Oh, How Time Flies ...

"We are hugely indebted to all those who have given us their support, contributed to Yaaya, provided feedback, read our blogs, and engaged with us in any way.
You are Yaaya ..."

In our introductory post, we told you about the beginnings of Yaaya - an initiative founded out of a social necessity for black girls and women in 21st century Europe to share their own personal stories. Our mission is for such stories to inspire thought-provoking discussions that will give social visibility to black women and black women's experiences.

In continuation of our first post, we wanted to celebrate the journey made thus far, celebrate our excitement for the journey ahead, and thank our supporters for continuing to be active in our conversations.

And so the conversation continues …

Happy Birthday Yaaya

 

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Anon:

It has been almost just over a year since your official launch in May last year. How would you describe your success story to date?

Yaaya:

(Pause) We still find it unbelievably humbling to see how far an idea to address the social invisibility of black girls and women in Europe has opened many doors and windows of opportunities. Possibly in the beginning, we underestimated how pivotal Yaaya could be within our communities.

As of today, we celebrate the fact that we have published over eighty posts, and completed two industry cycles highlighting black women working in academia and creative industries. We are currently on our third industry cycle, highlighting black women who work in the media, which includes an exciting interview with Belinda Otas, the Assistant Editor of the New African Woman Magazine. Our work in this short space of time has attracted over 23,000 page views on the blog alone.

In addition to this, we have provided insightful coverage on events such as Africa At Spitalfields, Africa Fashion Week London, and two of the Royal African Society’s events, Africa Writes and the Film Africa Festival. Our work hasn’t stopped there. We have produced commentary and sought to start discussion around black feminism, immigration, and racism within politics.

We feel we have come a long in way in such a short space of time, but our feet are firmly placed on the ground because we know there is still a lot of work to do. It's exciting times. (Laughs)

What Are You Talking About?

 

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Anon:

One of the aspects I appreciate about your blog is the diversity of your content to address your three principles regarding social visibility, fair representation and role models for black girls and women. Why do you have these different 'conversation threads'?

Yaaya:

So we have five on-going 'conversation threads'. The first was 'In Her Words’ , which is a series of industry-spotlight interviews with black women on different professional and personal journeys across a wide range of professions. Here we showcase the different representations of black women, highlight their aspirations, and seek to motivate the readers of their story. We have interviewed women working in academia, fashion and textiles, home interiors, art and design, and media.

Anon:

Excuse my bluntness – what is the point of this series?

Yaaya:

We felt we needed a platform that would give sound to the voice that is usually unheard in the media: through the myriad of possible questions that can be asked, we want to understand our interviewee, a black woman, in her words and hopefully inspire others of all races, sexes and backgrounds to join her conversation and start their conversation to share their stories in their own words.

Then we have our 'Yaaya Asks' thread.

Anon:

Yes, the responses to these questions have been insightful!

Yaaya:

We're glad you feel that way. Every month we publish a question related to a particular theme that aligns with our principles. These questions aim to foster dialogue by being open-ended and are intended to speak to our readers’ personal experiences or observations.

Anon:

Why do you feel this particular interaction with your readership is important?

Yaaya:

It is important, because our objective is get everyone to feel comfortable talking about identity, ‘race’, gender and other socio-political issues concerning black women in an open forum. What better way to get people talking than to ask a question? (Smiles)

Anon:

Especially in conservative Europe!

Yaaya:

You hit the nail on the head. We feel that in Europe, these such conversations are held in private, probably for fear of causing offence, or such issues are brushed under the carpet, probably for fear of causing social conflicts. We usually post these questions once a month and collect responses via Twitter and our Facebook wall.

Anon:

I noticed that you started adding a Yaaya commentary, in addition to publishing your readers’ responses. Why is this?

Yaaya:

Yes, so a representative collection of the readers’ responses to the question of the month are published in the 'Yaaya Asked' series. We include our own commentary to provide context, a summary, and a more detailed focus on the question.

Anon:

I understand. And then, there is the 'Reflections From Europe' conversation thread?

Yaaya:

Yes - this is a collection of articles, typically with a socio-political focus, to provide a European perspective on world issues and events. Check out our post in remembrance of Dr Martin Luther King. Even when we re-read this, it was definitely food for thought on how that dream of social equality is not just something you read in American history. We still have that dream in present day Europe.

We also have a series called 'She Is Yaaya' -

Anon:

I love this series. Very inspiring!

Yaaya:

Can we ask what you have found inspiring about it?

Anon:

Oh, I see you have assumed the interviewer role so soon!

Yaaya:

(Laughs).

Anon:

In my opinion, I feel this series is much needed as one solution to address the need for greater social visibility of black women. For example, I see the ‘She is Yaaya’ series as a strong and passionate intent to showcase more positive images and role models to inspire black women and girls. And you know what is even more important?

Yaaya:

What?

Anon:

To see women celebrating women. (Smiles) That sense of sisterhood is important, not to be exclusive or anything, but to disprove the notion that women can't be supportive of each other because of that sense there is only one 'female position' at the top.

What do you hope your readers will get out of this series?

Yaaya:

By celebrating the achievement of black women in Europe, we hope that our readers will be able to recall successful black women in Europe that they have been inspired by. Our objective isn’t to necessarily ‘produce’ role models, but to instead show that we already have them in our communities.

