Behind the Scenes: How I Created THE WHITEWASHED TOMBS

 Wed--Kwei

The Seed of an Idea for THE WHITEWASHED TOMBS

In the third novel of the Emma Djan series, LAST SEEN IN LAPAZ, I hinted that Jojo, Emma's favorite coworker, was gay. My Soho Crime editor, Rachel Kowal, suggested exploring this thread in the next book. Around the same time, Ghana's parliament was debating an anti-LGBTQ bill, with MP Sam Nartey George vociferously campaigning against LGBTQ Ghanaians. This political climate heavily influenced the narrative I was about to create.

Nancy Pelosi speaks to Ghana’s House of Parliament, 2019 (Image: Wikipedia)

Reality-Shaping Fiction

The political tension in Ghana provided a poignant backdrop for THE WHITEWASHED TOMBS. In the story, Emma's boss at Sowah Detective Agency investigates the murder of queer activist Marcelo Tetteh. Characters like Peter Ansah were inspired by real-life figures such as Sam George. This real-life context helped shape the narrative about hate crimes in Accra.

Sam Nartey George, Member of Parliament and spearheader of Ghana's anti-LGBTQ bill
(Image: Wikipedia)

History of the Anti-LGBTQ Bill

The controversial Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, introduced in 2021, aims to severely restrict LGBTQ+ rights, just as Uganda has chosen to do. Supported by various religious and traditional groups, it includes harsh penalties for LGBTQ+ individuals and their advocates.

Modifications & Sponsoring Parliamentarians

The bill has undergone several readings and amendments in Parliament. It criminalizes the promotion and funding of LGBTQ+ rights. MP Sam George has been a vocal supporter, framing the bill as a defense of traditional Ghanaian values.

Passage of the Bill

In February 2024, Parliament passed the bill unanimously after rigorous debate. It imposes stiff penalties on LGBTQ+ individuals and their supporters, extending its reach to public advocacy and private support.

Legal Challenges in the Supreme Court

Following its passage, the bill faced legal challenges in the Supreme Court, with significant opposition from human rights groups. These proceedings are crucial in testing the bill against Ghana's constitutional protections for individual rights.

The Supreme Court of Ghana, located in Accra (Image: Guido Sohne)

President Nana Akufo-Addo's Stance

President Nana Akufo-Addo has not yet signed the bill into law, citing ongoing legal challenges. This has created tension between the legislative and executive branches and could impact Ghana's international relations and economic situation.

Broader Implications

Ghana, known for its stable democracy and economic progress, faces a significant departure from these ideals with this bill. The move aligns with increasing anti-LGBTQ sentiment in many African nations. As of 2024, 31 African countries still have laws that criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity.

A Step Back for Human Rights

The bill is a regression in human rights and individual freedoms, contradicting global movements towards inclusivity. It tarnishes Ghana's image as a progressive society and impacts the lives of LGBTQ individuals.

Socio-Economic Repercussions

Punitive measures against the LGBTQ community could affect international relations and economic support. Balancing cultural values with human rights principles poses a complex challenge.

Conclusion

The struggle for LGBTQ rights in Ghana highlights the need for vigilant advocacy to uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals. Through THE WHITEWASHED TOMBS, I aimed to reflect these critical issues, using fiction to mirror the harsh reality.

KWEI’S MOVIE REVIEWS--“SINGLE ALL THE WAY"

 Kwei-- Wed

In my film reviews, I start with the benchmark of five stars and then deduct half or one point if the film falls short in any of the following categories:
· Storyline
· Screenplay
· Acting 
· Direction 
· Character Arcs

The reviews are my opinions alone.

Single All The Way, with Michael Urie and Philemon Chambers (Image: DALL-E)

Plot Overview

"Single All The Way" is a charming, Canadian, holiday-themed film that navigates the complexities of relationships and family expectations. The story centers around Peter, portrayed by Michael Urie, who is tired of his family's constant remarks about his single status. In a twist of holiday desperation, Peter convinces his best friend, Nick, played by Philemon Chambers, to accompany him for the holidays and pretend they are in a romantic relationship. This faux romance leads to a series of comedic and heartfelt moments, offering a fresh take on the classic holiday rom-com genre.

