Over the years, there have been many adaptations of ‘For Coloured Girls’, originally a stage play written in 1976 by Ntozake Shange. It was written as a choreopeom. The book focused on women who have suffered oppression in our racist and sexist society. One very good adaptation is Tyler Perrys version. If you haven’t seen it, you can watch it on Netflix.
My adaptation is another twist. I want to talk about issues the modern African woman is facing. Each colour will try to focus on a different issue. Each of my poems will be written using a Dramatic Monologue.
Here is the first of the series… Please enjoy
Have I not been condemned enough?
For wanting to be a modern woman
Let not tradition dictate my life
As the world is full of endless possibilities
I choose not to live within constraints
‘But you’re a woman’ they say!
‘Your body was made to bear children’
‘You were created to be a wife’
‘That you should aspire to!’
I laugh at their mediocrity
…
Have I not been condemned enough?
For daring to break the rules
Don’t just sit there!
Listen to me!!!
I am the independent woman
The voice for the voiceless
They look at me like I’ve lost it
‘Man and woman can never be the same’
‘Your mates are in the kitchen’
I laugh at their mediocrity
…
Have I not been condemned enough?
For wanting to be extraordinary
My body belongs to me
With it I can do as I please
My confidence bothers them
‘You shouldn’t aspire to be greater than the man’
‘You’re supposed to be dependant’
I ponder – why should he be worried about my success
Why cant we be peers, why cant we be partners?
I laugh at their mediocrity
…
Have I not been condemned enough?
For refusing to conform
I say – Carpe Diem!!!
The day is mine to seize
My life is mine to seize
I am more than just a set of rules
Predestined to be more than just a wife
Fighting to be more than just a mother
I am the epitome of accomplishments
The modern woman
…
Hear me as I speak
See me when I walk
Be not afraid of my triumph
Behind every successful man is a woman
Who is behind the successful woman?
‘Who am I’ you ask?
I am that XX chromosome
Who dares to defy society
I am that feminist
The Lady in Brown
As a (modern) woman, what challenges have you had to face? What has society said you can or can’t do? Use the comment box below, let’s have a discussion.
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Photo credit – incontention.com
Excellente soirée ! Chère amie
Au contraire, je suis pour l’égalité des femmes et des hommes. Merci
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Faced intimidation oppression downgraded lied against given all sort of names just because i am a wife an ordinary woman that should doggedly listen and obey orders from my husband and his people.I must not talk because a woman has nothing upstairs to contribute
You should not aspire to advance afterall it doesnt addto your status financially and your place is in the kitchen so whats your stress.
But against all odd because i am destined to achieve all i aspired forin lifeit shall be done
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Oh wow. How inspiring!!! You are indeed destined to achieve all!
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Carpe diem – I am a modern woman, seizing the day!
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Excellent poetry…
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