Anon:

You know, I officially raise my hand up and admit that I couldn't answer your first 'Yaaya Asks' question - to name top five black women in Europe.

Yaaya:

Can you name five now? No pressure (laughs).

Anon:

Honestly, I could probably only give you three immediately off the top of my head: Cecile Kyenge, Diane Abbott, Mariam Osman Sherifay.

Yaaya:

That is still a great answer – considering they are all politicians, and we don't think many people could have named three top black female politicians in Europe.

Ah ... so there is still more work to be done! (Smiles).

Who Do We Think You (Yaaya) Are?

 

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Anon:

Do you feel that all your readers now understand who Yaaya is and who Yaaya is for?

Yaaya:

Yes. And No.

We think our readers understand that Yaaya provides a platform for black girls and women to be heard. But perhaps something that is sometimes getting lost in translation is the idea that Yaaya is a platform for black women to be visible, not just a platform for black women full-stop. It's not an exclusive, membership only club where the entry requirements demand that you be (a) black and (b) female. That is not the case.

We believe that the goal to see black women visible within their communities, work-places, schools, and boardrooms is an ideal that should be supported by everyone, not just fellow black women. We think there is a universal benefit to seeing social equality around us, and so seeing black women visible, especially for the younger generation, is crucial. So everyone, regardless of race or gender plays a key role in this cause. We need to move on from this thought that race and gender is a conversation that only certain people are privy to discuss.

Preparing For Take-off: Planning For Success

 

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Anon:

What are your goals for Yaaya in your second year?

Yaaya:

As a platform, we seek to better engage people with the stories and commentary we produce, as well as those told by others. Our aim for this is to really begin to facilitate productive conversations amongst large groups of people online.

We are also experimenting with different forms of media such as film and sound, that diversify our delivery of stories and commentary to our audience.

Another aspiration is to also boost our human capital, by developing our own understanding of the issues Yaaya is concerned with, and make valuable connections with those who share the same aims as us. Arguably at the top of our list, we strongly desire to build a brand. This will take time; however 2014 is the year we aim to get the ball rolling!

Anon:

Those are some very well thought-out aims!

Yaaya:

Yes they are. We have taken time to reflect on our first twelve months, and feel that in order for Yaaya to really ‘take off’; there are key short and long term objectives we must aim to meet.

To Our Supporters: You Are Yaaya

 

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Anon:

How important have your supporters been for you?

Yaaya:

We are hugely indebted to all those who have given us their support, contributed to Yaaya, provided feedback, read our blogs, and engaged with us in any way. You are Yaaya, and we thank you all very much! We hope you stay engaged and stimulated by our work, give us feedback, and remain with us on our ambitious journey.

Like this post? Leave your comments below to let us know your thoughts. Invite others to join the conversation by sharing this post!

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Event: Justice Rising | Wednesday 26th March 2014

Justice Rising:
Moving intersectionality in the age of post-everything

Featuring renowned academic expert and social activist for racial equality, Kimberlé W. Crenshaw, Professor of Law at UCLA and Columbia.

Crenshaw has lectured nationally and internationally on race matters, addressing audiences throughout Europe, Africa, and South America. She has facilitated workshops for civil rights activists in Brazil and in India, and for constitutional court judges in South Africa.

Her work has appeared in the Harvard Law Review, the National Black Law Journal, and the Stanford Law Review, among others.


More information on the LSE website.

When:

Wednesday 26th March 2014

Time:

6:30 - 8pm

Admission Cost:

FREE

Where:

Old Theatre
Old Building
London School of Economics and Political Science

Click here for more upcoming events!

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Event: How is London being transformed by migration? | Monday 24th March 2014

LSE
Public Lecture

The London School of Economics hosts this thematic conference, drawing together insights from a 2-year London project which explores migration and the transformation of London.

Chaired by Barbara Roche from Migration Matters, the lecture features experts from leading academic institutions addressing recent changes in London migration from a variety of perspectives.


More information on the LSE website.

When:

Monday 24th March 2014

Time:

1:30 - 6pm

Admission Cost:

FREE

Where:

Hong Kong Theatre
Clement House
London School of Economics and Political Science

Click here for more upcoming events!

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Feminism vs Racism

“ Here at Yaaya, we think that this sudden interest in Feminism is brilliant!... However what intrigues and worries us is why there is not an equally heightened interest in speaking about the ‘other’ equally important social problem - racism?

Of late, we’ve realized that Feminism has become an increasingly popular subject in Britain and around the world. In fact, we can’t recall a time of when Feminism has received so much attention.

It’s almost impossible to not come across an article, blog post, tweet or comment about Feminism and gender equality nowadays. Feminism is now debated on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. National newspapers such as the Guardian have resident Feminist commentators, and international campaigns about the girl-child in the developing world now seem to have unprecedented attention. Gender inequality has claimed its place firmly on domestic and international political agendas, and celebrities now perform at large concerts to raise awareness of gender inequality, domestic violence and rape.

On an ideological level, the historical origins of feminism and its future trajectory are openly debated by the young, old and politically indifferent. Black feminists in recent times have actively challenged racism within Feminism on social media platforms, and the inability of some white feminists to see and accept their prejudices and privileges. In addition, there has been more discussion about men’s roles within the Feminist movement, and how gender equality and challenges to patriarchy also benefits men.

