Some years ago, during one of the meetings of Creative Writer’s Workshop(UNIBEN chapter), a lady sent in a poem for review (anonymously), education being the subject matter. Two lines that bore a wordplay on ‘boards and benches’ almost threw us off balance. For about an hour, we were analysing and deliberating, showing off our ‘wokeness’, still the knot stayed strong. She sat quietly, smiling. Believe me when I tell you this, women write from immeasurable depths. Later, she explained her intended meaning to us and we all went home laughing, ‘cutting cap’ for her. Some of my fondest memories in UNIBEN were in that poorly lit classroom whose chairs struggled to hold themselves together, that classroom in which we sat weekly to discuss about books, the power that lies within them and the beauty of words.
That day I came to the realisation that our perceptions of life in general determines not just our attitude towards it but also our interpretation of the words and actions of others. And what determines our perception? Our environment, the amount of knowledge we are exposed to and ultimately, the bulk of our experience.
Oftentimes, life is like that, riddled in deep complexities. For instance, a large majority believes in the amassing of wealth as the ultimate proof of success while others believe that it lies in the cultivation and sustainability of great friendships and family relationships. I have even met a few who say it is in the conquest of self, the control over mortal pleasures and unwholesome desires.
The best avenue for understanding this in our contemporary society is on social media. These days, majority of the supposedly ‘intellectual’ conversations I come across on social media are filled with arguments ranging from politics and gender inequality to religion and sexual orientation.
People would not always see things from our own point of view, our opinions will always vary. Variety after all, they say is the spice of life.
So, dear woke Nigerian, when you log into Facebook and find a post that contradicts your opinions, thread gently, ask questions if you must, don’t be in a rush to throw tantrums and use condescending language in a bid to be woke or savage. Before you start dishing out subs because you are not in support of Buhari, IBB and Atiku, be patient enough to understand why a few are still willing to take the risk of voting for them and be smart enough to do a background check on whoever you are debating with. The toughest gangsters wear suits and ties in their profile pictures. Remember Evans, the superstar kidnapper? Your safety is more important than likes and comments. When ‘men corner you for street’, your ‘fans’ will not be there to defend you, the best they would do is write ‘Get well soon’ on your wall. That’s if you still have fingers and a phone to type your story.
Probably, that’s the downside of social media, tearing us further apart in the guise of bringing us closer.
Some persons believe that one can learn from such debates but the way people go about them on social media leaves no room for learning. Most persons are in the habit of reeling forth derogatory comments in place of facts and they do this with a sense of grandiosity. Sometimes, personal sentiments and generalisations are even passed off as ‘facts’ . Social media thus transcends a cyber simulation of the real society where everyone wants to prove a point whether right or wrong.
2019 is almost here, why bother about debating over Buhari, Atiku, Sowore and Durotoye. While you are getting upset about the presidents love for tourism, someone else might see it as effective international relations.
Looking at life from a linear or exponential perspective boils down to choice.
While persons who have been able to secure inflated contracts would see the government as good, those who have to rely on cheap substandard products in order to foot their bills in a system where the cost of living is on an exponential rise and salaries have remained constant, would describe the same government as evil.
The problems dragging us down as a nation cannot be solved through polemics alone but in contributing towards achieving the common goal of restoring the nations lost glory and securing a place at the table of first world countries. This is just my opinion, I may be wrong and the only thing that may be right about this is being entitled to an opinion. Selah!
Originally published on Agog.ng (May, 2018)
