Sandrine, pas Marine!

People often make the incorrect assumption that my sisters and I are super independent because we were raised by a single father. The truth is, mother was a powerhouse. She was able to buy a house before she was 30 which was an incredible feat then (and now). In fact, dad tells the story of how when they first met, she made 3 times his salary because she had managed to land some job at a UN agency (ILO).

Growing up, I sensed my older sister (by a hair) always felt a certain burden to be an excellent role model for me, and that, she was and is. But for the exemplary path she traced, I may be a stripper somewhere (no offense to the craft, actually scratch that, be offended, if it pleases. How do we encourage demand for these things? “Psst… I’ll take the well-endowed dark skin with beer and wings please”)

Ladies and Gents, join me in raising your glass to Sandrine, who has finished raising me and is working towards a PHd WHILE raising Genga. We are all incredibly proud of you! To every first daughter: well done! Whatever lessons these people have not learned (the other little sisters, not me) life will teach them. The time has come for you to learn selfishness from us! (Special shoutout to Daddy Dearest, Dr. Mugenga, who is somewhere between Vegas, DC, Atlanta and Kigali, minding his business and drinking sparkling water.) Isn’t it amusing that though I am the least accomplished of my family, I am the loudest? God willing, and he has willed it, I will soon share the incredible stories of my family on a greater platform!

Lastly, let us scream: Liberté, égalité, fraternité (Liberty, equality and fraternity) while we can. This is the national motto of France and I am referencing french elections that have Marine Le Pen’s party, far-Right-conservative-possibly-racist-politician, in the lead for French National Assembly (Equivalent of US House of Rep). I am pained to admit, Ms. Le Pen is an excellent orator. Her family has been unsuccessfully attempting to get power since before I was born. However, now, the french people, possibly emboldened by the American far right surge, have her party ahead in the polls… I have even heard the slogan, “Make France, French Again”. (With less yous and mes) Beyond that, we have a larger problem at hand, who is gonna tell Marine off now that Diams found Allah?