CALL FOR APPLICATION

IDENTITY IN AFRICA AND THE WORLD

Identity_hmm,
who am i?
what do i see when i look in the mirror?
what do people say or think when they see me?
Do they see my color?
Do they see my talent?
Do they see ME?
Do I see ME?

These are some of the question most girls, young women and mature women ask themselves each day about themselves. Is it that we are brainwashed with what we see on media and social networking sites, trying too hard to fit into the 'right type' that inevitably forget who we are?

One of the most talked about item concerns race but most of all color; racial color. I watched the following video which stressed some of the concerns young women and girls face as they grow up, whether in Africa or the global world.

Although not in the same situation as that of Professor Yaba Blay - founder of (1)ne drop, many of us have experienced discrimination one way or the other based on their nothing else but their color.
which begs the question, "what is and is it to be dark skinned or light skinned, and what effects does it have on the little girl growing up in this digital age where light is considered better, but is it?"

I hope the following documentary covered reported by Soledad O'brien, provides you with a hind sight of identifying who you are or what are.


COLORISM


Tyra banks also talked about what color is and why people think that being lighter is better. does that mean being darker your are not good or even better? does it mean that you are any less of a person?

by Caroline Mbinda

SISTERHOOD

 A sisterhood is my key to happiness.

True sisterhood is beautiful and rare,

It cannot be measured in gold or silver.

Good sisters are treasured for life.

As the heart needs a sister, all the time, 

To heed to love lost and Sisterhoods ended,

To admonish, guide, advice, and to cherish, 

In my best and worst moments.

 Sisterhood is love without wings,

Builds my confidence and makes it soar.

Sisterhood means caring and loving

Without judgment;

Sisterhood makes me feel special,

Race, size shape, background, and culture,

Don’t matter.

Sisterhood brings joy to all my days,

As it’s generous in loving;

I’ll sow, nurture and grow it,

My purest spring of life.

 Author: Caroline Mbinda

Scrapbook Poem

Making this scrapbook won’t ruin my day
Although its components are mostly ‘bout pain
From child abuse
To rape at age 2,
To sexual harassment to women who do
Not deserve to be treated in such a manner
Why such stories make the paper leads one to wonder
What readers and editors do to change
The rapid amount of women derailed
From their daily activities and lives for that matter
What can be done? We need to help each other!
Although I’m just scrapbooking, I still have these thoughts.
Boy, I’d be heartless if I did not!
Thank God for programs like RCWG
That take and train girls starting in their teens.
We’re inspired to be leaders despite all odds
The sky is the limit! So what else are we taught?
To be emotionally intelligent and to overcome
Any obstacles, like double standards that just must
Be proven egregious through ALL of our actions
There’s no need for waiting ‘cuz we can SO make this happen!
Begin with connecting the dots with glee. 
And please don’t forget the first one starts with ME!
Continue by supporting each other
Sisterhood and solidarity totally works wonders!
You’ll be shocked to find out that these girls you meet today
Could potentially be the ones to save your lives one day
So make sure you stay in touch and communicate with each other
‘Cuz it’d be nice for more than one for US to be empowered!
So don’t take NO for an answer when it comes to taking a stand
Because the world will soon KNOW we’re inferior to NO man!
Wow, scrapbooking is taking so long
But luckily its inspired me to write this poem!
In the midst of all of the negative articles
There are still some women who succeed in letting us
Know that it’s possible to be empowered
Through education, confidence, and constant challenge hurdles.
So with little time to spare yet so many thoughts
I must conclude to continue my scrapbook!

Poem Written and compiled by

Teniola Olopade
Resource Center for Women and Girls
Camp Allumni