Welcome to the second Brittle Paper Spotlight, a monthly series featuring emerging writers whose work have been published here on Brittle Paper. Our September Spotlight star is Nigerian poet Ejiro Edward. Ejiro’s poem, “The Obituary of Tunde Johnson”, which was inspired by the 2019 movie of the same name, is a worthy highlight of our August published work. The poem describes the immense difficulty in trying to coexist with both queer and black identities in a world that rarely tolerates either. Ejiro’s poem has ignited conversations around race and sexuality, both online and in social circles, and even gained attention from the movie’s actors. We are proud to feature Ejiro as our September Spotlight star and we invite you to share in the conversation with her.

Ejiro Elizabeth Edward is a writer from Nigeria. She is currently a student at the University of Benin and, with a deadliner attitude, she looks forward to one day furthering her creative career by pursuing an MFA degree. Apart from being a recipient of the SBMEN fellowship, she was also recently shortlisted for the Shuzia contest. Her other creative achievements include published works in Down River Road, Agbowo, Feral, Heartland Women, and Brittle Paper. Ejiro’s love for the creative community sees her hosting literary events both in Lagos and Benin City as well. However, she does step outside of literature every now and then to dance, travel, get involved with social issues, and have fun with her friends.

Brittle Paper

Let’s start off with when you first started writing, and who inspired you to take up the craft?

Ejiro Edward

I started writing at the age of sixteen. I have a lot of experiences as a human before that age and I felt a lot of darkness around me, so writing was my light. It was my way of conversing with myself and most of all letting go of the darkness.

I would say I was inspired to take my writing seriously after my break-up with my best male friend. He is a great writer himself but I refuse to say his name least he reads this and becomes prideful [laughs]. The first piece I ever wrote appeared in Kalahari Review and that was back in 2017.

Brittle Paper

Would you say there is a specific author who you look up to?

Ejiro Edward

Yes! The one person whose craft I am completely astonished by is Chigozie Obioma. He is an excellent artist who does his work diligently.

But I have to name some poets with who I find myself in love. These are Warsan Shire, Naomi Shihab Nye, Aria Aber, and Chelsea Dingman. Finally, coming down to Nigerian poets, the likes of Romeo, Adedayo, the Brilliant Nome, Annie Kay, and Wordsmith are the authors I really want to be like when I grow up [laughs].

Brittle Paper

Let’s do a quick-fire round before we get into the more serious stuff. Name three writers to whose work you always find yourself returning.

Ejiro Edward

  • Chigozie Obioma because of The Fisherman.
  • Warsan Shire because I would read any of her books over and over again till I grow old.
  • Khaled Hosseini for A Thousand Splendid Suns. 

Brittle Paper

It seems a little obvious, but I have to ask, what motivated you to write “The Obituary of Tunde Johnson”?

Ejiro Edward

I am a deep lover of black American movies, and once I saw the title on a friend’s laptop, I had to click on it. While watching the movie, I was really drawn into the horror of the reality of Tunde. Funnily enough, he is accepted as queer by his family but then the tragedy of being black catches up to him. There are several takes of his death… of how in each of them he can’t evade death, and I felt that in my bones.

The line, “I am black & gay and even those two hate each other”, shows that the coexistence of the two identities in the same body feels like a very incomprehensible fight, one that I would never be able to understand.

I watched that movie twice and I was with the person who was supposedly asking me out then, and he said, “I would beat any of these gay guys if they come near me”. I felt utter disgust and cringed. After watching the movie, I cut off contact with him because I couldn’t have that kind of mentality for a friend or a partner.

The poem came to me a week after as I kept dreaming about the characters and I felt a deep need to write something for my queer friends because I love them so much. They are some of my best friends and I couldn’t not show up for them.

Brittle Paper

How do you feel about the responses you have received after the piece was published? Especially from the actors themselves.

Ejiro Edward

It has been lovely and extremely emotional for me. I logged into Instagram today and realized that the co-actor had even inboxed me.

It feels good to have the visibility, but more also it is of great joy to spark conversations, conversations that make people uncomfortable, conversations that put the spotlight on the struggle. I think this is the work of an artist. To bring up conversations people are not yet ready to talk about.

Brittle Paper

Is it safe to assume that your work has sparked many conversations, not only online but also in your social scene?

Ejiro Edward

It is safe to assume so. I had a brilliant conversation with Matthew Blaise, who happens to be my good friend, and he loved it. Michael Frazier, an artist I truly admire, had a conversation with me about how the work reminded him of “Crystal Valentine”. It has definitely gotten me acknowledgement with the right people and has also educated those who are not aware of the struggle to be a little more open.

Brittle Paper

Before we wrap up, what is one thing about yourself that you want to share with our readers, apart from your stunning poetry?

Ejiro Edward

I am a deep lover of the arts. One who will have a long-lasting affair with it till I grow old, so yes I am here to stay. The one thing about Ejiro that I can share is she is down to earth and ready to write more disturbing books and poems that will spark conversations.

I look forward to being a university lecturer, one day in the future. For now, though, I still want to push the literary scene by hosting literary events. I hosted Cogitation – a night of poetry, music and drama – for three years before leaving for school. I am also a dancer and model.

Brittle Paper

Thank you for taking to the spotlight and sharing more of yourself with our readers.

 

To round off this Spotlight feature on Ejiro. Brittle Paper readers can look forward to reading “According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need,” a new poem by Ejiro that will be published right here on Friday. 

The August Spotlight can also be revisited here.