I always get the question, “Why do you call yourself an afrofeminist?” to which I usually answer, “I don’t really… I just am.” And then the annoyed inquirer probes further, “Well what is it? What is afrofeminism?” And that’s the problem I’ve always had with western feminism — there’s [...]
Warning: This is a rant. AKA I’m pissed, and don’t feel the need to explain myself further than this: I’m Nigerian. I’m African. I’m Black. They don’t compete, they complement, which is why when I’m asked to silence one for the sake of the other, I don’t. Deal with it. Dedicated to the person who diagnosed me with internalized racism for claiming my Nigerian identity. And no, not “with love.”
They are afraid, of our voices, of our power, of our resiliency. They are afraid of a younger generation of citizens, activists, and diaspora, and our collective belief in a more progressive Nigeria. They are afraid of our growing influence as we gather allies not just from the west, but from our fellow countrymen. They don’t want to see it happen — our liberation — but they will. They want to maintain the status quo — even to our country’s detriment — but they will not succeed. Stand fast, change is coming.
My sister Zara, wrote this recently for me (it is also posted on her blog @ ZaraChiron.com). If you have siblings, parents, family members etc, that haven’t yet come around, I hope you find inspiration in this piece, to be patient (and brave) enough to remain open to their own journey of moving closer to you so that one day, you’ll be as fortunate as I am to know what it means to be loved by an ally.
About Me

Meet Spectra: Queer Nigerian Afrofeminist Writer and Media Activist. Social Entrepreneur Nurturing Principled Diaspora and Women's Philanthropy in Media and Tech. Self-Care and Self-Love Evangelist. Idealist Warrior Woman. Big Dreamer. Big Thinker. Big Doer, Too.
Testimonials
I love not only your thoughts, but also how you express them… Your love-centered, hopeful, positive and proactive voice is incredibly refreshing and exactly what I’ve been looking for recently in the feminist blogosphere.
SaraSpectra has allowed myself, and many I know, access safer spaces to have much needed, challenging and powerful conversations that would otherwise not occur in our communities.
ShakiraThe Network/La Red… a flexible and effective communicator with youth across various social, class and cultural strata.
AyariGirl Scouts Program CoordinatorSpectra is a talented speaker and facilitator and is especially adept at working with groups of students in ways that both challenge and support individual viewpoints.
http://Eva, Harvard Women's Center… a force to be reckoned with–in a very positive way. Spectra has the “gift” of envisioning the greatness we can achieve and uniting the folks who will make that happen. I adore her.
TimFenway Health… [an] articulate weaving of personal experience and analysis.
BeckyBy sharing your story, you allow people like me to relate, to experience, to learn and to share with others as well. thank you, thank you, thank you.
JTThank you so much for sharing your story and for being an inspiration to so many people.
WayoftheLizWe love it when Spectra Speaks!
The Theater OffensiveI can always count on Spectra to challenge an audience, to nudge us in new directions and connect us with new ideas.
Andrew ElderThe History ProjectTop Posts & Pages
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