THE TWO AMERICAS

The Two Americas

THE AMERICAN DICHOTOMY

There were two women, one white and the other black. The white woman is wealthy while the black woman is of modest means and had a criminal record. Both women, according to prosecutors broke the law in their respective cases. The white woman was accused, and convicted of offering bribes ($15,000) in order to raise the SAT scores of her daughter while the black woman was convicted for "illegally" voting about three years ago. 

The black woman's action was deemed illegal because she voted while on a court ordered supervisory probation. The black woman claimed she did this in ignorance and the vote was thrown out anyway. But the prosecutor had other ideas. He convinced the judge that the black woman's previous convictions proved she is a potential lawbreaker. The judge obliged and handed the black woman a 5-year prison sentence. Yes, you heard that right, five years in a United States prison for voting inadvertently. A few days ago, the wealthy white woman got a grand total of 14 days in prison for offering bribes to influence the examination results of her child. 

The white woman is actress Felicity Hoffman and the black woman is Crystal Mason. Though Crystal Mason is out of jail on appeal, she spent several months in jail and the conviction affected her family so adversely that their home was on the verge of foreclosure. Crystal now relies on charity to stay financially afloat. The case of the two women represents the two Americas many non-white people, especially blacks have to deal with all their lives. One America works and appears specially made for whites while the other not only does not work for non-whites but also seeks to destroy them. And there are hundreds of such barefaced judicial genocide in the "land of the free and home of the brave" 

WEB Dubois once said, "The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line". Whether you are talking of wars, poor education, poor medical facilities, poor infrastructure and ineffective leadership the people who suffer the most are the non-whites of the world. The most obvious contrast in color between people in America is that of blacks and whites. Being black increases the likelihood of getting killed, maimed, incarcerated, disrespected and most importantly criminalized in the eyes of society for the slightest infringement - even an inadvertent one. Innocent blacks; whether adults or kids, men or women, young or old suffer egregious injustices, not just in America but also in the western world. In addition to Crystal's case described above, another black, homeless woman, Tanya Mcdowell was recently sentenced to five years in prison for using a friend's address in documents submitted for her son's school admission. Obviously, the authorities would prefer the kid become a drug mule in the neighbourhood so he can end up in the labour camps called prisons. 

The power relationship between whites and blacks has not changed significantly in the past seven hundred years. When it comes to black lives in a white world, blacks are considered less than human.  A prominent US official once called racism and its attendant oppressiveness an American "birth defect". Cases such as described above are many but only a few are exposed for what they are - an organized institutional racism that is based on fear and pseudoscience. The system is rigged, and trying to get justice while living in the same space with a White Supremacist culture has proven difficult for hundreds of years. If Blacks are obviously not real citizens of the United States it is time to move to where black citizenship is free - Africa.  

jrotimibgood@gmail.com

Xenophobia In South Africa Has A Deep Reason - Injustice

Xenophobia In South Africa Has A Deep Reason - Injustice

Xenophobic Attack in South Africa

Africans are among the most self-loathing and least accepting of each other as a people on the planet. They would rather accept, invite, fete and betray each other to foreigners who don't look like them than foster togetherness with each other. We compete for the white man's attention, adopt his ways and seek his approval even when it is evident that white Neo-liberal economic oppression is the main cause of the problems on the continent. 

In the past couple of weeks, black South Africans have besieged businesses belonging to other Africans, wounding and killing some of them.  South African citizens appear to think that the prosperity of those they define as foreigners has been at the expense of indigenes. This short-sighted idiocy is encouraged by dishonest and xenophobic political leaders and state officials  who try to maintain the illusion that South Africa's economic inequalities will be ameliorated once other Africans doing business in the country are eliminated - literally.

A few decades ago, black South Africans were treated less than human in the land their ancestors had lived for millennium. They were segregated into what amounted to ghettos and mainly interacted with white apartheid South Africa as farm hands and house helps. South Africans became refugees in surrounding countries and the fight to end white domination of the country was possible through the generosity of many African nations. After the end of apartheid and installation of black majority rule, there was no concerted effort to address the injustices perpetrated against blacks during the apartheid era. The egregious evil of apartheid (which only ended on paper) was swept under the rug through a cockamamie "truth and reconciliation" nonsense. This essentially meant that all the atrocities of the army, police and judiciary were forgiven after confessing to their crimes before the "reconciliation" committee. In contrast, after the Second World War, at the Nuremberg trials of NAZI officers, there was no truth and reconciliation - just truth and judgement. The atrocities of apartheid parallel those of the NAZIs but was shamelessly condoned by the so-called "developed" world. But more importantly, most of the white sociopolitical structures that kept blacks in an inferior position were left intact. Access to land and upward mobility through gainful employment remained a pipe dream for blacks in the so-called townships. 

