All essays
Opinion
TOPE ALABI: WHAT HAS SHE DONE WRONG?
By Olatunbosun OlalekanFebruary 22, 20204 min read11,220 views48 comments
#MyOpinion
I decided to use the POS withdrawal at a kiosk very close to my house this evening when I met these men enraged at one another in the heat of an argument. The owner of the kiosk, the POS agent, to the best of my knowledge is a Muslim. There are four other men - I mean men, married from the look of things raising their voices for and against the subject matter.
At first thought, I decided to use the next kiosk down the street but I was enthralled by the curiosity to know why these grown-ups could heat up the argument to this extent.
Fortunately, my curiosity was satisfied when the kiosk owner raised his phone displaying a trending video of Evang. Tope Alabi dancing the popular 'Zanku Steps' and raising his voice with questions as to why she should display such dance step owing to her status as a Gospel singer. Truth be told, she apparently 'carried her body' for Jesus.
At that instance, I lost interest in the whole thing because I hate when I have to crucify someone for his/her action on the basis of religion. This doesn't mean I don't accept the 'standard' of Christianity, but I strongly believe 'standards' can be subjective.
A side of the men argued it was wrong and demeaning to her status. Only one man was on the other side with the opinion that she has done nothing wrong and whosoever sees that as a distraction from 'the way' was never saved. I was amused.
Finally, I was compelled to join the conversation. This time, not as an argument, but as a brisk conversation to strike a balance between the two parties trying to justify the rightness and wrongness of her action. Here are my submissions;
First, the scripture in 1 Corinthians 10:23 (AMP) says, "All things are legitimate [permissible—and we are free to do anything we please], but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome). All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]." Please nail that.
Second, most of these dance steps ranging from 'Shoki' to 'Tesumole' are rooted in the Yoruba culture. Most of these dance steps are used in ancient days. It's just that these guys brought it to our consciousness in their own style. Make your findings.
Third, we all have this 'crazy' tendencies of going haywire. That thing is simply hibernated. It takes extra consciousness to keep them in check. Sometimes, they come out when we are either overwhelmed by excitement or sadness.
You think you can't drink? I just hope you don't come to the situation where the only escape you can think of is bottles of beers. Yes, beers! It sounds awkward? Don't imagine that situation but it can happen. I'm a psychologist.
Now, let me reconcile my points. Evang. Tope Alabi has attained a status that she should be concerned about what is 'edifying' and not just 'permissible'. In that verse of 1 Corinthians I mentioned above, Apostle Paul was making a very concise confession. Tope is permitted to do anything she wants, she is human. It was her dance, by herself. Yet, the question is, was that edifying? Was that profitable to the body of Christ or any baby Christian? No!
I wonder what was her motive when dancing. But sincerely, I feel If that dance was out of joy and excitement and never with a sense of feeling 'fly' or connoting she's in vogue, then there is nothing wrong. It is only wrong because she has attained the status of light many of us look up to.
Bashing and calling her names won't change the fact that she danced, so please, spare her the ugly tweets and comments. Christianity should also entail a personal encounter. Tope Alabi should not be a prerequisite for your salvation. Seek God directly.
Please, let the sleeping dog lie.
Please, share your thought with me in the somment section.
OO
Written by
Olatunbosun Olalekan
Leadership advisor, strategist and writer.
Thank you for not flinching from the hard truths.
Quietly profound.
My therapist would love this piece.
This belongs in a national newspaper.
Took screenshots. Lots of screenshots.
I'll be quoting this for years.
On point as always.
I felt seen reading this. Thank you.
Read this twice. Will be referencing it in my next leadership session.
Yes — and amen.