency’s benevolent face. During the last elections in 2004, people were bombarded with these fantastical gifts. To this day, the #1 t-shirt you see in the city of Yaoundé is the free t-shirt they received with everyone’s favorite guy on the front of it over seven years ago. But as Miranda Presley undoubtedly knows, not everyone can pull off t-shirt-chique. I don’t think the four “rebels” that have been killed so far were into that look.
My blood doesn’t bleed red because I’m human; I think it bleeds red because I believe so strongly in freedom. For real, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” is the idea that keeps my heart a-beating. I even have a brother named Patrick Henry Hansen. Living in a country with these conditions surrounding me is, to say the least, frustrating. Other f-words could intensify my description of this feeling, but going there would not be Patrick Henry-worthy, now would it?
As Green Eyes in Africa’s Overseas Director, I’ve done my best to make sure that all of the children and families with whom we work will be safe and sound if things go awry. Extra food is stored. Families have been told not to go to any sort of public demonstrations, however fun and peaceful they may seem (and however tempting the free meal after chanting their ruler’s name may seem).
I’ve cancelled my travel plans to the U.S. due to these elections. I thought all of this folly would be over on the day of the elections. But the real storm may hit days or even weeks later. I need to be in Cameroon. I won’t take stupid risks; it would be ludicrous to put my own life in danger for Green Eyes in Africa, because I’d be, well, a little less of help if I were dead. But I couldn’t travel to the U.S. and enjoy conversations with my loved ones and think about fund-raising if the shezam were to hit the fan during my travels. I’d be a nervous wreck, feeling powerless to do anything.
I’ve been there before.
During the “uprising” in 2008, I was in the U.S., and knowing that the Green Eyes in Africa children ran home while ravenous men shot machine guns into the air and had nothing to eat but one bunch of plantains (banana-like staple food) for three days, I was a mess (some may say a hot mess, but that’s beside the point.)
This time, that ain’t gonna happen. As Scar (how very appropriate to mention him in this blog, right?) wisely sang, “Be prepared!”
It is difficult for me to miss Halloween at my Mom’s house. It’s perhaps the most magical Halloween party that exists in this world, with the world’s greatest Mom/Grandma as host. We’re talking worms-in-dirt cupcakes, decorations galore, a fog machine, and the old record of “The Disneyland Haunted Mansion Scary Sounds” playing as trick-or-treaters ring the doorbell. It’s legendary, really. Dang,dang,dong, I’ll miss it.
I have missed my family Christmases for the past six years. I’m okay with that, as Christmas with my Green Eyes in Africa family is where I need to be. But missing Halloween hurts like Hell…oween.
Being as prepared as one can be is a good feeling. Knowing that the probability of the people I love in this country or myself being hurt is very low is also a good feeling. But in the moments of sitting and fretting in my mind with all of the “what ifs” is not a good feeling. I think for now, I’d prefer to remove the word “don’t” from that Ice Castles theme song. “Please….LET this feeling end.” I should watch that movie to help my mind cool off.
But I’ll probably watch something else instead (once my broken laptop is fixed). As horrid as the film may be, Aliens is a heck of a movie to watch if you need to feel tough. If things get rough, and if I have to let go of my fear and face things I’ve never seen ( …and the alien’s head lowers, smaller alien head comes out of fang-filled mouth… well, no, not that bad), I’ll visualize Sigourney Weaver, clench my jaw, and be tough.
In Alien 1, they say, “In Space, No One Can Hear You Scream.” That’s not the case in Cameroon. There are plenty of good people to hear me scream. Whew.
It’s Aliens that I worry about. They say, “This Time, It’s War.”
Let’s hope that all goes smoothly, and we forget Aliens end up comparing all of this to something more like…perhaps…Harry Potter? Electionious—nodangerousus—harmonious—safe--people-US!
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