This past weekend, I followed a Facebook conversation between two women writers I admire. The discussion was sparked by International Women’s Day (IWD), observed annually on March 8. Interestingly, one woman shared her decision not to celebrate, citing recent painful experiences with other women. The other countered, saying she would commemorate the day, particularly in […]
International Women’s Day Matters Read More »
I’m currently watching A Different World on Netflix. Previously, I had only seen short clips on YouTube, particularly those featuring some of my favourite characters, ‘Dwayne’ and ‘Whitley.’ The show, set at a fictional historically Black college or university (HBCU), explores critical social issues such as domestic violence, racism, AIDS, discrimination, and war. Four seasons
Black History Through Film Read More »
When my tech-savvy brother gave me a crash course in web development, one detail caught my attention—the “burger menu.” If you’ve ever accessed a website (especially on your phone), you’ve probably seen it: three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other, resembling—you guessed it—a burger. That got me thinking about how much of life
It All Comes Down to Love—of Food Read More »
The undeniable significance of names as a fundamental part of our identity truly struck me during a university lecture. My classmates and I eagerly answered a question about ourselves, skipping over the simplest detail—our names—until the lecturer pointed it out. Reflecting on that moment, I’ve come to understand why some individuals choose to legally change
Living Up to the Names We Carry Read More »
A hilariously relatable meme video making the rounds on social media, with a wooden-mic-type impression, sarcastically highlights how grating last December’s anthem sounds when played in January. This particular course of the Amapiano 2024 hit Biri Marung—easily recognized by its catchy “cash kontant huh” hook—draws an amusing parallel to the natural ebb and flow of
We’ve ‘Just Arrived’ Read More »
Seated among some unfamiliar older people—men in suit jackets and women with doeks covering their heads—I found myself in a sitting room stripped of its familiar arrangement. Gone were the sofas, the TV, the coffee table, and the Victorian-style ceramic figurines that once decorated the space. Taking their place was a pure white wooden casket,
Death and Its Lingering Questions Read More »
Years ago, I wrote—very matter-of-factly—on a placard meant to safeguard my snacks, that whoever dared to eat my stuff would be castrated. Caution was intended to deter my younger brothers. If you have younger siblings, you’ll understand, I hope. I did not know the meaning of the word. But the shock-horror-clutch-your-pearls expressions displayed on both
Linguistic Misadventures, Autocorrect Disasters, and Lessons Learnt Read More »
Almost three decades ago, I was born on a Tuesday. Last week marked the fifth time my birthday has fallen on a Tuesday since then. Ironically, this year also marks five years since I last worked. After much effort securing the role, I began my first job the day after my birthday, six years ago.
Bittersweet Birthday Blues Read More »
A little over a month ago, mid-conversation, someone asked me if I’d always remain a Christian. “Yes,” I quickly quipped. It was an easy yes—true to the saying that things are easier said than done. I write this as someone praying daily for the strength to run and finish the race well, yet also as
Reflections on Religion Read More »
A few days ago, I watched The Lost Children, a moving Netflix documentary that tells the true story of four Colombian siblings who survived 40 harrowing days in the Amazon rainforest after a plane crash in May 2023. The crash claimed the lives of three other passengers, including their mother. The children’s ordeal is almost
Watch Review: The Lost Children on Netflix Read More »