Why It Matters (#EndSARS)

I haven't written an article in so very long, that it was almost difficult making this one. This has taken me several days already, trying to keep up the fire in me to write this all out. I usually have a lot of thoughts. But these days I haven't had a lot of time or zeal to develop them.

Too many of us have seen the #EndSARS movement sweeping the nation. A movement, that I hope does not end anytime soon, because it is far too important to us as a generation. In just a week; we have shown what our voices and spirits can do when we put our minds to it. Funds have been mobilized to feed, help and protect protesters - with as little as 10-25 million naira being spent so far. And so far, we have seen far more to show for it than the supposed 600 billion naira approved for "COVID-19 palliatives". 

The child is the father of the Man

[7 min read]

‘Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with thee, and thou may live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.’ This quote is taken from the book of Ephesians 6, where Paul admonishes the Ephesian church on the essence of family.

Hold up, this is not necessarily a religious article, I just had to bring in this part of the Bible that a lot of us like to quote in relation to parents and children. So, stay with me. 

LABELS

[5 min read]

Often times, when I look at the bios of people on social media, I see different adjectives that describe who they are, like: feminist, tech, proud Muslim(ah), Christian, proud black woman just to mention a few. It amazes me how those few words and phrases give me a general idea of who the person I am about to welcome into my space is.

Most times, these words fit into their online persona and other times it doesn’t. It is also of worth to note that many times, even in our daily lives, we have labels that we go by, either in our appearances, profession, affirmations or vibes. It reminds me of my article on stereotypes and I always keep myself in check about stereotyping a person. But now I think, what is it with labels? Why are we as a generation so proud to label ourselves and place ourselves within a box? Honestly, I have struggled with the idea that I am one thing, that everything I am can be summarized in a word or statement.

When I am described with a word or phrase, I actually take offence to it; because I believe that I am part of something way bigger, and those words and adjectives limit me and put me in a box. I feel like I am more than my gender, sexuality, faith or hobbies taken individually to identify me. So when I am asked to describe myself, it is as though you are giving me a blank page to sell myself to you. I am not just a medical student, I am not just a believer, I am not just a girl or a writer or a sexual and reproductive health advocate, I am more. I am a lot of things yet to be discovered. I am no longer what I was yesterday because I have grown, and no matter what I aspire to be tomorrow, I could be someone else. I could be the first person to do something, I could be the first person to find a cure to the current pandemic. I am part of something way bigger, bigger than words can describe, bigger than even I can fully describe. I am the living word. I grow every day and as I do, I leave some labels behind.

However, labels aren’t necessarily a problem. Your labels allow people to be able to identify you, categorize you, and invest with and in you. Everyone has their choices and desires and even at the store, we check the labels of the goods we want to buy before we do. Difference is that those goods do not grow, they can only get bad, of which you might be able to tell on the label (expiry date, NAFDAC number…)

So, while labels help identify us, they might not fit into who we really are or they may portray us negatively (I mean, who likes negative labels). Labels have the ability to not tell the full story or the right story. They leave very little room to expand borders. I have seen very good people lose opportunities and positions because of labels that are beyond their control. Labels of gender, tribe and sexuality that have limited the other party from seeing beyond their beliefs into the skills and other interesting attributes the individuals have to offer. But as life is, labels are important and they are not going away any time soon, we might as well deal with it. My advice is just to give people a chance. They are more interesting and most likely have more to offer you than the labels you have put on them. You could lose out on meeting the love of your life or your business partner, when that happens the labelled individual loses almost as much as you do. 

Always remember to do unto others how you want them to do on to you.

Conclusively, stealing the words of Jamike, when you reduce a person to a label, you see them in one dimension; but nobody is one-dimensional.

This article looks familiar right? Yes, that is because I have written one on stereotypes. If you haven’t read it, then you have missed out. It is evergreen.

-------------------------

Did you like this article? You'll definitely like others like...

1. Stereotype Much?

2. Imagine That

3. Power!

Stay in, Eat out

(3 mins read)

Hi guysssssssss, so I am finally back to dish out spicy content as usual. But firstly, I hope y’all are fine and staying safe out there. Remember, there are a million and one tasty recipes waiting to be discovered by us but we can only embark on that journey if you are safe and healthy.

At The Pleasure of The President

[5 min read]

On the 17^th of April 2020, rumours of the death of Former Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari OON, touched down on various social media platforms in Nigeria. A couple more hours the next day, the President’s spokesmen confirmed the story- the President’s right hand man, long-time political ally and close friend had become the latest victim of the ravaging Coronavirus.

The Argument

[3min Read]

Now hold up for a second.

I know what you're thinking. Okay, maybe not - since I'm not a mind-reader. But I do assume that once you saw the title of this article, what came to mind was violent, rash verbal exchanges revolving around ego and immediate abandonment of home training.

