An ode to the sumud of technology:I am upscrolled A-poem

By Hassen Lorgat

They scolded us
“Do as you are told!”
But we grew up
We devoured many books
Discussed it with comrades
As we broke our daily bread together

Against well-armed intruders with jackbooks
We measured up
threw stones with such accuracy
they shuddered, retreated

Across the border the Quito cuanavale, spoke to us
The sounds of gunfire and stories narrated the truth
they were not invincible
the racists ran from our kasies
We reclaimed what was ours…wanting more

Then our rainbow flew at half-mast
the media continued to lie
Narrating the lies of our inferiority
…doing its bit to disorganise us

Later in life, we turned inward,
Angered by our own failures
Or perhaps we were just tied or self-satisfied with “our own love handles”

We scrolled and scrolled
in returned were carolled, zombified
The “Like” emojis hid the fact that we were doing what we were told
…the Algorithms was my jive

I could not get out
Nor could I rescue our children
And comrades
We cried for platforms that marched
online
with the rhythm of our resistance

Yesterday, I saw the light (again)
Today I smile as I am Upscrolled

Author
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Hassen Lorgat

Has worked in trade union movement, civic associations, and anti apartheid sports movement led by the South African Council on Sports (SACOS) as well as NGOs for the past while. He has worked with civil society groups opposing harmful and exploitative mining and extractivism. Hassen is active with the SA BDS Coalition.