MOVING OVER!

Hi Everyone,

After much consideration and thought, I have decided to stop posting links to blogger. This is to amalgamate all my work and web presence in one place and ensure that I am giving due care to my writing. Nothing has change in terms of work or quality of writing. In fact, it will continue to get better :)

For all future articles, reviews interview, please go to: BelindaOtas.com

 Thanks for your continued support.

Cheers!!!

Da Eternal Affinity Of Da Kink!

Da Eternal Affinity Of Da Kink!

It will soon be a year since I cut my hair and the response has been more positive than negative. I am no crusader for the Republic of Natural Hair but allow me to scream, I’m loving it!!!!!

Day Out: Hackney Downs Park

Day Out: Hackney Downs Park, a set on Flickr.

Today was hot and sitting in was rather boring. Why waste it, when I can go out and have some fun? It didn’t cost a thing. I simply went across the street to the park opposite my house to read and write. There is noting like spending some quality time with me, myself and I. It was good to reflect on my year so far, I cried a little, laughed a lot and sang to myself. However, I could not help but practice my photography skills some more. Practice makes perfect right? So, I shall never rest, until my good is better and my better best!

Hairy Legs: To Shave or Not To Shave?

Hairy Legs: To Shave or Not To Shave?

Power to The Kink!

Power to The Kink!

We, The Women Say NO More!

We, The Women Say NO More!

Who Will Heal Congo’s Women?

Who Will Heal Congo’s Women?

Nigeria, Politics, Women and Social Media: Will This Marriage Work?

Nigeria, Politics, Women and Social Media: Will This Marriage Work?

Belinda Otas' photostream

Belinda Otas' photostream on Flickr.

Nigeria's Youth: Silent no More | Nigeria News & Opinion | Think Africa Press

Nigeria's Youth: Silent no More | Nigeria News & Opinion | Think Africa Press

Nigeria's youth refuse to stay silent about the state of their democracy. But how effective are tools like Facebook and Twitter in aiding their cause?

As Nigeria goes to the polls to elect a new president, a wind of change is moving through the political landscape of this emerging democracy. In spite of the historic elections being postponed twice, once again questioning the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s democracy, young Nigerians are adamant that it is time their voice and vote counted. Gone is the apathetic outlook: this year’s election is being redefined by the fact that candidates are faced with a more web savvy, politically active generation than that which saw democracy return to Nigeria in 1999.

Poll: What Do You Want To Read The MOST On This Website?

A Fine Madness by Mashingaidze Gomo (Book Review)

A Fine Madness is a poignant reminder about the devastating effects of war on the mind and the destruction it leaves in its path. Gomo reminds us about the human cost of war.

Cote d’Ivoire: A Lesson in Diplomacy

Cote d’Ivoire and the troubles, which beleaguer this once promising and prosperous nation has been on and off, our screen for months. It is a dance of wolves, vultures and chickens, who don’t know when to give up and call it a day.

Cote d’Ivoire: A Lesson in Diplomacy

South Africa: The Diffrent Lives of A RainBow Nation

South Africa is a nation with many life cycles as it keeps evolving. Allow me to declare my love for the nation, its people and their culture but when that is said and done, what does South Africa stand for today?

South Africa: The Diffrent Lives of A RainBow Nation

A Rainbow In The Night: The Tumultuous Birth of South Africa By Dominque Lapierre

To understand South Africa’s political repositioning in recent history, its racial tensions, social and economic divides and its ever evolving nature, you have to understand the country’s past.

A Rainbow In The Night: The Tumultuous Birth of South Africa By Dominque Lapierre

South Africa: The Diffrent Lives of A RainBow Nation

South Africa is a nation with many life cycles as it keeps evolving. Allow me to declare my love for the nation, its people and their culture but when that is said and done, what does South Africa stand for today?

South Africa: The Diffrent Lives of A RainBow Nation

Poll: What Do You Want To Read The MOST On This Website?

Cornel West divides opinion across the board. Some love him, some loathe him and others just don't want to know.

Poll: What Do You Want To Read The MOST On This Website?

Sudan: A Land of Many Stories

A story of great loss, displacement and dispossession. To be wrenched from your roots at a young age is a confusing experience for anyone, when it happens during war, it takes time to rediscover yourself...

Sudan: A Land of Many Stories

Music Is A Weapon, Theatre Empowers

Fela said music is a weapon and Angelique Kidjo said it is a window to the soul. Two very powerful statements about the power of music that I agree with.

Music Is A Weapon, Theatre Empowers

We Could All Learn Something From Ghana…

Right now, Ghana is trailblazing with good governance, stability and economic growth. I think a few of the continents leader's need to get over the pride and ask how they did it.

We Could All Learn Something From Ghana…

Africa: Law, Environment & Empowerment

We need to pay attention to our environment and start thinking about innovative ways to ensure we are not left wanting...

