Dear Short Black Woman, The One with the Stronger Fists Rules

Today I want to share a story in a story.

I came across this story in the Novel Joy of Life, by Chinese author Mao Ni, which has been made into a movie as well.

“A long time ago, in a forest, there was only a little white rabbit. Early in the morning, he happily left his home, but he then ran into a big grey wolf. The big grey wolf grabbed the little white rabbit and slapped him twice in the face and then said, ‘I told you not to wear a hat!'

The next day, the white rabbit put on his hat and left his house again. As he walked, he ran into the big grey wolf again. The big grey wolf caught him again and once more slapped him twice on the face, ‘That’ll teach you to wear a hat!’

The little white rabbit felt very gloomy, so he ran to the old tiger to tell on the big grey wolf. The old tiger listened to the little white rabbit’s grievances and said with heartfelt pain, ‘Be at ease, naturally, I will find justice for you.’ 

Following this, the old tiger found the big grey wolf and said, ‘Old wolf, today, the little white rabbit has come to complain about you, saying that you always bully him for no reason. Do you think you can find a different reason to beat on him? For example, you could say, rabbit, go find me a piece of meat .'If he found a fatty piece, you can say you wanted lean. If he brings a lean piece, you can say you wanted a fatty piece. In this way, you’ll be able to beat him. Or, you can have him find you female rabbits. If he brings plump ones, you can say you like slender ones. If he brings you slender ones, you can just say you like plump ones!”

After the old wolf heard this, he was very happy and repeatedly praised the old tiger for being clever. However, their words were heard by the little white rabbit who was weeding outside the room.

 On the third day, the little white rabbit went out again and once again met the big grey wolf. The big grey wolf said, ‘Rabbit, go bring me a piece of meat!'

The little white rabbit said, ‘Do you want fatty or lean?'

The big grey wolf furrowed his brows. Smiling, he thought, fortunately, I have a second trick. ‘Never mind, never mind. I don’t want meat, go find me a female rabbit.'

The little rabbit said, ‘Do you like plump ones or slender ones?'

The big grey wolf was startled and slapped the little white rabbit twice on the face and cursed, ‘I told you not to wear a hat!'"

"The most unreasonable, shameless, boring, and nonsensical excuse was the most sufficient excuse. It meant that no excuse was needed. It just depended on whose fist was bigger."

For this article, i read through various definitions of bullying and this one by the National Centre Against Bullying appealed more to me; “Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.”

Bullies often rationalize their behaviour due to their perceived difference of social class, race, gender, religious preference, sexuality, appearance, behaviour, personality, ability, size.

Basically, people bully others due to their inability to perceive others as being equal with them.

The logic of a bully is simple; 'I am tall so I’m better', 'I am white so I'm better', 'I am a man so I’m better',  'You are different from me, so I'm better.' What right do you have to live and breathe in the same space as I do?

It’s not reasonable right? Well, this is how society works, the one who has the biggest fists, makes the rules. The one who has the power makes the reasons.

The Bible says to get wisdom. Wisdom brings strength and knowledge brings power.

Get Wisdom! Get Knowledge! Get Power!

You have to be an authority to be able to have some leverage. Be diligent in whatever you are doing at the moment, the diligent will stand among Kings and not mere men.

 I recently read an personal entry by a friend where she referred to Nigeria as a 'DIY country'.

We must equip ourselves as youths to survive this country. However I entreat you to think on a global perspective, cause after this country the world is still out there. Whatever you can build, your children will build up on. 

Empower yourself, empower your family, empower your village, empower your country. 

When you win, those around you win!

Make thy fists stronger, cause the one with the stronger fists rule.

Note to self: Dear Short Black Woman, Make thy Fists stronger!