Sutra Magazine 006: Reflection

SUTRA

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CONTENT 002.

025.

063.

Contributors

Feyi Ayodeji

Lesson Learnt From Breakups

004.

037.

070.

Letter from Chis + Coco

Morountodun Sowemimo | MTDesgin

Breast Cancer Awareness

005.

047.

076.

Chis On Reflection

Afro Child

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084.

Ify Odum

011.

Glimmer 411

Coco On Reflection

CC Playlist

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053.

086.

Posts We Love

Irene Iredia

Mimi Ezinne

BUTORS

CONTRI

COCO + CHIS Ify Odum Glimmer 411 Feyisola Ayodeji Morountodun Sowemino Irene Iredia Tamilore Bolu Kamila Atta Michelle Okonma Annabel Halliday Anu Akinyemi Rukky Garuba Afro Child Mimi Ezinne

+ YOU SUTRA FAM

SEPTEMBER 2020

REFLECTION REFLECTION REFLECTION REFLECTION

TO GROW YOU HAVE TO ASSESS THE PAST

Hi Sutra Fam, Carrying on from the previous issue, in order to be more optimistic about our future as individuals and as a community, reflection is a key part of onward thinking and moving.

To effectively move forward, you need to analyze the present and past. In this issue, we have conversations with other women looking back at their journeys, how things have evolved over time and how we as a community have or have not changed. We, alongside other women, take a look in the mirror and face our honest truths including traumas, insecurities, how we can reflect onto other people etc. Reflection also centres you; It reminds you of what you should be focused on. At its simplest, reflection is about careful thought. The most useful reflection involves the conscious consideration and analysis of beliefs and actions for the purpose of learning. Reflection gives the brain an opportunity to pause amidst the chaos, untangle and sort through observations and experiences, consider multiple possible interpretations, and create meaning. So, in this issue, we take on the topic of reflection in different spheres through various conversations with women looking back at their journeys and how things have evolved over time. Enjoy!

Love always, CC x

"A Black woman who strongly believes family, friends, food and culture are the centerpiece to life ".

She is in a full state of becoming.

IFY ODUM IFY ODUM Where did the idea of exploring the intersection between food and conversation through So We Gather (SWG) come from?

How I came to explore the two is sort of a long story but first, I've always loved food and I honestly think I'm the happiest when I'm eating. Shabbat dinner is a jewish tradition that happens once a week in observance of the sabbath. I've been attending those dinners for over a decade and each time there is an elaborate food spread, new guests each week, and discussions ranging from the best part of the week to what is going on in the world. Then one night, I was leaving dinner with my sister and her husband when I realized that we had just done the same thing. That many of us gather over a meal and experience moments of therapy, discovery, enlightenment, disagreement – you name it. No matter what we're going through, good or bad, we as people love to gather and typically food is there – thus So We Gather.

Speaking of food, do you have a favourite childhood nostalgic meal?

My favorite childhood nostalgic meal is probably my moms homemade egg rolls and rice & stew with moin moin.

In the first episode of SWG "Computer Love", you and your guests explored dating today and how social media has a big influence on that. In regards to social media's influence, what new thing do you think you learnt/took from the conversation?

A new thing I learned from the conversation is the power of storytelling within social media. The simple fact that anybody can craft a relatable, memorable story and that alone can make others believe it and buy into the narrative. I know that doesn't seem "new" but it's really eye opening when we're discussing something as real as relationships between two individuals.

In your opinion what are 2 positive things and 2 negative things (if any) about social media?

2 positive things are; 1. We are now exposed to so many different cultures/people/info rmation 2. It's become an outlet for a lot of people to be creative or tap into a creative side.

2 negative things are; 1. We've become so performative without even knowing it.

2. We're addicted to something that doesn't mean a whole lot.

What does the word 'reflection' mean to you?

Reflection means asking myself the tough questions that I really don't want to answer, answering honestly, then accepting the not so great answer, and then making the necessary changes.

What was the biggest lesson you learnt in college, and did you learn this in a classroom?

This was definitely not learned in the classroom, but not everyone needs to be your friend, 3 true friends is more valuable than a hundred associates.

Looking back at your immediate post-college experience, did you experience anxiety, depression and/or ambiguity after graduating college? If so, how did you deal with it?

To answer your question in short: yes. I strongly believe everyone experiences anxiety/depression/ambiguity post grad. We've been conditioned to believe life is supposed to go a certain way because we've received a degree and we've been in the education system so long we think it'll be the same formula in real life, when in reality it's just not. I leaned on friends and family a lot, I stepped out of my comfort zone as much as I could, I took social media breaks, I found mentors, and most importantly I reminded myself that nothing lasts forever. The feelings I was experiencing were temporary and that I'm not the only one experiencing them, it's actually normal – so I began talking about it and found people who could relate to my experience which ultimately helped me through it.

Which do you think is worse: failing or never trying?

Never trying 100%. Like Cornell West said, "Try again, fail again, fail better." It's the only way you learn how to be better at anything.

When was the last time you questioned trying something because you were scared you would fail?

When I was creating So We Gather. Who am I? I'm not a chef...I'm just a girl who loves food, a nice cocktail, and good conversation. But my biggest failure would be not to at least try..

Make a list of 5 things that make you feel at peace: My family My close friends A good meal & cocktail Music Working out

10

www.glimmer.info

Mayowa Osinowo, Founder, CEO and Operational Lead: Although our company has been around since November 2018, we officially became what is now known as Glimmer 411 around November 2019. We launched the beta version of our first product Curl Cupid™ in February 2020 during Black History Month! The team building was a gradual journey that began by simply telling our friends and family what we were trying to build and the impact we were looking to have. From there we received requests and interest from friends of friends and other individuals who saw the value in us.

Mecca Parker, Partner, Chief Marketing Technology Officer: Though the company you see today has been known by a couple of different names in our short history, the name that finally stuck was Glimmer 411. From the beginning, we always knew we wanted a name that would reflect who we are as a company. We felt that the name “Glimmer” embodied our company’s mission to be the guiding light that leads our community members to better hair results as they navigate their hair journeys.

With our sights set on being the central information hub for textured hair, the addition of 411 neatly represents the information-based value our company brings to the hair industry.

MAYOWA OSINOWO

CC: On your website it says 'For a long time, individuals with textured hair have compromised and conformed in an industry that has ignored their needs'. Can you elaborate on the ways we have had to compromise and conform within the industry?

I relaxed my hair not because I wanted to but because it was the norm.

When I went to college, I met black women who simply didn’t. I was in awe at not only how beautiful their kinks and curls were but that I was 18 and didn’t even know what my natural hair looked like. After doing my research, I took the plunge and transitioned. Transitioning was difficult because I didn’t have much support and very little knowledge on how to care for my hair. I was still under a lot of pressure to make my hair look “neat”, “manageable”, “feminine” and “professional”. For a while, I compromised and conformed with protective styles like wigs, weaves, and braids until my hair grew “long” enough and I knew enough about my curls to care for them.

Now I look back and I sometimes feel silly for how I treated myself and my hair but it was all apart of that journey I needed to love my hair.

That’s my story but I don’t think it’s always the same for everyone. Many of us compromised by choosing styles we believed would make us more palpable or would help us blend-in certain spaces. Some of us conformed by choosing to be carried away by trends not because they were good for us, but because they were what everyone seemed to be doing. But for most, compromising and conforming was buying products not because they were made for us, but because they were manageable. We just believe we deserve a better solution, especially with the influx of products that were made by us and for us.