Cast Highlights

• Michael Urie as Peter: Urie brings a blend of humor and vulnerability to the role, making the character's journey relatable and engaging. His character is a somewhat Hollywood-esque stereotypical portrayal of a gay man.
• Philemon Chambers as Nick: Chambers delivers a more nuanced and tender performance, showcasing great chemistry with Urie and adding depth to the narrative.
• Luke Macfarlane as James: Macfarlane's portrayal of James adds an intriguing dynamic to the plot with a somewhat surprising result, further complicating the relationship between Peter and Nick.

 

Behind the Scenes

The movie was filmed predominantly in the Canadian city of Montréal in Québec.

With the film’s narrative set in Bridgewater, New Hampshire, Montréal was virtually used as Bridgewater’s on-location stand-in. 

Commentary

While "Single All The Way" excels in its light-hearted approach and holiday charm, the storyline involving the protagonists realizing their love after years of friendship does stretch credibility. This aspect, although somewhat predictable and a common trope in romantic comedies, might not resonate with those seeking more realistic portrayals of relationship development. However, it falls within the acceptable norms for a light romantic comedy of this type, where the focus is more on the journey and emotional payoff rather than the plausibility of the plot's evolution.

Wrap-Up and Rating

With its engaging plot, talented cast, and heartwarming moments, "Single All The Way" is a delightful addition to the holiday movie lineup. It manages to deliver both laughs and a meaningful message, making it a good choice for a cozy, festive watch.

Storyline: 3/5

The plot, while charming and fitting for the genre, relies on familiar tropes and predictable turns that might not appeal to everyone. The concept of friends turning lovers is well-trodden, yet the film manages to keep it engaging.

Screenplay: 3.5/5

The screenplay is witty and well-paced, with dialogues that add to the comedic and emotional elements of the film. It effectively balances humor with more tender moments.

Acting: 4/5

The performances by Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, and Luke Macfarlane are commendable. They bring depth to their characters, making them relatable and endearing.

Direction: 3.5/5

The direction is solid, with a good sense of timing and emotional resonance. The director successfully creates a festive atmosphere that complements the narrative.

Character Arcs: 3.5/5

The character development is one of the stronger aspects of the film. The journey of the main characters is well-executed, showing growth and a realistic portrayal of their evolving relationships.

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Bottom Line

"Single All The Way" is a feel-good film that offers more than just holiday cheer. It's a well-crafted story about love, friendship, and the importance of being true to oneself. Most importantly, the person you love might be right in front of you without you realizing it.

Bottom Line

"Single All The Way" offers a familiar yet enjoyable experience typical of holiday romantic comedies. Its strengths lie in its engaging performances and the sweet, heartwarming journey of its characters, making it a pleasant watch for those who enjoy the genre.

 

AFRICA’S POLITICAL AND MORAL EROSION: Homosexuality in Africa

PART THREE

Did Homosexuality Exist in Africa Before Colonization?

Much of Africa is now using the idea that western colonizers “introduced” homosexuality to the continent as a cultural argument against LGBTQ+ rights. However, there is no credible historical or anthropological evidence, nor has any been offered, to support the claim that same-sex relationships never existed before colonization. Homosexuality has been observed in virtually every culture in human history, and Africa is no exception.

Some of the evidence that same-sex relationships were in existence before westerners colonized Africa is listed below, but the list is far from complete. References for further reading are at the end of the article.

Historical Accounts of Homosexuality in Africa

Early European travelers documented same-sex relationships during their journeys through Africa. In the 1590s, Portuguese explorer Andrew Battell, who lived among the Imbangala (in present Angola), wrote, “They are beastly in their living, for they have men in women’s apparel, whom they keepe among their wives.” Even earlier in 1558, a Portuguese account described “unnatural damnation,” a euphemism for male-male sexual relations. 

Ironically, the records and laws of the colonizers can serve as indirect evidence. The very fact that colonial governments felt the need to criminalize same-sex relations is an indication that such relations existed prior to colonization. For example, the British introduced "sodomy" laws (“unnatural carnal knowledge”) in many of their colonies in response to indigenous practices.

