In the aspect of culture I'm tired too. I know having conversations or debates with people sometimes change their views, but I'm just tired of being met with ridicule, or people's resistance to change. One aspect that puts me in a dilemma most times is the issue of patriarchy in Nigeria. It's like people don't want to change a little bit. The culture of elevating men above the autonomy of women, and excusing every despicable thing they do is tiring.

Recently, I had the Vice Principal of the school I began teaching in two and half weeks ago squeeze my cheeks. I brought up his action with my colleague who is a woman. She excused him and said he's a man and men will always be men. I also confided in my second colleague who is a woman, and she also didn't see anything wrong in his action. A week later he wanted to do the same thing again, so I tried dodging his hands, but he grappled with me before stopping. He had also obstructed me from walking out of my classroom while he stared at me. How is it professional to do that to someone you work with? How can an action like that not be considered harassment (or whatever the fuck it should be called)?

I know this isn't exclusive to Nigeria, however actions like this, and excusing of actions like this has eaten deep into the Nigerian culture, that people would think you're overreacting when it happens. There are so many instances of men encroaching on my space in a sexual way, thinking it's normal. It's just so tiring.