CONTROVERSIAL

April? The last blog entry was April?

I'm lazy. We've agreed on that.
As my feet soak in these warm waters, I want to write a little bit about the word CONTROVERSIAL.

In Ghana, I have been tagged this a number of times. I have sent emails directly to webmasters to not ever tag me that again. What does the word even mean?

giving rise or likely to give rise to public disagreement.

That's what it means. It means people disagree with either you or your particular rhetoric.

I had wanted to blog about anger, but after reading an article about actress Lydia Forson, I'd like to blog about that word controversial. 

Lydia is articulate. Lydia is a leader. Lydia is fearless and Lydia is an advocate. She is very quick to pick apart those many flaws in our system of governance and social construct. We should all be up in arms when bloggers tag Lydia controversial. I have followed her oratory on issues following marriage, slut shaming, feminism, patriotism etc.

Work with me here. When Lydia Forson writes about a woman who was an unknowing participant in a sex tape and pledges support for her, whiles condemning those exploiting the tape, should we not all be on the side of justice? Justice which means standing by this young woman? When you term her article controversial, what does that say about you?

When a pastor says all single girls should go marry the next guy who knocks on their door because she is nothing if she is not married and Lydia Forson says NO women! Don't do that, you have a CHOICE. No matter how long it takes, and you tag her controversial,  does that mean you agree that a woman's only purpose is marriage?

When Yvonne Nelson (another victim of "controversial") writes about Dumsor, (erratic power supply to the uninitiated), a canker eating away at us in Ghana, why call her controversial? should we not all be on the side of justice?

What about when Leila Djansi (the queen of "controversial) vents about Doctors strikes, water shortage, political expediency, or the identity of an industry. Things that affect us. Doctors strikes that take away our loved ones, should we not all be on the side of justice?

Here are women who don't only speak, but we also make practical efforts to change the things we speak about.

If you tag someone controversial on issues that require change or an attitude change, they are not the problem. YOU are.  Indeed, their language may not be the best, but it's not personal unless they call YOU out - with your first, middle and last names, and maybe locate that birthmark you have. People write or speak in anger. Recognize that anger that stems from passion and cut them some slack, please.

What amazes me, and I stand corrected is, of all the outspoken to the point of abusive men in Ghana, no one tags them controversial. Aden? nuke djor? (I don't speak ga. Lets keep the twi and ewe). Why pick on the girls? THAT right there, is controversial. Controversial Ghanaian Media.

When people are quiet, they are for a few reasons. 

1. They are afraid.

2. They do not care.

3. They have nothing to say.

When people speak up, they do for a few reasons.

1. They are brave.

2. They CARE!

3. They know what they say represents the desires of the weak and many, the desires of those who may not have the platform to speak.

If people hadn't spoken against slavery, you won't be queuing for visas at the US and UK embassies. You won't be wearing Dolce and Gabbana or Louis Vuittton. You will not be heading to South Africa to shoot your next music video. 

Support people who have the courage to say what you cannot say. Support people who put their peace of mind on the line, absorb hate and abuse to say the things that concern you, and when change comes, enjoy it with righteous impunity.

And to those who are quick to call outspoken people "Attention Seekers". It's cowardice you know. You cannot say, maybe you do not know that particular situation requires a change and when someone has the courage to speak, you get upset. It's weak, it's cowardly, and it says you are insecure. You might want to see a doctor.

Stop tagging Lydia Forson controversial.  She's not my friend, she did not ask me to write this for her but, she is a woman using her platform to point out things that require change. What she needs is support.

We should be concerned that word exists in nation building to which every citizen must contribute. It is counter-intuitive!