 Anthropological Studies of Homosexuality in Africa

In E.E. Evans-Pritchard's anthropological work, he described how the Azandes’ older warriors of early Northern Congo took boy-wives as sexual partners until the boys were old enough to marry a woman. 

Same-sex relations occurred within among the gender-fluid Langi and Iteso peoples of Uganda and in pre-colonial Benin, where it was seen as natural for growing boys to have mutual sexual relations.

Ancient African Art

Cave-wall drawings by Zimbabwe’s San people depicted amorous relations between people of the same sex.

Ancient painting from San people of Zimbabwe (Mehra, Bharat & Lemieux, Paul & Stophel, Keri).

Cultural Practices

The Nzema people of Ghana had a tradition of same-sex marriage   between older and younger men, bearing a similarity to the pederasty of ancient Greece. Although these unions, called agonwole agyale, invariably begin with strong mutual physical attraction between the two men, according to the researcher of this paper, Italo Signorini, sexual intercourse did not occur even if both men slept in the same bed. The bottom line, however, is that same-sex marriage, and at least emotional and physical closeness did exist. There is a range of same-sex behavior, and just as in heterosexuality, sexual relations in homosexuality are important but not essential.

How Did Homosexuality in Africa Come to be Repudiated by Africans?

A Distortion and Denial of the History of Homosexuality in Africa

The idea of homosexuality as a category of identity is itself a relatively recent development in human history, associated more with modern Western societies, but same-sex behavior and diverse gender expressions have been a normal part of human societies around the world, including Africa, for millennia.

A discontinuity exists between acceptance of same-sex relationships in historical Africa and the present rejection and abhorrence of homosexuality. But in his book, Heterosexual Africa?: The History of an Idea from the Age of Exploration to the Age of AIDS, Marc Epprecht points out that the discontinuity originated not in Africa at all, but in Europe and North America. The European explorers of Africa, especially the missionaries, were in rigid opposition to same-sex relationships the time they arrived on the continent’s shores. In that case, how or why would they have “imposed” homosexuality on Africans? Further, Michael Foucault argued that the industrial and scientific revolutions of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries spawned a radical change in attitudes toward the nature of sexuality and gender roles.

How Russian and American Far-Right Organizations Came Together Over Anti-LGBTQ Rights

The right-wing organization, World Congress of Families (WCF) was founded in 1997 by a pro-family activist, anti-LGBTQ American college professor, Allan Carlson,  and Russian intellectuals Anatoly Antonov and Viktor Medkov. Since then, the WCF has worked to mainstream the doctrine of the “natural family” and curtail LGBTQ and reproductive rights across the world. A full account of the Russian involvement in the WCF can be found in this exhaustive article by Kristina Stoecki, but the short of it is that the Russian Orthodox Church became heavily involved from around 2006 with American religious right-wing institutions when a younger generation took over leadership from Anatoly Antonov. With sponsorship from wealthy donors, the WCF officially arrived in Russia in 2016. It had a deep connection to Russian politicians who introduced laws that affirmed “traditional family values” and condemned homosexuality. 

The WCF in Africa

If the language used by Russian lawmakers concerning the protection of “traditional family values” appears remarkably similar to Ghana’s Bill for the “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values,” it isn’t a coincidence. The WCF, which is pro-Putin from the perspective of Russian criminalization of LGBTQ people and forbidding “non-traditional sexual relations,” has been holding conferences in Africa for years now, even though their activity since 2019 appears to have diminished somewhat. Malawi was the site for a WCF conference in November 2017. Along with the “natural family” language of the Russian traditionalists, the WCF has been appropriating anti-colonial rhetoric in its regional African efforts. Hence the insidious and now-entrenched belief that homosexuality is an import of colonization. The WCF has been active in Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria.

The irony, of course, is that as African politicians genuflect to right-wing Russian and American right-wing religious organizations, they claim that their respective countries are “sovereign and independent.”

References

Boy-Wives and Female Husbands: Studies in African Homosexualities,  Stephen O. Murray  (Editor), Will Roscoe  (Editor), Marc Epprecht  (Preface)

Heterosexual Africa?: The History of an Idea from the Age of Exploration to the Age of AIDS, by Marc Epprecht

Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic among the Azande, by E.E. Evans-Pritchard