Clear road for the undisputed Fashionista of the Hub
Yup that’s me!
This letter is not about fashion, stick with me I’m getting somewhere. There’s a reason why celebrities in entertainment find themselves in “X stole my look” conversations. Finesse baybeeee!
The difference between the subjects of comparison usually boils down to what is generally acceptable as a beauty or likeability standard by the majority. Still, finesse has a big influence on the presentation of the subjects.
I have a rant about another diasporan book today. My dear sisters in the youkay we know you’re distantly patriotic, it’s so evident in your writing that I sometimes want to tear out pages from the book just so I can get to the good part. The overexplaining of surroundings, style, food, people, and events takes so much away from the plot that I get confused about the characters I’m reading or forget who they are. I judged this book by the cover against better judgment, saw the author after a harrowing read from one of her peers, and still girl-powered myself into reading it until I had to give up. I guess sometimes we comfort ourselves with hope when making bad decisions, hope that it will end up differently, that by some stroke of faith doing the same thing will yield a different result this time around.
I’m sick of the nonsense writing sha, you can write about your unique experience being a Nigerian in a foreign land and speak to an audience with familiar experiences I promise they will get it. If you must write about Nigerian-ness, check with people back home who are in tune with the culture or can point you in the direction of those who are. Stop comparing our skin to food or wood types, it’s a darker color and that’s fine by itself. My skin does not have to be caramel, mahogany, chestnut or milk to sound appealing to anyone, those who get it will get it.
In other news, some guy showed up to a Scandinavian country’s embassy high as a kite. No, it wasn’t the kind of high that could be masked with good humour. Bloodshot eyes, slurry speech, incoherent and had to be handheld to the embassy at 8 in the morning. Village people were not just on the clock, they were working overtime! those visa interviews are basically mind games with a touch of racism where necessary. Showing up high is brazzzzyyyy.
I don’t like it when women are more concerned with the way they’re perceived in a situation that warrants frustration or anger. “I don’t want to be labelled bitter or angry” but you are temporarily those things because you ought to be. You’re being frustrated by people who often told you how strongly they felt about you even worse, people who do not matter in the grand scheme of things… yet here you are, doubling over to beg them to see your genuine intentions. Please stand up ma’am. Pick up whatever is left of your self worth and keep your chin up, being the villain of a temporary story will not erase years of hard work done to get you here.
Can we also talk about the sufferhead porn that female writers put African women through in the name of a good plot? E don tire me please. I need female protagonists who are about that luxurious and leisurely lifestyle. Not every time unrequited love, domestic violence, harsh betrayal and grief. African girls need love too, we need the kind of love that makes us feel seen, like we matter, like the universe revolves around us and we are suns, moons and stars to people who would risk eternal suffering if it meant they couldn’t be loved by us.
We’ve strayed so far from the title but that’s what you signed up for 🤭.
2 Things…
Rewatching Skinny Girl in Transit on Youtube
Carmen by Olivia Dean
Cooking Fried Rice with Buffalo Chicken Thighs (I know I said 2 things, think of this one as a bonus)
As we enter Lovers’ Day tomorrow, I hope we have positively memorable days.
XX
GC
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