Someone was recently telling me about a group of guys who are planning to create one strong group where people could talk about important issues without having to worry about political or other differences on multiple issues. They say the youngsters are of the conviction that the basic reason for most of the problems haunting us is the fact that we couldn’t live together with our differences.
We are in times differences of opinions and beliefs aren’t respected and are in fact are sources of unwanted and uncalled enmity among people. That the youngsters realized that the lack of respect for differences of opinions and our failure to talk about them with no string attached are the real problems which seem to be preventing us to move forward as a society.
Encouraging moves and intentions should be given the thumbs up without any hesitation. That’s why the youngster’s intentions though yet at the idea or suggestion level should be hailed. These young people, in spite of multiple problems they face, seem to be adamant in carrying the idea through. Of course in our society such lofty ideas with far-reaching consequences aren’t lucky to be on the freeways. No, that never has been the case.
In fact the traffic stops, the unseen obstacles, the sudden cliffs and ravens conspire to keep their movement to the minimum and even stop them. “This is the end of the road!” After all, this is a country where the greater percentage of the inhabitants are young people and that is why its potential for growth is said to be better than most other places.
In fact in any society the greatest call to arms is for the young as they are the inheritors of everything. The older generation should be willing and ready to enjoy a good hearted “Sayonara!” But then the wisdom of the old and the creativity and vitality of the young is a great mix and we are not talking about generational house cleaning.
Of course as we say many things even when we know they are the best options seldom get the green light from every post along the road. That’s one stumbling block over which we’re tripping and falling over and again. And the stumbling block might have many reasons but much of it is man-made! Yes most of our problems are man-made! The idea of the group I mentioned earlier indeed is very illuminating. Whatever the details might be it shows we’ve young people who are so concerned that they are trying to play their roles in making things easier and more reasonable; in bringing citizens of this country to the discussing and debating table and talk their hearts.
I mean you can and must ask why people of various political beliefs couldn’t’ live together? Everyone isn’t expected to have the same political beliefs, the same social principles, the same religious affiliations and the like? Not that ours has been a place where the things we mentioned above were perfect. No! However despite the many problems over the decades there were times where people lived with much better social cohesion, where there was respect for others while we seek react for ourselves.
The youngsters must be moving with the conviction that everybody should have the platform to make their voices heard and this was the right time to create a good conversation culture where we could sit together and talk about everything. “I don’t agree with what he said; but I respect his ideas.” Isn’t what is expected of us? The words of Voltaire has put this issue to rest; ‘I detest what you say; I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
I mean is the fact we keep ourselves away from real conversations unpreventable ignorance, or innocent, and intended missteps? Look, these days ignorant is not only about not being keeping pace with the times. No way. Ignorance comes through so-called information, breaking news.
The tragedy of it all is that in even the very few instances we talk to each other we don’t come within a couple of oceans and mountains closer to agreeing because we, whom the world has made ignorant of, seem to be afflicted with “they are with ‘them’; they’re with ‘us’!” scourge, and they are talking about politics. “So what’s the big deal about this?”
You might ask. Everything is big deal. The ‘them’ and ‘us’ line of thinking makes and breaks everything these days. A year or so back this guy who spent most of his years abroad returns to the motherland for good. Him having been in societies who are supposed to be loaded with refined ideas on everything and anything pole expected much of him, even more than the good old dollar! One day he sits with friends for a few shots of his favorite drinks and some small talk. One guy was missing and he asked why he wasn’t there. He was told that they have nothing to do with him anymore. That came as a shock for him. He must have thought “So good old Lucifer has managed to break that wonderful friendship?”
“Are you guys not on speaking terms?”
“No we’re not.”
“Why?”
The answer, for all practical purposes, should have shocked him out of his seat and maybe forced him to reconsider his decision to return home. One of the guys answers him; “He’s with them?”
‘What the hell do you mean with “he’s with them?” Have you people became collectively crazy!’ That’s something you should have expected but never came. And the guest replies,
“I always suspected him that he will jump to the other side; that good for nothing…” Your OMG moment, wouldn’t you say? Someone who was considered to have been more exposed to the idea of living side by side with all the political and other differences going so low! Yes, ours is a hopelessly weird world.
The group of youngsters I was telling you about might have the best intentions in the world. I only hope they aren’t acting only due to moments of those adrenaline bursts. We’ve seen such situations repeatedly and usually take such info with much skepticism. These are issues where emotions and fast conclusions should be put in the back the room and reason take place. It’s strange. Marriages have broken apart and families dispersed because of political (and ethnic) differences between hubby and wife and there are even more horrifying examples as to how the scourge of failing to live together with our differences is preventing us from strengthening societies.
Unless we are able to prevent ourselves from being haunted with the ‘them & us’ believe me the future would be harder than the past!
The Ethiopian Herald January 28/2024