Mental Colonialism by asha80(m): 5:17pm On Apr 22, 2009 |
Mental Colonialism Written by Adenike Akinsemolu Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Mental Colonialism by Adenike Akinsemolu
I am not out to speak good English or follow a writing style. I am here to speak my mind like I am talking to you one on one. Therefore, I won’t apologize for the way I write. My dear friend, there is something I have been thinking about for too long, It is called Mental Colonialism. That word! Yea, lets talk about it.
I remember meeting up with Omotolani last summer in Nigeria. We arranged that she come to see in me in my hometown, Ondo. She affirmed that there is nothing really to do in Ondo town, "Ondo is for small girls”. Keep it in mind that Omotolani was born and raised in Ondo until she went for university in Lagos. I quickly reminded her of the great asun (goat barbeque), the beautiful scenery, the breath of fresh air and the peaceful nature of Ondo town. I remember she even told me not to call her Omotolani again, that her name is now Sandra. I smiled. I thought to myself, major "ngunbeeness"!
I picked up Sandra at the motor park, and we headed home. She asked why I still talked “Nigerian”. I smiled. I must have forgotten that I am Nigerian by birth; I think she must be reminding me. Am I missing something here? I noticed in our conversations, Sandra seems to use more men, shit, Bleep and American slangs in her sentences than most Americans I know. That is another story.
She started asking me about music, movies etc. She asked if I have seen this video and that video. She asked if I know of this new clothing line by this famous designer. I am sure I wasn’t really paying attention. She has seen all the episodes of OC, Gossip Girls, and Summerland. I noticed she had a tattoo, she even told me that she smokes now. It is bigz girlz runz. Sandra was telling me that if you attend Unilag and you don’t wear at least a gold chain on your neck, you ain’t got swagga. In fact, she was even telling me about how girls while in school, get pregnant to tie a man down. I open my mouth. “Ehen is it new? In America, there are lotta teen pregnancy, so why is your mouth wide open?” she said.
We started watching a Nigerian movie on tv. Why is it that everyone looks flashy? Why is it that a man must wear all those earrings, designers, sun-glasses (at night), and blings on his neck to show his wealth? Why do they always show big houses? Why do those actresses remind me of Beyonce (except a crappy version)? Why do I notice an accent that sounds British? No, it sounded like American-Irish accent. On a second thought, I thought it sounded Sudanese mixed with Brazilian and Spanish. Ok I need to stop. I switched channels now. This time it was a music channel. Is it me or do I notice more foreign women in Nigerian videos? When have you seen a Chioma in Linkin Park video? Chei! Even Sandra said foreign girls are really beautiful. Then I said, “You must be ugly then”. She was like “haba, I be fine girl, as in, you know now”. Hmm, ok!
As if that wasn’t enough for one night. I saw a lot of dance moves that resemble that of Usher. Don’t get me wrong, its not bad to have that in videos o. I just don’t know why they have to dress like Usher. What is wrong with a man having bits and pieces of African culture in his music video? Well I think it is sexy. I am sure if Usher wore an African outfit in one of his dance videos, a lot of Nigerian musicians will adopt that. Having said that, few artistes are doing their best by showcasing the richness of Nigerian culture in their music videos or movies. I will like to say thank you and keep it coming. Nigerian needs more people like you. Ok, I digressed.
Anyhoo, Sandra and I went shopping. I saw some London wax, and Ankara that I really loved. I bought a lot of them, took them to the tailor for sewing. I also bought some high quality t-shirts and customized my name on them with different designs and slogans. Then I saw a label called Dudu Phassion. I love their design work, so I immediately picked one up. Sandra was like “which one is dudu again? God forbid! Please lets visit Sachs, I have been dying to get that Louis Vuitton bag I told you about.” I smiled. Major "Ngubee-ness"!
Later that night, we headed to the club. I need my inhaler on this one. Okay! I think am exaggerating now. One thing I appreciated about the club was that they were playing Nigerian music. That was a relief! I noticed a girl was wearing a top that looks almost like a bra with a short and a “long leather boot”. I didn’t know it was winter! I judged her, I am sorry. There was this guy with some grillz, hair plaited, pant sagging, and tattooed arms. Mehn I can see the lightening in those girls’ eyes. Its like you can read what they are saying, in their minds “he’s got swagga”. Even Sandra thinks he is sexy. One of my childhood friends, Olakunle, came to my table. Wow! I hadn't seen him in like 5 years. “Olakunle, meet my friend Omotolani, we went to primary school together”, I said. “Hmm, pls call me Sandra, nice meeting you”. Olakunle asked us to visit a restaurant to catch up on old times. It was really a nice restaurant. They have both home and foreign cuisines. Everyone ordered food. Sandra decided to eat Pizza. I could tell she wasn’t enjoying it because she said she wanted to take it home. Again I smiled. Major "Ngunbee-ness"!
