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Are we really civilized?
Thursday, 09 June 2011 12:42
By Ebou GayeThe term civilization is defined as ‘highly developed system of government, culture and way of life coupled with fair treatment of people’.
Given the above definition and what is currently happening in the world, one is justified in doubting whether our generation is really civilized, or is more civilized than former generations in every respect as pretty many of us believe. Yes, it is a widely held notion that our generation which is referred to as the ‘modern generation’ is very civilized, as opposed to previous generations which are considered to be primitive, backward, barbaric… The issue arouses questions, which can be put thus:
If we were civilized as we claim, would any country take advantage of its military or economic might to bully weaker ones or impose its will on them to defend its interest? Would any country sacrifice its own citizens or citizens of other countries to please a country of a higher status to gain its favour? Would any country be allowed or licensed to oppress its citizens or neighbours? Would developed countries manufacture weapons of mass destruction while championing peace? Would developing countries divert direly needed funds to purchase and accumulate dangerous weapons with the sole aim of protecting their leaders and perpetuating them in power while ignoring more urgent and pressing needs of their people? Would heads of state dare to acquire expensive properties without seeking clearance from their people or offering explanation to them for the sake of transparency as enshrined in their constitutions, or make crucial decisions against the will of the majority, as if they own the people and countries they lead? Would any government hire the services of foreign legal practitioners with dubious qualifications and questionable character at the expense of indigenous professionals as a way of controlling its judiciary by manipulating the former? Would any government attempt to muzzle the press or gag its opponents through intimidation or promulgation of draconian laws? Would media practitioners and ruling party sympathizers blindly serve as mouthpiece of repressive, oppressive regimes? Would media practitioners and opposition politicians hide behind freedom of expression to smear the reputation of people or tarnish the image of their governments for ulterior motives? Would any government victimize its civil servants or brutalize other citizens merely for political reasons? Would civil servants use their positions to undermine their governments to the disadvantage of the general public? Would disgruntled people engage in treasonable acts of sabotage that are detrimental to their nations? Would highly educated people or people who are regarded as intellectuals behave as puppets by serving the interest of dictators and their associates to the detriment of ordinary citizens who form the majority? Would security agents relegate their duties by mercilessly and senselessly transforming themselves into torture or execution machines to defend the interest of tyrants? Would law-enforcement agents turn into law-breaking agents, extorting money from people, framing people and conniving with offenders and oppressors? Would political representatives metamorphose into sycophants who, in their attempt to ingratiate themselves with their political leaders, behave like marionettes and praise-singers, turning blind eyes to the interest of their electorate? Would the desire to remain in power or mount power prompt us to vilify each other or shamelessly invent blatant lies against each other? Would we kill each other in our quest for vanities such as wealth and power, regarding them as goodies? Would we take advantage of our positions to insolently ridicule, castigate, or insult others? Would we despise or hold each other in contempt based on creed, caste, race, tribe, sex, social origin, etc? Would we butcher each other or vandalize each other’s properties under the influence of religious, tribal, ethnic or political sentiments? Would the affluent heap up food leaving the destitute to die of hunger and starvation? Would we adhere to injurious or harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage in the name of safeguarding culture? Would we practise homosexuality in total contravention of the dictates of nature? Would we harbour or encourage gays, lesbians, and paedophiles? Would we walk the streets half-naked like animals or condone nudism in the abundance of clothes? Would we challenge God’s will or question His intelligence by trying to shed the skin He has chosen for us, with the aim of beautifying ourselves, disregarding the negative health and economic ramifications associated with the practice of skin bleaching?
The list is interminable. Let me cut it here. I believe the above questions are sufficient and pertinent enough to throw light on the issue under discussion. The definition of civilization given earlier in the discourse is not in accordance with our behaviour; they seem to be irreconcilable. It is either the case that the definition is wrong in totality or gravely flawed, or that we are not a civilized generation as we claim or believe to be. Which is which? Should we discard this definition and redefine the term or accept deficiency in terms of civilization and try to change attitude for the better? It would definitely be ironical for us to subscribe to the definition and continue to hate, scorn or maltreat each other, or stick to harmful, brutal, inhumane and immoral practices. Whether the definition is correct or not, what is certain is that our behaviour leaves much to be desired. If the definition is tenable, one can say without a germ of fear that we are not civilized, or we are not more civilized than past generations.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Jollofnews.
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