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A Critical Examination of Zara's Nikah: The Unfair Portrayal of Kabir's Ambition and the Problematic Notions of Success in Modern Relationships

The recent episodes of Zara's Nikah have sparked considerable debate, particularly concerning the narrative arc where Zara employs emotional manipulation to pressure Kabir into pursuing conventional employment. While the show positions this as a feminist assertion of financial independence, a closer examination reveals troubling undertones—not only in how Kabir’s character is unfairly diminished but also in how the series perpetuates narrow definitions of success and ambition. At its core, this storyline raises essential questions about societal expectations, the true meaning of feminism, and whether love can survive when one partner imposes their ideals of achievement onto the other.   Kabir’s Existing Ambition: Overlooked and Undermined From the outset, the series establishes Kabir as a man deeply committed to his faith and community. He is an Islamic scholar, a respected leader, and someone who dedicates his time to meaningful projects—qualities that reflect a different bu...

Embracing AI in Education: Why Restricting Its Use in Assignments is a Step Backward

 Education has always been both the engine and beneficiary of technological progress. From the invention of the printing press to the rise of the internet, each leap forward has transformed how knowledge is created, shared, and absorbed. It is ironic, then, that some educators now resist one of education's own greatest innovations—artificial intelligence. AI is not some alien invader in academia; it is the product of decades of research in computer science, engineering, mathematics, and statistics—fields born and nurtured within the very institutions now hesitant to embrace it. To reject AI in academic work is to deny education's fundamental purpose: to harness new discoveries that elevate human potential.   The evolution of academic work mirrors technological advancement. Not long ago, students spent days in libraries, poring over physical books and journals to produce handwritten assignments. The arrival of personal computers revolutionized this process, followed by sma...

The Long Shadow of Colonial Violence: Police Brutality in Kenya from Harry Thuku to Albert Ojwang'

The baton strikes cracking protestors' skulls in Nairobi's streets today carry echoes from a darker past—the rhythmic thuds of colonial askaris beating African laborers in 1920s Thika, the gunfire that cut down Mau Mau fighters in Aberdare forests, the sickening crunch of steel against bone when a police Land Rover crushed George Morara's car in 1969. Kenya's police brutality is not an aberration but a tradition, meticulously preserved across generations of political change. What began as a colonial instrument of subjugation has evolved into the ruling elite's most reliable weapon for subjugation, its violence never dissipating.   The origins of this systemic brutality trace back to the very formation of the colonial police force—an institution designed not to serve but to dominate. Before European occupation, African communities maintained order through social systems of elders' councils, age-set accountability, and communal justice. The British replaced these ...

The Problem with Pathologizing Consensual Professor-Student Relationships

Madison Griffiths' new book Sweet Nothings has sparked renewed debate about the ethics of professor-student relationships. While Griffiths presents these relationships as inherently problematic—especially for young women—her arguments rely on emotional anecdotes, gendered assumptions, and a troubling disregard for personal agency. This response will systematically dismantle her core claims, demonstrating why her perspective is not just flawed but potentially harmful to genuine discussions about consent, power, and adult relationships. At its heart, this debate isn't really about protecting students. It's about controlling consensual relationships between adults under the guise of moral concern. By examining Griffiths' arguments alongside broader societal trends, psychological research, and historical context, we'll see how this moral panic reflects deeper biases—and why it ultimately undermines women's autonomy. 1. The Myth of "Unique Harm" in Academic...

Is There Hope for Kenya? Part 2: The Ruto Presidency and the Illusion of Change

 In Part 1, we examined how the election of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto in 2013 entrenched impunity and normalized corruption in Kenya. Now, we turn to Ruto’s presidency—a regime that promised transformation but has instead deepened the country’s crises through hypocrisy, repression, and the same old tribal politics. Ruto’s Questionable Past: From Mau Evictions to Poisonous Maize Long before becoming president, Ruto’s political career was marred by controversies. One of the most telling was his opposition to the evictions from the Mau Forest—a critical water tower that feeds multiple rivers across Kenya. As then-Prime Minister Raila Odinga led efforts to reclaim the forest from illegal settlers, Ruto and his allies, including Isaac Ruto, shamelessly opposed the move. Isaac Ruto’s infamous statement—"I have never seen rain fall from trees. We all know rains fall from the skies"—was not just ignorant but a deliberate exploitation of public gullibility. Yet, instead of being...

