Nigerian Women Research Project
Donation protected
My Senior Service Learning Project is to research the perspectives of Nigerian women living in different parts of Nigerian cities on issues such as political, economic, gender equality, religion, culture (Nigerian culture, their ethnic affiliations and westernization) and activitsm. By conducting this research I hope to create an open platform for Nigerian women in Nigeria to share their perspectives. My personal opinions, will not influence the content of this platform. Upon the completion of my research, I will compile the research into a book. All proceeds from the book will go towards grassroots women's activism in Nigerian.
I became interested in Nigeria, as someone born in the Bay Area to a Nigerian mother and an American father. I was raised in a multicultural environment as a mixed race person, inevitably leading me to construct my identity in a multifaceted way that encompasses many different bridges of culture and community. Being raised surrounded by people of different ethnic and/or religious backgrounds and experiencing a personal familial heritage involving immigration from West Africa, I quickly became intrigued by the outside world. I learned early on that many first and second generation people within the United States are heavily affected by what is called diaspora, the state of living outside of one’s ancestral home. Living in diaspora when one’s ancestral home is outside of the socially constructed realm known broadly as “the western world” can make matters of identity become increasingly difficult. The images I developed of Nigeria were primarily based off of the stories I heard from family members and family friends. I took part in Nigerian cultural celebrations held within the United States but, I also witnessed American news outlets delivering stories about violence and poverty. The messages I received seemed starkly contradictory leading me to realize just how little about Nigeria and my maternal heritage I actually knew.
In the summer of 2013, I was able to visit Nigeria for the first time. It was a short trip and the primary purpose was to attend the funeral of my grandfather who passed away that spring. As of now, that trip remains one of the most pivotal moments of my life. I realized that despite the issues of gender and class that pervade Nigeria and despite the legacy of colonialism that affects the region of West Africa as a whole, Nigeria is quite unlike Western media portrayals. I find that many western journalists and news anchors fail to truly grasp the complexity of Nigeria’s political climate, rich multi-cultural /multi-ethnic atmosphere (Nigeria is home to over 500 different languages and ethnic groups making it one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world.), and the absolute strength and resilience of Nigerian people even in the most adverse of times.
At Notre Dame San Jose I am developing the reputation of being a passionate individual with an interest in grassroots activism; social, political and economic justice; and African and Afro-diasporic communities. I work diligently to be a proponent in bringing about positive change here on the NDSJ campus and throughout the Bay Area by starting groups like the Black Student Union at Notre Dame and attending meetings at San Jose State about issues of racism and sexism. By going to Nigeria for my Senior Service Learning Project I hope to use my knowledge of grassroots activism to benefit women, whose voices are often silenced.
I would like to create a book based off of interviews I conduct with Nigerian women on contemporary issues involving gender, religion and culture. While working on my project I intend to search for grassroot activism programs so that I can use any proceeds from the book to support such endvour and also share such programs with others wanting to support Nigerian women.
I became interested in Nigeria, as someone born in the Bay Area to a Nigerian mother and an American father. I was raised in a multicultural environment as a mixed race person, inevitably leading me to construct my identity in a multifaceted way that encompasses many different bridges of culture and community. Being raised surrounded by people of different ethnic and/or religious backgrounds and experiencing a personal familial heritage involving immigration from West Africa, I quickly became intrigued by the outside world. I learned early on that many first and second generation people within the United States are heavily affected by what is called diaspora, the state of living outside of one’s ancestral home. Living in diaspora when one’s ancestral home is outside of the socially constructed realm known broadly as “the western world” can make matters of identity become increasingly difficult. The images I developed of Nigeria were primarily based off of the stories I heard from family members and family friends. I took part in Nigerian cultural celebrations held within the United States but, I also witnessed American news outlets delivering stories about violence and poverty. The messages I received seemed starkly contradictory leading me to realize just how little about Nigeria and my maternal heritage I actually knew.
In the summer of 2013, I was able to visit Nigeria for the first time. It was a short trip and the primary purpose was to attend the funeral of my grandfather who passed away that spring. As of now, that trip remains one of the most pivotal moments of my life. I realized that despite the issues of gender and class that pervade Nigeria and despite the legacy of colonialism that affects the region of West Africa as a whole, Nigeria is quite unlike Western media portrayals. I find that many western journalists and news anchors fail to truly grasp the complexity of Nigeria’s political climate, rich multi-cultural /multi-ethnic atmosphere (Nigeria is home to over 500 different languages and ethnic groups making it one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world.), and the absolute strength and resilience of Nigerian people even in the most adverse of times.
At Notre Dame San Jose I am developing the reputation of being a passionate individual with an interest in grassroots activism; social, political and economic justice; and African and Afro-diasporic communities. I work diligently to be a proponent in bringing about positive change here on the NDSJ campus and throughout the Bay Area by starting groups like the Black Student Union at Notre Dame and attending meetings at San Jose State about issues of racism and sexism. By going to Nigeria for my Senior Service Learning Project I hope to use my knowledge of grassroots activism to benefit women, whose voices are often silenced.
I would like to create a book based off of interviews I conduct with Nigerian women on contemporary issues involving gender, religion and culture. While working on my project I intend to search for grassroot activism programs so that I can use any proceeds from the book to support such endvour and also share such programs with others wanting to support Nigerian women.
Organizer
Emma-Inemesit Richardson
Organizer
San Jose, CA