Practical solutions to address the different experiences of women have also come to fore, especially within the corporate world. “Mentoring”, “coaching”, “sponsoring” and “leaning in”, are some of the terms that get bandied about in corporate activism, as companies strive to increase the number of women in senior and executive level positions. The Guardian recently set up the Women in Leadership Network that aims to produce debate about women in leadership positions, and corporate women’s only networks and online mentoring platforms such as Visible Women engage in several initiatives designed to boost female leadership; from connecting women with mentors to help them achieve their goals, to running development seminars and workshop.

We must say what topped it all off for us, is when Beyoncé sampled Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s popular speech , “Why we all should be feminists” on her ‘Flawless’ track in her new self-titled album. Granted Beyoncé is noted for her ‘female empowering’ tracks, however sampling this speech was particularly significant, as it brought issues of gender inequality to an audience who may not have deeply pondered on some of the questions and experiences of women and girls that Chimamanda asked and described. For a few seconds, celebrity feminism i.e “paying my own bills”, sexual confidence, having multiple sexual partners, and looking beautiful wilted against a proper representation of the issues that ‘real’ Feminism is concerned with.

Here at Yaaya, we think that this sudden interest in Feminism is brilliant! As a platform that is interested in creating conversation and debate, we fully welcome dialogue about social ills such as gender based inequity around the world. However what intrigues and worries us is why there is not an equally heightened interest in speaking about the ‘other’ equally important social problem - racism? Or rather, why does Feminism and gender equality feel like ‘safer’ topics to discuss, than race.

We’ve noticed that in many European countries (Britain included); an honest and open debate about racism does not exist. There is neither the forum, nor the willingness to openly speak about it as a nation, because it is admittedly an uncomfortable topic for many people to speak about. There seems to be an air of dismissiveness when racism is spoken about, as though it is somehow an irrelevant, “solved” and anachronistic topic, that people of colour are overly sensitive about. Such attitudes may be the result of Europe’s unwillingness to confront and remember ugly parts of their history such as slavery, colonialism, racial violence and institutional racism.

If this is the case, then we point to America, a nation that also has a history of slavery, like Europe, albeit on home soil. Racism, race relations and race is openly debated in America on different platforms. It’s discussed openly on news channels, and in the world of academia, there are journals solely dedicated to the study of race relations and racism. In addition, there are several well known initiatives that have been developed to address the social and economic disparities experienced by particular ethnic groups. One of the most recent is Obama’s ‘My Brother’s Keeper’Initiative which has been launched in an attempt to address the challenges facing young boys and men of colour.

Explanations as to why there seems to be more dialogue about race or racism, or at least an appetite for it in America is arguably rooted in several factors. For starters, America experienced a civil rights movement which forced a national discussion of the ‘race problem’, and pressurized successive governments to enact civil rights legislation and equal opportunity employment measures (affirmative action). Such measures ensured that African Americans had the same legal and constitutional rights as other Americans, and that there were measures in place to address the disadvantages suffered by black Americans who were (and still are) rooted in centuries of discrimination. Secondly, with such steep racial inequalities that continue to plague America, success stories of African Americans who have achieved great success seem to be emphasised more, as they are contextualised within their experiences of growing up black in America, which is statistically one of the most disadvantageous groups in America.

In Europe however, particularly countries with significant ethnic minority populations like France and the U.K, there seems to be a denial culture about racism, which is particularly seen through questions like: “how can you be sure it’s racism?”, “You have taken it the wrong way”, “why does everything have to be about race?” Such questions can often make people who are interested in the study of racism and race relations, or those that have experienced racism (covert and overt) feel as if they have been characterised as race-agitators, paranoid, extremists, anti-establishment, irrational and walking around with a chip on their shoulder. Some people as a result altogether avoid conversations about race and racism, due to fear of being shut down.

Such dismissive questions are confusing, as anecdotes from women about the experience of gender inequalities in the workplace through examples such as “I’m often passed over for important projects” or “I feel as though I’m not listened to as much as men”, makes us wonder ‘how do they know that such situations is a result of their gender?’ and forces us to question why such experiences of sexism is not met with the same level of contempt or defence as they often are when racism is concerned?

A controversial example of playing down racism was when a black female cafe owner Martha-Renee Kolleh put up a sign on her shop window reading: “I am a black woman. If you are allergic to black people, don't come in”. This sign was influenced by her frustration about the covert racism she has experienced by potential customers in the white majority town of Ossett (west Yorkshire) who walk in and right back out of her cafe when they see her. She tested her theory by employing a white woman in her cafe, which consequently resulted in locals patronizing her establishment. The reaction by commentators on several news sites to Martha-Renee Kolleh’s experiences in Ossett was to label Ms Kolleh as ‘over sensitive’, and that her belief that racism was the main factor in the lack of customers she received was ‘incorrect’. Other factors were instead offered which consequently downplayed her experiences of the racism she believed she suffered from. This incident, in addition to countless other similar ones, forced us to question: ‘why is it so hard for some people to accept that racism exists?’

Another response we’ve noticed about the discussion of racism is something we like to describe as ‘oppression Olympic diatribes.’ Comparisons between slavery and the Holocaust, and comments of how ‘Jews don’t play the race card’, or ‘aren’t overly sensitive about race like black people’ are common. Other dismissive arguments also include the absurd rhetoric about ‘forgetting’, ‘moving forward’, and protest that ‘class inequalities are a more important issue to discuss than racism’. So why do such sentiments exist?