But no, I meant non-violent arguments. Debates. Where an exchange and interaction of ideas and viewpoints take place.

It doesn't have to be a "I'm right, and you're wrong" scenario, or a competition for who can hurl the most colorful insult. Because I've noticed that's what happens in a lot of arguments. One person gets vexed by the opinion of the other - or his/her personal inability to reply with a logical intelligent comeback, and thus tosses the nastiest verbal attack that comes to mind. All of a sudden; a peaceful but tense argument becomes a fight between two pigs rolling around in the cafeteria, or in the comment section of some social media platform.

The Wisdom of The Grey

[4 min Read]

I was in a conference December last year, when I heard this line from one of the speakers - "The Wisdom of 'The Grey' must be passed on to the young". It was said grandly, to reverberating cheers booming across the halls from the older attendees. Old people do quite love being told that they are "right" and they "know what they're doing". However, it is a line I wholeheartedly agree with. But it is also a line that I find to be exceptionally dangerous, if misused or misunderstood.

From a personal experience, you see, I am very careful when I give out advice to people - especially generalized advice, because of how incorrectly it can be taken out of context, or misunderstood or even abused.

Take for example the statement, "It is good to spice your food, to make it tasty". This is true for the most part. But not so much if the 'food' in question is tea, or ice cream. And then again, different spices are used for different foods - which makes the application of that advice more complicated unless you know what you're doing.

The Boychild

[3min Read]

"The Girlchild"
From when I was a young child, this term surrounded my social consciousness as the most important matter of our time.

There was fighting against their rapes, against their lack of recognition, against their lack of opportunity, against constant abuse and neglect. Everyday I would hear and see motivational quotes and messages, aimed at them. Telling them to be strong. To be brave. That they were treasures.

And then one day I wondered. Why was no-one talking about the boys? The men. Of whatever age and status.

Talk Talk!

[7 min read]

In this time and age where the spread of information can almost be compared to the speed of light, it is of utmost importance that the contents of our message be tested and true. Words, spoken or put up on media platforms, are like eggs; once said, they cannot be taken back. When you understand the importance of your words and how it can make or mar a person, an idea or a product, then I guess you understand how well to use them.

THE SCOUSPOCALYPSE- The Tears of a non-Liverpool Fan

 [5 min read]

25 points clear, already qualified for next year’s Champions’ League and could be title holders in less than 10 games. There, official notice, the world is about to be thrown into an apocalyptic state. Nothing, nothing, I repeat, is expected to be normal thereafter.

Like a freshly delivered Bride at the Groom's doorstep, Liverpool are about to lay their hands on this beauty.

Roses are red, Violets are blue, Liverpool are going to win the league and so we’re screwed.

IMAGINE THAT

[6 min read]

At my chapel door every Sunday, there is a basket of small cards at the door from which worshippers are to pick from; and this Sunday, I picked a card that read – ‘If you can’t win even in your own imagination, then you are a very special loser. Your imagination is your wining ground. No man born of a woman should be able to defeat you there. Be positive…have a victorious mindset! Proverbs 23:7 For has he thinks in his heart, so is he’.

A VERY DEMOCRATIC OWN GOAL

[5 min read]

Could the Democratic party have appeared more effortlessly clueless like they just did in the past week?

The Grand Pissing Contest

[5min Read]

The Old foes threatened and counter-threatened to literally blow each other to smithereens.

It was probably the most nerve-wracking week in International politics and diplomacy in recent times. A week that humbled experts in the formless subject of diplomacy.

It’s a week with far-reaching effects. Consequences no one completely has full grasp of. The details are desperately difficult to cut into shape for an article.

President Donald J. Trump’s announcement after about a week of threats and counter-threats that it seemed, “Iran was standing down” was the first attempt at collective relief. This delicate impression of a ceasefire however began hemorrhaging once it became clear the Iranian military had in fact accidentally downed a Ukrainian passenger aircraft killing all 176 souls on board. The death of all 176 was a disaster of some historical proportions. A tragic and colossal mess. It has since become the parturient for the very loud and intense protests in the powerful Middle Eastern nation.

Twerkmaster

[3min Read]

I find it funny when people get angry that a lot of youths seem so obsessed with dancing in multiple shakes and bounces. They get angry that youths aren't "working hard" or "reading hard" all the time.

But the funny thing is, they're actually the people who often promote this obsession in the first place, albeit indirectly.

Think about it like this. When you go to a childrens' party, or any adult event where children happen to attend as well, have you never realized that the only thing they often ask children to do are dance competitions? We actively promote a culture where dancing is given so much extreme emphasis, and rewarded more than almost anything. Why else will they end up in constant worship of body movements?