Africa: Law, Environment & Empowerment

Super Ladies??

An old edition of Witness, documenting the lives, struggles and successes of Ugandan female rally drivers. Personally, this is not for me but if it works for them and they are enjoying it and in so doing, are breaking the norm, why not?

Super Ladies??

Scary Times, Uncertain Times…

The world is spinning in a cyclone of uncertainty. From revolutions to natural disasters to continuous political upheaval.

Scary Times, Uncertain Times…

G-Shot: The G-Spot Remedy

This is a whole new level of getting the kink in the bedroom up to par! Women opting for a shot to get themselves in the mood for sexual healing…well, if Stella could get her groove back with a younger men, a G-shot could be the solution for cougar wannabes… G-shot anyone??

G-Shot: The G-Spot Remedy

Who Cares About Maternal Mortality?

Motherhood is supposed to a joyful experience but for many women that reality often comes with its own pain. The kind you cannot explain and one that can never be erased.

Who Cares About Maternal Mortality?

The Power of The Pen

For as long as I can remember, authoritarian and repressive governments have always been afraid of writers and their pens. The might of the pen goes beyond the creation of creative and rhythmical prose on the page. It also provokes the masses and maybe, individuals, who for had issues with what they see happening around them but did not have the voice to express themselves and take action.

The Power of The Pen

CNN Article -To empower African women, turn words into action

(CNN) -- Today is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, a milestone centenary worthy of the celebrations bestowed upon it. Michelle Bachelet, the first executive director of U.N. Women and former Chilean president, has described the last century as one of progress and of "women using their collective voice to organize for change."

To empower African women, turn words into action

To Empower African Women, Turn Words Into Action

Today is the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, a milestone centenary worthy of the celebrations bestowed upon it. Michelle Bachelet, the first executive director of U.N. Women and former Chilean president, has described the last century as one of progress and of “women using their collective voice to organize for change.”

To Empower African Women, Turn Words Into Action

African Woman by Becca

I love the song and the words are apt when we talk about celebrating the African Woman. As an artist, Becca just made her way into my heart. I admire the natural setting of the video and the beauty that radiates from it. Enjoy!

African Woman by Becca

Join Me On The Bridge

Women hold the key to strong communities/societies but I am yet to figure out, why they are still widely marginalised and mistreated?

Join Me On The Bridge

Guns & Hope

A good business venture because it empowers the women and they find their own value in the things they create and contribute to...

Guns & Hope

The Pain and Shame of A Taboo Most Personal

How can we address the issue of mental health if there are people who are yet to get the most basic of healthcare? How many mental health specialists do we have? How many mental health counselors, consultants, hospitals and experts can we boast of? When we start asking and answering these questions, then we can talk about solutions and address this malaise which is not specific to Kenya but the continent as a whole.

The Pain and Shame of A Taboo Most Personal

HIV/Aids Is Not A Curse!

They say you never know what it is like to live in the shoes of an individual with no legs until you lose yours. It is always so much easier to judge, criticise and give advice but when its your turn, you have no idea what to do with yourself. I agree with Sawo Awoke that HIV is not a curse. It is a medical condition which needs medical attention.

HIV/Aids Is Not A Curse!

Inspiration From South Africa

I don’t know about you but I prefer good news to bad news. The news media may specialise in telling the world bad news about Africa but CNN with its programme, Inside Africa does a great job with its coverage of the continent.

Inspiration From South Africa

Phenomenal Woman: The Magnificent Seven Of Durban Port

Keeping in line with my decision to post articles or videos of phenomenal women I come across or learn about, I was impressed by this CNN story about seven women who work as pilots at Durban Port, South Africa.

Phenomenal Woman: The Magnificent Seven Of Durban Port

Nollybooks: Let’s Get Reading Again

It is rather sad that the idea of reading is still relegated to school days. When you stop reading, you stop learning. The statistics in this report are disappointing and it is really shameful that people don't feel the need to read anymore...

Nollybooks: Let’s Get Reading Again

Nawal el-Saadawi On The Role of Women In Egypt’s Revolution

In this edition of Riz Khan, from Al Jazeera, el-Saadawi describes herself as a radical feminist. I find that description very interesting as someone who so far, refuses to use the word feminist to describe myself. I am a huge proponent of equality and believe without a shadow of doubt that men, women, boys and girls are equal from the boardroom to the bedroom.

Nawal el-Saadawi On The Role of Women In Egypt’s Revolution

Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em

I, Belinda Otas, the status of a cougar, of course without the derogatory connotations, I would gladly take if I was dating a younger man but a pedophile, God forbid!

Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em

Getting Endowed In All The Wrong Places

we must look inward and ask, what kind of craziness we have bought into which is costing our babies their value, self worth and lives? This is not beauty. It is the death of all things natural. Embrace and take steps to enhance yourself in ways that add to you but before you do so, count the cost to yourself and those around you.

Getting Endowed In All The Wrong Places

Empowering Women, Empowering Our Communities

One woman can change anything but many women can change everything...There is something about the economic empowerment of a woman which changes the dynamics of her destiny and those around her. When a woman can afford to do what she wants with her life and contribute to her society, you can be assured that more people stand to gain and have a better life because of her.

Empowering Women, Empowering Our Communities

Who Were Fela’s Women?

The fact that a woman was so fearless and on a mission, and no one was going to stop her as she was very much of the Malcolm X philosophy – by any means necessary. You fight for what you believe in even if it means jail or death – I think for a man to hear that from a woman, who knew what she was about and believed in it with every fibre of her being, especially as it is the kind of thing, he would have expected another man to tell him, changed everything for him...

Who Were Fela’s Women?

Stella Damasus: More Than A Pretty Face

More than a pretty face, Damasus is politically conscious of the challenges which besiege Nigeria, as the nation enters a new era. “Nigeria is the way it is right now because of our mindset and attitude towards everything around us. Everyone wants to acquire wealth by all means at the expense of others. There’s a lot of impatience, dishonesty, and injustice,” she says. Earlier this year, she joined the youth movement and took part in the rally, Enough Is Enough, in Abuja, the nation’s capital. Asked if she was concerned about the impact it could have on her career, Damasus said “No, I was and I’m not afraid at all. I believe in freedom of speech, so I didn’t feel threatened that my career would be at stake. I wanted to express myself, and I have no regrets whatsoever. I took part in the rally because I was tired of sitting at home and complaining. I have children, nieces and nephews, who are going to grow up in a country where things are not right. I decided to stand up with the youth of the country and let my voice be heard for the sake of my children and the upcoming generation.”

Stella Damasus: More Than A Pretty Face

In Conversation: Lola Shoneyin

We must remember that polygamy does not only exist in Africa. It is acceptable in several Islamic states and is even practiced, surprisingly, by certain religious sects in America, hence the successful television series, Big Love. Where polygamy is practiced has little bearing on the devastation it causes. The novel is set in Nigeria but its focus is on some of our most basic instincts as human beings — to love and to protect. These instincts are universal and, unfortunately, they are the very ones that polygamy mutates. In today’s world, we know far too much about the way the mind works to subject or invite women into institutions that chip away at their self-esteem and ultimately dehumanise them.

In Conversation: Lola Shoneyin

Hip Hop Honeys: The Commodification of The Female Bootie!

No disrespect, I am all for being empowered, from the body to the mind, as well as embracing your sensual and sexual side but if this is what it means to be quote on quote “liberated,” I don’t want it. I am very happy to be liberated one-one-one with my own dark chocolate or white Adonis when he comes. Until then, the clothes stay on and all forms of shaking and dropping it like its hot will be done in the privacy of my bedroom and in front of my mirror! Thank you!

Hip Hop Honeys: The Commodification of The Female Bootie!

In Conversation: Bill T. Jones

He is very…he is an extremely complicated character. I call him a scared monster. He is not a saint and I do think that he stood for the right things. In a democratic society, you need to have people who strive to speak truth and to be interested in the average person. He had to teach himself, how to speak Pidgin English. He had to teach himself how to because he is very educated and comes from an educated background and he had to, in a way teach himself how to think and speak like the people on the streets, the market women, the areas boys and all of that…which shows a real commitment to a social vision that justifies a lot. It is interesting that some of those men that he criticised, the generals are still around.

In Conversation: Bill T. Jones

A Life Stolen But Not Lost

I would like to think this could never happen again but we all know that is not feasible…Nevertheless, it is worth being grateful that he is alive to tell the tale. Without a doubt, it is sad and beggars belief that his life was stolen from him but it is not lost. He is still physically alive and one hopes that he survives mentally and emotionally after his ordeal because Cornelius Dupree Jr, needs all the help he can get to have some form of normality though that does not exist but at least, he is able to build a life again.

A Life Stolen But Not Lost

Playing God by Michelle McKinney Hammond

An absorbing and worthy read, with insightful lessons about life; Hammond really does open your eyes to the issues which everyday people face, christian or not. She takes the mask off. This is what I love and appreciate about her style of storytelling, she gives you real characters not some perfect human beings, who qualify for sainthood.

Playing God by Michelle McKinney Hammond

Becoming One With My G-Spot

Have a great 2011, it has so much in store for you. Don't sit by and watch time and your life slip away. Don't become a spectator in the affairs of your life. Discover your G-spot and get high on your dreams, living life and loving life. It is possible if you would just sit and plan it out.

Becoming One With My G-Spot