It’s Christmas. How do I know? For many months I have been living in Berlin, capital of a Christian country governed – at least for now – by a politician from the Christian Democratic Union. I did not realise how much of a privilege this was, and how heightened my Christmas senses were because of living in Germany, until I listened to Bob Geldof’s song Do They Know It’s Christmas?

First off, let me praise the writers of this song for updating it in 2014, to reflect the realities of our time, like Ebola, and for finally recognising such a thing as west Africa. Comparing both versions, my respect for Bob grew immensely. I will not comment on the old version, the same way I think you should not comment on a person’s previously dirty body after they have taken a bath and groomed themselves.



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The 2014 version of the song begins with the line: “It’s Christmas time, there’s no need to be afraid.” There is a lot to be afraid of as an African. One of the most prominent dates leading up to Christmas is Black Friday, which falls towards the end of November. On this day, people in developed countries perform a little ritual, similar to the gladiators of the Roman empire who entertained audiences in violent, often deadly confrontations. People queue up for days to buy cheaper versions of items they don’t need, fighting until they get them. I see the videos and I am afraid. When I am in Europe or America, I do not go out on Black Friday. Also, the snow used to make me afraid. Of losing my fingers to frostbite. But this song warms my heart and drives away all fear.

The second line, sung by Ed Sheeran in 2014, reads: “At Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade.” As an African, all I see around Christmas time is darkness. Night falls so quickly; without electricity, it would be really terrifying to have darkness as early as 4pm. Thank God for electricity. I think that is what Ed Sheeran meant. Electricity.

In line three, Rita Ora sings: “And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy.” I really appreciate this line. Especially the word “spread”. I see plenty and joy spreading across my African back like butter softened by the African heat on fresh bread. Detractors may ask about poverty in inner city America or in Europe, but that wasn’t Ora’s point. The point is that the west has plenty and Africa doesn’t.



Now forgive me, I don’t know the relationship between Emeli Sandé and the Elbow frontman Guy Garvey, but I want to combine their lines in this song: “At Christmas time it’s hard but while you’re having fun, There’s a world outside your window and it’s a world of dread and fear.”

Now let’s not be anal about this and ask what window they are speaking of. They were just there to sing the song and raise money for people living in a world of dread and fear. The real question is, can we (and I have thought about this “we” and decided that, since living in the west has given me such great hope, I can include myself) talk about this world of dread and fear? Like the fear of pepper in Lagos bush bars that serve catfish? I saw this fear after I went out with an expat friend of mine in Lagos who mistakenly ordered catfish without telling the waiter not to add pepper. She turned completely red and had to go home to use the bathroom. I haven’t seen anyone that afraid before. I miss Lagos.

I really love the next line, sung by Bastille’s Dan Smith: “Where a kiss of love can kill you”. Look, I know Dan was talking about Ebola, but can we not limit his words to an ordinary disease? Many of my gay friends cannot give a kiss of love in public in many parts of Africa. I know there are also parts of, say, America where that kind of kiss can cause you trouble, but that is not the point. The point is, how do we talk about killer Africa in a way that will make paradise west donate money and swallow Christmas turkey without guilt?



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Coldplay’s Chris Martin really hit the nail on the head: “And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom.” When I am in Africa, especially, all I can think of is doom. Especially when I am out at night. I wish doom for all those mosquitoes while I enjoy tilapia in pretty Accra.



I really look forward to this song over Christmas. I don’t know if they will edit the it to reflect whatever disaster is happening on the continent, but I know it will be good. (Please don’t ask Bob to sing a song for Brexit or for poor Americans — we need him to focus on doom that matters.) God bless you as you download this track and donate to make Bob Geldof’s song great again.