Nigerians have the wrongest idea about a lot of things and if we’re being honest the media is responsible for some of that misorientation. By the media we mean Nollywood, yes this is a call out. Nollywood needs to dead these pandering these ideas;
1. Portraying rape as only voilent.
If we investigate this matter well, we’ll see that Nollywood’s consistent misrepresentation of abuse is part of the reason why people are so misinformed on the matter. Because every time rape is being shown, there’s always violence involved, we’re not saying that’s not true. We’re saying that’s not the only way people can be raped and those other stories need to be told too. Let’s not even talk about the fact that they don’t even acknowledge verbal abuse.
2. Steady promoting toxic masculinity.
Every time a man is faced with an issue in a Nollywood movie, there’s a friend or family member somewhere telling him to deal with it “like a man”. Or to “man up” and face his problems. Translation; they are basically telling him to face his problems squarely and fix them. Makes you wonder if women have to borrow men to fix their own problems. Since you can’t fix problems without “manning up”. *insert eyeroll*
3. Subtle slutshaming.
“Why are you dressed like a prostitute?” “Why are you looking like that?” And all the glaring and judgment they keep subjecting female characters to on account of their dressing. Stop it. We’re advanced enough to know that fashion is just fashion. Not an indication of sexuality or a reason for character assassination.
4. Misrepresenting career struggles.
We both know people don’t just move to Lagos and suddenly buy a duplex and a car for their old parents back home. So why y’all keep lying?
We have to admit that sometimes they got it right though; like this 5 times Nollywood gave us badass female protagonists.
