Breaking the Rules
“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” ― Pablo Picasso.
Ça va, mon ami(e)?
One writing rule writers learn at workshops is that in order to break the rules, you must know the rules. For instance, adjectives and adverbs are generally frowned upon in prose; they are described as an author’s attempt to ‘prettify her work’, adding little or no significance to the sentence. Knowing that you can break this rule when the noun being modified doesn't imply what you mean, or when you can’t help but use an adjective or adverb to keep the right pacing in your work is very important. (One of the first things an undergraduate law student learns is that for every general rule, there’s an exception.)
Last night, I saw Booksmart, a very lovely movie. It’s about two smart girls, Amy & Molly, who always play by the books. On the eve of their graduation, they realise that they may have missed out on the fun essential to teenage years and are determined to make up for lost time. The girls decide to break the rules, cramming four years of fun into one night. They come to this decision in this scene where Molly tries to convince Amy that they need to break the rules. Amy asks Molly to name one person whose life is better because they broke the rules. Molly names Picasso who broke art rules in proportion, depth and perspective; Rosa Parks who violated a city law requiring racial segregation of public buses by remaining seated in the mid section of the bus when white people on board had no space to sit and; Susan B Anthony who cast a ballot in the presidential election, though women at the time were prohibited from doing so.
In December 2017, the same year I was called to the bar, Amasa Firdaus Abdulsalam was denied her right to be called to the Nigerian bar because she refused to take off her hijab, breaking one of the longstanding, nonsensical Nigerian Law School rules. At first I was sceptical about this — how do you sacrifice 6 years of hectic studying by breaking a rule. I understood that for her to come to this conclusion and stand her ground, she knew the risks. Still, I thought she wasn’t quite wise. Like many others, I was wrong. Perhaps because I was a stickler for rules, only questioning authority when it was warranted (and often only behind the scenes). Today, in many ways, I rebel against rules of systematic oppression. In little ways like wearing waist beads and anklets, using lower case in my writing where uppercase is required, and in big ways like saying no in corporate settings where yes would have been the polite but dishonest thing to say.
I’m going to be breaking more rules for several reasons: to experiment, because rules evolve, and their evolution is driven by rule breakers, because rules don’t always make sense, and we need to keep questioning them, e.g the SSMP Act that prohibits gay marriage (PS Happy pride month!)
My Reads
Speaking of pride month, these are some of the most beautiful love letters I’ve read; they are by women and men who were in samesex relationships. Need some history on pride month, its relevance? Read this. ‘Thoughts on a Friend’s Suicide’ reminded me that it’s okay to ask my friends personal questions about their state of mind. Read these beautiful essays by my friends: Olutimehin writes about motherhood, rape, victimisation and other important but sensitive issues, Tolu Daniel writes about his childhood home and TJ Benson broke hearts with this essay about love and heartbreak. I also totally recommend these self help essays on how to land a job you’re not qualified for and healthy relationship habits. ‘Are robots coming for your job?’ No and Yes. But how far has AI come?
Read me on Barren Magazine too: ‘What Happens on Sundays’.
In Film...
Since I already recommended Booksmart, I’ll recommend Greta for those of you who like a little chill down your spines. I haven’t seen Joy to the end, but it’s good so far! What you should maybe not see: When They See Us and Five Feet Apart (except if you totally love sadness and A Fault in Our Stars.) Please see Always Be My Maybe. Please. Your life will never remain the same.
Listen!
Anyone that really knows me knows I love Righteous Brothers’ ‘Unchained Melody’. Okay so that’s noone. I must have listened to it 100 times from a BMI computer the holiday I turned 14. I recently heard Lykke Li’s version and damn, 14 year old me wishes
Something Funny?
What if English was phonetically consistent? While old Hercules slew the Nemean Lion, millennial Hercules cured his cat allergies using essential oils. Speaking of millennials, are we the only generation dying of baby fever? I’ll just remind you how annoying babies are; a trip out the front door with one of them is all you need. What about this baby who thinks he’s pregnant? Aren’t babies crackheads like this?
Turns out having your significant other’s picture as your DP/wallpaper or other equivalent is our generations version of keeping a picture of them in our wallet (H/T Susan from Fibre). Did the Queen wear her Burmese Ruby Tiara to protect herself from evil during Trump’s visit? Yikes
Turning 24 a few Thoughts Day from now! Keep my age anon, but send gifts. Susan Sontag made a list of rules and duties for being 24. Some of which I’ll be breaking, or not.
“Have better posture, write Mother 3 times a week, eat less…”
Perhaps I’ll make my own list. What should I add?
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Toodles! Actually, Tout à l'heure