We are women, hear us roar

Timesonline.co.uk ^ | January 12, 2008 | Lucy Bannerman

[forkinsocket]

It is an unfamiliar feeling for the woman they call Black Diamond. There is no gunfire. No armed teenagers are awaiting her command. She seems slightly bewildered. “I look around and I cannot see any guns.” She peers over each shoulder, and sweeps a strong, sleek arm cross 360 degrees of potholed roads and banana trees. Not a Kalashnikov in sight. “I cannot hear gunshots. I see change.”

It has been four years since Black Diamond fired a rifle. Without her red beret, or a trigger resting underneath the long, bronze fingernails, there are few signs of the power – or fear – she wielded as a notorious rebel commander during the civil war that turned her home into a vision of hell.

Peace remains a novelty in Liberia, and the girl who became queen of the militia is still getting used to her strange, postwar surroundings. During a 14-year conflict that pushed the country to the brink of self-destruction, she earned a formidable reputation, thanks to a presence that makes men cower and a habit of handcuffing opponents to air-conditioning grates before beating them with a rubber hose. Such was the fear surrounding this solitary female leader in a mad, man’s war that word spread she used to wear a necklace of testicles around her throat. She does not deny the years spent killing, but she insists the genital jewellery is a myth too far.

“People want to know how I could do those things,” she says in her first full interview, when she finally agrees to a meeting after days of furtive negotiations.

[forkinsocket]

One such thing was watching her parents being murdered when they tried – and failed – to prevent the militia of former President Charles Taylor from gang-raping her. She was 14. Did revenge lead her rise through the rebel ranks? There is a flicker of recognition across her face, but the response is the same, only slower, loaded: “Things happened.”

[SIDENET]

Not a Kalashnikov in sight.

Well, she may want to check out ol' Girlfriend standing two feet behind her. (snazzy outfit, BTW)

[SatinDoll]

That is usually the experience that drives women in societies involved in free fall to act in accord with their own survival. And men don’t count as assets.

[maine-iac7]

Another thing to be thankful for in prayers tonight - born in the US

[endthematrix]

She's is packin' a pistol in her waistband though.

[endthematrix]

(to be fair that’s a 2003 pic)

[No Surrender No Retreat]

What is this, “Da Hood Dafense Force?” This pic must have been shot in Oakland or in Philly.

Oh wait, this must be the new “Ghetto Community Police Force.”

The girl with the Zebra jogging suit looks like she “B Down For Whatever.”

Possibly this is Quanell X’s,(NBP) “Ladies Auxilliary” conducting a fashion show.

Just a little Saturday morning satire and thanks for posting the pic.

Respectfully,
NSNR

[SIDENET]

I like the red watch.

She is well-accessorized and color-coordinated.

;-)