African Literature’s Identity Crisis: The Exportation of African Stories and Unpacking the Diaspora-only Narratives
When Ikhide R. Ikheloa, a renowned literary critic and writer, posted on his Facebook wall: “African literature is suffering from a dearth of courageous innovation. Gifted, but timid writers are doing the same thing over and over again. Writing book after book after book that few read in Africa. We have scores of African literary journals that no one but the contributors read. Get over your pride and arrogance and collaborate to produce one truly powerful and innovative journal. No, we are not wired like that! SMH!”, he echoed a concern that LightRay Media has consistently highlighted: the need for an intentional and well-thought-out strategy to address the creative stagnation or literary drought sweeping across the African continent, particularly in Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa. Ejiro Umukoro expands on this critical issue.