THERE appears to be a "grave misunderstanding" that leaders, once elected, change from human beings into superhumans. I'm reminded of the wise words of John Adams, the second US President, who warned his fellow Americans against treating fallible men as faultless idols.
In his retirement, Adams denounced the tendency to make demigods of men like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and, in true Puritan fashion, called for a second Reformation to wash away such idolatry.
A British Psychological Society once conducted a study which revealed that idolizing rock stars can harm your health.
Now, I don’t know whether idolizing political leaders can be harmful to our health. But I dare say that it can be harmful to the political health of the nation.
This self-acclaimed divinity by certain political leaders does not benefit anyone and only lead to the discrediting and downfall of such leaders.
It is one thing giving deserving praise to leaders who spend their entire lives fighting for a good cause and another to idolize them.
Our society should refrain from the habit of idolizing crooks and thugs in suits. Only a crook would want to be idolized because Jesus taught that true leaders should act like servants.
True leaders are those who do not change their attitudes towards others once elected.
Personally, I not only find the act of singing, dancing or prostrating before leaders, shameful and abhorring, but childish.
Let us grow up and be more mature politically. The onus is for all of us who love this land of ours to help get rid of narcissistic and self-conceited leaders. It does not matter which side of the political fence they are from.
Let me end by stating that ignorance, blind loyalty and divine worship of elected leaders have no place in a democracy and are an abomination in a Christian nation like Zambia.
Let's not idolize political leaders lest we create despots that will in turn haunt us.
Thursday, 17 October 2013
Saturday, 12 October 2013
Enough With Gender Stereotyping
IF you are an ardent reader you probably have come across articles with the following headings:
"10 Things Men Wear That Women Hate"
"8 Things Women Want Men To Do In Bed"
"100 Things Men Absolutely NEVER Want to Hear From Their Women"
"50 Things Men Do That Turn Women Off"
"16 Things Women Hate Hearing"
"15 Things Men Find Unattractive About Women"
"30 Things Women Wish Men Knew"
"18 Things Men Wish Women Knew About Sex"
"22 Things Women Are Sick Of Experiencing"
"40 Things Women Want In A Relationship"
"25 Things Men Should Look For In A Woman"
"21 Things Women Wish Men Understood "
"13 Things Men Should Never Say To Women"
I've lately been asking myself whether am the only one who is sick of reading or listening about these petty gender differences in the media. As much as advice columnists need to rely on generalization and stereotypes in order to make their case, I just wish the media could stop spreading all these gender stereotypes and do real journalism
When are we going to accept the fact that men are men and women are women and that it's never changed and it is never going to? Men and women are not some sort of monolithic entity.
Any man or woman who expect to always have their way in a relationship is a dreamer and would do him or herself a great favor by remaining single. Relationships are about tolerance and compromise, period.
"10 Things Men Wear That Women Hate"
"8 Things Women Want Men To Do In Bed"
"100 Things Men Absolutely NEVER Want to Hear From Their Women"
"50 Things Men Do That Turn Women Off"
"16 Things Women Hate Hearing"
"15 Things Men Find Unattractive About Women"
"30 Things Women Wish Men Knew"
"18 Things Men Wish Women Knew About Sex"
"22 Things Women Are Sick Of Experiencing"
"40 Things Women Want In A Relationship"
"25 Things Men Should Look For In A Woman"
"21 Things Women Wish Men Understood "
"13 Things Men Should Never Say To Women"
I've lately been asking myself whether am the only one who is sick of reading or listening about these petty gender differences in the media. As much as advice columnists need to rely on generalization and stereotypes in order to make their case, I just wish the media could stop spreading all these gender stereotypes and do real journalism
When are we going to accept the fact that men are men and women are women and that it's never changed and it is never going to? Men and women are not some sort of monolithic entity.
Any man or woman who expect to always have their way in a relationship is a dreamer and would do him or herself a great favor by remaining single. Relationships are about tolerance and compromise, period.
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
School Is The Tool To Brainwash The Youth
ON September 12, 2013, Will Smith’s 15-year-old son, Jaden,
tweeted, ‘’School Is The Tool To Brainwash The Youth.’’
The young actor with a budding music career underway has
caught major hell for his string of anti-school tweets.
I risk sounding ignorant here, but I
totally agree with young Jaden. If you critically think about it, what does
school really teach children?
1.
Truth comes from
authority
2.
Intelligence is
the ability to remember and repeat
3.
Accurate memory
and repetition are rewarded
4.
Non-compliance is
punished
5.
Conform: intellectually
and socially
The aim of public education as one
man once correctly observed is not to spread enlightenment at all, it is simply
to reduce as many individuals as possible to the safe level, to breed and train
a standardized citizenry, to put down dissent and originality.
