The Spirit of Africa and its Women

Dr. Peyi Soyinka-Airewele is not a politician in the sense that she does not run for government

elections, but is a political leader, like so many women we have learned about in class. After this thrilling semester, I sought to identify a leader that embodied Shirley Chisolm’s fearlessness,

Marielle Franco’s tena

, and Amy Garvey’s cultural pride. Upon interviewing her, I gained an enriching understanding of how living and breathing what you believe is the way to instill change. Her positive attitude while discussing and facing incredibly difficult topics was one notable thing about her; A great leader does not cower when faced with struggle, but rather faces it head-on. In preparing for this interview, I tried to connect her accomplishments and work to my life. For example, she focuses on Eurocentric rhetoric in much of her research, which is crucial for me as I am pursuing a Communication degree, with a History of Capitalism minor. Dr. P’s ideas clearly stem from her disciplined, well-informed upbringing. It was incredible to learn that her parents discussed real-world issues with her and her siblings from an early age, regardless of how devastating the news. This, to me, was a pivotal point in her life story, and urged me to reflect on my childhood, and how it has influenced my values. She left me with the question of what my fight is. While I am still not sure, I will find my path. Dr. Peyi had a very interesting answer to my emigration/immigration question, and emphasized that how we frame and think about questions is everything. She did the same when she challenged the use of the word, “dehumanization.” Her diverse background in various fields also ensured me that I can make this change through a myriad of avenues, from non-profit work, to film and writing.

Works Cited

NAFSA.org (2019). Peyi Soyinka-Airewele. Retrieved December 16, 2020, from https://www.nafsa.org/people/peyi-soyinka-airewele

Butler, M., & Butler, M. (2020, October 28). Cornell students hold emotional #EndSARS event to highlight Nigerian crisis. Retrieved December 16, 2020, from https://ithacavoice.com/2020/10/cornell-students-hold-emotional-endsars-event-to-highlight-nigerian-crisis/

Lu, C. (2020, November 06). Cornellians Support Nigeria’s #EndSARS Movement, Call for Change. Retrieved December 16, 2020, from https://cornellsun.com/2020/11/06/cornellians-support-nigerias-endsars-movement-call-for-change/