One answer to this question of ‘blindness to racism’ is white privilege; or rather the normality of whiteness in society, which makes it difficult for Europeans to comprehend racial micro aggressions or structural racism, as it is not part of their day to day experiences. In this sense, it’s understandable that some white people are unable to relate to, or emphasise with experiences of being able to pick up on seemingly covert racial biases or being a victim of structural racism. Understandable, yes. Acceptable, no.

In conclusion, this article is not trying to infer that racism is a greater social - ill than feminism. On the contrary, it’s pointing out that though some societal problems are easier to discuss than others, and that they shouldn’t be met with contempt and insensitivity, but given the same level of time and attention.

Your thoughts?

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Race and Gender: Categories That Exclude?

“ If we cannot engage with all sections of society but only with black women, black people, and women, there is simply no point to Yaaya’s existence.”

Our decision to create Yaaya was motivated by our concern about the experience of social invisibility amongst black girls and women in Europe, which is rooted in the intersectionality of racism and sexism. Yaaya aims to provide a platform to celebrate the successes and ambitions of black girls and women across a spectrum of different industries, and to also celebrate their journeys and experiences of being female and black in their respective European nations.

Indeed, platforms and debates concerned with black women’s experiences in the workplace, media and educational institutions are numerous. The internet has undoubtedly been the most revolutionary medium for creating conversations about black womanhood, which has produced intense debates online and offline. For example, during the summer of 2013, Twitter was by far the most effective social media platform used as a “campaign” tool by black feminists to voice their discontent with the failure of Feminism, as seen through hashtags such as #SolidarityIsForWhiteWomen.

The #SolidarityIsForWhiteWomen hashtag clearly highlighted how, for black feminists (and their sympathisers), Feminism is a movement that is white and middle class at its core, which has failed to adequately acknowledge the role racism plays in the experience of patriarchy in black women’s lives. So popular was this debate, it was subsequently taken offline, as it gained the attention of national media in America and the UK. For example, in the UK, BBC Woman's Hour discussed it during their hourly radio programme, and Channel 4 News invited guests such as Bonnie Greer to speak on the subject.

Other hashtags like #SmartBlackofWomenTwitter was again created by black feminists in response to a list of the 25 of the smartest women on Twitter produced by Fast Company, which failed to include any woman of colour. This hashtag forced people to discuss and acknowledge the social invisibility experienced by black women in mainstream media and society at large, and cleverly encouraged black women to come up with their own lists of smart black women. It wasn't long before Fast Company realised their oversight and published a list called 18 smart women of colour.

For us at Yaaya, such debates are crucial in Europe in particular, because unlike in North America, Europe cannot boast a list of high profile black women past and present that are recognized and celebrated for their achievements. This was reinforced by a poll we conducted in April 2013, where we asked “who are your top 5 celebrated black women in Europe?” Our respondents could easily name five black women in America and Africa, but struggled to name their equivalents in Europe. This reinforced for us the little progress Europe has made, particularly in those countries with significant black populations, in regards to the representation of ethnic minorities in high profile positions.

Yaaya's existence therefore seems credible and valid right? If you answered yes, then we are incredibly pleased that you recognise the importance of our presence. However, this is not the case for everyone. Since launching in May 2013 we have had to answer the very valid question: “Why is this platform only for black girls and women?”

After explaining our interest in the intersectionality of racism and sexism in black women’s lives, and the absence of celebrated black women in Europe, we soon realized that such questions were fueled by reactions towards categories. Terms such as “black” and “women” are highly political, as well separatist, as they label groups of people based on uncontrollable characteristics. It is therefore completely understandable for people to feel excluded from platforms such as Yaaya, and in turn our content, if they feel they do not identify with one or all of the social groups we write about.

We therefore now realize that a large part of our work will be to also challenge the natural tendency as humans to identify with categories and labels that we have been programmed to subscribe to. This is because in order to challenge racism and sexism, it requires the inclusion of all concerned citizens. If we cannot engage with all sections of society but only black women, black people, and women, there is simply no point to Yaaya’s existence. To create an awareness and ultimately realise tangible changes, inclusive discussion is paramount especially with decision-makers and key stake-holders.

Our seminal post reflects the importance we place on inclusive conversations as we want “talk to motivate action,” and action to motivate more talk.” We invite all those concerned with our mission statement “to sit around the table,” and contribute their views whether they support ours or differ.

Yaaya in short isn’t just a platform for black women, black people or just women, it is for everyone who is concerned with:

1. The intersectionality of race and gender.
2. Racism in Europe.
3. The diverse experiences of black people in Europe.
4. Discovering inspiring stories of successful and ambitious black girls and women.

So, how about it? We want to hear from you. Share your stories, experiences and perspectives with us.

Email us at: yaaya.info@gmail.com

Join the conversation!

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From Africa To Europe: A Black Woman’s Experience

"When you walk into a room,
the fact that you are different,
should be celebrated."

What do successful women do when they are not working? For Belinda Otas, it can be summed up in one word: Theatre.

In the final part of this four-part post, Yaaya and Belinda discuss her passion for the literary arts, and her plans for the future.

