Extremism and fanaticism in any of their numerous
manifestations is never ideal. Even our most noble quality as humans - love
cannot be excessive; for excessive love breeds obsession which is a negative
quality. The ideal position in any instance is to be moderate.
These two words above are in inverted commas because
they can be pushed to extremes in both cases and hence engender negative
results. In our ‘New Gambia’ words have come to mean different things from what
the originators intended for them to mean. Critics are whiners and supporters
are sycophants, but we will stick to the two terms or supporters and critics to
avoid controversy although there is some truth to both definitions.
What we hear a lot of in our discourse is how ‘blind
support’ breeds tyranny and how we are constantly reminded that failure to
criticize the current establishment will see a return to the Jammeh days of
tyranny. There is some truth to that but it is not the whole truth, and half-truths
are as dangerous as lies, if not more so. The opposite – excessive criticism,
borderline whining could breed the same and even faster; here is an example.
“It’s
frankly disgusting that the press is able to write whatever they wanna write,
and people should look into it.” - President Trump
“Network
news has become so partisan, distorted and fake that licenses must be
challenged, and if appropriate revoked. Not fair to public [sic]’ - President
Trump
The president of the United States, the “greatest democracy”
according to some, that we all aspire for our various nations around the world to
be like, recently made these statements regarding the press, or “Fake News” as
he calls them due to non-stop criticism of his policies and even ridicule
sometimes. The First Amendment of the U.S constitution clearly states that
Congress shall not make any laws that abridge freedom of speech or of the press.
Whatever one thinks of the man and his presidency the above statements points
to one fact about to be highlighted.
People like to be respected and treated fairly. This
need for respect is so embedded in our nature that some will beat it into you
if they have to; for with respect comes dignity and disrespect is demeaning. Now
this is not to say criticism is a sign of disrespect, far from it if the
criticism is constructive. That is to say criticism meant to make better by
offering alternatives but not one made from the perspective of I told you so; an ego booster meant to
give the impression that one thinks them self or their choice better than the
person being criticized or his choice. That kind of criticism is demeaning and
condescending, devoid of substance.
If the United States, like all thriving democracies
around the world does not have strong institutions like the kind needed to
safeguard democratic gains and protect people’s rights, the president is sure
to curtail press freedom and the associated freedom of expression just because
he feels he is undeserving of the ‘criticism’ he receives daily. This amongst
other issues typifies what the South African comedian, Trevor Noah meant when
he jokingly labeled Trump, “…The perfect African President.”
With democracy still in its trial phase in most African
countries, it is not unlikely that presidents wield enormous powers and
effectively take control of all aspects of the nation state. Now this is by no
means gratifying such tyranny or calling for its imposition, but it is evidence
pointing to that innate human need to be valued, respected and treated with
dignity. The curtailment of freedoms in Africa especially is partly due to
corruption but party due to that deep seated African value that elders must be
respected even if they have to beat that understanding into you. Now imagine a
person with state power and machinery behind him feeling disrespected and is
desirous of commanding the respect he thinks he deserves; Yaya Jammeh anyone?
On the opposite extreme end is sycophancy; the
deliberate attempt that fail to see any wrong even when staring you in the
face. You see, the two extremes need each other to survive; they feed off of
each other. The extremists who constantly criticizes and who sees no good no
matter how obvious, without thinking some ulterior motive is responsible for
that good behavior. Such a stance invites the extremist from the other side to
come defend that good action. When in fact a wrong is done, the extremist on
the supporting side finds an excuse for it, that invites the extremist from the
opposing side to come up with the “you see, we told you so” position; and on
and on it goes. In between is the moderate observer, although biased towards
one end, he/she is objective enough to see the facts and whichever side the
facts leans towards, he/she becomes the darling for that side and hence is
bundled and labeled by the opposing side as one of those on that side; a
sycophant or a whiner (sellout).
Nelson Mandela is probably the most praised leader
of our age; but did he turn into a tyrant, no. You can credit that to the ‘democratic’
(used sparingly considering apartheid) space in South Africa or to age.
Whatever it is we know he has an upright character typical of a genuine African,
especially one advanced in age. That sincerity of character, in my opinion is
the single most important factor that determined his uprightness and his
success in shaking off the temptations and entrapments of power, relinquishing
it when he did; in dignity and eternal adoration. Otherwise, he had an
opportunity to bask in the love of his people and the world and rule for life.
Now I am not comparing Mandela to anyone (a crime by
new Gambian standards), but it is safe to say that a person’s character and
inner self worth determines their actions more so than the environment they
find themselves in. But certainly, a good trigger to bring out the opposite of
their good nature is the feeling of being disrespected and undervalued within
that environment.
“Hani
baa naa dewung ta, akka king dirro kelleh.” A goat may bite
if cornered and frustrated.
Truth is we are not always privy to all the factors
that motivated a person’s decision or choice as opposed to other choices. In the
game of sports, say football (the rest of the world kind of football) for
example, the coach is needed to guide the players to a win because he sees the
game from a perspective that the players can’t. He is essentially a critic. With
all their skills and training, the players need the coach’s guidance. And with
all his past experience and training as well, he cannot match the efforts of
the players if put on the field, there he gets exposed to a different reality
than what obtains from the sidelines. In the lyrics of the legendary
Mutabaruka; “Wen ya not in pawa…, it is
easy to say dis and dat; but wen you have pawa it is very different, a different
sanky you have to sing.”- From the track People’s Court.
So let’s remember we the citizens are the coaches and
our goal is to bring home the trophy. The fans lauding the players on the
sidelines and booing the opponents are on the same side as the coach, just playing
different roles. The cheering enhances performance through positive reinforcement. Let’s
be moderate in all that we do, especially when we ‘criticize’ people; not in the
criticism itself when it is warranted but in the tone of it. And let us always strive to
make each other better not to bring people down or to massage one’s ego. Positive reinforcement helps more in improving performance, so don’t be afraid to praise when an action is
praiseworthy. If we do that, Gambia dina
dem!
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