PHOTO CREDIT: Oxfam International, Uganda
Is it not enough that I am biologically defined for additional perceived definitions? How on earth and high to the heavens has fear ever been a creation for the female species? I fail to hold my peace for nothing is comparable to the comment this guy, I mean the boda said to me in defense of my own life just the other day!
Dear reader, my morality was before pen compromised, and thus has no humble greetings. And now you shall say I shift my grievances from my external unto you. Yes, I beg to do so as no choice was I accorded in that “flying” ride I had from Kisaasi to my 20km destination.
I get onto this boda ride in all majesty back home, ofcourse like all norm, we agree upon fare and start journey as I wished myself journey mercies. Alas! Little did I know that I had boarded a plane instead of a boda! The man was “flying” crazy, ladies and gentlemen, to you who have been in planes, I imagine the speed wasn’t as fast as this boda pilot!
So not to await my life end before my eyes, I asked him to tone down the speed to safety and sanity. Hey! You cannot believe what this guy said or if he held any least life considerations for himself in case of worst result.
“Manyi bulungi omulimu gwange nengeri gyemuvuga mu, nvugira kumukono gwa ndyo ne kono nga ndabira mu ndabirwaamu y’omukono ogwa kkono emotooka ezibeera zinseberedde nenzewooma.” (I am very aware of my job and speed. I ride by left, right, left viewing closely from the side mirrors while I dodge at any close vehicle range.)
Guys, seriously! As though my life was centered in the side mirrors of the boda that it would dodge any worse resultant of this speed.
Just as I was comprehending his statements for a rebut, he then loudly without remorse said, “Ekizibu kya mwe abakyala kiri nti mutya nnyo,okutya kitundu kumwe ,olaba kasitoma gwenakava okuvuga abadde omusajja muvugidde eddakika 8 zokka okuva eNtinda okutuuka eBweyogerere.” (Problem with you women is that you fear a lot, fear is just a womanly weakness. You see I rode a certain male client just before you for eight minutes from Ntinda to Bweyogerere)
Friends, my journey had to end there, I reached home before I would reach and walked rest of the 1kilometre because it was my life! I am its gatekeeper, owner and so was the safety call too whether woman or not……….!
It is only stereotypical that fear is reduced to women and thus perceived as a womanly weakness. Fear is an emotional reaction from all human beings including other living things in case of sensed danger. All persons are prone to fear and thus no reserve for women.
#EndStereotyping
