EKURWE: OPEN LETTER TO THE YOUTHS OF AN ANONYMOUS KINGDOM 08
There is a huge difference between having an association meeting, a club get-together, a clan annual conference or a socio-cultural delegate conference and dialogue. You could meet, eat, drink, and dance together and not discuss anything substantial. Annually, we have a ritual of organising conferences just to fulfil all righteousness without coming up with an intentional, realistic, and achievable resolution backed up with measurable action. Mere conferences do not provide comprehensive and sustainable solutions to pressing issues. Organisational leaders should not glory in organising annual conferences without quality dialogue.
In a world where differences in opinions, beliefs, and ideologies abound, the preference for quality dialogue that will give rise to a common ground through understanding is vital. In dialogue, we get deep into the reasons for the deep-seated divisions. In dialogue, we learn why people are unwilling to engage in sincere dialogue. In dialogue, we get to know why individuals or groups feel threatened or marginalised. We hear the unheard in dialogue and understand why people are prone to aggression. All these are possible through dialogue and not feasting. We have been eating and laughing; let us sit down from morning until evening and discuss why we are where we are.
The art of conversation, negotiation, and compromise are components of dialogue. The rejection of dialogue perpetuates a cycle of animosity, hindering the potential for resolution and mutual understanding. Meaningful solutions often arise from collaborative efforts, diverse perspectives, and creative problem-solving. Toasting wine, dressing in uniforms, sharing food from one plate in a restaurant, and discussing politics is not dialogue that resolves issues.
Leadership plays a pivotal role in either fostering dialogue or fueling violence. Leaders who prioritise inflammatory rhetoric and endorse aggressive tactics contribute to a culture that supports violence. Conversely, leaders who champion open communication, empathy, and diplomacy pave the way for constructive dialogue, even in the face of disagreement. Encouraging diverse perspectives and creating spaces for respectful conversations can contribute to a society that rejects violence as a solution and embraces the transformative power of dialogue.
As a matter of necessity, we should go for quality dialogue instead of organising an annual capital-intensive feast just for social connection and bonding. Our conferences should be issue-specific. We need to dialogue on critical issues eye ball to eye ball. We need to look at ourselves and call a spade a spade. We must approach the nagging problems that bother our collective existence with all brotherly aggression. There is no need to be anonymous in dialogue again. We should be bold in calling out malicious actors by name. Our liberality and kid gloves are not helping us again.
Let us think: how recently have we organised events for dialogue? We like to issue communiqués that have no meaning to the nagging issues. In the absence of dialogue, misunderstandings thrive, divisions deepen, and bridges to understanding remain unbuilt. Dialogue is not just a choice; it is a necessity, a lifeline that connects hearts, minds, and diverse perspectives, fostering the empathy essential for the growth of a compassionate and enlightened society.
Let us intentionally dialogue on critical issues so that we have a better society and posterity will be happy for us. We pass over critical issues and smile away their harmful effect. Let us stop playing; we either dialogue honesty or we hmmmmmmm.
10-open letters, 2 more to go.
Dated 13th December, 2023
Comments