Hey there, this is a beautifully written and quietly — powerful essay. You’re definitely right, this conversation does matter. I love to hear this perspective, as a ‘Black British’ Nigerian, I think it’s easy to forget the ‘privilege’ of being able to ‘pick and choose’ when to be African.

I’m D, Diajeta (Der-Jee-Ter with my London twang, kinda rhymes with Rita. But, with my mothers tongue of Urhobo it’s something like Dyah-Je-Tah, I lack the skill to really nail it phonetically I guess), it means ‘what else can they say’ if that helps with correct pronunciation.

Anyway, from your name — I’m going to hazard a guess that you are an Urhobo man. Please do correct me if I’m wrong, if not — ’Urhobo Waddo!’ Sadly, I can’t speak the language, but I can gather the jist — small small. My youngest sons middle name is Ejiro, so there’s that.

Anyway, nice to meet you here on these Medium streets. Thank you loads for reading my stuff.

Btw, those last twelve words you wrote in your essay — are Poetry.

Thanks for sharing. Write on. 🙏🏾