Paraphrasing the words of Derrick Jensen, I’ve since
come to understand the reason school lasts twelve years. It takes that long to
sufficiently break a child’s will. It is not easy to disconnect children’s
will, to disconnect them from their own experiences of the world in preparation
for the lives of painful employment they will have to endure.
And just for the record. I’m not here
to encourage youths to drop out of school. My point is, we shouldn’t yield with perfect docility to education’s moulding
hands.
Monday, 2 September 2013
Anything Can Happen In Football
WHO has never lost at home? Who has never won away? I direct these questions at the nay sayers who think just because Ghana is playing at home and has recalled all its superstars, then we can’t beat them in their own backyard.
Yes, Ghana is one of the best teams in Africa if not the world with good players all over the pitch. However, any soccer pundit worth their salt will tell you that “impossible is nothing” in a game of football. In football and in sport as a whole, anything can happen.
We know it is not going to be an easy match. It is never an easy game when you are playing away and a win is your only option. But Ghana isn’t expecting an easy game either.
Of course Ghana has the luxury of being able to choose between great players. But if our lads can step on to the field and control these players, we can cause a major upset in Kumasi. Did we see Zambia defeat a similar Ghana team at AFCON 2012? Yes, we watched it.
Furthermore, unlike our boys who have been playing together and know each other on the field quite well, most of the big names Ghana has recalled have never played together as a team in a long while. That can play to our advantage. And when it is big names playing, some usually forget team work and concentrate of making a name.
But whilst stressing the importance of Friday’s game, our boys should remember that winning and losing start in the mind. They shouldn’t think of their last match when they step on that pitch in Kumasi.
Our boys should simply be prepared for anything. We don’t know how Ghana will approach the game, whether they will defend or attack. However, if we can score an early goal, that will put them under pressure.
Regardless of our situation, I still believe we can make it.We have to believe in our talents. I know it will be difficult, but I still believe in our boys. In such an important match with so much at stake, anything can happen.
Yes, Ghana is one of the best teams in Africa if not the world with good players all over the pitch. However, any soccer pundit worth their salt will tell you that “impossible is nothing” in a game of football. In football and in sport as a whole, anything can happen.
We know it is not going to be an easy match. It is never an easy game when you are playing away and a win is your only option. But Ghana isn’t expecting an easy game either.
Of course Ghana has the luxury of being able to choose between great players. But if our lads can step on to the field and control these players, we can cause a major upset in Kumasi. Did we see Zambia defeat a similar Ghana team at AFCON 2012? Yes, we watched it.
Furthermore, unlike our boys who have been playing together and know each other on the field quite well, most of the big names Ghana has recalled have never played together as a team in a long while. That can play to our advantage. And when it is big names playing, some usually forget team work and concentrate of making a name.
But whilst stressing the importance of Friday’s game, our boys should remember that winning and losing start in the mind. They shouldn’t think of their last match when they step on that pitch in Kumasi.
Our boys should simply be prepared for anything. We don’t know how Ghana will approach the game, whether they will defend or attack. However, if we can score an early goal, that will put them under pressure.
Regardless of our situation, I still believe we can make it.We have to believe in our talents. I know it will be difficult, but I still believe in our boys. In such an important match with so much at stake, anything can happen.
Saturday, 31 August 2013
Princess Diana 16 Years On
I HAVE never been the type that get obsessed with celebrities or public figures. However, certain deaths of international celebrities and public figures have strangely affected me. The death of Princess Diana in a high speed chase on Sunday August 31, 1997 in Paris, France was one of them.
I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. Though I can't remember where I had gone, I do remember that I had just reached home and I was about to enter the house when my young sister said, ''Have you heard that Princess Diana has died?''
It came as a great shock to me. But what I found even more shocking was the fact that it hit me like the death of a loved one. I couldn't understand how my heart could be in so much pain over the death of a total stranger I would have never met in a million years. Perhaps that what makes me human.
I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. Though I can't remember where I had gone, I do remember that I had just reached home and I was about to enter the house when my young sister said, ''Have you heard that Princess Diana has died?''
It came as a great shock to me. But what I found even more shocking was the fact that it hit me like the death of a loved one. I couldn't understand how my heart could be in so much pain over the death of a total stranger I would have never met in a million years. Perhaps that what makes me human.
The Conduct Of Some Political Leaders
THE moral weakness of some of the people we have appointed as our political leaders is quite shocking.
Whereas, true political greatness stems from wisdom, maturity, honesty, humility, and respect, qualities that define exceptional leadership, these are the qualities sorely lacking in many of our political leaders be it in government or opposition.
While corruption still of course contributes to many social ills, political arrogance or simply incompetence is a rising demon in our society that is hindering our country's development.
Most of our political leaders seem to be obsessed with personal glory more than anything.
But before we condemn politicians whose seem to be interested only in furthering their political ambitions , perhaps we should first examine the priorities of the voters who put them into office, and those who didn't care to vote.
