CAN AFRICAN FUTURISM OF GENDER/SEXUALITY, LANGUAGE AND CULTURE BE REPURPOSED?

Abstract

Most people see gender and sexuality as the same. But linguistically it is not. Culture is a way of life and ways of doing things, behaving and, acting according to the customs or traditions of a particular society or nations. Language is a tool, a vehicle and mechanism that covey or transmits the feelings, ideas, culture and traditions of people. Gender, despite being is a social construct, it is dynamic and elusive. Thus making it a title and given label either to male or female. Sexuality is human and that is what we really are. And so, it is nature’s gift which is beautiful and makes us what we are. Africa and indeed the world are in deep conflicts due to the fact of misconception and misconstruction of gender and sexuality. Language and culture over the ages has contributed to this crisis of identity. Hence, this research seeks to critically reexamine and redefine the concept of gender and language and the relationship between language and culture. The aim of this paper is to break the walls of hostility that has stood between males and females in Africa so that the continent could develop holistically. We recommend therefore that males and females ought to be seen and respected as equal being but with different biological structures, design optimally by its creator for its unique role and so, should enjoy equal rights, positions and freedom as befits humans. The paper adopts analytic