Random Thoughts Of The Lady Next Door

Went shopping for a washing machine with my uncle the other day. He'd offered to accompany me because my preferred brand was quite scarce.  On getting to the first store, we discovered the price was above my budget for that product and so we had to leave. We went to another store but the prices were even higher, so we returned to the first. "Welcome back, oga ," I heard the manager say as we arrived. Then he proceeded to ask my uncle what our final decision concerning the product we'd priced earlier was. They spoke for a while, and when we eventually got some privacy, I turned to my uncle, bemused, and asked him, "did you see what just happened?"  But he hadn't noticed anything.  Two people walk into a store. Surely, the manager could direct a general greeting at them both. But no, the clown ignores the woman, his real customer with the money and instead engages the man who has tagged along only for moral support. It hangs heavily in the air, the soft bi...

Absolutely loving this year's IWD theme because it reaffirms the guiding principle of my life. Although I do not subscribe to unnecessary contentiousness, I have, at the same time, dedicated the entirety of my personal life to challenging systems. Every day, I challenge unreasonable rules. I challenge obsolete traditions and practices. And most of all, I challenge stereotypes. Stereotypes fuel negative bias. They stifle genius. They impose cumbersome expectations, and vilify mavericks. Here's to all girls and women: Just being is enough. Yes, you are awesome just as you are.  And to the heroes without capes who in their fight against all forms of discrimination and stereotypes pave the way for other females across the globe, we see you, we thank you, and we celebrate you. May we never run out of the courage to #ChooseToChallenge Happy International Women's Day!