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MUST READ: What I Have Learnt to Tell My Daughter from KKD’s Case

teen-girl
Teenage Black Girl

 

Reading the various articles on the KKD alleged rape case, I steered myself away from the usual ‘is he guilty or not’ argument and focused on the numerous lessons the case presented for ladies out there. Thinking of the daughter I would have one day, I begun to jot down these lessons to serve as guiding principles for her.

My dear, I want you to know your mummy, daddy and siblings love you very much and are proud of the woman you are growing to become. We will support you no matter what and will stand by your side through the many struggles. I want you to know that you are a woman of substance who knows what she stands for and will never allow anybody to change that. As much as you seem to be mature, there are still things I would love to share with you.

Everybody has been brought up differently thus are bound to differ in personality and principles. I don’t want you to go out there thinking everyone is just like you. Not all that glitters is golden.

black girl
Teenage Black Girl

 

I want you to know that people respond to what you present them with. Some do not care about who you truly are, they are only moved by what they see. So if you go out there dressed half-naked, and act and dance like a s*x goddess, then you will get a swarm of hungry men around you who would do anything to get you in the sack and they most likely think you want the same. And when I say anything I mean anything—even if it means buying you a phone, car or even a house. Some of them will pretend to love and care about you and before you know it, my dear, your panties are off.

Whenever you are out, stick with your friends at all times. Treat every stranger, yes that includes that hot guy and any celebrity or role model, as a potential danger. No matter how ‘cool’ the person seems, I want you to know that they are human just like you and I. They eat, sleep, fart, shit, cry and laugh just like we do. And they can hurt you too.

Always guard your drink and if left unattended just let it go. You can buy another one. And mind you, buy your own drinks and don’t act like you are too poor to do so. If you are broke, forfeiting drinks and food won’t kill you.

As much as everyone seems to be drinking alcohol and it allows you to loosen up and have fun, I want you to know it also lowers your guard and sets you up for negative situations you would later regret. Get high on your happiness and keep your mind sound. Whilst you are at it, stay away from cigarettes and weed and shisha. 

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What Our Kids Want Us to Know

Black-Woman

UP CLOSE and personal, this teenager encourages us to step into her world to appreciate the day to day challenges that are highlighted and which give us an insight into our interactions with our own kids..

Tell me a bit about yourself.

Hi, I was born 17 years ago into a family with two older sisters. I am a very active person who loves anything to do with music. My favourite food is jollof rice but I can’t prepare it (giggles). I also love nuts and grapes. I want to be an actress and business woman in future. My favourite subjects are Chemistry and History because Chemistry is the only Science I can do and History gives me the chance to express myself and talk a lot.

What informed your choice of career path?

I love money and I want to be famous.

How would you use your position in the future as an actress to influence society positively?

I would give to the poor, build schools and organise Cancer Awareness programs as many women are developing Cancer.

Do you plan on having a family?

Yes, I want to get married by the age of 27. I plan on having two boys and two girls but I wish they could be born old; the little ones are so fragile. Oh, and I would definitely want to get rich before I marry (smiles). My dream guy should be sweet, loving, faithful, hardworking and RICH.

Then you need to start now. Do you have a boyfriend?

Are you serious? (giggles)

Why are you tickled?

I didn’t expect that question. No, I don’t.

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WEEKLY DISCUSSION: Women Can NEVER Do Without Men | True or False?

Women can never do without men
Women can never do without men

In the midst of all this overhyped women’s empowerment and independence brouhaha ( which sometimes reaches the level of belittling the significance of men in our society), I chanced upon the above Facebook post that just made my day.

It is funny how some ladies claim they don’t need a man yet deep down inside they are yearning for this wonderful species created just for the woman to enjoy.

My lovely ladies if you have been hurt by them, overcome the bitterness and move on. There are many more out there to choose from. If it is about not finding the right one or not being able to catch their attention, then take a step back, analyze the situation, make the necessary adjustments and return with renewed arsenal.

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LIFESTYLE GUIDE: Stanbic Bank and Their Wahala | Better Stay Away From Them

Stanbic Bank Ghana
Stanbic Bank-Ghana

It is funny how some banks find it so easy to take your money when opening a new account but frustrate you when you want to close that same account.

Months ago, I signed up for internet banking with Stanbic bank and was told it would take 24 hours to activate but guess what, it took almost three days. Aden? I relocated from Ghana so was counting on doing some transactions online but my password failed to work hence I was left powerless.

A few days ago, I got back into the country and needed some quick cash at the airport but to my dismay my bank card refused to work. You know how embarrassing that is when you have a queue right behind you.

I headed straight to the Airport branch of Stanbic to withdraw the money and then close my savings account as I had relocated and had no need for it. I was able to do the former but was told the process of closing an account takes a while so I should come back the following day at noon to retrieve the remaining money in my account.

Being the diligent person that I am, I arrived punctually at Stanbic, waited fifteen minutes for a staff member who pretended to be so busy processing my request( which I felt should have been done the day before), only to be told I couldn’t close my account at that branch as I opened it at another branch. Can you imagine? Are they mad?

Why wasn’t I told this the day before? And why do some banking staff feel they are doing you a favour by serving you? ‘Massa’, if the job is frustrating you, quit. There are millions of people waiting to occupy your position in a microsecond.

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How Marriage Made Me Love My Mother More

  Have you ever heard of the saying “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”? I used to roll my eyes whenever people said that till I experienced it this year. Having to relocate from my home country after getting married, I was miles apart from my mom and this proved tough initially as my mom … Read more