Mecca Parker: The true solution to fighting back against the idea that our hair texture is unprofessional is to continue to elevate people that look like us into highly visible positions of power. “Professionalism” is a social construct created by those in power to force those below them to conform to a specific image. When we stray from that image, we create discomfort for the ones in power. At every level of society, we must become comfortable resisting and creating that discomfort. To not do this would be to obscure significant parts of our identity, culture, and history with the effect of appeasing people who will likely never appreciate all the richness behind our textured hair. Of course, this is easier said than done but asserting ourselves and our culture as equal to others has never been the straight and easy path anyway.

Tell us more about your intentions with Curlpedia.

Mecca Parker: Curlpedia™ is one of our most exciting projects that is currently in the works. In essence, Curlpedia™ will be the first search engine entirely dedicated to textured hair care.

We’re indexing hair content from all across the web, everything from articles and products to images and video, and wrapping it up cleanly behind one single search bar for our users to browse, not unlike the way people use Google’s search engine. However, the most powerful part of Curlpedia™ is when used in combination with Curl Cupid™, our flagship product launching later this year, users will be able to find and filter through content that is best for their exact hair properties, like porosity and hair thickness, as well as filter according to any existing symptoms and conditions.

Curlpedia™ will streamline the entire process of searching for hair information and products for users while saving them time, money, and effort.

PARKER

CC: Black hairstlyes in the workplace historically have been a huge controversy as some see it as 'unprofessional'. How do we fight back against these connotations?

MECCA

More and more Black people, specifically women, are becoming more comfortable with expressing themselves through different hairstyles, cuts and colours. With this comes more strength as people don't feel like they need to fit into a box. Do you think this is important/necessary especially in these times? Explain why.

Mecca Parker: Expression of who we are as individuals is now more important than ever.

This is rooted in the fact that every community is built around the individual identities of everyone in the collective. If we do not feel safe and comfortable expressing our identities as individuals, it makes it much more difficult to make connections with others who live the same experiences as us. There have always been forces that wish to stifle our ability to connect and create community because the act of individuals moving as one holds immense power. As a company, Glimmer 411 is working to empower our people by centralizing all of the hair information within our community. This will give us all more influence over which companies get our dollars (only ones that truly act in our best interest) and which products make it to the store shelves (only ones that truly benefit our hair), ultimately leading to better hair outcomes for our community.

THE TEAM

Obed Appiah-Agyeman

Mecca Parker

Partner, Chief Technology Architect, Product and User Interface Designer

Partner, Chief Marketing Technology Officer

Founder, CEO and Operational Lead

Mayowa Osinowo

Product Development & Management Executive Software Development Intern

Sahara Aqui

Motolani Osinowo Growth & Strategy Executive

Yaramo Dione

Business Development Intern

Rhiane Brooks

THE TEAM

Natural Hair & Products: Zig Zag parts Short Cuts EZ Brush Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush

Hair Cuts: Temple Fade with Sponge Twists Low Afros + Full Beard Classic Waves

What are the hair trends for Fall 2020?

Protective Braided Styles: Knotless braids Passion Twists Faux Locs

Wigs & Weaves: The 90s French roll updo inspired by the WAP video Retro Flipped out curls with bumped-up ends Face-framing bleached/highlight strip Platinum blonde, honey blonde and burgundy

In what ways have our (Black Women) relationships with our hair, as a society, changed from the 90's up until now?

Mayowa Osinowo: Some aspects haven’t changed. Hair is still a symbol of status, a marker of identity, and an avenue for creative expression, but how we act on those truths has evolved. There’s more liberation when it comes to how we think about hair and how we treat our hair. I think that Black Women have healthier and intentional relationships with their hair. They want to know all the facts, what ingredients were used, and what the effects are. Black Women now understand their purchasing power and are more willing to use their income to influence their relationships not only with their hair but also with brands and hair companies.

There is so much history, power and strength behind hairstyles, where do you as a brand draw the line between cultural appropriation through hairstyles and cultural appreciation?

Mecca Parker: Cultural appropriation has always been a sensitive topic for our community. Often, it's very subjective.

There will never be hard and fast rules that make it easy to call one thing cultural appropriation versus appreciation. However, we believe the foundation of this issue begins with both education and allyship. Individuals who decide to explore hairstyles that originated within the textured hair community must first educate themselves on the significance that hair in general, and that particular style, holds in our community. They must also educate themselves on the ongoing discrimination that we've had to endure as a result of our hair and actively defend us against that discrimination. That is non-negotiable.

Those that wish to appreciate and adopt our hairstyles must also stand up for us and act as allies. Without these two qualifications of education and allyship, any appropriation of our hairstyles is exploitative.

What is/are your holy grail/staple product(s) for curls? Are there any particular Black owned brands and products you like?

Mecca Parker: There’s so much diversity that exists with textured hair; how products interact with each other further complicates the question. We’re hesitant to explicitly name a group of products as must-have, staple products because we believe that each individual, through exploration and experimentation, must gradually discover their own “holy grail” of products. As a company, Glimmer 411 doesn’t seek to be the ultimate authority on which products customers should and shouldn’t use. This is part of the problem that we see with other participants in the hair care industry today. Instead, our vision is to empower our clients with the information and resources they need to decide for themselves which products will most effectively help them meet their hair goals.

Mayowa Osinowo: I’ll let Mecca give you the corporate spiel! My staple products as a 4Cb, high porosity, thick stranded and high densityhaired gal is: - TGIN Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer* - Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste* - As I AM Curling Jelly - TPH Never Salty Scrub* - Green Tea - Olive Oil - Shea Moisture Mongongo & Hemp Seed Oils High Porosity Moisture Correct Masque** *Black-Owned **Discontinued

What do you love most about natural/curly hair?

Mayowa Osinowo: I love how versatile and forgiving it can be. Even on my worst hair days, my hair gives me a chance to get creative and learn something new about myself and what my body and hair need to thrive.

Caring for my natural hair has taught me to be more patient and nurturing with myself and is often a source of empowerment and strength.

I enjoy the relationships my hair has allowed me to build with other people who have curly hair. We bond over our similarities, our frustrations, our challenges, our differences, and our hair stories.

Q: We assume all members of Glimmer 411 have natural curly hair, what has been your biggest hair challenge/obstacle? How did you overcome it or what are you doing now to try to address the problem?

Mayowa Osinowo: My biggest obstacle has been “professionalism” and curly hair. With 4C hair being so different from not only straight hair but also different from “acceptable” curl patterns, I’ve challenged myself to think and act differently. It has always been an awkward balance of not wanting my hair to be a topic of discussion or a distraction from workplace conversations and expressing myself.

I learned to overcome it by simply wearing my way how I wanted to.

People mock things they don’t understand or that they’re envious of. If I wanted to change my wig up from day to day, I did. If I wanted braids, I got them done. If I wanted to wear my curls in a high puff or a low ponytail, I did! It was building up the courage to confidently wear my hair so that others could confidently accept it too.

Mecca Parker: My biggest hair challenge has been discovering the versatility that exists within my own curls. Growing up, I didn’t have much guidance for caring for my hair and often felt that my hair was too curly and coarse to try certain styles. As a result, I never really ventured to try new styles because I simply believed they weren’t styles that would work with my specific hair texture.