And so the conversation continues …

On Being A Black Woman In Europe

 

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Yaaya:

You have lived in an African country [Nigeria]. And now you live in a European country [UK]. What does it mean to be a black woman in European society?

Belinda O:

First of all, I am not keen on that whole black woman thing, to be honest with you. Until I came to live in London, I didn’t know I was black.

Yaaya:

Yes, understandably. It is a social construct –

Belinda O:

In that regard, I am very against the grain when it comes to that social construct. Even when I’m filling a form, I always cancel out the ‘black’ and put ‘African’. (Pauses) How will I …?

Being an African woman living in Europe, it’s an interesting experience, because all of a sudden, you become aware of these… (Pauses) … these multiple personalities that you have to take on sometimes. What I’m saying is, in Europe there is a culture, there is a way you dress, a way you address people, a way you relate to people. There is a way relationships are formed and shaped.

Yaaya:

Can you shed some more light on that?

Belinda O:

In Nigeria you can dress up and go to your family’s house, and you don’t need to tell them you are coming. In Europe, you cannot just get up and go to your own sister’s house. You have to call first. My dad was recently in London and came to my house, he said he wanted to surprise me…I asked him why he didn’t call first. I shocked myself. Now, when I was in Nigeria that may never happen. It is those little things you pick up without even realising how you change or have changed. You have to learn the culture. And there are some habits that you will have to unlearn. It’s about understanding societal rules.

Yaaya:

Ah, yes. We see what you mean ...

Belinda O:

As an African woman, it was not that I came back from a backward place. Nigeria continues to develop and change. But, coming from a totally different society where the culture is different, here in Europe, you have to relearn how to relate to people in a different environment. To carry yourself with dignity, elegance and position yourself in a way that allows you to hold your head up high without apologising for being in this space, and without allowing anyone to think because they’ve seen a picture of an African country on TV [that] they can put you down.

Yaaya:

From what you have said, it is about learning how to juggle these multiple cultures –

Belinda O:

Exactly!

Yaaya:

Because you come with your own, and you meet an existing culture where you arrive at. Whilst it is important to re-learn this existing culture, to adapt and integrate, you must also raise your head high and not apologise for being different.

Belinda O:

Not at all! At all times be yourself. It is hard trying to be someone else. Phew! Yes, you learn the tricks and the trade, but you shouldn’t have to apologise for where you come from and for who you are. You should never have to. When you walk into a room, the fact that you are the only person who is different, should be celebrated. And if other people cannot celebrate it, tough luck. You celebrate yourself. But it is about being able to adapt. It is about being able to straddle both cultures with balance.

All The World Is A Stage

 

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Yaaya:

On to your other love, ‘theatre’. You call yourself a theatre junkie who would gladly sleep at the theatre every night –

Belinda O:

(Laughs)

Yaaya:

Tell us why you are so passionate about theatre.

Belinda O:

I feel the stage allows you to tell stories with passion, with humour. And you know what? On the stage, you are free to create. And there are no limitations. Of course, finances (Laughs).

But there is something about the stage that allows you to tell a story and put words in the mouths of the characters. Things that perhaps you cannot say in real life, you can say on the stage. The stage gives you room to dig deep emotionally into those things that you’ve encountered but you have never really been able to express it the way you want to. The stage is a volcano of emotions waiting to erupt.

I remember seeing township stories from South Africa at Theatre Royal Stratford and I was blown away. It was so gritty. The gritty realism of living in a township was so in your face, I couldn’t speak when I was done. They went in. They went there.

Yaaya:

(Laughs)

Belinda O:

That is one aspect of theatre I love; when it’s gritty and in your face like that. Then we have theatre masters like Athol Fugard who gave the world ‘Sizwe Banzi is dead’, and gave insight into the heinous and hideous psychological damage that apartheid was doing to black South Africa. And you cannot help but say “this must stop!” when you see it plainly [as in] ‘Sizwe Banzi is dead’. Thank God that apartheid is over, although there is a new form of oppression, which is economic. Theatre allows you to ask questions that ordinarily, if you were to start that conversation, people would want to kill you. You are putting it [the question] out there, and you are saying “discuss”.

Theatre allows you to express yourself, to travel, to dream. And for me, it allows me to be me. It allows me to tell the stories that ordinarily, I couldn’t tell on my own. For example, my first play is a story about a married couple. Because of my personal experience, I intentionally gave the wife a medical condition so I could address the themes of stigma, shame and fear of people knowing you have a medical condition – be it HIV/Aids or have been living with a particular challenge for years and the culture that creates that stigma.

And So The Conversation Ends … For Now :)

 

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Yaaya:

What does the future hold for you? Where is Belinda going?

Belinda O:

Right now, I just want to finish my deadlines. (Laughs) I’ve got a lot to get through for the publications I write for. But I look forward to the future, not with trepidation, but being assured of hope, that every day that comes, I will have enough strength to go through and be myself. I truly believe that.

There are two scripture verses I hold on to, on days when I have no more tears to cry. Deuteronomy 33:25 “… and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” And Isaiah 30:15 “In quietness and in confidence shall be thy strength.”

I look forward to my journalism and doing greater things with my stories. I would love to start an online publication. My blog and website has been training towards that. I believe in seasons. So I’m waiting for that season to come. For now I’m building myself towards that goal. But for now, to keep writing and doing my journalism, and telling great stories about Africa, African women, African men, and African businesses, among many other things.

