Since I stopped using chemical hair relaxers slightly over a year ago, I have been more attuned to the reactions of people to black women’s hair. I am sometimes perplexed by the feelings of some people that black hair in its natural state is unkempt. I have heard the word ‘crazy’ used. (Shudders). Suggesting that if more care was taken of black hair, it would be sleek. This is my tribute to all those sisters (and brothers) taking on these preconceptions.
There are Shades to Skin Lightening
So the above advert received quite a blacklash for trying to ‘push a racist ad’ on Africa and Africans. Before you read my brief opinion, I suggest you watch it. It is only 30 seconds long. In response to the ad, there were copious amounts of wig-snatching. Nivea basically responded by saying: ‘We are giving customers what they want and mean no offence’. Fair enough
Nigeria in Our Words; Through Our Own Eyes
In verse or prose, music or dance we will tell you who we are. In our own words. We are Nigeria. Nigeria is our story. Our story to tell.
Freedom and Freedom from Oppression
“The truth is that we are not yet free; we have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed”. Nelson Mandela
Death and the King’s University
There are several people I promised that I was going to write this. Myself included. Talking about trauma is sometimes like self-medicated therapy. But Naija people don’t talk about past trauma. It stays hidden and buried. We prefer to swallow our trauma and pretend it never happened. And when the hidden trauma erupts like a volcano from within us, destroying everything in its path, we blame everything else. The Devil. Village people. Enemies. So I draw back this veil of silence.
This is How We Disappear by Titilope Sonuga
Titilope is an award winning poet, writer and performer who has graced stages across Nigeria and internationally.
ADOPTING THE FOREIGNER by Jide Badmus
(Today’s post is brought to you by my very talented old friend and fellow poet Jide. Enjoy!)
I develop headaches every time I sit in the departure lounges of Nigerian airports. You need to bring an extra ear with you if you don’t want to miss your flight. Usually, I just spot two passengers on the same flight with me and watch them every time boarding announcements are made. You cannot even place the accent the voices are trying to imitate.
Judging Statues by the Values of Their Times
There has been a lot written in the last few years about the suitability of removing statues for the crimes of the persons they depict. The statues of Cecil Rhodes. For the crimes of colonial theft and racism. The statue of Gandhi in Ghana. Because he believed black people are inferior. The statues of King Leopold II of Belgium. For the crimes of murder, torture and slavery of nearly 15 million people in Congo. Statues of so many Americans ‘heroes’ known and celebrated for their racist ideologies.
Great Athletics Doubles
Athletics is a truly international sport. At the 2017 IAAF World Championships over 200 countries had athletes participating. At any given time during the championships, participants could be sharing the stadium with athletes from a such a vast array of countries, the UN would be put to shame. Athletics has often provided the backdrop against which some of the greatest examples of the triumphs of the human spirit have played out. Among these triumphs, I believe that athletes who enter for more than one event in their individual capacity provide some of the best athletic inspirations.