Since then, I’ve learned that though there is so much diversity in our hair textures, there are a few simple keys to caring for your hair that really have the most impact in how your hair styles turn out. I learned that our hair in general is complicated, but you can go a long way by being aware of the essentials like moisture retention, regular washing and conditioning with the right products, and protecting your hair at night.

Obed Appiah-Agyeman: My biggest hair challenge has been being consistent with protective styles.

Protective styles look great and are always enjoyable but I can’t have them in 24/7 so figuring out what to do in between them has been a challenge.

I’ve learned that the best thing to do is to give my hair rest but also try out new styles and ways to keep my hair moisturized. Yes, sometimes it means I’ll have to sacrifice “the look” but I want new growth and healthy hair. Styles like simple bantu knots and twists allow me to give my scalp a rest but retain moisture. All in all, I’ve learned to be prideful of my hair in all of its stages!

22

POSTS WE LOVE

EVOL EW STSOP

we might need to cancel cancel culture

words by: feyisola ayodeji

According to Dictionary.com, Cancel Culture is the “popular practice of withdrawing support for (canceling) public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive”.

But most of us don’t need a dictionary to tell us that. We have all borne witness to this trend; a celebrity or public figure does something we don’t agree with, and the public’s response is to rally against them in an effort to ‘cancel’ them. From Youtubers to Hollywood Stars, Artists and Designers, no one is safe. The idea is to relinquish support, dismantle their platform, and diminish their influence because they have proven to be unworthy of any of the above. Cancel Culture is hydra-headed, so manifests itself in various ways, often covering important societal issues from sexual assault to racism. In theory, ‘cancelling’ might seem a fair repercussion for transgressions. After all, people are often deserving of it, and celebrities are not untouchable, nor are they entitled to public approval (fervently as they might seek it), so shunning them for their mistakes is understandable.

At its core, you could say that Cancel Culture aims to hold people accountable for their mistakes, while highlighting these wrongdoings to the rest of society in an effort to deter others from making the same error. However, in practice, Cancel Culture is engulfed by thick layers of toxicity, and looks less like holding people accountable, and more like a trend of mass bullying. This then leads us to the premise that, “we might need to cancel Cancel Culture”.

Frankly it is important to recognize that most times, the need to ‘cancel’ people or organisations can easily be justified, as many public figures and companies constantly make unimaginable mistakes and repeatedly cross lines of accepted racial, religious and sexual boundaries.

There is no debate about whether the Weinstens and R Kellys of this world deserve to be called out and held to justice. Acknowledging their mistakes ensures that these horrors are not repeated and those who are victims to it are reassured, compensated and find some form of justice. Psychologist Dr Becky Spelman expressed how inviting Cancel Culture can be, asserting that “the motivation behind this is easy to understand” as “it can feel absolutely infuriating to hear someone stating views that we find unacceptable” and we think we have “the moral authority to tell them to shut up and sit down, or to ban them from public forums”. It is also important to note that most proponents of Cancel Culture genuinely believe that they are doing society good, pruning it of its many evils. Most also (for good reason) do not trust societal establishments to adequately deal with or rectify these wrongs, so feel like they have no choice but to take matters into their own hands.

“looks less like holding people accountable, and more like a trend of mass bullying�

Sadly the impatience of our social media generation means that instead of pausing to take a holistic view on an issue, we are quick to judge and condemn before we even gather all the facts. On a whim, people are thrown into that box labelled ‘cancelled’. The faceless world of twitter (the most conducive platform for Cancel Culture), also means that people do not see the damage they are doing, and in an effort to hold others accountable, no one seems to hold themselves, their tone, or their words accountable. What’s worse is that Cancel Culture has a moving target, and no set guidelines, so what was good yesterday can be bad today and vice versa. The same mob that demands an apology can turn around and rip one to shreds when it is given, arguing over why they weren’t emotional enough but also getting upset at the sight of tears.

Ironically the desire to constantly cancel others can also mean people forget to check themselves. This lack of introspection can make people feel elevated above others and create a warped superiority complex. In an article for Marie Claire, Maria Cool shared Dr Spelman’s viewpoint: she asserted that ‘Cancel culture is also bad for the people doing the cancelling, because it encourages them to completely remove from their social environment all opinions that might diverge from their own, and limits them to an echo chamber of their own creation in which they are never challenged or given the opportunity to grow.’ She then went on to say that ‘progress is made when people with different, and even opposing, views can meet, talk, and reach compromise,’ she explained, ‘Cancel culture is often represented as progressive, but it is really the polar opposite; it is a form of censorship, which is a tool mastered by some of the most oppressive political regimes in history. At both the individual and the collective level, it may result in us becoming afraid of exploring our boundaries, in case we accidentally offend someone.’. Ultimately, it allows for a group of sanctimonious people to judge society, and take up the role of judge, jury and executioner with no limitations and no guidelines. Cancel Culture also presents a false reality whereby everything is either black or white, and right or wrong, with little room for mistakes, when in fact this is far from true.

Admittedly, the amount of power celebrities and companies wield, means that their choices massively influence members of society; particularly the young and impressionable. THIS MEANS a higher level of scrutiny IS OFTEN attached to their mistakes. we have all transgressed, and have all done things we are ashamed of: The only difference is we have allowed ourselves and our loved ones to learn and grow from this. Cancel Culture presents as almost a twisted reminder from society that “we brought you up but we can sure as hell bring you down”. Whilst no one should be invincible and people must respect their responsibilities, we cannot hold anyone to such a high standard that they are exempt from natural human shortcomings. The reality is that human history is a catalogue of mistakes and there will never be a day where people don’t make errors, whether big or small. This does not mean everyone should be given a free pass for their wrongdoings, but it does mean that a level of grace must be administered. If you empty justice of redemption then what is left ? Of course, it is not our duty to teach anyone common decency, however if our will is to see all humans treat each other fairly and behave appropriately towards one another, then aggressively shaming someone for the duration of the news cycle will hardly effect that change. It is fine to register your disapproval of something and choose to withdraw your support from a person or organisation, what isn’t fine, though, is indulging in hypocrisy and bullying because it is trendy online.

As Sharia Ajmal rightly argues, “the idea that someone’s entire future can be ceased after one lapse in judgement is extremely problematic”. Cancel Culture also ignores the fact that previous years did not benefit from such a high level of social awareness and in other words were not as ‘woke’ as we are now. This does not permit misbehaviour but it should leave room for growth. digging up things from the past that people posted or tweeted in moments of ignorance and holding them to today's standards can somewhat be unfair. It is harsh to wright-off someone because of a mistake they committed years ago when at the time they committed it, society wouldn't have even necessarily seen it as a mistake; even in the arena of criminal justice retrospective law is shunned, but the social media world thinks otherwise. It is not crazy to think that people can become less immature and more educated within the space of a decade yet Cancel Culture leaves little allowance for this growth. Maria Coole condemns the trend, arguing that “it lacks nuance, patience, understanding and communication. It’s rooted in humiliating the offending party and in a privileged view that, ‘I know better than you.’’’.

