Jo M. Sekimonyo is a writer and modern thinker of Congolese origin who lives in Shrewsbury Massachusetts, USA. In this interview, he talks about his books, his life philosophy, economic jihad, his upcoming projects, and Ethosism.
Let’s find out what economic jihad is!
How have your Congolese roots shape the man you are today?
The history of the Congo (formerly known as Zaire) has been one of epic delusions, colonization, despotism, civil wars and exploitation. My lenses are focused on the omnipresent socio-politico-economic injustices because I have been entrenched in that reality since birth. However, my travels in different countries on this suffocating planet have been plagued by horrifying experiences. I have a sense of urgency to denounce the nauseating culture that promotes criminalization of the poor, social castes and sociopolitical indifference because I do actually see poor people.
You have published two books, one of which has a catchy title, Cast Away: For These Reasons Economic Jihad. What is economic jihad?
Socio-politico-economic theorists have struggled with the question of wealth and justice and continue to come up short. Worse, economic druids have become the assistants of moneyers and political pundits instead of champions of the general public. Most of the recent economists who have penned books describing the existing malaise of the capitalist paradigm, don’t bring anything new to the table other than beautiful tables and colorful charts that are irrelevant to public. It is more a question that I pose to the readers than a statement; do we need an intellectual jihad in the socio-politico-economic field? I am for the dismantlement of an outdated economic system, which is doing humanity more harm than good.
What solution do you propose to this problem?
We need an alternative to the dominant economic cannibalistic system. Let’s swim against the torrent current. It’s time for a dialogue on how we value every stakeholder’s means of engagement, participation, or involvement in an enterprise taking into account the 21st century paradigm shift. In doing so, we also ought to reconsideration the way we share surplus.
Do you think Ethosism will become a worldwide movement?
Of course!!!
You don’t listen to compact disks and play tunes only on vinyl… That’s kind of extreme, not to mention that both ways of enjoying music are quite outdated… Please comment.
Buying a record is an experience. In a tucked-away corner of any town in the developed world, there are small independent record stores that have refused to die. It’s the type of experience where you spend hours upon hours aimlessly looking for music. You speak to other humans, and get to know their recommendations and opinions, and ultimately share and trade sympathies.
I am quite discerning with what I listen to. I like sounds that have artistic integrity. Artists who go to great lengths to put their work on vinyl actually play their own instruments. And nothing has been lost when pressing a record. It sounds as good as the producer or artist intended it. Just like a writer who pens a novel…
But you are still hooked to the modern world of technology. You have a website and, like everybody else, Facebook and Twitter accounts. How do they fit into your grand scheme of things?
Let me be clear, I am not anti-media. I recently started to give away chapters of my previous oeuvres on my personal author website. But I do occasionally put away my gadgets and rally against the information obesity that is crippling all of us.
Social media is the 21st century point of intrusion in people’s mind and thoughts. It is a way to connect on a different level with readers and critics all over the globe.
What are you working on right now?
Well… between traveling to the shittiest socio-politico-economic locales on the planet, gearing up for the release of Ethosism this November, and campaigning for Donald Trump, I am writing another book, Insomnia that should be coming out in 2019…
