Can we be Namibian first?
So Namibia has made it to the top 25 countries in the world that are the most tolerant. Quite a feat taking into account the study was conducted to find countries for liberal-minded Americans and Britons to immigrate to following Brexit and the Trump election.
Also quite a feat if one considers how the LGBTI community is treated in Namibia, or the complete marginalisation of minority groups like the San for example.
Even more of a feat when one takes into account how disconnected as a nation we are. Our levels of colour consciousness are higher than ever before. This country was far more united under one flag in 1990. We were considered the shining example of Africa and its steady march towards democracy.
Our leaders are so quick to speak of threats to peace and stability and of these, colour consciousness must rank as one of the most dangerous festering wounds this country has seen. Racism and discrimination are expected around every turn. And social media is the predator that feeds on these fears and makes them real, tangible and in our faces every single day.
One photograph, taken out of context, can unleash a storm. Anger screams and vulgar utterances are made in response to images such as these. Why are we not outraged at the real social evils, the real threats to the peace and stability of this country?
We worry more about being politically correct than being kind, compassionate and just. We are more concerned with tribalism than the hungry children who need school feeding schemes just to get by during the school day.
Things are not black and white issues. They should not be. We had not need for a truth and reconciliation commission. This country was mostly reconciled at independence.
We are by no means saying that prejudice and racism do not exist. Both are still present in this country. What we are asking is for Namibians to be mindful of reducing issues to colour or race or even tribe. We are asking that a child is a child, a woman is a woman and a man is a man. Not a white or black person, but a Namibian person.
Also quite a feat if one considers how the LGBTI community is treated in Namibia, or the complete marginalisation of minority groups like the San for example.
Even more of a feat when one takes into account how disconnected as a nation we are. Our levels of colour consciousness are higher than ever before. This country was far more united under one flag in 1990. We were considered the shining example of Africa and its steady march towards democracy.
Our leaders are so quick to speak of threats to peace and stability and of these, colour consciousness must rank as one of the most dangerous festering wounds this country has seen. Racism and discrimination are expected around every turn. And social media is the predator that feeds on these fears and makes them real, tangible and in our faces every single day.
One photograph, taken out of context, can unleash a storm. Anger screams and vulgar utterances are made in response to images such as these. Why are we not outraged at the real social evils, the real threats to the peace and stability of this country?
We worry more about being politically correct than being kind, compassionate and just. We are more concerned with tribalism than the hungry children who need school feeding schemes just to get by during the school day.
Things are not black and white issues. They should not be. We had not need for a truth and reconciliation commission. This country was mostly reconciled at independence.
We are by no means saying that prejudice and racism do not exist. Both are still present in this country. What we are asking is for Namibians to be mindful of reducing issues to colour or race or even tribe. We are asking that a child is a child, a woman is a woman and a man is a man. Not a white or black person, but a Namibian person.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article