TITLE: CLANNISH SENTIMENT MASKED BY SMILES AND CHARITY
Let us travel to the land of imagination and imagine vain things for a while. Can a generous person donate money to charity and still donate more money to buy weapons for his clan? On an average day, I will say ‘NO’; how will a good person who so loved a less privileged person buy arms that may be used against other fellow human beings just because the person is from a different clan? Is it possible to mask clannish sentiment and rivalry with smiles and charity? Human beings can be unpredictable at times. Why will I be smiling with a person from another clan when, deep inside me, I have committed my money to procure arms that can be used against him at any slightest provocation? Chawowo, ela ochiche ka-double standard raise to power X. On a personal note, if that thought even crossed my mind, I would not try to enter a church building until God forgives me.
In the complex tapestry of human interaction, the desire for belonging often finds expression in the form of communities, groups, or clans. While such social bonds can foster a sense of unity and support, there are instances where clannish sentiments, veiled by smiles and charity, may conceal deeper issues. The outward appearance of goodwill can create a veneer that obscures the underlying dynamics at play, making it challenging to discern genuine altruism from actions fueled by exclusive sentiments. Smiles, warm gestures, and acts of charity can serve as effective disguises, concealing clannish sentiments that may perpetuate exclusionary attitudes.
Clannish sentiment, even when cloaked in smiles and charitable deeds, can have detrimental effects on social cohesion. Charitable acts, when not driven by right motives, may contribute to social division rather than unity. While the beneficiaries of such charity may experience temporary relief, the underlying motivations will be discovered with the passage of time. Fooling people have a short lifespan. Communities marked by such sentiments may find it challenging to address broader social issues as efforts become confined to the interests of the clan rather than the well-being of the entire community.
Superficial harmony but deeper divisions are the suitable coinage. While the external appearance of harmony may prevail within clannish groups, deeper divisions can simmer beneath the surface. The smiles and acts of charity may serve as a facade that masks internal tensions, rivalries, or discrimination within the groups. If the underlying issues are not adequately resolved, unity may crumble under the weight of the unaddressed. Transparency in motives and a commitment to addressing internal divisions are essential for building a more cohesive society where love is not confined within a clan but spread abroad. We can dismantle barriers that hinder true social cohesion by encouraging open dialogue, promoting transparency, and fostering a mindset that transcends narrow affiliations. In doing so, we pave the way for a more compassionate and interconnected community.
We need an intentional reorientation among the youths. We need to announce to the youths that peace is not necessarily in the eating, drinking and dancing together. We must remove our love from social media and take it to our various clan meetings where real issues are discussed.
This letter is to let you know that we know that you are a clannish bigot, and your hatred for other clans is as dark as charcoal, even though you tried to cover it with smiles and charity. We know you too well-the only time you will shout ‘WE ARE ONE’ is when the card on the table favours your clan. Regrettably, the young people who are supposed to be leaders of tomorrow are turning themselves into clannish militia specialised in playing clannish cards. How far can we go as a people? KNOW THAT FALSEHOOD HAS A SHORT LIFE SPAN.
10 open letters, 8 more to go.
Dated 29th November, 2023
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