This toxicity in masculinism, feminism or pan-africanism really makes me scratch my head sometimes. There are so many bitter, broken souls seeking the slightest of opportunities on social media to reveal their insecurity in the name of empowering men, women or Africans.
Having grown up in poverty, or broken homes, some people become polarised to hate what they never had. This could be men, women, certain races or wealthy people. Instead of empowering themselves through positive means to change their circumstances, they opt to become aggressive, bitter or disparaging to people who have what they cannot afford. Sadly they disguise their dysfunction under the word ’empowering’ those of their kind.
Dropping a name associated with a certain race does not empower anyone. Suggesting that others should commercialize their bodies because of your secret financial struggles does not empower anyone. Disrespecting, disparaging or insulting others to disguise your insecurities does not empower anyone.
Empowerment is sustainable, positive, action-oriented steps (supported with stable emotions), that give results which in turn, benefit others. These are measures designed to increase the degree of autonomy and self-determination in people and in communities, to enable them to represent their interests in a responsible and self-determined manner, acting on their own authority. Not a battle of insecurities. Let’s remember this during these challenging times. Remember, disparaging someone does not put food on the table nor does it pay your rent. Instead, empower yourself by learning new skills and learning from those who you previously would have disparaged. To read more posts by Danstan, click HERE
