We live in a vicious cycle of personal evils. Human beings use the idea of self-preservation as a daily excuse for their misdeeds. We are greedy, evil, wicked, heartless and careless in our actions. We do not hesitate to hurt one another to achieve our goals and protect our personal interests. We disregard the consequences of our actions, focusing on our short-term gain but ignoring the long-term cost.
When we are greedy we take for ourselves, what about those who we are depriving? When we practice tribalism and favouritism, what about the other people and tribes we deprive? When we are evil and behave heartlessly, what about the victims of our actions? We always lose sight of the general aim. Tribe, race, colour, language, do not divide us, these are barriers we have created to limit ourselves. We are primarily human beings of the human race, the dominant species of the world. We all experience the same diseases, struggles, victories, failures. We have the same dreams, goals, aspirations. We go through the same processes but some of us feel superior to others. When I see a fellow human being, I see blood flowing through the veins, not golden, silver, bronze, diamond but red blood. So why limit ourselves? Why classify ourselves?
Today you may find yourself in apposition of power, in that position, you maltreat those under you, and you practice tribalism and favouritism. You may either be continuing or starting the vicious cycle. You oppressed a particular tribe, finally when you leave and they take over. They will revenge the harm done to them, eventually when power changes hands again the cycle continues. I ask you now, is it worth it? Living for the short-term benefits, forgetting that you are living a world of ruin for your children, grandchildren and generation to come.
A cup has a limit of water it can take. Once the limit is surpassed, it starts to overflow. Same with people, when they experience oppression and at a disadvantage, it consumes them. All they can think about is breaking the chains that bind them and having their revenge on their oppressors. We are one nation, yes, we have different languages, tribes but we still identify as a nation. Why allow some of us to focus on revenge rather than on development? Why focus on one part of the nation and ignore the other part? Leaders forget you cannot hold power forever. History tells us that!
There is a saying by John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton that goes “The most certain test by which we judge whether a country is really free is the amount of security enjoyed by minorities”. Are we free? Or are we just trapped in a vicious cycle? Leaders believe they can amass wealth and run from the revenge of the oppressed, they feel untouchable, they feel like demi-gods. They forget that history will judge all men, no matter your class, tribe or race. You will be exposed for what you truly are either a hero or a villain.
Do not let your personal interest cloud your moral compass and sense of judgement. You can break the vicious cycle, you can be the difference, and you can make the nation truly great. However, to achieve this, we need to work together as ONE NATION and not as individuals. UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL! Do not wait for someone to be the change you want to see. Together we can be the change we want to see, but it all begins with breaking the cycle. Moving from me to us.