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"There are
badass African women
out there.
They have ideas; a voice.
They are
creating platforms.
You cannot box up today’s African woman.
You just can’t."
We told you she was bold, outspoken, and controversial. In many ways, Belinda’s choice of journalism topics comes as no surprise, given her personal history and passion for Africa. Indeed, her own life is evidence of the multi-layered narrative of the black woman.
In Part 3 of this four-part post, Belinda defines the ‘New African Woman’, and shares with Yaaya the importance of using storytelling to counter social invisibility.
And so the conversation continues …
The New African Woman
Yaaya:
What is the significance of publications like the ‘New African Woman’?
Belinda O:
The New African Woman serves a great purpose. Before it came about, with the exception of Ebony and Essence magazines, for me, there was nothing that spoke to the African woman in the motherland and in the diaspora. There was nothing on the international scene that was telling that story. This is the space that the New African Woman occupies. For us, it is about inspiring rather than imposing.
We are here to advise rather than dictate. We are here to tastefully portray a diverse beauty rather than cheapen it. It’s about being able to tell the multi-layered story of the African woman. We want to show that there are badass African women out there. They are business women, entrepreneurs, politicians, fashion designers, mothers, activists and feminists. They have children. They are single. They have ideas; a voice. They are creating platforms. You cannot box up today’s African woman. You just can’t. So, I think this is the space that the New African Woman occupies. We’ve gradually been building up. We have not reached the pinnacle yet. The best is yet to come.
We are here to advise rather than dictate. We are here to tastefully portray a diverse beauty rather than cheapen it. It’s about being able to tell the multi-layered story of the African woman. We want to show that there are badass African women out there. They are business women, entrepreneurs, politicians, fashion designers, mothers, activists and feminists. They have children. They are single. They have ideas; a voice. They are creating platforms. You cannot box up today’s African woman. You just can’t. So, I think this is the space that the New African Woman occupies. We’ve gradually been building up. We have not reached the pinnacle yet. The best is yet to come.
Yaaya:
In your words, define a ‘new African woman’.
Belinda O:
That’s hard. You know why?
Yaaya:
Why?
Belinda O:
You cannot box the African woman up. There is no one definition to the African woman. We are women from different walks of life. You could say that the new African woman is the African woman who refuses to stay down; who is finally saying “enough, I’m here and I’m going to tell my story, on my own terms. I have my own voice.”
The new African woman has decided “enough of me being a second class citizen. I’m going to get an education, and work towards my goals and dreams. I’m going to build a legacy. I’m going to co-exist with men in a patriarchal society, and I’m going to succeed.”
The new African woman says “enough of the continuous oppression, suppression, and repression of women in society” and decides to become an activist. The new African woman is a change agent. The new African woman knows herself and does not feel the need to define herself through the eyes of others. And ‘others’ can include other women.
The new African woman has decided “enough of me being a second class citizen. I’m going to get an education, and work towards my goals and dreams. I’m going to build a legacy. I’m going to co-exist with men in a patriarchal society, and I’m going to succeed.”
The new African woman says “enough of the continuous oppression, suppression, and repression of women in society” and decides to become an activist. The new African woman is a change agent. The new African woman knows herself and does not feel the need to define herself through the eyes of others. And ‘others’ can include other women.
Yaaya:
(Smiles) Based on everything you have described, the three founders of Yaaya are definitely new African women –
Belinda O:
(Laughs) Exactly!
Yaaya:
We like this title!
Belinda O:
Women are different to each other. We have different personalities, nuances, and proclivities. There is no one definition of the new African woman. She is as diverse as you can find her. She could be my maternal grand-aunt who is the ‘mother’ of the village. She could be Folorunsho Alakija, who runs an oil company on the world stage and is impacting the lives of women and children. She could be [anyone] from one end of the spectrum to another. We are all new African women, navigating our journeys and learning as we go along. Now this does not negate the challenges faced by African women. There are still issues with education and equal pay, among other things, that we need to address through the stories we tell.
Celebrating Achievement. Inspiring Ambition.
Yaaya:
You have interviewed some of the world’s most iconic, high-profile black women [Chimamanda Adichie, Folorunsho Alakija]. How important is it to share the stories of these women?
