Joy Isi Bewaji

Joy Isi Bewaji (born June 8, 1977) is a Nigerian essayist, screenwriter, playwright, new media entrepreneur, and social affairs activist. Her writings and plays have been centered on cultural inappropriateness and religious anomalies.

Quotes

• My first introduction to the existence of haters was in rap music.
  • Joy Isi Bewaji speaks on Criticism.

• Reason dictates that when you make a mistake, there’s always a bunch of people on the side-line who will get on your case and try as much as they can to put you in check.
  • Joy Isi Bewaji in one of her published works called Constructive criticism.

• Now the word “hate” has gone beyond just a few neighbours who think little of you. With the help of social media and the revelation of everything under the sun, hate is the new middle name for anybody who breaks a sentence with the word.
  • Joy Isi Bewaji speaks on Hatred.

• We are a growing generation of zombies, we find it hard to truly express how we feel about anything
  • Joy Isi Bewaji criticises the generation.

• So how do we improve as a people? How do we strive for excellence when, as a matter of fact, people get celebrated for being wack, uninspiring and unexceptional? How do we deliver?
  • Joy Isi Bewaji speaks on people.

• The fear of being called a bloody hater hangs like a garrotte around our neck. We don’t want to be choked so we nod and agree: “yes, you are a fantastic actress!” When in reality she is nothing close to being fantastic.
  • Joy Isi Bewaji speaks on hatred.

• "I’m not sure how. I share my opinions on social issues; most of the time, unpopular opinions. I hold feminist views. I talk about rape and how the Nigerian society- from parents, to teachers, leaders, culture, religion and the judicial system, have failed children especially. I rant about misogyny, sexism, and chauvinism. I address pop culture and the constant disregard and abuse of women in the songs, art and movies we love. It’s a cyber battle of my judgements against popular traditions and habits. This is what I choose to be. I can’t be quiet. If I don’t speak, then I might as well be gone."
  • Joy Isi Bewajiou speaks on how she gained many followers on social media.

• "My aim was to find my voice. I wanted to speak. I was tired of the culture of silence. So I speak. The idea was not to get popular; it was to find my liberty. I was told I should be seen and not heard as a younger woman and when I became an adult, I questioned it. Why shouldn’t I be heard, am I not smart enough to have an opinion? How do you live a fulfilled life if your voice is deliberately stifled by religion and society? One of the consequences of speaking up and addressing taboo topics is the attention it draws to you, which isn’t a bad thing if you know how to direct the attention for greater good."
  • Joy Isi Bewajiou speaks on her aim to get so popular on social media.

• "No. My business and career are tied to social media. And I enjoy my small corner on the internet. If there is a bigger platform to reach thousands of people in minutes, then I’ll embrace it; but for now, nothing beats Facebook reach. I want mothers to embrace gender equality, I want bosses to be aware of the politics of sexism in the work place, and I want people in authority to demonstrate their interest in an evolving world by promoting the need for girls to be educated."
  • Joy Isi Bewajiou response on if she could considered leaving social media at some point?.

• "I want people to question, think and unlearn, especially women. There’s a vibe in the air. People are beginning to protest sacred rules. Nonconformist and unorthodox thinking; and radicals, these are the result you get when a society is not progressing yet refuses to let people judge its methods. I am a rebel. I detest the way women and children are treated in societies like Nigeria with brazen religion. If we are sincere, what does religion bring to the table? If an adult lacks simple morals of good or bad, then he is an idiot. You don’t need religion to learn that stealing or killing is wrong. Some faiths even promote violence, so what truly is the benefit of religion? Look at societies that have curbed the excesses of religion, they produce first-world nations with science and technology."
  • Joy Isi Bewajiou response on if she thinks that her contribution on social media has made any impact.

• "It doesn’t bother me at all! It is water off a duck’s back. I give as much as I get. If you are going to let the words get to you, then you can’t speak or write on the things I write about. I have been mobbed many times. I do not try to blend in. I cannot hide my thoughts. And I will not let anyone act privileged. It will go against everything I stand for. No privileges. Social media runs like high school most of the time. As long as you make it clear that you are not a student but a principal in this cyber college, you’ll be fine. I’m not in a uniform, I hold the cane. And I don’t suffer fools. I am very arrogant about my position in many cyber girl gangs and mobs. I do not participate. My voice is loud on its own. And I think cyber mobs are cowardly and gutless."
  • Joy Isi Bewajiou response on if it bothers her when people abuse her on social media.

• "I am the editor of Happenings Online magazine and Happenings glossy magazine; and the Managing Director of Happenings Radio. I am the convener of #TheConversation- a movement that addresses issues on feminism and patriarchy."
  • Joy Isi Bewajiou response on what else she does apart from social media.

• "No. I can’t keep up with fame. I was the editor of Genevieve magazine at one time and a celebrity publicist for a few years, and I didn’t honour any red carpet invitation. The invites came in their hundreds. I can’t keep up with the joneses. I can’t deal with the bourgeoisie lifestyle in Lagos. It comes at a steep price. I am not buying."
  • Joy Isi Bewajiou response on the question 'Would you have wished you are more known in real life than on social media?'