PROUD TO BE AN AFRICAN WOMAN

Today I read an article by Ali Mazrui on why Africa has so few female heroines, and I must say I was a little appalled. So here I am making a journal entry giving my point of view on that subject. And to understand my opinion I have to share with you afew things about me.
When I was young, I was such a tomboy (Anyone who knows my mom would be shocked at this revalation!! she is such a lady!!) . I would climb trees and play soccer (i still, have the scars!!) and thanks to the influence of my brother and his friends i'd do all this extreeeeeemly "unladylike" things. And I loved it. I loved it so much that there were times when I would be on the verge of tears cursing tha fact that I was born a girl and not a boy.
But I grew up. and slowly by slowly I started appreciating the fact that I was female, and even seeing a few advantages of this, but I was not yet fully comortable with this fact. There was still the tomboy in me. I still wore baggy clothes and listened to dre and snoopdogg and held dreams of becoming a rapper/DJ (Good Lord I cant believe am writing this in a public site!!)
However I have now grown into a woman. And I am proud to be one. I look at women throughout history and I love the fact that I am female. I look at my mother, how she walks with grace and elegance, with her held high and I see in her a strength which no man will ever posses. And am not being a feminist, I appreciate the fact that there are men on earth, and I would be lying if i said I dont appreciate their contribution to society (Lord knows they definately make good eye candy!!)
Everywhere I go, in the slums I see women who struggle and sacrifice to feed their children, never once complaining, dispite their circumstances, and I say to myself "Screw superman, These are my heroines!" I draw my inspiration from them, The countless scores of women who have significantly changed life, never seeking recognition for it, nor glory and fame. Today I pay tribute to them, to many to mention, because everyday more join their ranks. I salute them and wish them God's speed wherever they are, and send out my silent thanks, and pray that I keep their spirit burning.
I am an African woman, and I wouldn't change this for the world! And maybe, jut maybe someday I will be a heroine in my own right.