Is There Hope for Kenya? A Bleak Outlook on Tribalism and Failed Leadership

 Kenya, a nation endowed with immense potential, continues to struggle under the weight of tribalism, corruption, and failed leadership. The hope for a better future dims with each passing administration, as those entrusted with power prioritize self-enrichment over national progress. To understand why Kenya’s situation appears hopeless, we must revisit the mistakes of the past—beginning with the election of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto in 2013. A Nation That Rewards Impunity In 2013, Kenyans made a grave mistake: electing two individuals facing charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their alleged roles in the 2007-2008 post-election violence, which claimed over 1,000 lives. Despite Kenyan law barring individuals with criminal charges from vying for office, Uhuru and Ruto were allowed to run—a clear disregard for the rule of law. Worse, they won, signaling that a majority of Kenyans were willing to overlook serious allegations if it meant their "tribal champions...

Israel’s Aggression in the Middle East: The Urgent Need to Stop Supporting Zionist Expansionism

 The Middle East is once again engulfed in flames as Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on June 13, 2025, further destabilizing an already volatile region. This latest act of aggression is not an isolated incident but part of a long-standing pattern of Zionist expansionism, backed by Western powers, particularly the United States. For decades, Israel has justified its military campaigns under the guise of "self-defense," while simultaneously being the primary aggressor in the region. The time has come for the world to wake up and recognize the truth: Israel is not a victim but a perpetrator of violence, and its continued belligerence threatens global peace. This article will dismantle three key myths that sustain Western support for Israeli aggression: The False Narrative of Israel’s "Right to Defend Itself" The Dangerous Religious Myth of Jewish Exceptionalism The Geopolitical Strategy to Weaken the Middle East By the end of this piece, it will be clear that s...

Colonialism’s False Promise: Why Africa’s Future Lies in Self-Determination, Not Recolonization

 Introduction Recently, I engaged in a heated debate with a colleague, Mr. Ian, who argued that had colonialists stayed longer in Africa, the continent would be more developed today. His argument hinged on the case of South Africa, where apartheid-era infrastructure—such as Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport—appears more advanced than what many African countries have today. According to him, colonialism, if prolonged, would have accelerated development. I vehemently disagreed. While it is true that colonial powers built railways, ports, and administrative systems, these were never designed for African prosperity. They were extraction tools—meant to exploit resources and labor for European benefit. The real question is not whether colonialism built infrastructure, but for whom it was built, and at what cost to African dignity, opportunity, and self-determination. This article dismantles the myth of “beneficial colonialism” and argues that Africa’s future lies not in nos...

The Measure of a Woman

Joram leaned back in his leather office chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin as he watched Essy through the glass partition. She was bent over a stack of files, her tall, slender frame poised in quiet concentration. Once, the sight of her had sent a thrill through him—her elegance, her devotion to the Christian Union, the way she carried herself with an air of grace. But now, all he saw were the cracks in the facade. The burnt spot on his carpet flashed in his memory—a permanent scar from the day she had carelessly set a hot pan down after making chapatis. "It was an accident," she had said, her voice soft with apology. But accidents, to Joram, were symptoms of a deeper carelessness. Then there was the cleaning—only the visible surfaces, never the hidden corners where dust gathered like secrets. He had asked her once, voice sharp with frustration, "Did your mother never teach you how to clean properly?" She had stiffened, hurt flickering in her eyes, but he hadn...