We got home that night and I kept Sandra’s pizza in the fridge. An hour later, she told me she was hungry. I reminded her of the pizza. She was like “omo men, the pizza wasn’t flowing o. I just wanted to be Behind ‘cos ‘Kunle was there”. I smiled while thinking she is so Ngunbee in my mind. Sandra asked why I have been smiling. She thought I was acting strange. She even asked if I’m really schooling in the U.S. She said my behavior is like that of an Ondo girl. “Kei kei kei, ngunbee o! Am I not an Ondo girl?”, I asked. , “You are but I figured you should be acting American by now, your behavior is just …, ” , she replied. I smiled “Sandra my dear, listen:
Americans don’t really care about us. Western people don’t wear our clothes, they don’t eat our food, and neither do they sing our songs. Don’t be taken over by mental colonialism. Traveling or schooling in a foreign country is not a justification to forget one’s culture but to learn about new stuff, meet new people, try new things and become a global citizen. There is nothing bad in adopting a new culture but when you see nothing good in your own culture and thinks the other culture is the norm, then something is wrong. I call it slavery of the mind. You can have all the degrees in this world and still be ignorant. Why don’t we patronize quality Made In Nigeria products? Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wearing Louis Vuitton but the mentality that any designer made in Nigeria is not of high quality is bad. I am not saying we shouldn’t listen to foreign music or watch their movies. The only thing I speak against is excess. Nigerians can abuse things. We use more American slangs than Americans. We know more songs than the Americans. We tend to even know the American culture more than the Americans. If you don’t know, men that dress with their pants sagged to their knees like those ones seen in music videos are considered irresponsible. Yet, "some" people thinks it is the swag in Nigeria. I don’t know when smoking became a fashion statement or a bigz girlz run. Have you ever thought about the cold weather in some countries? Maybe that is why people tend to smoke a lot in those countries? Why do we use American bad habits as our own “swag”? What is wrong with having a shirt with Funke Akindele or Fela Kuti written on it? In fact, if you can’t wear that, how about a shirt with your own name on it? What is wrong with beautiful names like Adenike (kei kei kei), Omotolani, Aisha, Olakunle, Chika, Eniola, Agbani, Ilebaye, Musa etc? Please I’m not saying if you have an English name, something is wrong with it. Something is wrong when you change your native name to an English name just to fit in or because you think it sounds good. And then you will see wannabe model exposing their body and people will comment, “this is sexy”. You can be sexy without showing all your unclothedness. Not everyone wants to see it. 9ice in his song “Photocopy” said, “Photocopy ko easy, You could never be like me, this is my identity”. You can’t be an American even with fake accents. Your identity is your identity. It is what makes you special. Don’t be trapped by Mental Colonialism.
Young people have choice. Nigeria youths are very creative and enterprising. However, the embrace of this so-called American culture is disheartening. Perhaps, times have changed but it is still not an excuse to adopt another culture to a fault. I will like to see more men in their sexy African attire. I will like to see more people speaking proper English and not “we ain't talk to no police, we ain't make no peace bond, we ain't trustin in no judicial system, we shoot guns we rely on the streets, we do battle in the hood. We Gangsta” WHAT Can someone tell me when Nigeria started having "hood"? And no am not talking about AJegunle. I will like you to see the beauty of the Nigerian Culture. The radiance of the Nigerian woman, the fresh taste of our food, the unpolluted breath of air, the scenery of midnight tales, the orgasmic sound of our drums, the powerful effects of our proverbs, the courage of our people, the class in our fashion and the sophistication in our language. Hmm by the way, "Ngunbeeness" is an exclamation. It can be anything you want it to be. (Keikeikei, I formed it)
Above all, let us remember, that we are good people and a great nation.
