NOT OF EQUAL REACTION

By Hajarah Ikpemosi Adokutu

By Dianela Simona Temneanu

It is funny how we criticize systems of power and on the other hand enable them.

Here, through the lenses of children and wives. When an argument occurs between the child and the parent. Whatever the start might have been (the parent being at fault). It is the response of the child, however mild or robust the reaction is, becomes the canon event. The injustice is swept aside for the unpleasantness of the child’s tone while expressing their pain.

Same with the wife. Here, she is held to adult standards but treated with less than childish respect. She is expected to repress her opinion for the leadership and pleasure of her husband.

Even when he strikes her, she mustn’t strike back, lest she become not the aggrieved but the cause. It is befuddling how the reaction of the aggrieved wipes clean the slate of the aggressor. As if these subsets of us are less but expected to stomach more disrespect.

Any reaction we deem unpleasant is ascribed a motive

“This is Disrespect!” we holler.

For we cannot fathom it to be anything else but an affront to our sensibilities.