Okodoro

Okodoro is a motion graphics response video to Tanya Tagaq's "Tongue". It contains a poem in Yoruba, that references the common history of colonialism in North America and Nigeria, as well as racism towards people of colour.

Okodoro translation

i had but one form, a form all beings
take at birth
I was pure yet you took my purity
away
You failed to see it
You failed to see me
I was an obstacle to you, and you
made sure I was gone

I survived you, but you never stopped
You haunted me
You brought me down
You hated me, but I failed to see it

I washed my face of the fantasy
I see clearer now, but not clearly
enough
I denied it, despite seeing your true
form
You hated me. I could see it, but yet
again, I denied it

I've died three times now
It took three to see you for you
I will no longer be blinded by you for
fear of my final death
So shame on you for what you have
done
Shame on me for ignoring the pain
you caused me
I am no longer blinded by you
I see you for you

You may also like