The toxicity woven into Cancel Culture means that its failures are many. REALISTICALLY, no one is ever ‘cancelled’ for long, and in some cases, that enables genuinely deplorable characters to remain in the limelight and to capitalise off renewed public approval that is born out of collective amnesia, as opposed to remorse and genuine change. It has become so temporary and meaningless, that it can be likened to a wave of anger that when ridden out long enough, becomes harmless. Controversial artist 6ix9ine is a perfect example of this- an alleged racist, homophobe and convicted pedophile who (despite his very recent album flop) managed to top the charts and get insane views on his music videos. When it comes to companies, this short-lived anger becomes even more dangerous. they simply make performative statements of virtue signalling actions, to get the public back on their side, so they can line their pockets with money that they will eventually use to exploit us. Cancel Culture seems to move on to the next very quickly, often losing effect on its previous target. In this vein, the short and harsh bursts of disapproval levelled at public figures, mixed in with memes and laughter over social media, encourages celebrities to “ride out the wave” as opposed to actually reflecting on their actions and behaviour. In the same way that we would hardly take criticism if it came in the form of aggressive attacks from strangers, public figures are also not likely to either, especially if they know that, soon enough, the internet will focus on something different. Treating people’s transgressions as a trend does not invite self-improvement, and it also heavily trivializes the principle behind the wrongdoing, yet another repercussion of the toxic practice of Cancel Culture.

Cancel Culture can also make it harder to spot issues that actually should be dealt with.

Sometimes it poses a distraction from real problems. Because we inadvertently cancel on a whim, we diminish the impact of the genuinely bad things that are done and need to be isolated and focused on. When something or someone is being cancelled every 5 seconds, you end up having to sieve through a lot of forced uproar to actually locate serious issues that require attention. Likening people who maybe wore the ‘wrong’ outfit or picked the ‘wrong’ hairstyle to those who are serial offenders, abusers and manipulators creates a very confusing and unstable standard. Psychologist Dr Spelman highlights this issue when she notes how the trend is “trying to cancel ever more people for saying progressively less offensive things, sometimes cancelling all dialogue in the process.” She notes that “instantly reacting by trying to shut people down, and shut them up, whenever they disagree even slightly with a group consensus is a disproportionate reaction. Rather than changing anybody’s mind, when this happens, they are more likely to withdraw from conversation completely, to become increasingly entrenched in their views, and less willing to listen to a different point of view.” When the dust settles we may find that we've criminalized almost everything, entertained inequity and left society worse off than we found it - having allowed this trend to also cancel our humanity.

The current approach to Cancel Culture needs to be seriously rethought. Flooding peoples’ social media with hateful comments and threatening emojis cannot be our goto tactic. Cancel Culture has proven itself ineffective and in fact counterproductive. In light of September being Suicide Prevention Month, we have to ask ourselves what role Cancel Culture and the bullish mentality behind it playS in people’s mental health.

Society as a whole has to take a step back and make the decision to be more intentional and constructive when we’re seeking to correct others. If we continue to follow herd mentality, treating accountability as a trending topic, we are only further contributing to the toxicity existing within Cancel Culture, and nothing – neither our celebrities, companies or their behaviours and outlooks – will change. All this being said, the pitfalls of Cancel Culture don't justify problematic practices and ultimately people should still be held accountable for dangerous behaviour. The flaws of Cancel Culture do not take away from the fact that at the core of people’s shortcomings, there are important societal chains and patterns that need to be unpacked and dealt with.

Anyone who wants to cancel Cancel Culture must endeavour to find a more constructive way to deal with important issues.

Instead of perpetuating long-term damage, we have to consider what the best route is for long-term change. If done more effectively, we could hold public figures and companies accountable and ensure that the financial benefits of public support are not given to those who will abuse it.

WORDS BY: FEYISOLA AYODEJI

MTD

Morountodun intiially got drawn to graphic design by seeing dope pictures and videos on the internet. She would see a picture or video and think 'I want to recreate this for myself' and that is how her interest was ignited. She first recreated one of the pictures she had seen for her 21st birthday invitation. Although, it involved her locking herself in her room for 8 hours and downloading both photoshop and premiere pro free trials…. talk about dedication! The reaction to this work of art was encouraging. Everyone loved it.

When we asked the 23 year old how she eventually started her graphic design brand, MTDesign, she said "I started MTDesign out of boredom you know! I was not starting work till March and wanted to make money whilst I was waiting". She interned at a graphic design company and created MTDesign to track her progress. " MTDesign was actually meant to be named “Grafika” but I’m happy I went with MTDesign, it’s a lot more personal and has more meaning". MTDesign was never meant to become a business, but once Morountodun started getting clients, she couldn't turn down an opportunity to make money, especially because it was from something she enjoyed doing.

OMIMEWOS NUDOTNUOROM

ESIGN

CC: What does a day in the life of MTD entail?

MTD: A day in the life of MTD is pretty simple to be honest. I wake up, pray, eat, and address any work that I need to. I also hang out with my little sister a lot. She is 13 but I genuinely think we are the same age at times. We usually watch shows together or just have really good conversations - we just finished Teen Wolf and are currently watching Gilmore Girls. She also helps me with some of my graphic design projects. As the day goes on, I attend any meetings that I may have and at some point, my other sister usually drops something crazy in the family groupchat, it's never a dull moment. At the end of the day, I usually do my night-time routine, create to-do lists if I need to and watch a YouTube video before I pray and sleep. Throughout the day, I am usually on the phone to my best friends, I love them.

CC: Tell us a little about your career path. Did you always want to be a graphic designer?

MTD: Becoming a graphic designer was never in my plans. I actually wanted to become a Paediatrician then a Plastic Surgeon and now a Health Consultant. I never ever EVER saw graphic design as something that I would be making money from, but God has a sense of humour. I love designing for clients and for myself.

Graphic design has shown me that it is possible to have a career and have fun.

Even when I am tired, I want to design. When I am swamped with work, I look forward to designing. Having a graphic design business has shown me that I can’t work at a job I don’t enjoy because even when I have a lot of deadlines, I still want to design… I never get bored and that’s very important for me.

CC: What does a role as a graphic designer entail?

MTD: I can really only speak for myself, but I believe it entails really listening to your client and executing what THEY want. It is about evoking emotion through you work. Graphic design entails a lot of research - knowing what kind of colours go together, which dimensions are best suited for certain projects, the differences between colour codes, what certain colours mean, which font type to use for each client… the list goes on and on. I believe you also have to be creative and very meticulous and with that comes patience. You have to be able to think freely in order to make sure your designs are not all the same. Something as simple as rotating a graphic element, changing the position of something, or even trying a different font could really change the appearance of the final piece and increase its impact – creating impact is something that is really important to me. Ultimately, my role is to make my clients happy and if I’m just designing for the fun of it, it is to make myself happy.

CC: How would you describe your approach to design?

MTD: My approach is incredibly detailed. There is a reason behind every colour, font, or visual element that I use. I make sure I have included every single detail the client has told me. I write down my ideas before I start designing and I sometimes sketch it out just so that I can have a visualization of what is in my head. I execute what a client wants EXACTLY as they described it, then if something is not working out, I tweak it and just take it from there. I usually spend a lot of time researching colours, fonts and any other information that may help with my design process.

When I am designing for myself, I have an idea and I just start finding components that will help me with its execution. However, sometimes, my ideas change because something else inspires me.

I typically just go with the flow though, a very calculated flow. I don’t put too much pressure on myself and I just design as the Holy Spirit leads. If a design is proving difficult, I pray for God to make it easier and to show me the tools or methods to use and He ALWAYS comes through.

