It was great joining Njideka Akunyili Crosby — a gifted Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based artist — to unveil our first portrait together. This piece reflects so many chapters of Michelle and my story, and we’re thrilled that it will be on display in the Hope and Change lobby at the Obama Presidential Center starting this Juneteenth.
In a new video, Jo Frost, aka Supernanny, warns that some modern parents are hindering their kids’ independence by choosing short-term convenience over teaching basic life skills.
The Instagram post featuring the video is filled with comments from teachers agreeing with her that it’s a growing concern.
@Jo_Frost
You have to be extremely self aware for this as a man. You have to have the ability to sit with very uncomfortable truths about your parents, esp your father as a man, a husband & a parent. This is a very uncomfortable & disturbing process, given most men are avoidants!
Let me tell you about the picture in Frame 1.
In August 2017, as a litigation lawyer in Lagos, I had work to do that required me to be at the office during the weekend.
There was only one problem that weekend.
I had a 16 months old son, no nanny and no one to leave him with at home so I asked my boss if I could bring him with me and she was gracious enough to agree. While I was working, my son fell asleep and I had to lay him down on the floor beside my table.
In that moment, I took a picture of him sleeping and made a promise to myself that if I ever had my own firm, at some point in that journey, no woman working with me who had a caregiver emergency and needs to be at work will have to lay her baby on the floor.
That same day, I thought of my struggles as a breastfeeding mother in the workplace and promised again that no woman working with me who had a baby will ever have to struggle for a private space to use her breast pump at work, relieve her aching breast to focus and save some quality milk for her baby.
Frame 2
Today, we finished the renovation of our office building complete with a nursing room.
Litigation is tough for women.
The firm should not make it tougher.
Strichland LP has a nursing room and today, by the grace of God, I kept that promise.
❤️
#WomenInLitigation
The absolute worst sin you can commit as a Nigerian woman is having audacity. Literally refusing to be a mumu, standing up for yourself in any way, not pretending that you don’t peep rubbish. This society must punish you for it
Your family members called you that they saw you in a video. Did they say you did anything bad? That they saw you and that’s all o.
But if Seyi Tinubu is sharing rice and APC people are making videos, you won’t care that your atorobara face is showing. Olofo agbalagba.
I will always maintain that Nigerian politicians are smart, they know the three major weapons to stay in power: poverty, illiteracy, and religion. The ones on X and others, who can smell their bullshit and survive these three, are a minority, which is why politicians don’t care about them.
But the majority? They are riddled with poverty, highly illiterate, and bound to religious leaders who can manipulate them easily. These people are everywhere, living among us, and because of them, I seriously doubt any real revolution will ever happen in this country.
They themselves embody the very weapons that keep power in the hands of the few. So tell me, how do we even survive this?
Reflect deeply, and you’ll recognize God’s hand at work in your life. While there may still be things you’re trusting Him for, rest assured that He is working all things in your favor. Keep believing.
Have a blessed week!