PROUDLY LIBERIAN

When you are very sensitive (I guess because you are born in September - so my Mama says) you hurt a lot! Because, when your history and identity is tied to slavery where the oppressed becomes the oppressors - the shame it generates catapults you to a position of simultaneous regrets and acceptance. You mutter on a daily basis, you criticize and you end up shunning your own (most times) because the worse happens - a bloody civil war that lasted for 14 years claiming 250,000 lives and forcing many into the state of protracted displacement, refugeehood, undocumented status. You are beaten, raped, and abused in all shape, form, size and colour. Yet, you get so mad (I mean really ANGRY) when outsiders only see the negative side of your culture, your people, your society, ecetera ecetera - you know like VBS TV Guide said "Liberians eat human flesh"?

Then, on October 7, 2011 you wake up to the most beautiful news ever ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF AND LEYMAH GBOWEE two distinct Liberian women takes away the most prestigious honour in the world. Then you begin to wonder - so good things do come out of Liberia/Africa. And as a matter of fact, some African countries, (Liberia, South Africa and Botswana - to name but a very few) have made historical strides which makes topics such as "feminism in the Western world" a mockery sometimes. Because on the one hand, these societies claim to be more progressive, civil and respectful of women's rights yet, are so far removed from the realities of most African women.

Well, there's not much to say but for the first time in my life, I feel PROUDLY LIBERIA - so emotional! CONGRAT MA ELLEN, SIS LEYMAH and my friend TAWAKKUL KARMAM!!!!

60 MILLION GIRLS - I WAS PART OF THAT NUMBER

Yes, it's only 18 years ago that I was being counted as one of several million refugee girls around the world who had no access to education. Then one day my luck shine only because my Mama - as poor as she was -  forbid me to follow boys (OH YES SHE DID) and put my "head in my books". See Mama is the toughest disciplinarian I have ever known in my life. My siblings and I often reflect on her "no-nonsense" disciplinarian style - most times we crack up with endless laughter. BUT back then it was no joke - I'm not kidding you. Many days, like any normal teenager, I bickered with her wondering why she was so tough on me. One day, I had the audacity to say to Mama that she's not my real mother because if she were, she won't treat me with such ironed fisk. Mama just laughed and said - "go find your real mother." Of course, she is my biological mother - it's taken me some three decades plus to really appreciate her fully! I bless every day in my life to have her - all that I am and have become, I owe it 100 per cent to Mama.

I am very much aware that I'm veering off but you see, you must realize that my story is never mine but rather seamlessly interwoven with that of my Mama's. So, if you are in Montreal, Quebec area come listen to my mother's story lived through me. Visit 60 Million Girls for more details.