Yaaya:

On a lighter note, we have a set of one-liner questions for you. Tell us the first thing that comes to mind.

Yaaya:

If I wasn’t a journalist, I would be ...

Belinda O:

Oh! I would definitely be a businesswoman.

Yaaya:

We can harness the power of the media to ...

Belinda O:

Tell stories that are worthy of our time.

Yaaya:

My dream for black women is ... Belinda O: To just be themselves. Be your best you. And don’t ever apologise for it.

Yaaya:

The one principle that I live by is ...

Belinda O:

Phew! (Pauses) Do unto others as you wish others to do unto you.

Yaaya:

Success for me is ...

Belinda O:

Oh, that’s a big question. (Laughs) OK, success for me is not all about money. (Pauses) Now don’t get me wrong, you need money to do the things you want to do in life. So I am not against people having money. Goodness, I want some, but money is currency, it flows in and out of our lives. But those things that remain and are steadfast and unmoveable, that is what matters. So Success for me is being relationally healthy and wealthy. Success for me is love, and having people to share it with. Success is about being a blessing to others. Not just me, myself, and I. I could go on and on about this, you know. So let’s stop (Laughs).

Yaaya:

Yaaya, to me, represents ...

Belinda O:

Sisterhood. Building the narrative of a strong sisterhood that supports women.

Yaaya:

Alright! Thank you! Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us.

This concludes our interview with Belinda Otas. Share with us your thoughts on Belinda’s inspirational journey and future ambitions! Catch-up on the earlier parts of our conversation:

Part 1: Belinda Otas, Bravery Redefined
Part 2: The Rise and Rise of the Accidental Journalist
Part 2: The New African Woman: Sincerely Unapologetic (For Being Different)

Like this article? 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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The New African Woman: Sincerely Unapologetic (For Being Different)

"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

 

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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.

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.

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.

 

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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.

Share Your Story: Become Visible.

 

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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.

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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The Rise And Rise Of The Accidental Journalist

"I want to change the narrative of the African woman … on the global stage. I am
tired of seeing sagging breasts
and flies around babies’ necks."

‘Belinda Otas’ is what happens when ambition meets assiduousness. Her resume is an enviable list of media powerhouses and renowned global personalities. Belinda is journalism, and journalism is Belinda. Full stop.

In the second part of this four-part post, we discover what drives this passionate and prolific journalist to success, and her advice for aspiring journalists to “find and define [their] voice.”

And so the conversation continues …

Stumbling In Love With Journalism

 

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Yaaya:

You’ve had an interesting career. You almost became a lawyer …

Belinda O:

(Laughs)

Yaaya:

Yet here you are, an award-winning journalist. Here at Yaaya, we hope to use success stories to inspire ambition in young black women. How did you get to where you are today?

Belinda O:

That’s an interesting story. Again, this goes back to getting sick. I’m the first of 8 children. My father wanted a doctor, but I turned out to be a disappointment because I hated Physics and Chemistry, and I was terrible at Maths. I don’t remember ever getting a C in Maths. It was always ‘F’ or ’D’ (laughs). However, I excelled in Humanities and the Arts (History, Politics, Literature). I liked the whole idea of being a lawyer; the idea of being in a black robe and a wig was the symbol of power. But getting sick meant I could no longer continue studying in Nigeria because I was flown out to the UK for medical treatment.

I wanted to study Law or Criminology. I liked the idea of catching the bad guy. But when I got to the UK, and would watch the news, and [see] people ‘get off’ on a technicality, after committing a heinous crime, I thought “that’s not right”. I became disillusioned. I really don’t like to see people (good people) suffer.

Because I was ill and at home, there was no one to talk to. I had been plucked away from all my siblings. It was just my Mom and I. Mom was dealing with the fact that her first child was at death’s door. That was when I started writing. In getting sick, I discovered writing. About 2-3 years after I had a transplant, I went back to university and got a degree in Creative Writing and Journalism, and during my degree I did a work placement. That’s how my journalism journey started. I fell into it, and fell in love with it.

Pearls For Success

 

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Yaaya:

What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in journalism?

Belinda O:

Oh my word… You have to be tenacious! You have to be resilient…and read. You can never stop reading. When you stop reading and learning, I think the jig is up at that point. Read everything you can find. Find and define your voice. Ask yourself the kind of journalism you want to do. The kind of stories you want to tell, and why. For example, I write about gender, because I understand the challenges that come with being a woman. They say every story has been told. So how are you going to tell an old story in a new way?

Whose story do you want to tell? Whose silent voice do you want to represent? Who needs to hear it? On whose platform do you want to tell it? What are you passionate about? What would you like to change? What legacy do you want to leave behind? Those are the kind of questions you ask yourself before you embark on a journalism career.

I truly believe that the key thing is knowing what you want to do, why you want to do it, and then finding out how to do it.

Yaaya:

Some invaluable pieces of advice there … Any more pearls?

Belinda O:

I think it is very crucial to have a mentor. Your mentor should be someone who challenges you. Pick someone whom you respect and is more knowledgeable than you [are] to mentor you. Listen to them, and ask questions. They can advise you, but they probably will not have all the answers. But because they have been on that journey longer than you have, they have an idea of how you can navigate your way through it. You have to be dogged. You have to be determined. Journalism is not the kind of job that makes you rich. It is not a 24 hour party.