What type of graphic design projects do you like to work on the most?

I LOVE working on Art and Illustration graphics the most. It is inclusive of all the several types of graphic design therefore, allowing me to push my limits as well as learn and explore new tools and ways of executing ideas. It also gives me the most freedom and allows me to do whatever I want. There really is no limit to what I can do, and I love it. I am also a very inquisitive person, so I love any opportunity that presents me with the chance to learn.Â

Do you work with any and everyone?

If not, how do you decide on who to work with?

Hmm, what I will say is that I hear everyone out. I listen to their ideas and if my spirit is not triggered then I go ahead. I have never been approached by anyone controversial, but if that ever happened, I would turn them down. I do not want MTDesign to be associated with certain topics, people, or brands; and I understand that as a Christian I am meant to extend grace, but wisdom must always be applied.

When facing difficulties with coming up with or completing designs, how does reflection play a part in inspiring and motivating you?

Reflection plays a significant role in inspiring and motivating me because it reminds me of who TF I am LOL. I used to have really bad anxiety that was triggered by if an idea did not come to me immediately or if I did not know how to execute an idea properly. Safe to say I used to put way too much pressure on myself.

However, when this happens now, I always remember that every obstacle I have faced, I have overcome by the grace of God. Seeing some of my designs and remembering the stories behind them also motivates me to never give up even if it means delaying my designs for a while. Reflection is what really keeps me going.

CC: Although you just started in March, looking back at your work then and your work now, what would you attribute your growth to?

MTD: I attribute my growth to FemmeMag, a Nigerian womxn-focused publication; the editorial vertical of Femme Africa, an organization founded by my friend Ayomide Dokunmu. FemmeMag is edgy, unconventional, daring, socially aware and it is current. I am proud to be their in-house graphic designer - @thefemmemag. I work alongside Temilade Adeyinka who is one of the Co-Founders and Temilade knows EXACTLY what she wants. She comes with ideas which I think are super cool and I execute them. Most of the time, this involves me watching YouTube tutorials and calling some of my friends, but I always get the job done. If I was not working at FemmeMag, I definitely will not have learnt as much as I have now. So, after God, I attribute my growth to FemmeMag but more specifically, I attribute my growth to Temilade Adeyinka.

CC: Thoughts on specialization and generalization in the field of graphic design?

MTD: I believe that if there is a specific field in graphic design that you are interested in, focus on it, give it your all and perfect your craft. However, if you are not sure about what you want to specialize in then start by exploring various fields one at a time and deciding if you like it or not. Once you have identified your preferences, work on perfecting your craft before moving on to the next one. There is no point learning something halfway and jumping on to the next thing, just to say you know how to do various things. I would rather be great at one thing than be mediocre at multiple things.

Also, I have come across people who just assume that a graphic designer can do every single thing but that is why we have visual artists, web developers and video makers. I think people should just take a little more time to do a bit more research in order to identify what they really require in order to execute their ideas. What I do with such situations is plug my friends or someone else I know who are well suited for the job. If there’s one thing about me is that I will ALWAYS plug and support my friends.

CC: In what ways (if any) have self-doubt and self-sabotage crept into your life and prevented you (or almost) from reaching your full potential?

MTD: Self-doubt and self-sabotage are always trying to creep in, it is actually kind of crazy. I almost did not create MTDesign because I was scared (not sure what I was scared of now though). I sometimes think of turning down some clients because my mind is telling me that I can’t do their ideas justice or at work, it’s sometimes not saying a suggestion because I think it’s stupid but then I say it and it turns out to be a great idea. The devil’s main job is to steal, kill and destroy and there is NO way I will ever give him the privilege of stealing, killing or destroying my dreams. I believe in ceasing opportunities as they come, so whenever I have a sabotaging thought I immediately counteract it by declaring the opposite and actually believing it even if it means repeating it several times. So far, it has been working.

CC: What are you currently inspired by and how is that reflected in your work?

MTD: I am inspired by any and everything – pictures I see on Instagram, the curtains in my house, other artists, my friends, conversations, life!

Everything inspires me and my work typically reflects this through the elements I use. So, this could be colours, fonts, pictures or how I arrange the various parts on the canvas, but I usually just go with a calculated flow and see what I end up with.Â

CC: Are there any creative mediums you would like to explore next?

MTD: I definitely want to explore creating motion images with Adobe After Effects, I think they are so cool. I want to really dedicate time to that and I believe that I will be able to create really dope graphics with that skill under my belt. It will also push me beyond my limits, which I love. Once I have that skill under my belt in addition to photoshop and illustrator!!?? It is over for you all! Lol

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CHIS on Reflection...

We’re entering Q4 of 2020 and I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting over the last 5-6 months. For me, it's the perfect time of year to look back on all the things I've done this year, reflect on lessons learnt and most importantly, what I need to do in this final quarter.

This habit of reflecting is something that I’ve developed pretty strongly this year.

At least once a day, (more often than not it's several times) I think about my life, what I’ve been doing right and what I am doing that’s not working. I reflect on every aspect of my being and through this practice of deep introspection I am able to continuously improve.

Undoubtedly, this has been one of the most challenging years I have ever experienced - I feel like I’ve been saying this since 2018 but honestly, 2020? Y'all won. Apart from the obvious fact that we’re in the middle of a whole pandemic, I’ve had to adjust to a lot of life changes and change isn’t something I necessarily deal with well. Trying to finish my degree, sorting my move to the other side of the world and navigating other personal relationships in the midst of all this has been insanely overwhelming. If I had to pinpoint it, the start of lockdown was probably my breaking point. I quickly became very antisocial, I stopped speaking to my friends, deleted all social media, refused to answer calls and stayed in bed all day.

There are so many times I would lock myself in my bathroom and cry because I didn’t want anyone to see me in that state. I had no motivation to study for my finals; I still have no clue how I finished the semester strong (and graduate with a great GPA, might i add). I was in this HORRIBLE funk and I just did not know how to get out. It was like I was in this boundless dark hole with no escape.

R However, the time I took off sort of helped me realign and refocus. I eventually just started reflecting on all aspects of my life and through conversations with my siblings, who I was quarantining with, I was able to gradually get back on my feet. I started to identify what was working for me and what wasn’t - what i needed to change/get rid of and what i needed to keep doing. Once I started doing that, things started picking up. I mean, way easier said than done and it took me almost 2 months to really embrace all that but it helped.

One of my favorite times to reflect is during my evening walks. I walk around my neighbourhood for about an hour and I like to take that time to think about my life, and my work. Some of my best ideas come during this time (lol). I Would 100% recommend just taking a walk and using that time for reflection. Make a daily appointment and don’t miss it!

As challenging as 2020 has been for me, it has been a year of great learning and unlearning and on reflection, I think it was necessary. The world just needed to stop and I needed to pause for a minute (or 2 months lol) and just recenter myself. I wouldn’t say I’m 100% now but I am in a much better and healthier mind space than I was at the start of lockdown and I attribute that to this new habit of reflecting. With that being said, I still need this year to be over. Like ASAP.

noitcelfer no ococ

One of my favorite ways to reflect is by going through my journal to see how much I've changed and grown (or not). I've been consistently journaling for over a year now and it's honestly been so so therapeutic.

It's where I hold myself 100% accountable for my emotions, thoughts and actions. I make sure that if needed, I always re-align myself onto a healthy journey in life.

