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!!!!