I consider feminism to be contextual and organic in nature. It grows out of the ground on which we stand, and doesn't necessarily require a precursor to exist in any given place, (even if a precursor can be a catalyst). It is reactionary just like any other movement that resists oppression. And the oppression which it resists is the deliberate disenfranchisement of women (by constitution, common law or culture) on account of their gender alone. Feminism seeks to give acknowledgement to the full human value of women, by permitting the uninhibited expression of their content (intellect & desires) within unbiased limits of the law, and to validate a woman’s right to an independent social standing. The premise of feminism is that all human beings are equally human and should be allowed equal human rights. This does not mean that all human beings are equal. In fact, our inequalities as human beings go far beyond gender. There's race, height, weight, complexion, IQ, the list is practically endless. But we don't (and shouldn’t)apportion rights to people by considering any of these differences; even when certain physical attributes can have significant ramifications on a person’s performance and ability to contribute as a citizen of the world. In the end, what matters is that we are all human beings, and equal in our humanness.

>I don’t believe that, as a feminist, I ought to belong to a world club, subscribing to a definitive code of practice; that feminism must be copied ‘correctly’ or even copied at all, from anywhere. I believe that the prevailing conditions of a place are enough to inspire a reaction if it is warranted; and that the prevailing conditions would uniquely shape that reaction to suit the specificity of the stimulus. It’s the wearer of the shoe that knows exactly where it pinches and would adjust his toes accordingly. Unifying feminism, under one large umbrella of a particular creed, would only breed confusion and it would not solve any of the problems which necessitated its inception in the first place; because every region deals with very unique issues of misogyny which feminism seeks to address. And these issues of misogyny are dynamic and so feminist reactions must be equally dynamic.

Fitting in with men’s expectations has caused some women, over time, to bend in unnatural ways. Women are held to higher moral standards than men, not because they are naturally more virtuous, or biologically more capable, but because men are in the position to impose those standards that women have to conform to (if they wanted to be taken off the shelf). Female virginity, for instance, is still a requirement amongst many African men, while male virginity isn’t even a thing anymore. In an effort to present themselves as required, pure and sacred on a platter of divine offering, girls conceal and suppress ugly histories of sexual abuse, or even just a healthy appetite for sex (a God-given libido). Girls are shamed for their sexuality and even mutilated to control it, until her only reason for engaging in sex is to help achieve the male orgasm. A derivative human being. And although the cutting of the clitoris has been widely abolished in Nigeria, the fundamentals remain: that women ought to be sexually coy and repressed. If it isn’t being achieved with a razor blade, it’s being done by slut-shaming girls who explore their sexuality.

And girls, who are abused every so often, do not speak up for fear that the whole community would become privy to their ‘defilement’. And that would diminish their worth to a man, which is ultimately the worth of a woman in general in the African context. A woman in a position of esteem is viewed suspiciously like a floating object – a magic trick. It deserves a closer look because, surely, that object must be balancing on structural support (Which essentially is a man). And that’s why no one is impressed enough, by that floating object, to give it the respect it deserves.

But now, when women have access to the tools to survive independently - education and life skills, when they have begun to have ambitions for themselves beyond the home, marriage ceases to be a necessity for financial security, and instead becomes a matter of personal choice. But still, society does not trust that enough women would chose to be married for the pure joys of companionship and procreation, so it stigmatizes single women and, thus, propagates marriage as a stamp of social approval.

A man can be whatever he wants, but a woman must fit in within the boundaries of a man’s expectations. Because she is the one who needs him to ratify her standing in social context. That’s the crux of the imbalance of social power. He can therefore dictate the margins of her existence and she must decide if she would rather be suppressed or ostracized. Case in point: the clamor for feminist ideals; some women would rather not be associated with feminism at all for the simple fact that it makes them less attractive to men and endangers them to singlehood.