Here's an exert from my Journal:

September 10th, 2019 "Letting go and losing control has always been one of, if not the biggest fears in my life. I love to be in control. I love knowing what to expect. This summer taught me that that is toxic. I think this is why I have bad anxiety. I overthink things and situations so much that it puts fear in me. This is why I'm such a big planner / so organized".

Now although I am still a big planner and organizer, I don't overthink things as much. I've learnt to let go and let God. When things don't go my way or the way I'm most comfortable with, I don't let that get to me as much. I adjust accordingly. There's beauty in going with the flow and not always being in control. I still have a long way to go but I've found that I'm less fearful of trying out new things as I'm more comfortable with the idea of trial and error.

reflection Another one of my favorite ways to reflect is through conversations with my friends. Having lived in 3 countries, I'm blessed to have formed beautiful sisterhoods in each of them. Every now and then, I get the chance to catch up with my sisters, reflect on the experiences we shared and also reflect on the journeys we've had since I moved. It's always a beautiful conversation with every one of them. It's conversations like those that make my heart warm and full, because even though we don't always have positive experiences to share, we always know the right words of affirmation and advice to give one another.

reflection

WHEN IRENE WAS YOUNGER, SHE WAS SUCH A TOMBOY. SHE DIDN’T CARE ABOUT BAGS, ACCESSORIES OR MAKEUP, INSTEAD SHE WOULD THROW ON ANYTHING OVERSIZED OR COMFORTABLE AND KEEP IT PUSHING. THIS GOES BACK TO HER OUTFITS AS A CHILD, "MY MUM WOULD DRESS ME UP IN THE WILDEST, BOYISH, BUT FLY OUTFITS! HONESTLY, I THINK I WAS BORN WITH A CERTAIN LEVEL OF WAVINESS, FASHION WASN’T SOMETHING I CONSCIOUSLY STARTED TO NOTICE OR THINK ABOUT UNTIL I WAS ABOUT 18/19 IN MY 2ND YEAR OF UNDERGRAD". GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ARTS LONDON REALLY EXPOSED THIS APRIL TAURUS TO ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT EXPRESSIVE TALENTS, FROM FILM MAKERS, GRAPHIC DESIGNERS & FASHION DESIGNERS ETC. THIS PERIOD IN UNIVERSITY MADE HER AWARE OF HER OWN FORM OF EXPRESSION, WHAT SHE LIKES AND DOESN’T LIKE. "I STARTED ADDING & LAYERING DIFFERENT PIECES TO MY TOMBOY NATURE. THAT WAS HONESTLY THE BIRTH OF RENÉSTYLES".

Irene

René

Styles

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST FASHION MEMORY? THIS ISN’T NECESSARILY A POSITIVE ONE BUT I REMEMBER DOING TEXTILES IN SECONDARY SCHOOL, I WAS ABOUT 14 YEARS OLD AND THEY ASKED US TO MAKE A BAG. I WAS PROBABLY THE WORST STUDENT IN THAT CLASS BECAUSE IT ALL SEEMED A BIT TOO DAINTY AND FIDDLY FOR ME. I MADE THE BAG THOUGH, TO BE HONEST MINE CAME OUT LOOKING LIKE A TERRIBLE CLUTCH BUT I ROCKED THE HELL OUT OF IT. TOOK IT HOME TO SHOW MY MUM & SISTER, I THINK THEY STILL LAUGH AT THE BAG TILL TODAY. IT FELT AND LOOKED LIKE A BABY PILLOW. I DEFINITELY PICKED THE WRONG FABRIC TO USE FOR IT. THE EDGES WEREN’T ALIGNED, THE PEARLS I SEWED ON WERE HANGING ON FOR DEAR LIFE. BUT HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN SAY THEY’VE MADE THEIR OWN CLUTCH? JACQUEMUS SHOULD CALL ME.

HOW HAS YOUR STYLE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS? WOW. DRAG ME. SO LIKE I MENTIONED, I USED TO BE A TOMBOY. I THINK I STILL HAVE ASPECTS OF THAT IN HOW I DRESS NOW. I’M A HUGE SNEAKERHEAD AND ALL. BUT I WOULD SAY MY STYLE HAS BECOME MORE FLUID OVER THE YEARS, I LIKE TO DIBBLE AND DABBLE IN EVERYTHING. I’M OPEN TO TRYING NEW THINGS NOW. ALSO I LOVE TO SHOW SOME SKIN AND BODY NOW LOL. I’M MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE PIECES I HAVE AND WHAT I BUY. MY STYLE DOESN’T END WITH THE CLOTHES I WEAR, IT ALSO INCLUDES HAIR AND MY OVERALL SELF-CARE. HAIR IS SOMETHING I LOVE TO PLAY AROUND WITH A LOT AND IT DEFINITELY INFLUENCES MY CHOICE IN OUTFITS.

@renestyles

WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU BECAME A BLOGGER AND "INSTAGRAMER", AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE SOCIAL MEDIA AS A CAREER? I FEEL LIKE I’VE BEEN IN SCHOOL ALL MY LIFE AND IT’S ONLY IN THE PAST 2 YEARS I’VE BEEN FREED FROM THAT MENTAL SLAVERY (AS I CALL IT). I WAS IN SCHOOL IN LONDON STUDYING ADVERTISING/GRAPHIC DESIGN & WORKING SIMULTANEOUSLY. THEN A MASTERS IN MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS, WORKING IN PR & MARKETING, WORKING AS A FASHION COORDINATOR & WORKING IN DIGITAL MARKETING. I FEEL LIKE I’VE ALWAYS BEEN IN THIS DIGITAL SPACE THAT’S CONNECTED TO FASHION, MOST OF MY LIFE REVOLVES AROUND SOCIAL MEDIA. SOCIAL MEDIA IS THE ONLY PLACE I FEEL MY LEVEL OF CREATIVITY FITS INTO PERFECTLY WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

SELF-EXPRESSION IS IMPORTANT AND ONE OF THE WAYS YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF IS THROUGH CLOTHES. HAVE YOU ALWAYS FELT COMFORTABLE EXPRESSING YOURSELF?IF NOT, WHAT WAS THE TURNING POINT? I ALWAYS STUCK TO THE OVERSIZED/TOMBOY LOOK BECAUSE IT WAS EASY FOR ME. NOT ONLY WAS IT EASY BUT IT WAS A SHIELD I USED TO PROTECT MYSELF ALMOST. I’M A VERY SLIM (SOME WOULD CALL SKINNY) GIRL. AS A WOMAN, NO MATTER WHAT SIZE YOU ARE YOU’LL ALWAYS FIND A DOWNSIDE AND HAVE INSECURITIES I THINK. I HATED WEARING FITTED CLOTHES BECAUSE THEY WOULD EMPHASIZE HOW SLIM I WAS. ANYTHING THAT WOULD SHOW MY BONES OR LEGS, I’D OPT-OUT. SO WAS I COMFORTABLE EXPRESSING MYSELF? NO, I WASN’T. THERE WERE THINGS I LOVED AND ALWAYS WANTED TO WEAR BUT I NEVER DID OUT OF FEAR OF BEING LAUGHED AT. BUT I THINK THE TURNING POINT FOR ME WAS GROWING OLDER AND REALIZING THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE LIKE ME, BIG OR SMALL WHO FACE BODY SHAMING ON A DAILY BASIS. THE THING ABOUT NOT FEELING COMFORTABLE IS SOMETIMES PEOPLE DO MAKE YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE BUT OTHER TIMES IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD. HOW YOU TREAT YOURSELF, YOUR ENVIRONMENT AND THE THINGS YOU CONSUME HAS A LOT TO DO WITH IT TOO. I HAD TO FIRST STOP ADDING TO THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS I GOT AND ACTUALLY SPEAK POSITIVELY TO MYSELF. I STARTED LEARNING ABOUT MY BODY AND MY SHAPE. FIGURED OUT I HAVE A SHORT TORSO AND LONG LEGS. THESE ARE FACTS THAT WILL PROBABLY NEVER CHANGE AND THEY HELPED ME WORK ON MY STYLE. I’D ASK MYSELF QUESTIONS LIKE “HOW DO I DRESS HOW I’D LIKE TO, WITHOUT FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE?” FINDING OVERSIZED PIECES AND MIXING THEM WITH FITTED ITEMS. LAYERING ETC. ALSO REALIZING LONG LEGS ARE GREAT, EVERYBODY LOVES LEGS NO MATTER HOW SKINNY THEY ARE, THEY’LL BE TALKED ABOUT.

