I have enormous respect for
people who are extremely talented and gifted in what they do. However, it’s not
all the time that the product of their talent meets people’s expectations
especially when it borders on sensitive issues. I happened to come across what
was supposed to be a joke by one of Nigeria’s most talented comedians on social
media where he made an attempt to joke about something as delicate as rape.
I would ordinarily not write on issues like this but rape is something that has been heavy on my mind for a long time now and I felt this is the right time to talk. Every day, in this country people (male and female) are being subjected to the atrocious ordeal of rape. And most times it is the people that are closest to them that take advantage of them and leave a wound that would almost never heal.
What I find particularly interesting about the on-going debate on the appropriateness of the joke on rape by a comedian I respect a lot, is that Nigerians are becoming more unreceptive to certain kinds of garbage all in the name of comedy that we hitherto took for granted. I do not in any slightest way support rape and no right thinking person should and am happy that a lot of good people are raising their voices against it. There is no reason why anyone should laugh about something that destroys another. We trivialize issues such as rape in this part of the world and many lives are being destroyed as a result of this.
Rape is something no human being wants to be subjected to regardless of the circumstance surrounding it as suggested in the so-called joke. I cannot think of anything funny about it and for someone highly regarded to joke about it and some people trying to justify the sense of humour behind it goes to show you how much value we have lost as a society.
Rape can be funny when you probably haven’t had to experience it firsthand either as a victim or know someone who has had to go through the horrendous experience. There is no justification for such a joke ever. I pray God gives us better entertainers who do not subject women to such ridicule all in the name of entertainment. We sincerely have a dearth of thoroughbred celebrities who can become role models to the next generation.
I would ordinarily not write on issues like this but rape is something that has been heavy on my mind for a long time now and I felt this is the right time to talk. Every day, in this country people (male and female) are being subjected to the atrocious ordeal of rape. And most times it is the people that are closest to them that take advantage of them and leave a wound that would almost never heal.
What I find particularly interesting about the on-going debate on the appropriateness of the joke on rape by a comedian I respect a lot, is that Nigerians are becoming more unreceptive to certain kinds of garbage all in the name of comedy that we hitherto took for granted. I do not in any slightest way support rape and no right thinking person should and am happy that a lot of good people are raising their voices against it. There is no reason why anyone should laugh about something that destroys another. We trivialize issues such as rape in this part of the world and many lives are being destroyed as a result of this.
Rape is something no human being wants to be subjected to regardless of the circumstance surrounding it as suggested in the so-called joke. I cannot think of anything funny about it and for someone highly regarded to joke about it and some people trying to justify the sense of humour behind it goes to show you how much value we have lost as a society.
Rape can be funny when you probably haven’t had to experience it firsthand either as a victim or know someone who has had to go through the horrendous experience. There is no justification for such a joke ever. I pray God gives us better entertainers who do not subject women to such ridicule all in the name of entertainment. We sincerely have a dearth of thoroughbred celebrities who can become role models to the next generation.
Sex is supposed to be consensual and can never be pleasurable when one party is intensely resisting it. Apparently, the comedian forgot the fact that his rather misguided joke could serve as a catalyst for others who have not thought of raping people they have been taking out to want to do it. He has knowingly or unknowingly given them some kind of a manual to work with.
So because you are a woman you must understand that whenever a man takes you out, you should feed him with your pride and when you don’t he would take it by force. Maybe his intention was different but the impact of their words are two very different things but you have to be careful the kind of jokes you crack when you know people look up to you and most especially the impression it creates about you and the impact it has at the end of the day.
It’s obvious that anyone who hasn’t been raped or know someone close to them who have been a victim would take it as “one of those jokes”. You cannot blame them much, what do they really know. They would probably never understand the magnitude of what it takes for your pride to be forced out of you.
I do understand a bit the extent of damage that the victims of rape and child molestation go through. It leaves an indelible mark in the hearts and souls of the victims for a long time and sometimes for life. Nobody deserves to be raped and we should kick against it rather than justify it with silly jokes. We have condoned these kinds of nonsense and I hope this would be an opportunity to begin to make amends.
Like I always tell those who care to listen, there is no problem with this country Nigeria, we are one of the most blessed nations in the world. The problem is with us as a people and the way we think and perceive things. Nigeria will become a better country if we begin to change our mindsets and our perceptions to such sensitive issues. Women are more susceptible to rape but are by no means the only victims of rape. Let us not stop speaking against this evil act and for all those who still find it funny, may you never be a victim.
RAPE IS NOT FUNNY PLEASE
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