The traditional ulcer that lies beneath our diverse differences is labelled out in prejudice. Though, it is characteristic of every society at any given time, it seems to have deepened its existence within us. This was a creation of nature but we complicated its essence and attached a negative perspective to such differences.
We were once born into this world naked and innocent, but our society gave us clothes and taught us wicked ways. The innocence we were born with was stronger than any social, political and economic demarcation.
As we grew up, the process of socialisation opened our eyes wide to the reality of prejudices and divides we live with. A turn about ourselves brought into sight a society deeply cut into segments. We could not resist to assimilate such lesser values since a precedent had already been set before us.
In this Pearl of Africa, just like in most other African countries, deeply rooted cases of ethnicity and separitism are still existant. They span from the political heights to the cultural circles. Cultural and ethnic groups treat each other with suspicion. One group believes they are more significant than their brothers and sisters elsewhere. And so, they think their identity will be more pronounced if they are apportioned a federation to propel their destiny. That is pure fodder for more divides and prejudices.
Lecturer Dixon Kamukama, while presenting a lecture on 'The Ethnic Factor in our Governance and Development in Uganda and the Way Forward' noted: 'There is an unofficial negative attitude towards certain sections of our community in Uganda .' Everywhere you turn, you are met by an eye of suspicion and mistrust. This emanates from the attitude ‘we’ perceive towards certain ethno-cultural orientations. He further noted that '...if these are not tamed (they) could lead one to having a negative attitude or become intolerant to others or have prejudice.
The tradional North-South divide breaks the ranks of such prejudice that has become a norm within us. Those from the South of our pearl of Africa think they are blessed with fertile land, peace, education et al and are different from their ‘less’ fortunate brohters and sisters in the North. This brings about a whole basement of animosity, unrest and political severence.
It was about time we redifined our differences and made use of such privilege for the sake of our wellbeing. Our brotherliness is deeply rooted where we consider to exist diveristy and differences. We are one people. There is more to our differences than the mere prejudices and divides we attach to them. In fact, the world would be a dull place if such differences never existed at all.
The basic thing is to use our rational mind to harmonise our existence with one another. Just imagine having the Pearl of Africa devoid of sharp prejudices and divisions, where would we be today?
Joshua Masinde,
seejmasinde@yahoo.com
We were once born into this world naked and innocent, but our society gave us clothes and taught us wicked ways. The innocence we were born with was stronger than any social, political and economic demarcation.
As we grew up, the process of socialisation opened our eyes wide to the reality of prejudices and divides we live with. A turn about ourselves brought into sight a society deeply cut into segments. We could not resist to assimilate such lesser values since a precedent had already been set before us.
In this Pearl of Africa, just like in most other African countries, deeply rooted cases of ethnicity and separitism are still existant. They span from the political heights to the cultural circles. Cultural and ethnic groups treat each other with suspicion. One group believes they are more significant than their brothers and sisters elsewhere. And so, they think their identity will be more pronounced if they are apportioned a federation to propel their destiny. That is pure fodder for more divides and prejudices.
Lecturer Dixon Kamukama, while presenting a lecture on 'The Ethnic Factor in our Governance and Development in Uganda and the Way Forward' noted: 'There is an unofficial negative attitude towards certain sections of our community in Uganda .' Everywhere you turn, you are met by an eye of suspicion and mistrust. This emanates from the attitude ‘we’ perceive towards certain ethno-cultural orientations. He further noted that '...if these are not tamed (they) could lead one to having a negative attitude or become intolerant to others or have prejudice.
The tradional North-South divide breaks the ranks of such prejudice that has become a norm within us. Those from the South of our pearl of Africa think they are blessed with fertile land, peace, education et al and are different from their ‘less’ fortunate brohters and sisters in the North. This brings about a whole basement of animosity, unrest and political severence.
It was about time we redifined our differences and made use of such privilege for the sake of our wellbeing. Our brotherliness is deeply rooted where we consider to exist diveristy and differences. We are one people. There is more to our differences than the mere prejudices and divides we attach to them. In fact, the world would be a dull place if such differences never existed at all.
The basic thing is to use our rational mind to harmonise our existence with one another. Just imagine having the Pearl of Africa devoid of sharp prejudices and divisions, where would we be today?
Joshua Masinde,
seejmasinde@yahoo.com
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