For a work of art to be termed a master piece it has to have distinct characteristics that are unique, timeless and above all, self expressive. Over the years, the loom has woven an intricate fabric with a wide array of colors and patterns on the Gambian tapestry otherwise called our social fabric.
The semblance of social order and harmony prevails when there is an extended lull of harmonious existence. The ugly beast called tribalism has been given a new lease on life to roam about freely in the nooks and crannies of our beloved homeland. Poverty and injustice do not have tribal sensitivities and therefore they are equal opportunity employers who look beyond tribe to unleash their wrath. The million dollar quesion that consumes my thought process begs to inquire who the proponents of tribalism are? Well my limited understanding of our social setup and dynamics convinced me to conclude that our politicians are not only the architects but the sponsors of this ugly beast called tribalism. Naturally politicians are opportunistic beings who exploit the weaknesses and divisions amongst us to create a base. This base feeds on sentiments that drive their quest to acheive their stated political objectives.
Not much has changed from the colonial master/colonised relationship to the new found power structure of politician/supporter relationship whereby the politician build a bridge to nowhere with marching supporters galloping towards self destruction.
Gambians at home and abroad have been consumed with the political events unfolding at the home front and to my utter dismay, the armchair pundits have stolen the essence of the narrative by drawing a wedge against a group of people who should share a common objective. There is no Fula, Jola or Mandinka hegemony in this beautiful country of ours. What we have is a cartel of vested parties (politicians) who prostitute a group of people for their personal gains and objectives. I say no to divisive politics and politics of personal interest. Progressive Gambians are converging to chart a way forward for a new Gambia whereby tribe is not a destructive nomenclature but rather a covetted treasure to celebrate our diversity. Our political philosophy should be centred around economic and social empowerment. The Gambian cannot endure a life of double jeopardy where the colonial master railroaded us and now only to fall in the hands of our kin and kindred once again in mental servitude.
The progressives amongst us must not only speak out against tribalism and all its guises but also any ploy to disintegrate our social fabric. Gambians are drifting away in ways never seen before and this must be halted by the conscientious objectors who hate divisive politics and marginalisation of the polity. Politics must be a civic engagement that furthers the discourse in accumulating socioeconomic dividends not the "say gaal ma warr la" syndrome reminiscent of politics of divide and rule. Thats not what I bargained for and thats not what being Gambian means to me. My sociopolitical contract with the politicians is to lower my taxes, protect me from external aggression and safeguard my fundamental rights to liberty and self expression. Once these are not safeguarded, my contract becomes violated making it null and void. I own the electrical broom called voter's card and am at liberty to hire and fire through the ballot. I am the boss of the political class therefore I will not bend in servitude to none. My fellow compatriots lets understand our might and dictate the pace, style and form of our governance structure. They behave in a manner consistent with our stated desires or we kick them out of office. We own the Gambia and it is neither a fiefdom nor an oligarchy so lets do the right thing as children of the soil that gave birth to great men of courage, conviction, honor and dignity. Sait Matty, Maba Jahou, Tamba Jammeh, JC Faye, PS Njie and many others of yester years would have added their voice in the burning issues of the day.
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