Yaaya:

It most certainly is not ...

Belinda O:

As an African woman, I understand the challenges that come with being considered a second class citizen. Your position is number 2, and that of the male child is number one. I want to change the narrative of the African woman that has been defined on the global stage. I am tired of seeing sagging breasts and flies around babies’ necks. I want to show the other side of the African woman. The African woman who is leading a multinational agency or company. I interviewed Folorunsho Alakija, who according to reports is the richest black woman in the world. For me, that is a milestone. It is not every day you get to sit in the presence of greatness. She humbled me with her humility. That was the biggest take-away when I interviewed her. I will never forget that.

Yaaya:

What is the one highlight of your career to date?

Belinda O:

(Pauses)

Yaaya:

Belinda is silent. This must be a big question…

Belinda O:

(Laughs) Last year, when my body rejected my only kidney, it was a very trying time. When that happened, I became so hungry. I made a list of people I wanted to interview. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has been on my list since I became a journalist. I finally got to interview her in December [2012]. Writing that article was a beautiful experience! I respect her as a writer. I appreciate the fact that she has found her own voice on the world stage, and is not afraid to say the things she says, without apologising for it. Interviewing Adichie was a highlight. Interviewing men and women like Folorunsho Alakija and Tony Elumelu, one of Africa’s leading business men and philanthropists have been great highlights this past year.

Yaaya:

That is quite something. How do you balance such a high impact career with your personal circumstances?

Belinda O:

Being able to finish an article is a highlight because I really do struggle due to the amount of medication I take [and] their side-effects, which boy oh boy, I do not like. Imagine taking your early morning dose and knowing full well that you are going to sleep for at least another 3 –to-4 hours and cannot type a word. Then wake up, quickly do some research, try and write but [then] it’s time to take another set… and this is in addition to days when I have relapses in terms of living with chronic unexplainable pain.
Fit hospital appointments into that, physiotherapy sessions and other things…it can be a lot for me. If you ever meet me, you will also see I am rather tiny in size…so physically, it can be challenging and exhausting. The magazines I write for, I appreciate and being made Assistant Editor of New African woman was pretty cool.
That said, every day is a highlight, each day I don’t get [called] from the hospital that I must now go back on dialysis is a highlight in my life, career or no career. Being alive is key to having a career.

In the forthcoming posts, Yaaya and Belinda explore the importance of celebrating achievement and storytelling. Belinda shares her views on social invisibility, and on the importance of platforms like the New African Woman and Yaaya.

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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Belinda Otas, Bravery Redefined

Belinda Otas is many things: bold, outspoken, controversial, complicated. But for us, her singular defining attribute is her bravery. She possesses the kind of courage immortalised in stories of superheroines. Especially because of this, Yaaya is glad to share Belinda’s story with our readers and the world. We believe her story should be celebrated and upheld as a constant reminder of the force for life that lies within us all.

In the first part of this four-part post, Belinda talks to Yaaya about why she decided to become a part of our conversation, and bravely opens up about her medical condition, and how this has shaped her belief system.

And so the conversation begins …

When Yaaya Met Belinda Otas

 

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Yaaya:

It’s great to meet with you, thanks a lot for honouring our invitation. Can you tell us why you think it is important to share your story through Yaaya?

Belinda O:

Your story is yours to tell, and if you don’t tell it, someone else might end up telling it in a way that you don’t like or appreciate. So when a platform comes up that allows you to tell your story, be that a blog, magazine or website, as long as it’s a platform that you are happy with, in that their ethos corresponds or correlates with yours, and you have no problem sharing your story, then by all means, share your story. It is yours to tell. And there is no better way to have a sense and ownership of self than to tell your story. If you don’t tell it, how will people get to know you?

Yaaya:

We completely agree. Here at Yaaya we are big on sharing stories, and we understand the importance of that.

Discovering Belinda Otas

 

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Yaaya:

Your online presence focuses very heavily on your journalism and your passion for theatre. But we know very little about Belinda Otas. Who is she?

Belinda O:

(Laughs) That is a million dollar question. It’s hard to define Belinda Otas in one word, but if I wanted to use one word, I would say complicated. (Laughs) At the end of the day, I think you need some element of complication to keep you on your toes. You have to be as versatile as possible. I consider myself to be a loving person. If you get to know me, you probably will see that side.

If you look at me from afar, I can come across as aloof. But once you get to know Belinda, [you will find I’m] actually playful. I remember one lady at church who just used to smile at me in a cordial way and then one day we had a conversation and she said to me “I never knew you were like this. I never even thought you would ever speak to me.” And that’s because I tend to keep quiet. I have my moments. I can be crazy and as loud as I want to be. But there is also that introvert part of me, which if you don’t understand, you can interpret is as me being a snob, which is far from the case. Sometimes it’s good for people to get to know me on Twitter before they see me in real life and get to know those other aspects of me. I have my moments e.g. I recently tweeted:

most successful men have an incredible sex drive … Michael Flatley - Sweet Lawd Jesus, I ain't even gon' lie. Send me 1. Lawd, send me 1 :)

That is one of my moments when even I say, “girl, you crazy!”