SKIRTS OR SHORTS?

HEELS OR SNEAKERS?

DENIM OR LEATHER?

GO TO OUTFIT: OVERSIZED WHITE SHIRT, EITHER ON ITS OWN OR WITH ANY BOTTOMS & SIMPLE SNEAKERS/HEELS DEPENDING ON THE OCCASION

IR

IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE FASHION WORLD THAT FRUSTRATES YOU OR THAT YOU WISH WAS DIFFERENT?

TO BE HONEST, A LOT OF THINGS FRUSTRATE ME IN LIFE LOL BUT I THINK MAYBE BUYER/RESELLER CULTURE. I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I’VE BEEN ON A SITE WAITING FOR A NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH AND BEFORE I EVEN CLICK ON MY SIZE, IT’S GONE. THEN THE NEXT DAY YOU SEE ONE MAN/WOMAN WITH HUNDREDS OF THE SAME SHOE OR BAG. STRESSES ME. ALSO VANITY SIZING, THIS IS SOMETHING NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW OR ARE BOTHERED ABOUT BUT IT’S BASICALLY THE IDEA THAT SIZES BECOME BIGGER OVERTIME. IT FRUSTRATES ME A BIT BECAUSE CURRENTLY, I’M A SIZE 6 BUT IN 2008-2012 I WAS A SIZE 8. I STILL FIT INTO THOSE SIZE 8 CLOTHES BUT IF THEY WERE IN-STORE NOW, THEY’D BE LABELLED AS A SIZE 6 OR A 4. THIS PRACTICE IS BASICALLY TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BUY AND THEN ALSO PROMOTE POSITIVE BODY IMAGE.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO DIGITAL MARKETING? I STUDIED THIS FOR MY MASTER'S DEGREE. I ALSO WORKED IN A FEW PLACES THAT I HAD TO LEARN ON THE JOB HOW TO CREATE CONTENT FOR SAID BUSINESS, UNDERSTAND KPI’S, BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND METRICS AND CONVERSION RATES.

THE MARKETING INDUSTRY FEEDS OFF CONSUMERISM, WHICH IN TURN HAS LED TO THE INCREASED PRESSURE TO SHOW OFF AND IMPRESS WITH MATERIAL POSSESSIONS. DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD HOLD THE MARKETING INDUSTRY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, OR IS THE POWER ULTIMATELY IN THE BUYERS HANDS?

HUMANS HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO SHOW OFF WHAT THEY HAVE, WHETHER IN A BOASTFUL WAY OR JUST TO ENCOURAGE OTHER PEOPLE. I THINK EVERYONE LOVES A CHEEKY SHOW. I BELIEVE THE MARKETING INDUSTRY IS JUST FEEDING A NEED REALLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, POWER IS ALWAYS IN THE BUYER'S HANDS.

LOOKING BACK TO EARLIER THIS YEAR, BEFORE THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC FORCED US INTO QUARANTINE, UP UNTIL NOW, WHAT'S ONE THING THAT HAS CHANGED ABOUT YOU AND YOUR MINDSET? I’M SUCH A THINKER/PLANNER. IN FACT, I OVERTHINK MOST THINGS. THIS YEAR MY MINDSET HAS CHANGED IN THE SENSE THAT WHEN I THINK OF AN IDEA, I DON’T SPEND TOO MUCH TIME THINKING. MY FIRST REACTION IS NOW, OKAY HOW CAN I EXECUTE THIS & THEN I GIVE IT A GO. THIS LIFE IS ONE. I CAN’T SPEND 10 YEARS THINKING. YOU’VE JUST GOT TO KEEP DOING, KEEP CREATING, YOU’LL GET BETTER AND IMPROVE WITH EVERY IDEA. PEOPLE WILL STILL WATCH & TAKE IN YOUR CONTENT OR WHATEVER IT IS YOU DO NO MATTER THE FORM IT COMES IN. THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH FEWER RESOURCES DOING IT, SO WHAT’S STOPPING ME? PERFECTION ISN’T REAL.

ENÉ

WHAT DOES THE WORD 'REFLECTION' MEAN TO YOU?

FOR ME IT’S BEING ABLE TO LOOK BACK ON THINGS I’VE DONE, DECISIONS I’VE MADE AND THE EFFECT THOSE THINGS HAVE HAD ON MY LIFE.

WE ASKED 6 GIRLS ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS THEY'VE LEARNT FROM THEIR PAST BREAKUPS

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KAMILA " I learnt that it’s best not to attach the feeling of happiness towards a person. It’s okay if someone makes you happy but relying on them for your happiness ends up being a disaster. Self love and self awareness are more important than anything and once you can achieve that I believe it’s easier to be a happy and more content person ".

Be strong enough to walk away.

If u feel the relationship is compromising who you are, dead it.

It’s okay to have a failed relationship, it does not mean you are a failure.

TAMILORE

RUKKY

Don’t ever date anyone out of pity. Don’t ever do anyone that favour, because you end up wasting each other’s time. Choose who you really want, it’s your life

Never give anyone (let alone a man) so much power and access to your wellbeing (emotional, physical, mental)

MICHELLE

ANU

Believe when someone shows you who they are the first time. Second chances are a myth, they never really work.

ANNABEL

It’s important to have ‘non-negotiables’ - values that are incredibly important to you that you’re not willing to compromise on when it comes to a potential partner. This helps with weeding out people that want to waste your time. And, let’s say you find out later down the line that their values are not in line with your ‘non - negotiables’ you have to love yourself enough to let that person go. You come first.

BONUS ADVICE FROM CC

COCO

Listen to your intuition.

She knows best.

CHIS

Always know when to walk away. Never ever hold on to "potential"

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.

According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of women each year 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the National Cancer Institute. It is estimated that in 2020, approximately 30% of all new women cancer diagnoses will be breast cancer.

Among women younger than 40, black women have higher rates of breast cancer compared to white women.

The breast cancer mortality (death rates) are about 40% higher among Black women compared to White women.

Thanks to new treatments and early detection, the five-year relative survival rate for women with breast cancer is about 90 percent.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) One of the most aggressive patterns of breast cancer is a subtype commonly known as triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).

