ZAWADI NYONG'O WITH BADUU OF KENYA VIBE AFTER HER PERFORMANCE http://www.kenyanvibe.com/
ZAWADI FLAWLESS
By Buddha Blaze images by Lumz Lenz and Zawadi Nyong'o
Let me introduce you to Zawadi Nyong’o; a human rights activist, specializing sex workers’ rights. At first it sounds overwhelming but as a proponent for universal human rights, I’m down with anything that propagates to protect the rights of any human being. No self respecting grown individual deserves the humiliation of being discriminated for the reason of the colour of their skin, their nationality, they sexual orientation, their religion, their cultural choices or their work. Some rights maybe touchy to others but I understand that I cannot stand for equality if I discriminate about the form of equality.
THE FLYER
If a grown woman chooses to live her life a sex worker, there’s not much society can do expect give her alternatives of how she can lead her life. If all effort to get them away from that lifestyle is futile, then the same society has the obligation to protect this individual so she can do her job with safety. Understanding the human rights of a sex worker is not easy but they’re human too and someone has to do it. Zawadi is that person and she does it with pride. I have learnt to love Zawadi for what she stands for, she could have chosen to do anything else in the world but she made this her life. http://www.facebook.com/redumbrelladiaries?sk=wall
So when Zawadi learns I’m in New York she makes it’s a point to invite me invite me for poetry and story telling performance called The Red Umbrella Diaries at Happy Ending a small spot on the Lower East side of New York. Red Umbrella Diaries is a monthly poetic and storytelling event about the sex industry. I arrive at the spot on Broome Street late to find the place packed to the max with a multi culturally elegant crowd. Zawadi was just leaving the stage but the crowd is still murmuring about how awesome she was. The word is the performance is exquisite and Zawadi is flawless.
ZAWADI & HER DAD DR. ANYANG NYONG'O & SISTER LUPITA
AATARA JEWELLERY
I’m entertained by the amazing host Audacia Ray a former sex worker now sex workers’ rights activist. Being the community supporter she is, Zawadi has brought along Aatara Jewellery http://tinyurl.com/3dhvzv9 by Empress Wairimu Njoroge which keeps the crowd fascinated and occupied. I get to meet and hang out with Zawadi’s dad Dr. Nyong’o – who’s also in town for a conference; he’s a lover of the arts and poetry. Zawadi’s sister - sexy actress Lupita Nyong’o of MTV film Shuga http://vimeo.com/7775923 is also in the house. A beautifully talented family all in NY at same time.
LUPITA NYONG'O
ZAWADI FLAWLESS
By Buddha Blaze images by Lumz Lenz and Zawadi Nyong'o
Let me introduce you to Zawadi Nyong’o; a human rights activist, specializing sex workers’ rights. At first it sounds overwhelming but as a proponent for universal human rights, I’m down with anything that propagates to protect the rights of any human being. No self respecting grown individual deserves the humiliation of being discriminated for the reason of the colour of their skin, their nationality, they sexual orientation, their religion, their cultural choices or their work. Some rights maybe touchy to others but I understand that I cannot stand for equality if I discriminate about the form of equality.
THE FLYER
If a grown woman chooses to live her life a sex worker, there’s not much society can do expect give her alternatives of how she can lead her life. If all effort to get them away from that lifestyle is futile, then the same society has the obligation to protect this individual so she can do her job with safety. Understanding the human rights of a sex worker is not easy but they’re human too and someone has to do it. Zawadi is that person and she does it with pride. I have learnt to love Zawadi for what she stands for, she could have chosen to do anything else in the world but she made this her life. http://www.facebook.com/redumbrelladiaries?sk=wall
So when Zawadi learns I’m in New York she makes it’s a point to invite me invite me for poetry and story telling performance called The Red Umbrella Diaries at Happy Ending a small spot on the Lower East side of New York. Red Umbrella Diaries is a monthly poetic and storytelling event about the sex industry. I arrive at the spot on Broome Street late to find the place packed to the max with a multi culturally elegant crowd. Zawadi was just leaving the stage but the crowd is still murmuring about how awesome she was. The word is the performance is exquisite and Zawadi is flawless.
ZAWADI & HER DAD DR. ANYANG NYONG'O & SISTER LUPITA
AATARA JEWELLERY
I’m entertained by the amazing host Audacia Ray a former sex worker now sex workers’ rights activist. Being the community supporter she is, Zawadi has brought along Aatara Jewellery http://tinyurl.com/3dhvzv9 by Empress Wairimu Njoroge which keeps the crowd fascinated and occupied. I get to meet and hang out with Zawadi’s dad Dr. Nyong’o – who’s also in town for a conference; he’s a lover of the arts and poetry. Zawadi’s sister - sexy actress Lupita Nyong’o of MTV film Shuga http://vimeo.com/7775923 is also in the house. A beautifully talented family all in NY at same time.
LUPITA NYONG'O
Awwww, thank you Blaze! Mad love to you too!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you came, even though you caught the tail end of my reading from "When I Dare to Be Powerful".
Anyone who wants to read these 5 short stories of women who are engaged in sex work in East Africa can simply download the mini-book on scribd. http://scr.bi/gSkUid
And just a clarification on something you said: most sex workers don't "lead their lives as sex workers." As Daughtie says in When I Dare to be Powerful, "Sex work is not who I am, it is just what I do." So just like doctors, lawyers, security guards, construction workers, don't lead their lives as their jobs, there are many other important aspects in the lives of people who engage in sex workers, besides their work which is their bread & butter. I'm #justsaying :-)
And thanks for plugging Aatara Jewelry - I'll be sure to send Wairimu the link to your blog.
Big hug!
Zawadi
Wonderful, Blaze. Glad the word on Sex Worker Rights is spreading through my sister, through you, in this personal and intimate way!
ReplyDeleteI couldn’t agree with you more! And you say it perfectly, "I understand that I cannot stand for equality if I discriminate about the form of equality.” So many human rights activists unfortunately miss this crucial component. Well said and great write up about The Red Umbrella Diaries. I just read another great review of the event https://www.slixa.com/under-cover/466-red-umbrella-diaries-gala-celebrates-sex and I love that the major themes of the night seemed to be resiliency, strength, a sense of community and above all else, respect. I hope to attend the next one!
ReplyDelete