We Don’t Owe the Monarchy Our Grief
I was born in a country that used to be a part of the Commonwealth: Nigeria. A country that just got its’ independence from Great Britain in 1960. A country that is younger than my mother. A country that was torn apart because of colonialism’s chokehold on it. A country …
About Kim, Kanye and Who Deserves Abuse
To be a woman who is worthy of being abused or harmed, you need to be pious, flawless, perfect. You need to be a saint whose never worn skimpy clothes, cussed or made a mistake. Kim Kardashian is none of those. Yet and still, she doesn’t deserve the harassment and …
An Oriki Tribute to bell hooks: In Memoriam
Gloria Jean of House Watkins. THEE bell hooks. Second of her name (Bell Blair Hooks was her great-grandmother). Stupendous Scribe. Fearless Feminist. Conscious Critic of Culture. Sage of Social Activism. Towering Thinker. Prodigious Professor. Originator of The Oppositional Gaze. Author of “Ain’t I A Woman”. “To be oppressed means to …
We Know Better (Re: COVID-19) But Still Aren’t Doing Better
There was a point in 2020, where we felt helpless to this strange new virus (COVID-19) that was taking so many lives so quickly that morgues ran out of room. One moment, people talked about feeling slightly under the weather, and the next, we were seeing their obituaries. The world …
An Oriki Tribute to Nikole Hannah-Jones, the 1619 Project Architect
Nikole of House Hannah-Jones First of her name Shaker of Systems Rejecter of Racist Regimes Denouncer of Discrimination Pulitzer Prize Professor Baroness of Bucking Boards Teller of History’s Truths Agitator of Academia Frau of Fiery Fros Tycoon of team #TakeNoShit She told UNC to take their tenure, which she earned …
An Oriki Tribute to Brittany Packnett Cunningham
Brittany of House Cunningham, first of her name. Giver of grace. Servant leader. Teller of truths. Activist for good. Fighter for justice. Orator of brilliance. Principled pontificator. 🎨 @nicoleupdegraff
About the January 6 Coup on the Capitol and Why We Should Be Very Alarmed
A coup happened yesterday. It wasn’t FULLY successful, but it was a success. Why? Because these terrorists (yes, that is what they are) now know they will be allowed to breach federal government grounds, without consequence. That was a test. How far will they be allowed to go and still …
#EndSARS: Why Nigerians are Protesting and How You Can Help
The revolution is now and I need you to join the fight against SARS. Over the last week, Nigerians have been marching in the streets and protesting online against police brutality. SARS stands for The Special Anti-Robbery Squad. They were created in 1992 to deal with crimes associated with robbery, …
Go Your Own Way (with Brandon Stanton) – Episode 49 of Rants & Randomness
This is one of my favorite conversations I’ve ever had on Rants & Randomness. I absolutely cannot wait for you to hear this one. I’m talking to the amazing Brandon Stanton. He’s the creator behind the popular photo storytelling platform Humans of New York. After being fired from his job …
Breonna Taylor’s Life Mattered and Our Rage is Righteous
On March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor was in her apartment sleeping when police banged on the door, broke the door off its hinges, shooting. Her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, shot back once at the invaders, hitting one in the thigh. Breonna was shot 5 times by the police. She never made …