TNBC is twice as common in Black women when compared to White women, accounting for approximately 30% of cases. This increased occurrence of TNBC in Black women also contributes to survival disparities.

Warning signs of breast cancer include A new lump.

Bloody nipple discharge.

A change in the skin of the breast such as inflammation or dimpling.

Ways to reduce Risk of Breast Cancer

Exercise reduces breast cancer risk for women of all body types — even lean women, according to Leslie Bernstein, Ph.D., director of biomarkers of early detection and prevention at City of Hope.

Minimize alcohol intake to control risk. That means one glass of wine, one beer or one hard liquor drink per day.

(Drinking seven drinks in one day and none the rest of the week is not OK.) Regular mammography screenings and seeing a doctor if you notice anything abnormal help with early detection.

Women should start having yearly mammograms at age 40.

- These early detection strategies are especially important in Black women, because early detection of aggressive cancers such as TNBC can be lifesaving and can reduce the need for chemotherapy.

What is the best screening technique for detecting breast cancer in Black women?

Mammography and general breast health awareness are the most important screening strategies for Black women.

Women who have had relatives diagnosed with breast cancer at young ages should start yearly mammograms before reaching age 40.

- Those with a family history should start screening mammograms 510 years younger than the youngest age of breast cancer diagnosis in the family.

Art that makes you look within your souls and be illogically intuitive

AFRO

CHILD ABOUT

Afro Child is a Ghanaian born, New York based artist creating paintings that translate the voices in her head into perceivable psyches. Born and raised in Ghana, her intricate culture has always been imperative to who she is and this is evident in her use of abstracted Ghanaian symbolism. With acrylic and a contemporary approach, she renders her past mental health issues and the changing scenes of life into visual capsules. Afro Child's work forces the viewer to look within their souls and be illogically intuitive. Her imagery stems from reflections of her unconscious mind creating a mystery that can only be uncovered at the convergence of the mind and soul.

What was your first ever art piece?

As far as I can remember, I would say my first art piece was a 3-D prototype I made of my childhood home. When I was young I thought I was going to be an architect because I mostly drew houses.

In what ways do you share and include Ghana in your art style?

I read a lot about African art forms and symbolism.

I try to expose myself a lot to historic traditional visuals and every time I am in Ghana I explore a town I have never been to. Because I do all these things, Ghana just sneaks into my sketches in the form of colour, shape, texture or emotions. Without my permission my imagination takes me back home and ends up on my canvas.

What's one thing about Ghana that you want nonGhanaians to know?

Ghanaians are more than you perceive us to be. I think generally we have a very welcoming and hospitable attitude, always making room for others that we almost forget to put ourselves, resources and talent first. There's more to us.

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What would you say is the most challenging aspect about being an artist?

Personally it would be not being able to pursue art full time and also being temperamental.

Unfortunately for me my temperament dictates when I paint and how I paint and it's not always on schedule. I am trying hard to rise above that and push myself more so I can show more of my art.

On your website it says you 'render your past mental health issues and the changing scenes of life into visual capsules'. Can you elaborate on this?

What pulled you through your past mental health issues and how does change influence and inspire you?

I rarely talk about this but there was a time when I went through depressive episodes as a result of me leaving Ghana and moving to a somewhat new country. The process of adjusting was hard and oftentimes I found myself questioning my purpose a lot. Funny enough those times gave birth to some of the bigger ideas I am currently working on. Moving to New York definitely helped me out of that because I am now surrounded by creative people, a community of friends and a city that inspires me everyday.

Your work forces viewers to reflect and look on a deeper level.

What is reflection to you and why is it important?

Interpretation of art is in the eyes of the viewer. As an artist I have my own hidden emotions in my work but once it's complete it belongs to the world and I won't always be around to explain what it means. That's why I am so interested in how others view my art because I want to know how they feel about it without my influence on their thoughts. Most of the time, through reflections I get to know people on a deeper level. I get to understand how my art moves them and that's one of the motivational factors for me to keep creating.

What's one thing you've grown out of over the years that you're Would you ever explore other proud of?

The applause of the masses has creative/artistic mediums?

I have and I will. I know I want to become an undesirable thing for work in fashion and interior me. I don't need the approval of design one way or the other. So I others in order to feel like my am looking into creating clothes or ideas are valid. I am always ready to bet on my ideas and my art. sculpture with my art.

CC PLAYLIST

Mulatto ft City Girls - In n Out

Flo Milli - Ho, why is you here? (album)

Rubi Rose ft K CAMP- Pogo

Chu-Chu ft WANI - Electra

Popcaan - Canary

Tems - The Key

Runtown - Kini Issue

King Von - Why He Told

Wayne Ft. Oxlade - Vacancy

Pop Smoke - Something Special

NSG - Jorja

Davido - FEM

6LACK Ft. Lil Baby - Know My Rights

Jhené Aiko Ft. Mila J - On The Way

Olakira - In My Maserati

CC PLAYLIST

Tems - Damages

MIMI MIMI EZINNE EZINNE

Q&A

When and where did your photography journey start?

I think its always been with me, I grew up infatuated with taking photos. My mom would buy disposable cameras for me in bulk and develop the pictures I would take for me. As I got older I started carrying a digital camera around, probably back in 5th or 6th grade, and I would upload all the pictures to myspace and Facebook lol. But it for sure began as a freshman in high school, where I TOOK on photography classes. I learned how to shoot film and develop my own images in the darkroom, a process that really confirmed my love of photography and the overall enjoyment of creating.

Why is it important to you that your heritage and cultural experiences inspire you and reflect in your work?

My heritage and cultural experiences really inspire me. I love to travel, especially in and around Africa. I love to create with both what I know and don't know. I feel that being able to dive deeper and find a purpose in my photos than just a nice image reflects the depth of my background. I also just love to show where I'm from and how I got here. My story is important to me.

All images were taken by Mimi Ezinne.

As seen in images: Mia GhoGho, Sydney Taylor Skin, NAPS Butter & Mimi Ezinne.

What does reflection mean to you, and how much reflecting did you do during the quarantine? I find reflection as an opportunity to pause and go over my work. Much like in school, its a moment to review and make sure you're on the right path suitable to you before continuing on.

Quarantine was weird. I don't know if I reflected as much. I slept a lot honestly. I felt like I truly relaxed and regrouped.

My reflection during this time looked more so like confirmation of the ideas I had been pondering over time, prior to quarantine. It offered me grace and what I needed most, which was time.

graphy and I admire the that I don't know it all. I hat I can make a mistake becomes a piece of art I imagined I could create. ere's room to grow in raphy; always and there les.... but there really are no rules to this"

"I love photography for always keeping me curious. There is so much to learn in and around photography and I admire the fact that I don't know it all. I love that I can make a mistake and it becomes a piece of art I never imagined I could create.

There's room to grow in photography; always and there are rules.... but there really are no rules to this"

"I love photography for a keeping me curious. Ther much to learn in and ar photography and I admi fact that I don't know it love that I can make a m and it becomes a piece o never imagined I could c There's room to grow

Speak what you believe and want into existence.

You have the ability to get through anything.

Some

Nothing and No-one is worth losing yoursel for.

Don't match negative energy. It's not worth it.

Do everything with intention.

Reminders

Don't let your perspective now diminish the feelings you had then.

The The desire desire to be to be 100% 100% 'perfect' 'perfect' before before executing is executing is holding holding you you back. back.

The End.