I can be outgoing, but at the same time I really appreciate my space. I absolutely love solitude. Solitude and I are best of friends. And you (Yaaya) have noticed my passion for theatre, it is one of the places where I feel at home the most.

But I would say one thing I absolutely love is someone who lives on purpose. My respect for [such a person] jumps through the roof.

Yaaya:

Tell us a bit more about that. What do you mean by “someone who lives on purpose”?

Belinda O:

You know when you meet someone, and they know where they are going … They’ve defined their goals, have a vision [for life], and live for something, and not just for themselves. They live to enhance other people’s lives. I truly believe that what you make happen for others, God will make happen for you. Even if you are not a person of faith, the universe will make it happen for you one way or another.

I believe in seed time and harvest time. So when I meet someone or a group of people who live on purpose, who are or want to be changemakers or entrepreneurs, people who challenge you mentally and you can learn from them – people like that really excite me. When I meet [such] people, I honour them, respect them, and keep quiet and learn from them. I am encouraged and challenged by that.

Yaaya:

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Belinda O:

My life experience to date has played a big role in my life. If I had not been through what I’d been through, maybe I would see life differently. When I was 15, I got sick. For a whole year, nobody knew what was wrong. I was misdiagnosed, and ended up losing both of my kidneys. From 16 to 22, I lived on dialysis. Now those are your teenage years, the valuable years when you come into a sense of self and who you are; when you get to define yourself and find out about boys, make decisions about career, family ...

Yaaya:

Your formative years …

Belinda O:

Exactly! Your formative years! I did not have that. My life was pretty structured ... I started working a dialysis machine at 17. I could needle myself and put myself on a machine. People my age group were discovering life, but I was pretty much: hospital, dialysis, home, church. I couldn’t tell my story because I became very timid and shy, and ashamed, to some level of what was happening to me, because one I didn’t understand it, and two, it was a lot to deal with, for someone at that age, especially when nobody recognises that ‘actually, this child needs counselling. It is a little too much for her young mind to be dealing with so when you don’t get the kind of psychological help that comes with having your whole world turned upside down, you can lose your sense of self.

Yaaya:

Tell us more about that …

Belinda O:

Between 16-19 years, I didn’t have a sense of self. I kept to myself, I was very shy, very timid, and very angry about what was happening to me. But there was a turning point and that turning point was my faith. My faith has always played a big role in my life. For the first 3 years of dealing with that, I wouldn’t say my parents were not equipped, but they were just so focused on trying to ensure I survived, that nobody thought about the mental impact my situation had had on me. Imagine me trying to navigate my way out of that, and my faith was what gave me that. I started talking to God, saying "help me understand this. This doesn’t make sense".

I had my whole life ahead of me. I was about to sit my final exams in Nigeria so I could go to university when it all happened. So to have all of that taken away from me was very painful because I couldn’t go to school. I was at home or going through dialysis 3 times a week. It took over my life. To not have control (pauses) … and to not have a voice to say "this is what I’m feeling" and just having to deal with that.

(Pauses) It can kill you mentally. But like I said, I rediscovered myself through my faith, and in going to church, I found like-minded people, a community that I could trust. And I think my faith was what gave me myself back.

Yaaya:

So, your faith got you out of bed in the morning?

Belinda O:

Yes.

Yaaya:

And is it still what gets you out of bed in the morning?

Belinda O:

Oh yes! My faith still plays a big role in my life. I haven’t dropped it, and I don’t intend to drop it. If I ever do, I’ll probably end up dead (Pauses) (laughs) But now, I live on purpose as well. I have a lot of things I want to do with my life. I’ve had a kidney transplant (Pauses) It’s a daily walk. A daily journey. I have good days, and bad days. I take a lot of medication with numerous side effects. Some days I won’t be able to speak because I’m so drugged up. I suffer from unexplainable pain. There are days when I have no control over that pain. I depend on painkillers to survive from hour to hour. But inasmuch as I would to think this is a special problem, I refuse to specialise the problem. Instead I allow my circumstance make me want to live an exceptional life on purpose.

And that is one of the things that fuelled my journalism and my dreams as a writer. For me, living on purpose gets me out of bed. I dream big. Even as I’m talking now, I’ve been dealing with a medical challenge since last year. This past year has been a tough year, because last year, I experienced a rejection, where your body rejects an organ that has been given to you. The prospect of going back on dialysis…was not something I had given thought to. But it happened to me. And I’ve become so hungry to do better with my life, because I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. The doctors have given me a timeframe …

Yaaya:

There’s a sense of urgency now, because you feel that perhaps you are running out of time…?

Belinda O:

Exactly. And that pushes me. Sometimes it gets me down, when I’m tired. But I push against the tide and say “come hell or high-water, I’m not giving up without a fight”. I’ve had to fight since I was 16 years old. It’s part and parcel of me. I think giving up will kill me faster than not fighting. Fighting is what keeps me alive.

Yaaya:

Just so we have it on record, this happened as a result of a misdiagnosis, is that correct?

Belinda O:

Yes, that’s correct.

Yaaya continues the conversation in Part 2 of our four-part post where Belinda walks us through her career to date, and shares her principles for success in the competitive world of journalism.

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!

Image Source | These images do not belong to Yaaya. Image courtesy of Ayo Odesanya.

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