Music must awaken people to do their duty as citizens and act.
Fela KutiRead
Being African didn't mean anything to me until later in my life.
Interpretation
This quote reflects a journey of self-discovery and the growing appreciation of oneβs cultural identity over time.
Fela Kuti's quote expresses the idea that one's sense of identity and connection to cultural heritage can evolve with experience and maturity. Initially, being African may not have held significance, but as one grows and experiences life, there can be a deeper understanding and pride in that identity, highlighting the importance of cultural awareness and self-acceptance.
In practice
Use this quote in a discussion about the importance of cultural heritage in personal identity.
Music must awaken people to do their duty as citizens and act.
The rhythm, the sounds, the tonality, the chord sequences, the individual effect of each instrument and each section of the band - I'm talking about a whole continent in my music.
I'm playing deep African music.
The art, the greatness of the music, the experience of the music is what I'm about. I think most African artists have destroyed their artistry by commercialization, and I don't want to belong to that bag.
The human spirit is stronger than any government or institution.
My message was 'Think African. Make schools read African history.'
Ireland, as distinct from her people, is nothing to me; and the man who is bubbling over with love and enthusiasm for "Ireland," and can yet pass unmoved through our streets and witness all the wrong and the suffering, shame and degradation wrought upon the people of Ireland-yea, wrought by Irishmen upon Irish men and women, without burning to end it, is, in my opinion, a fraud and a liar in his heart, no matter how he loves that combination of chemical elements he is pleased to call Ireland.
Idleness is the parent of psychology.
But I cannot forget that, at other times I have been deceived in sleep by similar illusions; and, attentively considering those cases, I perceive so clearly that there exist no certain marks by which the state of waking can ever be distinguished from sleep, that I feel greatly astonished; and in amazement I almost persuade myself that I am now dreaming.
The existing liberties and the existing gratifications are tied to the requirements of repression: they themselves become instruments of repression.
I don't read reviews because by then it's too late - whatever anyone says, the book won't change. It is written.
Wars are never fought for altruistic reasons.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.