Sandra thinks to herself, “Adenike you sabi talk o, all these because I pretended I like pissshaaaaa?”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/guest-articles/mental-colonialism.html |
Re: Mental Colonialism by Nobody: 5:48pm On Apr 22, 2009 |
I loved it! |
Re: Mental Colonialism by Horus(m): 7:23pm On Apr 22, 2009 |
We must get back to who and what we are by Nature, learn to Love ourself and our Kind, which will lead us to our True and Original way of Life and get away from living in and worshipping the Image of the White Man and his way of Death! |
Re: Mental Colonialism by Ikomi(m): 8:43pm On Apr 22, 2009 |
Omotolani, who prefers to be called Sandra is a victim of circumstance. She is playing what she sees and what happens in our society. In a country where the leaders are so corrupt they would loot a lot of money go to the west to spend it where there children, friends and relations and come back to tell poor Sandra about it. If anyone is sincere Adenike Akinsemolu could only speak the other side cause she has seen it all. In a nation where the leaders have no vision, I expect Sandra to walk blind. Maybe Adenike Akinsemolu even told her that in all her 5 years in the state there was no power failure. Sandra has a story that Obasanjo and Yaradua promised to do just that, but unfortunately she finished in University of Lagos with loads of candles. You tell me why Sandra wont envy the west. In my view I think Adenike Akinsemolu is been too Judgemental, or maybe she does not understand Sandra situation. For someone that has never tasted bread, tell him/her bread is the best food in the world (s)he would believe you, but the day they get a taste of bread they might have a different view, that is Sandra and Adenike Akinsemolu situation. Sandra has not seen the other side, maybe Adenike Akinsemolu lived in the ghetto in the states, and immediately disliked everything about the west. Non of our youths that loose there sense of belonging should be blamed until those leaders get there acts straight. Maybe Adenike Akinsemolu should take her message to those boys in the Niger Delta, tell them they should have pride in their Nigeria, that same country that cant guarantee their education or well being, not even the simplest of all health care. I love Nigeria but that same country has failed Sandra, so her hopes rests anywhere else but that nation, and I\ wont blame the poor girl for that. |
Re: Mental Colonialism by JustGood(m): 11:49am On Apr 23, 2009 |
I absolutely love the write up.
Its so true of what has become of Nigeria. Some years ago, I was in Nigeria and I went in search of a good tailor to make me a few suits because the suits I had in Nigeria were much better compared to the stuff I buy now (just name brands with no real fitting). However, some people showed suprise that I could come from abroad to come and buy materials and get tailors to sew suits for me.
They had the attitude which says that everything abroad has to be better than anything Nigerian. . . how wrong they are! But they dont realise what they have.
Its also very easy to blame 'leaders'. However, the leaders are not the ones who do everything wrong in Nigeria: the ordinary Nigerian has his/her own faults and until we start realising that we are ALL responsible for the way things are, we are unlikely to make any progress.
Constantly blaming the leaders means that we dont need to change anything about the way we do things and the things we do! We have to change ourselves and this will prompt us to change the kind of leadership we get. |
Re: Mental Colonialism by topsy25(m): 12:59pm On Apr 23, 2009 |
JustGood:
I absolutely love the write up.
Its so true of what has become of Nigeria. Some years ago, I was in Nigeria and I went in search of a good tailor to make me a few suits because the suits I had in Nigeria were much better compared to the stuff I buy now (just name brands with no real fitting). However, some people showed suprise that I could come from abroad to come and buy materials and get tailors to sew suits for me.
They had the attitude which says that everything abroad has to be better than anything Nigerian. . . how wrong they are! But they dont realise what they have.
Its also very easy to blame 'leaders'. However, the leaders are not the ones who do everything wrong in Nigeria: the ordinary Nigerian has his/her own faults and until we start realising that we are ALL responsible for the way things are, we are unlikely to make any progress.
Constantly blaming the leaders means that we dont need to change anything about the way we do things and the things we do! We have to change ourselves and this will prompt us to change the kind of leadership we get.
Exactly my thought!!! |
Re: Mental Colonialism by linxon(m): 11:34am On Apr 24, 2009 |
What ya'll Niggaz B tawlkin bout? JOKE! I think its encouraging that an increasing number of people are starting to realize that the problem of Nigeria is not leadership alone - its the people! |
Re: Mental Colonialism by Ikomi(m): 1:13pm On Apr 24, 2009 |
JustGood:
I absolutely love the write up.
Its so true of what has become of Nigeria. Some years ago, I was in Nigeria and I went in search of a good tailor to make me a few suits because the suits I had in Nigeria were much better compared to the stuff I buy now (just name brands with no real fitting). However, some people showed suprise that I could come from abroad to come and buy materials and get tailors to sew suits for me.
They had the attitude which says that everything abroad has to be better than anything Nigerian. . . how wrong they are! But they dont realise what they have.
Its also very easy to blame 'leaders'. However, the leaders are not the ones who do everything wrong in Nigeria: the ordinary Nigerian has his/her own faults and until we start realising that we are ALL responsible for the way things are, we are unlikely to make any progress.
Constantly blaming the leaders means that we dont need to change anything about the way we do things and the things we do! We have to change ourselves and this will prompt us to change the kind of leadership we get.
topsy25:
Exactly my thought!!!
linxon:
I think its encouraging that an increasing number of people are starting to realize that the problem of Nigeria is not leadership alone - its the people!
