TYWA 2020 Nomination for The Read-Worthy Prize Oluwatola

 

19 - YOUR DEFINITION

Oluwatola Ibikunle-Aina lives in Ibadan South-West, Oyo State (16 years old). This story was slightly edited for grammatical accuracy and to better serve TGF readers. The originality of the story is 100% intact.

She ran as fast as she could. Her tears rolled violently down her cheeks. Her whole body drenched with rain. Her nose swollen, and she repeatedly gasped for air.

Tiffany kept recalling the echoes of laughter in her head. She remembered the brutal words spoken to her. She waited under a shade fully aware she was out of the sight of her classmates.

“She probably stole it; she is black,” she remembered. “My mum told me black people have criminal tendencies,” she remembered again. “What an unfortunate girl!” that hit her the most. She felt defined by her colour.

When the rain had calmed, Tiffany went home. She walked in casually like nothing had happened.

“Honey, how was school?” her mum asked with delight on her face to see her daughter.

“It was fine,” a forced smile was laid on her face.

“Nice honey, go change your clothes and come for dinner.”

“Ok mama,” she lightly grumbled.

Tiffany's mother was a single mum. They had a small kitchen which was also their dining room.

Tiffany’s family was not as privileged as other people in her school, especially the white folks, but they were comfortable. Tiffany sat at the table and her mum prayed their usual prayers.

“Anything interesting happened in school today?”

“No mama,” she said under her breath. “Then why are you acting all weird?” her mother asked. Tiffany remained silent. “Baby girl you need to learn to speak to me. I’m all you've got”.

“Mama, I said I’m fine!” she stormed out of the room to her bedroom. She sobbed in bed, then a while later her mum came in.

“Do you really think that problems are solved by taking anger out on those who love you?” her mother said calmly.

“I'm sorry mama, I didn’t mean to.”

“It's ok darling,” her mum said. “What is the problem?” her mum asked.

“Mama, I was made fun of today in school because of my skin colour. Someone called me an unfortunate child,” she sobbed.

“Are you?”

“No, mama I ain’t.”

“Then why do you care?” she asked. “Baby girl,” her mother continued, “nobody can make you feel less than you are but you. Believe in your own worth to the extent that others have no choice but to believe in you. You are strong, bold, and beautiful. People will always hurt you, but you decide how that affects you.”

“Thank you mama,” Tiffany said.

“Good night darling”.

Review: In a world where "variety" is inevitable, this story talks about colour-related prejudice, as well as the importance of seeking help from the right people. The danger embedded beneath the foundation of a contaminated worldview regarding black people is worth discussing... -TGF team.

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