In this collection of essays, Nanjala Nyabola shares observations and remarks gleaned from a life of traversing the globe across 70 countries and four continents. With each of the 17 essays, she delves into the depths of her journey, offering poignant reflections on a range of timely issues, from asylum seekers to xenophobia to the simple act of hiking, each story a reflection of the complexities of navigating the world through her lens as a black African woman on the move.
One recurring theme that Nyabola confronts head-on is the pervasive influence of Western media in shaping our perceptions of different places. She observes how these narratives often inform our expectations and judgments, revealing the inherent biases embedded within them. Yet, amidst these preconceptions, Nyabola discovers an unexpected truth in her journey to Haiti—her black skin affords her a certain invisibility, allowing her to navigate the complexities of the country’s social landscape in ways she hadn’t anticipated.
In yet another essay, she grapples with the ethics of humanitarian imagery. Nyabola raises necessary questions about the portrayal of human suffering and its impact on our collective consciousness. She challenges us to consider the lasting repercussions of such depictions and the dangerous precedent it sets for our capacity for empathy, urging us to confront our complicity in perpetuating these narratives.
Through her encounters with economic refugees in Guatemala and on the European shores of the Mediterranean, Nyabola sheds light on the systemic injustices that drive individuals to embark on perilous journeys in search of a better life. She traces the root causes of this crisis back to the economic policies enforced by wealthier nations, which disproportionately harm the most vulnerable populations in the Global South. In doing so, she reminds us of the interconnectedness of our world and the moral imperative to address these inequalities. This is reflective of the words of the famous Somali poet Warsan Shire ‘no one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark’.
Among the essays, “Looking for Bessie” emerges as a personal favorite. In the essay she recounts Head’s life as an exiled South African freedom fighter who went on living and writing in neighbouring Botswana. Nyabola’s encounter with Head’s work starts of in a literature class and in various points in her life this kinship grows and is nurtured culminating in this odyssey to her last home, Serowe in rural Botswana. Nyabola discovers that Head was a longtime letter correspondent to Alice Walker and their various exchanges are preserved in a museum in Serowe. Nyabola’s warm and empathetic exploration underscores the enduring legacy of literature in fostering connections across time and space, echoing the sentiments of Alice Walker’s search for Zora Neale Hurston.
Throughout her collection, Nyabola serves as a mirror to society, both at home and abroad, confronting uncomfortable truths about xenophobia, economic disparity, immigration experiences for people of colour and leadership failures. From the streets of Nairobi to the snowcapped hiking trails of the Himalayas, she navigates the intricate web of power dynamics and privilege with a keen eye for detail and nuance.
Indeed, Nyabola’s essays oscillate between the grand and the intimate, each offering a particular insight into the complexities of the human experience. Whether reflecting on global crises or the mundane realities of everyday life, she invites readers to join her in a journey of self-discovery and collective introspection. In “Travelling while Black,” Nyabola is challenging us to reconsider our assumptions and confront the uncomfortable truths that lie beneath the surface of our world. Through her powerful storytelling and unwavering commitment to truth-telling, she reminds us of the transformative power of empathy and the enduring importance of bearing witness to the complexities of our shared humanity.
About the Reviewer
Wendy Njoroge is a bookseller, publisher, podcaster, and community organiser based in Nairobi, Kenya. Her work is invested in championing Pan-African literary art and decolonising bookshelves.