Let's talk about gender today; something i consider to be very sensitive.
Growing up in the Nigerian society, I often find myself struggling with gender stereotypes. I'm not perfect yunno, I'm still working out ways to deal with these stereotypes in my subconscious.
Just recently, I was with a male friend who was ranting and murmuring about something quite insignificant.
His continuous wails and talks were almost driving me insane. I had to immediately scream at him "Dude, stop grumbling like a woman".
I felt bad immediately, not because I screamed, but because I remembered that actions are not gender specific.
Our society has a way of conceptualising certain actions to certain genders, which is something we should all intensely repudiate.
If you're a guy and you love pink, buy pink things and use. It doesn't make you effeminate.
If you're a girl, and you're passionate about Arsenal football club, and football generally, do not deny yourself the good feeling of watching Arsenal entertain you, just because the society feels it'll make you manlike.
If as a guy you break down someday and decide to cry, do not feel you're a sissy. So, cry unapologetically, if it's going to make you feel better.
For crying out loud, the World is too big and diverse! There is no absolute to masculinity or feminity.
In the end, let's all learn not to concede to societal stereotypes, just so we don't create barriers towards the expression of our genuine human nature.
Gender is a spectrum.