If ours is a democracy, then our political leadership is to a certain extent a mirror of our people.
From my observation, good leadership qualities are not necessarily considered good electable qualities by most Zambian voters.
Instead, Zambian-style campaigns or rather voting pattern usually favor those candidates who are masters at political rhetoric. It favours those with money.
Honesty and humble candidates often don't have that chutzpah that makes them stand out and grab voters' attention.
Simply put, an average Zambian voter prefers candidates who will make unattainable promises and those that are entertaining.
And while entertainers or rather sweet talkers may not be the type of leaders needed, they are the type the electorate end up voting for.
Perhaps if we elected people who are believed to be smart policy analysts, shrewd negotiators, and hard workers we wouldn't set ourselves up for so much disappointment.
Perhaps if we elected leaders who are not blinded by partisan politics, we wouldn't end up with leaders who are obstacles to progress.
Whereas, true political greatness stems from wisdom, maturity, honesty, humility, and respect, qualities that define exceptional leadership, these are the qualities sorely lacking in many of our political leaders be it in government or opposition.
While corruption still of course contributes to many social ills, political arrogance or simply incompetence is a rising demon in our society that is hindering our country's development.
Most of our political leaders seem to be obsessed with personal glory more than anything.
But before we condemn politicians whose seem to be interested only in furthering their political ambitions , perhaps we should first examine the priorities of the voters who put them into office, and those who didn't care to vote.
If ours is a democracy, then our political leadership is to a certain extent a mirror of our people.
From my observation, good leadership qualities are not necessarily considered good electable qualities by most Zambian voters.
Instead, Zambian-style campaigns or rather voting pattern usually favor those candidates who are masters at political rhetoric. It favours those with money.
Honesty and humble candidates often don't have that chutzpah that makes them stand out and grab voters' attention.
Simply put, an average Zambian voter prefers candidates who will make unattainable promises and those that are entertaining.
And while entertainers or rather sweet talkers may not be the type of leaders needed, they are the type the electorate end up voting for.
Perhaps if we elected people who are believed to be smart policy analysts, shrewd negotiators, and hard workers we wouldn't set ourselves up for so much disappointment.
Perhaps if we elected leaders who are not blinded by partisan politics, we wouldn't end up with leaders who are obstacles to progress.
Opposition Leaders And Demos
IT is a well-known fact that demonstrations are part and parcel of
democracy and are a component of political engagement and therefore a
useful tool in a democratic society.
However, it is sad that we have opposition leaders like UPND president Hakainde Hichilema who seem hell bent on abusing this democratic right.
I remember how back in March, 2012 HH supported youths in Southern Province who intended to protest during that year's national youth day.
It's sad that a leader could encourage youths to demonstrate instead of speaking peace and calling for dialogue.
And just this past May, his party the UPND notified the Police about their planned national wide demonstrations.
However, the UPND leadership has turned around and claim they are under no obligation to inform the police about their intention to hold demonstrations and protests.
Some political leaders are not worth to support. How in the world can HH and his party always resort to illegal demonstrations over issues that can be resolved through dialogue?
HH should understand that it is not everyone who is in line with his way of calling for attention.
No Zambian in their right mind can support such lawlessness. The poor people of Zambia have a lot of issues to deal with and HH should not provoke unnecessary tensions in our peaceful country.
It is unfortunate that a leader can act like an under five child who resorts to throwing tantrums whenever his demands are not met.
It is sad that HH has stuck to the idea of digging his own grave. His daily actions are self-eliminating.
HH should change his strategy if he intends to continue harboring presidential ambitions.
Let HH be useful and speak of development. You do not need to wait until you are president to bring your ideas of development on board.
However, it is sad that we have opposition leaders like UPND president Hakainde Hichilema who seem hell bent on abusing this democratic right.
I remember how back in March, 2012 HH supported youths in Southern Province who intended to protest during that year's national youth day.
It's sad that a leader could encourage youths to demonstrate instead of speaking peace and calling for dialogue.
And just this past May, his party the UPND notified the Police about their planned national wide demonstrations.
However, the UPND leadership has turned around and claim they are under no obligation to inform the police about their intention to hold demonstrations and protests.
Some political leaders are not worth to support. How in the world can HH and his party always resort to illegal demonstrations over issues that can be resolved through dialogue?
HH should understand that it is not everyone who is in line with his way of calling for attention.
No Zambian in their right mind can support such lawlessness. The poor people of Zambia have a lot of issues to deal with and HH should not provoke unnecessary tensions in our peaceful country.
It is unfortunate that a leader can act like an under five child who resorts to throwing tantrums whenever his demands are not met.
It is sad that HH has stuck to the idea of digging his own grave. His daily actions are self-eliminating.
HH should change his strategy if he intends to continue harboring presidential ambitions.
Let HH be useful and speak of development. You do not need to wait until you are president to bring your ideas of development on board.
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