MissWrite:
Awwww………you’re such a sweetheart! You made me smile reading this post; so, thank you for that. First, if you just wrote this, I would emphatically say that there’s absolutely no way you’re a bad writer. And you’re only 16? The truth is that most writers spend way too much time underappreciating themselves. It’s an inevitable affliction that comes with the territory. If I were a little more cynical right now, I would assume some kind soul has sent you to pump me up; because I’ve also been second guessing myself a lot lately.

Permission to feel like a super-star, please. Lol...... , I don’t think I would be able to help it anyhow; this post is doomed to come off conceited. But I blame you for that because you’re the one who just put me on a pedestal by assuming I have “wisdom” to share

So, to the point now: if you want to expand your vocabulary, there’s no way around reading as many books as you can. Luckily for you, you already do that. There is no right or wrong book to read; just read whatever genre of fiction (or non-fiction) you find interesting. You’re likely going to discover that you’ll write about the same subjects that you like to read about. And that’s a good thing. Read real books (not How-to’s) because they’ll show you how a book is supposed to “feel”. That “feeling” will help you realize when the big-words in your growing vocabulary begin to work against you.

Growing up, I read indiscriminately. There’s a very long list, but like I said, it really doesn’t matter what it is; just read what you love. Extensive reading will help you develop every aspect of your writing (monkey see, monkey do; it’s an imitation game) including creating memorable characters, scenery, dialogue, and all of that. Just remember to pay attention. When a particular scene evokes an emotion, that’s a magic trick you might want to investigate immediately. Go back and see what words did it for you, and how they were strung together.

Vivid images are best created when you can indulge yourself in day-dreaming and visualization. See it clearly. Whatever abstract world you’ve created, imagine it was real for you and that you live there. Don’t over-describe the situation; just let the scene affect your characters naturally, and the reader will eventually become aware of the realities you’re working with. That’s the only way you can be convincing.

I know I said you shouldn’t waste your time on How-to-do-what books, but ignore me. There are some really good sites that can help you improve as long as you’re willing to take the exercises seriously. I subscribe to John Matthew Fox, he has some really helpful material.

https://thejohnfox.com/2016/05/creative-writing-exercises/

What books influenced my writing? All of them did. But, over time, I became less interested in romance and espionage (or even my once favourite legal dramas) and I became obsessed with books about philosophy. I want to write something as important as Atlas Shrugged or The Fountainhead. But, when you’re so consumed by the message you want to pass, you lose sight of the most important part of a story: characters. We all have our struggles, I guess.

Thank you, sweetie, for your compliments; you’re a kind soul, and you're very welcome to share titbits of that article as you please. I wish you all the best…….

DaisyMellow:


Thank you so much for your response. I'll try to read as much as I can like you suggested and I'll try to be more indiscriminate in my reading. I tend to be very selective in my book selection. I enjoy reading romance and adult fiction. I'm not really a fan of fantasy, sci fi or anything that I can't directly relate with. Maybe it's because I have a terrible imagination. Crime and horror aren't my cup of tea because I get scared easily and I don't like it when I read about people being harmed. I have a vicarious response to descriptions of acts of violence.

Thank you for complimenting my writing. Coming from you, this means a lot. But a part of me thinks you are just trying to make me feel better, because I honestly don't think I can write well at all. My mates in school usually say that I write well and that I should apply for writing competitions, but I don't see myself as a good writer because I'm always comparing my writing to the writing of other good writers like you and mine is garbage by comparison.

Did I embarrass you by my excessive adulation? I'm very sorry. I just had to express how much of an influence you have been to me and why.

I appreciate every piece of advice that you have given me and I'll implement all of them. You've made my day by responding to me. Thank you very much.

MissWrite:




You do write well; please, don't doubt that. I'm glad your mates have told you this as well; we can't all be wrong, can we? Just keep writing, sweetie; that's the way to become a writer. I'm looking forward to seeing your posts in the literature section soon.......