Belinda O:
(Pauses)
Imagine you come from a background where you are not allowed to have a voice. Then you read the story of Folorunsho Alakija, who is a businesswoman, but is also empowering widows and children. You think to yourself “if this woman has worked hard and found an opportunity to do what she is doing, there is something I can do with myself.”
Yaaya:
There is a strong element of using these stories as a tool to inspire ambition in young women ...
Belinda O:
It is first of all to acknowledge the existence of these women. But above all, it is to inspire the next generation of black women. We are inspired to go after our dreams, because these women, in spite of the old boys’ network, have broken the glass ceiling. We need to tell the stories of such women. It’s about creating that aspirational narrative that is realistic. If she [iconic woman] wasn’t doing it, you could say it is not possible. But she is doing it. She is living it.
It’s about asking her what challenges she encountered, who her mentors are, who has shaped her, what inspires her. It’s about asking these questions, and hoping that the answers will hit a nerve with somebody who reads it. It’s not just about the fashion and lipstick. No. It’s about substance. That is why we need to share these stories.
It’s about asking her what challenges she encountered, who her mentors are, who has shaped her, what inspires her. It’s about asking these questions, and hoping that the answers will hit a nerve with somebody who reads it. It’s not just about the fashion and lipstick. No. It’s about substance. That is why we need to share these stories.
Share Your Story: Become Visible.
Yaaya:
Social Invisibility is at the core of Yaaya’s existence. We believe this is an issue for black women in Europe especially, and for black women globally, to varying degrees. Have you heard of the term ‘social invisibility’?
Belinda O:
Well, yes. And I have to be honest, when people say ‘social invisibility’, the first thing I’m thinking is “it is 2013, and I don’t deny [that] as a black woman, there are challenges with being visible on the social platform and stage today.” But I cannot help but ask “why not create your own visibility?”
Yaaya:
You’ve shared your perspective on it. But what does it [Social Invisibility] mean to you?
Belinda O:
It means one thing: your presence is not known. That is the way I interpret social invisibility.
Yaaya:
Have you ever felt that you were socially invisible?
Belinda O:
No. Like I said earlier, I have my moments. I can be loud. (Laughs) So if you don’t give me a platform, I will create it. And that was one of the foremost reasons why I started my blog. To give myself a presence on social media and be socially visible. For so long, the stories of black women were not told in the UK. When social media came along, I thought to myself “if nobody will tell the stories I like to read, I’ll start a blog and tell it”.
Yaaya:
Are we right to summarise your view on social invisibility as “do something about it. If no one will tell your story, you go right ahead and tell it”?
Belinda O:
Exactly! I believe it was Chinua Achebe that said “if you don’t like a story that someone has told, tell your own story.” So for me, I am not denying that there is no such thing as social invisibility. If I say that, it would be wrong, and would be perpetuating a negative narrative. But I think there is something we can do about that now, like never before.
You are only a click away. Start something. Like the three of you have done. You (Yaaya) are a collective, telling stories of other women. You are trying to correct the social invisibility of black women in the UK and the diaspora. If your story is not being told, find a way to tell your story.
You are only a click away. Start something. Like the three of you have done. You (Yaaya) are a collective, telling stories of other women. You are trying to correct the social invisibility of black women in the UK and the diaspora. If your story is not being told, find a way to tell your story.
Yaaya:
We strongly agree with you on this perspective of owning one’s narrative ...
Belinda O:
Stop waiting for someone else to come and tell your story for you. If someone else tells your story, they might tell it in a way that you do not like. Tell it on your own terms. I think that is one way around the issue of social invisibility.
The internet is now at your fingertips. There is nothing you cannot do. Start a blog. Start telling your story. Post it on twitter and on Facebook. Write what you want to read.
Yaaya:
Is that what motivated you to create your own blog? To share your own story, make yourself visible, and talk about the things that matter to you?
Belinda O:
Exactly. You can do that by yourself. And if other people’s stories are worth telling, then tell their story as well. Give them a platform, like you (Yaaya) are doing. And that is what journalism is about for me. It is about telling the story of other people, whom otherwise would not have their stories told.
Join us in the final part of our four-part feature on Belinda Otas, where Yaaya finds out Belinda’s plans for the future, and what it means to be a theatre junkie! Like this post? Leave your comments below to continue to support Yaaya’s vision of providing platforms to voice powerful stories of incredible women like Belinda. Invite others to join the conversation by sharing this post!
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