#0035 Power and Paradox

Hey Loved One,

Could we be living in the wildest time in global women's politics?

In a world where women's bodies are being heavily legislated either through the prevention of abortions in the US or more recently in Afghanistan where women are banned from hearing each other's voices, there seems to be a visceral assault on women's basic right to exist let alone run for public office.
 
So that's why Saturday’s announcement that Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke Badenoch, more commonly known as Kemi Badenoch, had become the first Black woman to lead a British political party felt so surreal.

As a woman who adores Black women, this would normally be a moment to celebrate but - to be honest - I’m stunned. And suspicious. I would have bet on a Black male Prime Minister first before they ever let a Black woman run the show.

It’s so interesting watching how Kemi’s appointment has divided the world of social media. Most know Kemi’s questionable views when it comes to the Black communities and beyond - I’ve never heard the phrase “Not all skin folk are kinfolk” applied to someone so frequently - but no one can deny the fact that her appointment is a monumental moment in British political history.

Interestingly, I think Kemi will fare well over the next four years as the party regroups. I've watched a couple of her interviews and she has a cool assurity that almost makes you forget that she thinks racism doesn't exist. In some moments she sounds reasonable and measured. And trust me it was hard to write that sentence.

From what I've seen, Kemi has all the stereotypical hallmarks of her Nigerian heritage: hard-working, no-nonsense with a relentless pursuit of being at the top of her game. Her no-BS responses are abrasive to UK sensibilities but are really a classic Nigerian trait. She’s not flowery or feeble and I thought the way she patted her husband on the back after her win was how I would pat an elder. Her energy is definitely in the masculine which will stand her in good stead in her new role.

She thought nothing of acknowledging the mistakes her predecessors had made in the party, something that I've often seen other leaders shy away from. And she's come ready to work telling people “It is time to get down to business, it is time to renew.” And I believe her. Within hours she’d already begun announcing her team. Who cares that it’s the weekend? It's just another day of the week to build.

Honestly, I suspect she has more balls than those who came before her or are currently around her which makes her somewhat dangerous and weirdly interesting. I believe she’ll kick her party into shape by saying things that need to be said and running through anyone who doesn’t follow her lead.

Her appointment comes just a few days before the American election, with the country potentially poised to create history again by electing the first female President who also happens to be a woman of colour. Kemi's revelatory appointment felt like an omen to me indicating that Kamala Harris will not be successful in her bid to elevate to the Presidency in a ‘surely lightning doesn’t strike twice’ kinda way. But I’ve learnt not to hope for anything as Brexit happened and Trump was elected. The two women share a common ground: people questioning your ability to deliver simply because you're Black and female.

Social media personality Tristan Tate, brother of Andrew, has already commented that Kemi shouldn't be able to lead her party because only British people should lead British parties. As Kemi was born in Wimbledon we can only assume he means white and male as we've had at least one leader in recent years who categorically wasn't born here and nor did he have a vagina. (His name starts with B and rhymes with Morris by the way). However, that's the end of where the comparisons can be drawn. They are almost the antithesis of each other.

Kemi seems to command the media even though it was painful to watch an interview with GB News where they only talked to her about the issues that affected the proverbial ‘other’ like immigration, the acquittal of the police in the Chris Kabba murder and the Black community. They treated her as if she was on Mastermind and her specialist subject Black people because she couldn’t possibly have anything to say about the economy or housing or healthcare, right?

Irrespective of her politics, it's undeniable that Kemi's entry into the history books should be acknowledged even if people choose not to celebrate it. I’m too anxious about the outcome of the US election to tell you what I’ve been watching etc but I’ll return to normal programming (hopefully) next week (If I’m not traumatised by the outcome).

Until next time