At What Age Does My Body Belong To Me? -Amanda Tayte-Tait.

Hiya!

Always a pleasure having you on here to read a few of my random thoughts and book recommendations to you.

This review has been a long time coming because I had the chance to read a pre-release copy from the author and to be honest, her words dug so deep that I found it hard to even try and regurgitate them to settle down on a review.

Amanda Tayte is a Zimbabwean author, blogger, TV Producer and tech-preneur who is dedicated to using media and tech to change lives. This is excitingly her first book release and I honestly can’t wait to read more of her. You can definitely follow her site on amandataytetait.com to see her other releases when they finally come out.   

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‘The true focus of revolutionary change is never merely the oppressive situations which we seek to escape, but that piece of the oppressor which is planted deep withing each of us, and which knows only the oppressor’s tactics and the oppressor’s relationships.’

Audrey Lorde.

Amanda quotes this in her first chapter, after her failed attempt at suicide.

Amanda was a victim of sexual and gender-based violence and throughout her book, she puts out hard questions to her family, society and relationships which expose the core and deep-rooted stereotypes that still surround sexual violence and the victims.

I can’t even begin to say that I comprehend what the victims go through because it is easy to be in the observer’s shoes and look from afar, directing what should and should not be done for their healing to suffice. It’s so easy to be quick to say that there is need to cover it up to protect the reputation of the oppressor and give no real justice to the victim. It’s easy to expect the victim to move past it after a few prayer sessions and visits to therapy.

But one thing that Amanda’s book has made visible is that the trauma never really leaves. Years down the road, therapy sessions and counselling efforts, the trauma never really leaves and different sights, smells, settings and even conversations, can trigger the victims.

Her courage in speaking out and just laying bare her struggles and experiences was extraordinary. Not even I would have the strength to re-live the moments of oppression as I scribbled down words to have my story heard. But she did it anyway.

I remember after reading the first 4 chapters of the book, I texted her and just had a strong desire to give her a big hug and to let her know that she will not have to go through this alone, again.

The sole essence for her book is to encourage victims to speak out and have others hold their hands. For so long, the silence around this sort of violations has protected numerous oppressors and diverted the attention of society to looking at the victim’s role in causing her molestation, which is absurd.

Victim-blaming has to stop because at the end of the day, we all have a choice to make and choosing to molest the body of another because of the lack of self-control or entitlement that one feels, is not justifiable AT ALL!

As I said before, it is not my place to re-tell Amanda’s story but to let you know, my dear reader, that this is a book you definitely do not want to pass you by this year. You can literally see, feel and experience her pain through her words and we need to have these tough conversations regarding such violations and what we can do as a community to protect the mental, physical, emotional and psychological health of these victims.

Please do head to her site and get yourself a copy of the book on amazon.

Let’s support an African author and her story.

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PS: Resolute scribbles made 5 years last week! It has been an incredible 5 years of having to get out of my head and share a few intentional perks on life in general and I’ve loved every second of it.  

In light of black history month that is celebrated this month between 1^st February-1^st March, I’ll be hosting a number of amazing bloggers to give reviews on different African literature that they have read and enjoyed over time and this is to just celebrate black authors and the beauty of our African history and nature.

Can’t wait to have this place buzzing.  

Cheers and thank you for passing by.