UNLEARN THE LABEL

 People have had experiences and encounters which have made them stereotype a set of people; tribe, nation or gender. 

There's a particular tribe in one of the African countries that is seen as dirty, untidy and uneducated. 

Now, that is a negative stereotype.

 

If one or two people from a tribe are fast runners, all others from that tribe are termed 'runners'. 

If three or four people from a nation are intelligent, all or most people from that nation are assumed to be intelligent. 

This is a kind of stereotype as well, although, this is a positive one. 

That means stereotypes aren't necessarily negative. 

Nevertheless, the fact that they are positive doesn't make them facts. 

Stereotypes are often faulty. 

Whether a stereotype is positive or negative, it is totally wrong to take it as a conclusion on any group of people. it is not fair to stereotype anyone.

Everyone, no matter their tribe, gender or colour deserve to prove themselves, as individuals. 

Don't form or pick up stereotypical ideologies and dump it on people, whether the ideology is good or bad.

If most citizens of a nation are termed 'Usain Bolts',  does it mean they can't produce 'Michael Jordans'? the answer is NO. But it's a pity that, a stereotyper won't even look for basketballers among them because it is believed that, what the nationals know how to do, is, run. 

This happens a lot and it needs to stop! It gets personal for me...

I am a woman. 

Women may have hurt you, battered you, wrecked you or even disappointed you. But I am not that woman who did all those things to you. 

I deserve to be me. I deserve to be seen as ME. 

Don't treat me badly because a woman or other women treated you wrongly. I am not that woman who hurt you or made you feel less of yourself. 

I am me. 

I am Elizabeth Oduwaiye 

All you need to do is, see me. Really see me for who I am, know me, because the truth is. you have NEVER MET ME BEFORE!