Inside the Writer’s Mind: Goodwell Kaipa
Goodwell Kaipa, one of the IHRAM’s treasured writers, shares her musings, inspiration, and drive as an author and activist. Thank you for all you do, Goodwell.
What moves you? What compels you to pick up a pen or open your laptop to free write?
Usually ideas just flow inside me. Sometimes just a phrase I come up with my mind turns into a poem. I love just to go with the flow. Anytime an idea comes to me, I concentrate on that idea.
What human rights concerns are you most moved by? What inspires and influences your writing, particularly when it comes to addressing human rights issues?
I want to shed more light on the vast and various inequality in the world. I am also inspired by subliminal discriminations which minority groups face in our society.
The human rights concerns addressed in the IHRAM literary magazine are often complex and challenging to navigate. How do you navigate the balance between highlighting these challenges and maintaining a sense of hope or optimism in your writing?
Every time I pick up a pen and finish a piece addressing the social issues in my culture and society, I am comforted thinking that my work has been read somewhere across the world and possibly change someone's perception. That is what gives me a sense of hope.
Please reflect on the power of art and literature to influence social change. Do you believe art has the power to influence positive change?
I firmly believe art has power. Art, whether it be music, acting and spoken word speaks into the minds of people. It is a peaceful way to communicate to other people your worldview.
What drew you to become a contributing author for the IHRAM magazine, and how do you personally connect with its mission?
What excited me is that the magazine highlights human rights issues around the world. And since my mission as a poet is to use my art as a form of activism, I was naturally drawn to it.
The values of IHRAM include beauty as a fundamental creative principle, sincerity, vulnerability, celebrating diversity, and opening doorways of engagement. How do these values resonate with your writing, and how do you incorporate them into your creative process?
In my writing, I concentrate on creating poetry which deals with social issues of vulnerable people and I always strive to create a non judgemental atmosphere as I write. These are the same ideals which IHRAM finds very fundamental.
The IHRAM magazine aims to celebrate authors contending with their identities within the context of their environments. How does your environment influence your view of the world (your home country, city, and surrounding culture)?
In my country, Malawi, just like the rest of Africa as a continent, there is a huge gap between the rich and the poor and we are also greatly affected by diseases such as AIDS. These things make me want to express how I feel and the frustrations I have. Also in Mangochi, where Monkey bay is located, the prevalence of HIV is very high and I would like to explore these in my writings.
