Afrophylaxis

The story of a soon to be mother, stricken with a deadly allergy to a man-made plant is one that is truly intriguing. Taking place in a futuristic Nigeria, a woman by the name of Anwuli goes through the pains of the last day of her pregnancy. The father, an engineer who built a smart house that the woman lived in, ignored her throughout her entire pregnancy because he is a degenerate who cheats on his wife. Anwuli was the mistress in this situation and was pummeled by society because of it. The Smart house Obi 3 that she lived in took care of her during and after her dramatic birthing of baby Mmiri. 

The relationship of the house and the woman was very compelling and the story reminded me of something I’d watch on black mirror. Being able to survive her allergy because the house cared for her was touching. I particularly like the descriptions that were used for everything. The color of the pollen that was a vivid orange, to the smell of the room after giving birth. The story had a nice pace and made me want to read more once I had gotten to the end of it. I could easily see this story being adapted into a show on Netlfix or something. The tenderness of the house was attributed to how the owner/person living in it acts. So, that means the woman was technically helping herself the entire time. All she had was herself anyways because the people around her were cruel and evil. 

            That’s something that has always left me confused, even in reality, Why is it that women are shunned for sleeping with married men when it’s not their responsibility to uphold someone else’s relationship? Bayo, the babies father, could have chosen not to cheat on his wife, but selfishly decided to go through with it anyways. Anwuli’s parent’s are just as shameful, because why ostracize your own daughter because of the mistake of someone else? This story shows how women tend to be their own supporters and that especially true for black women. Finding peace, kindness, gentleness and empathy is increasingly difficult for black women. So, its no wonder why the house (her reflection) is the only one to give her grace in a perilous time of birth and potential death.