| Both Sides of Change |
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| Written by Demola Adeniran | |||||||||||||
| Wednesday, 05 November 2008 | |||||||||||||
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BOTH SIDES OF CHANGE by Demola Adeniran One of the most intriguing thing about change is that it is inevitable; an imperative requirement in the course and sojourn of both animate and inanimate matter through time. Either we believe in the Supreme Being who had destined these matters to be and not to be, or not; we must have had changes of one form or another in our lives at a point. Good or bad, fast or slow, willingly or unwillingly; change will come. Whilst factors that determine change can be controlled; it can never be reined in or completely tamed. From the established natural vertical laws like the laws of gravity to the cyclonic water cycle; there have been some changes recorded here and there. Though we know that, an object (depending on the mass) when always dropped from a height will fall to the ground; we also know that an unexpected intrusion will not make it fall in a straight line. Wind can blow that object away from the anticipated point. We have also ascertained that the cyclonic circles like water or nitrogen cycles of an area depend on the causative physical indicia. Change however, in the more human sense, i.e. the horizontal law which connects me and you together; is mostly felt, mostly in demand and extremely required through the course of time either as an individual or in a community for progress to be recorded. It is this same change that occurred yesterday when an African man who did not require his DNA to be analyzed before he could determine where he is originally from like millions of African-Americans in the United States, will become 44th president of the USA. You might want to say, ‘hang on a minute’ is America jaded? A black man in the white house? Where are the white supremacists? What happened to the believed ‘you must be a WASP’ (white Anglo-Saxon Protestant) before even considering the presidency? The conspiracy theorist, who comes up with loads of both realistic and unrealistic odds have always do away with the simplest thing in the analysis of life: the unpredictability of ‘change’. If the sitting US president had not happened on Americans after the fruitful 8 years of Bill Clinton, how would Americans have voted for Obama yesterday for a change? Or if Sir Winston Churchill was not voted out after leading Britain to war victory in 1945 how would they have had the NHS (national health scheme) a policy introduced by the succeeding Labour government of Clement Atlee. It was this same change that fostered Churchill back on Britain in 1951. You might have been a war hero leader, an environmental crusader president or an economist extra-ordianaire who helped prospered the nation, state or even local constituency. The idea is change that brought you in will definitely bring you out. Many have analyzed that race will be a major determinant in yesterday’s election, while I agree it would. I had concluded in my mind that it would always be a situation of favor for Obama’s chances rather than hindrance because today’s America is million of miles away from those dark days of slave trade. The generational change has seen white folks embracing hip-hop music and using ‘ebonic’ names for their kids. Today’s American’s would naturally feel drawn to the suave and charming Obama over John McCain just as they had preferred the young Bill Clinton over the older George Bush in 1992. Americans saw a man of their own time in Obama regardless of his color or origin. They saw young charm as against an old order whom they perceived as a continuum of George Bush so why wont there be a cahnage? What unveiled before our eyes is hitherto and ‘Cinderella’ like in nature. A tale of grass to grace…the American fairy tale of 1 dollar and a dream that was prophesized by the late Martin Luther King, W.E.B DuBois and Malcolm X. An inspirational story for all and sundry, black, white, Hispanic or even an alien…Where there is a will, there is a way. Historically, today’s world has evolved to the point where we are at the moment. From the sparking of stones for fire to keep warm, cook food and illuminate darkness to using wind as a source of energy to power our lives. Change has occurred in our lives whether it turned out to be good or bad; it can only serve as a yardstick and determinant of another form of change. Whilst a good change is excellent as a step stone to a better one, a bad stone will prod a society into attaining a good change. LESSONS FOR NIGERIA I know the voting of Barack Obama as the first black president of America would excite Nigerians into celebrations. From the filth of the streets to the opulence of Aso-rock, millions would have prayed, fasted, and even kept vigil for the history maker Obama. Now whilst we dance and jubilate like Obama is a Nigerian ( please don’t declare a public holiday), we should not forget that though he had put a lot into what has become of today, he was only able to make it because America gave him that chance. The real ‘due process’ was in place, there was no stifling of talents or dreams by the powers that be, no ‘baba sope’ hanky panky, just a dream, a strategy, commitment, determination and the will he had took him to the white house. Where he pained over the loss of his grandmother, millions pained with him. He did not disappear from his campaign or hoard the information away. Am sure if he was ill too the same process would have been followed. After all John McCain have a bad leg and he still ran for the exalted office with it. No one judged him with his physical blemishes. Seriously, it is very unimaginable that this day can come before our eyes because of the foundations and divides of the American society. It actually showed that when every established order of democracy can be allowed to thrive; it will throw fascinating and epochal tales and lessons of change on us. Determining the lives of millions just because you had the power to do it is very undemocratic and evil. Obama will not be sued for malfeasance of votes nor will he use that as an excuse not to hit the ground running. Obama’s acceptance speech was all inclusive, embracing to opposition; that of John McCain was fantastic and made from a genuine heart filled with love of his country. There was no news of republicans crossing over to join democrats to share national loot nor were there statements by Democrats that they shall ‘rule America for 60 years’. The Obama story is delightful to us all, a model to follow if we indeed believe and love Nigeria. We mustn’t wait for Obama to rise within our ranks to rescue us. We must instead identify the Obama in us right now and actualize change that is most needed in Nigeria for greatness. Demola Adeniran
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 07 November 2008 ) | |||||||||||||
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Posted by Robot| 06.11.2008 06:40