The Myth of American Exceptionalism: Why Americans Are the Most Ignorant People in the World

The United States has long portrayed itself as the global leader in democracy, freedom, and human rights. Yet, beneath this self-righteous façade lies a nation steeped in historical amnesia, political hypocrisy, and willful ignorance. Americans, despite having access to vast educational resources, remain shockingly unaware of their own history and their government’s role in global oppression. From rewriting the causes of their Civil War to manipulating foreign democracies while claiming to uphold them, the U.S. thrives on selective memory and double standards. 1. The American Civil War: A Deliberate Erasure of Slavery’s Central Role Ask an average American why the Civil War was fought, and you will likely hear vague answers about "states' rights" or "economic differences." Few acknowledge that slavery was the primary cause of the war. The Confederate states explicitly stated in their secession declarations that they were leaving the Union to preserve slavery. So...

A Tribute to My Literary Icon: Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

The passing of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o is not just the loss of a great writer; it is the silencing of a voice that spoke truth to power, a voice that shaped my understanding of history, resistance, and the enduring struggle against oppression. To me, Ngũgĩ was more than an author—he was a teacher, a historian, and a revolutionary whose works ignited in me a fierce opposition to neocolonialism. His novels, essays, and plays were not just stories; they were weapons of truth, exposing the brutality of colonialism and the betrayal of Africa’s independence dreams. A Grain of Wheat: Unmasking the Mau Mau and the Cost of Freedom Of all his works, A Grain of Wheat stands out as the novel that most profoundly shaped my political consciousness. In it, Ngũgĩ does not just recount Kenya’s struggle for independence; he humanizes it. He shows how the so-called "Mau Mau" (a derogatory label imposed by the British) were, in truth, the Kenya Land and Freedom Army—freedom fighters who sacrificed eve...

The New Principal

The air at Thika School, Kisumu, was thick with unease. A new principal had arrived—Mr. Kamau from Thika—and with him came the heavy weight of uncertainty. The staff whispered in hushed tones, their anxieties simmering beneath forced smiles. For the Kisumu teachers, the sting of disappointment ran deeper. Not only had none of their own been chosen for the position, but the head office had introduced Mr. Kamau in the worst possible way. The chief finance officer had stood beside him on that first day, scowling as he declared, "The laziness in this campus ends today." And Mr. Kamau, rather than reassuring his new staff, had echoed the sentiment—his opening speech laced with thinly veiled threats. A New Semester Begins Two weeks of holiday had done little to ease the tension. On the first day of the new semester, Ochieng arrived early, sacrificing his cherished morning workout just to make a good impression. Yet, his effort was wasted. Mr. Kamau had already signed the attendance...

A Morning in Nairobi

David woke at 7:31 AM to the bite of Nairobi's cold morning air. The bed's warmth clung to him like a jealous lover, but life demanded movement. With a groan, he swung his legs over the side, his feet meeting the chilled concrete floor. Few things defined David like his obsession with exercise. Months earlier, he'd turned down a lucrative job offer—one that would’ve doubled his salary—because it threatened his workout routine. To him, no paycheck outweighed the rhythm of his disciplined mornings. The Ritual Bare-chested and in shorts, he cleared a space in the cramped room. Reverse lunges first—two hundred of them. Then push-ups, squats, burpees. Sweat beaded on his forehead within minutes. "This is how a body stays alive," he thought, relishing the burn in his thighs. At thirty-eight, his lean frame defied the potbellied fate of most African men his age. A girl at a bar weeks ago had guessed he was twenty-eight. The memory still made him grin. An hour and a half ...

Revisiting Gender Discussions: Embracing the Biological Perspective

  T he discussions surrounding gender should become increasingly complex since the focus on social constructions stifles conflicting perspectives and evolving ideologies. Despite neglecting conflicting perspectives , one prevailing issue emerges—role confusion. Over the years, the feminist movement has championed the cause of gender equality, advocating for women's rights and dismantling archaic stereotypes. Yet, despite strides made in education, employment, and social recognition, a significant portion of women seems hesitant to embrace roles historically attributed to men. T here remains a palpable reluctance among women to ascend to roles traditionally associated with men, particularly that of the provider or breadwinner. This phenomenon raises profound questions about the prevailing social construction perspective on gender . It signals that there could be more to the explanation of this gender phenomenon. Probably, it is time to seriously consider the biological pers...