Just one question for the three of you. Why do you think a leader is called the head of State? If you give an answer to that, then tell me how you hope the limbs should function properly when the head is sick? |
Re: Mental Colonialism by AjanleKoko: 1:45pm On Apr 24, 2009 |
Funny enough even the Japanese are complaining about the impact of Western culture on their youth. I think it's really a global thing, not experienced in naija alone, and only serves as a pointer to the fact that the U.S of A is the only truly great nation on earth, the Rome of the modern times. Love them or hate them, we can't but admit their impact on life itself and the way the rest of us see it. Funny enough they're not even trying to colonise the world the way the European powers spent the last 1500 years doing. They're just interested in creating one gigantic money machine which the rest of the world, including us in naija, pay for. |
Re: Mental Colonialism by iice(f): 6:24pm On Apr 24, 2009 |
Ahahhahahahahaha the accent part killed me ahahahahahahaha |
Re: Mental Colonialism by hoeyeadoe: 7:39pm On Apr 24, 2009 |
yu ghet? That's the koko, wannabees.
NIke, yu have a point. |
Re: Mental Colonialism by chiogo(f): 12:07am On Apr 25, 2009 |
wow, that was great!!! |
Re: Mental Colonialism by topsy25(m): 9:55am On Apr 27, 2009 |
Ikomi:
Just one question for the three of you.
Why do you think a leader is called the head of State?
If you give an answer to that, then tell me how you hope the limbs should function properly when the head is sick?
Hi Ikomi Looking at this issue from the perspective of HEAD of state will not be very objective. Without any gainsaying, our leaders are nothing to write home about; notwithstanding, that should not prevent one from loving his/her country. This issue of "mental colonialism" is an individual thing. It is not the fault of the government if I prefer another country's culture to my own (which is in fact better and diversified). What we need to do is develop an unconditional love for our country’s culture, value and home-made products. This will go a long way in encouraging technological and industrial development of this great nation. Please note, that I personally believe that for a long time, this country has been without a leader. If we can survive without them all these years, I believe we can do more than survive: we can make this nation the pride of Africa. But we need to LOVE her before it can be done. (We and not them) |
Re: Mental Colonialism by Ikomi(m): 3:36pm On Apr 27, 2009 |
You have answered politely and in a straight forward attitude which I must first of all commend.
Back to Issue.
If I say the point you've made up there is absolutely wrong, then am wrong as well, if I say its absolutely right I might still be wrong, so ad say u have a view which is very reasonable.
I get where you're coming from, but I hope you understand where am coming from. Sandra is an exception, if you look at the answers to the topic most persons quite agree with the writers view. So which means a case like Sandra's could be 1 in 7.
But all am saying is that Sandra should not be easily condemned. She equally has her way of looking at things. If you imagine beyond the write up, Sandra's problem could be shear poverty. Tell me why she would demand for a Pizza she doesn't like, maybe she never even tasted the damn thing b4, so she saw the opportunity of an American dollars to spend, she demanded for what she could not eat.
You could turn around and say its indiscipline, but I won't still totally agree with you.
Ad give you an instance, just to let you know the love of country to some people doesn't just come for the sake of it.
Did you learn of the pirates in Somalia taking an American hostage.
Topsy not 1 not 2 but 3 warships were present to save one person, not everyone knew the captain before the incident but for just one reason, he is an American. The French did the same.
So when you ask a French boy or an American young boy if he is proud to be a French or American respectively. The answer would be a big Yes. Because he has been shown that been a French or American Citizen guarantees his safety.
Now am not saying the Nigerian Govt. should send 3 frigates to save every Nigerian, - am not sure we have a working frigate in the first place.
But when the Govt. shows sign of accountability to its citizens, the citizens mentality and attitude to the country reflects it!
I will leave you with the story of a man who wrote a letter to JFK, when he became the President of the USA. His letter to JFK read thus:
"I have lost the roof over my house it was blown of by a hurricane, my mother just died, infact my wife is planing to leave me as I write you this letter, she thinks am a looser, but am not worried because I know you are there".
He is just any American he is not a member of the Kennedy family.
You see this man's only hope was President JFK, to create job again for him to be able to stand on his feet, that is where his optimism and patriotism comes from.
Look Topsy we are stronger than each other, some could endure the failure of governance others might not see the next day, and even those who do see the next day might not make sense of it anymore. |
Re: Mental Colonialism by redsun(m): 8:21pm On Apr 27, 2009 |
With pizza on nigeria menu,has cheese become a common produce in nigeria?If not how is it sourced for making affordable pizza? |
Re: Mental Colonialism by JustGood(m): 5:26pm On Apr 30, 2009 |
Ikomi:
Just one question for the three of you.
Why do you think a leader is called the head of State?
If you give an answer to that, then tell me how you hope the limbs should function properly when the head is sick?
It takes a good supply from other parts of the body for the head to finction properly. |