Because very little was done to integrate the majority of black people into the "new" South Africa, they were frustrated, and anger at the system continued to simmer just below the surface. First, no real justice was served for black people at the end of apartheid - probably because of a political trade-off acceded to by the leaders that took over from the apartheid regime. Second, some irresponsible black leaders at the end of apartheid sought to deflect the real reason for black disenfranchisement by subtly suggesting and allowing xenophobic attacks on black foreigners. This has led to a deep rabbit hole that may eventually lead to a civil war. Julius Malema, the EFF leader has consistently warned that the anger exhibited by black South Africans against foreign Africans may later degenerate into an unpredictable internal conflict in the future as economic conditions continue to deteriorate for blacks. 

Today, without justice, hope or real freedom, black South Africans vent their frustrations on those least able to fight back - other Africans. Most of these Africans are self-employed and contribute to the local economy. Black South Africans appear to have no motivation to go beyond the satisfaction of basic needs. They have become envious of the fact that so-called foreigners are filling some of the local business void. But if truth be told, the real problem is that post apartheid economic emancipation of black South Africans has not gained any traction. 

A common problem of black on black interaction when economic survival is an issue is the failure to seek cooperation and harnessing potentials for the common good. This destructive and self-defeating attitude is a reflection of our colonial past of "divide and conquer" that was imposed by whites. But which was subsequently entrenched by indigenous leaders who took over from the departing colonists. 

Xenophobic attacks on other black people in South Africa is totally uncalled for when the white architects of economic misery in the country live rich and protected lives. Because the culprits of injustice appear untouchable, black South Africans have turned on other blacks because of self-hatred and fear. The whites and their black collaborators keep the flame of xenophobia alive so that black South Africans cannot see the light of truth. Today, the country of Mandela is notorious for murder, preternatural violence against women and armed robbery. The armed struggle against apartheid has degenerated into a self-destructive debacle and attacks on black foreigners are a symptom of a deeper reaction against a disquieting sense of injustice.

Until the historical injustice, barefaced thievery and genocide that culminated in the institution of apartheid in South Africa is fully addressed the country will continue to work for whites and their black cohorts while the majority poor blacks will keep asking the wrong questions, getting the wrong answers that result in wrong actions. Other Africans, no matter the propaganda, did not cause the problem of South African blacks - the blow is coming from the white fist inside the velvet glove.

jrotimibgood@gmail.com

RUGA: THE END GAME

RUGA: THE END GAME

A FULANI HERDSMAN

When southern and northern politicians talk about nationalism, patriotism or the Nigerian state, it is very important to understand that the two groups are not speaking of the same thing. Northern politicians, especially what is generally referred to as "core north" or Hausa/Fulani usually think Nigeria begins where their interest is taken care of and ends when such interests are threatened. They also understand the politics of numbers and methods of dominance far more than the rest of the country. The north, with active British help, consolidated its power structure shortly after the country's independence. This has made the "north" the dominant socio-political power in Nigeria. The RUGA issue, which should have been a strictly private economic affair under state and federal regulation, has become a potential reason for social upheaval - because the economic survival of a predominantly northern (Fulani) anachronistic tradition is being imposed on the rest of the country.    

All over the country, the activities of so-called Fulani Herdsmen have resulted in killings, kidnappings, farmland destruction, rapes, wholesale genocide, and territorial annexation. The suggested establishment of whole towns (including schools and hospitals) to accommodate what is essentially a personal business in every state of Nigeria is suspicious. The president appears to be a major advocate, or at least a willing enhancer of this unscientific imposition. Traditionally, leaders from other parts of Nigeria have proven totally incapable of any meaningful opposition to northern designs on Nigeria because they lack a cohesive and focused raison d'être. Southern politicians are for the most part, crippled by internecine mischief and a propensity for self-defeating compromise with northern powers when the price is right.

When the idea of establishing Fulani settlements across the country with financial help from government was proposed, many were against it. This was because of Fulani Herdsmen antecedents in the country - their violence, hegemonistic tendencies and brutal suppression of indigenous populations that stand in their way. High level opposition to the idea of Fulani settlements (RUGA) came from a few southern politicians and pundits who did not quite trust the government's motives. The question is why government was either silent or flippant about the murderous actions committed by herdsmen over the years and then suddenly proposes the establishment of Fulani "towns" within each state of Nigeria to ensure "peace".  The RUGA initiative appears to be a well-orchestrated ultimate goal of the present government. They obviously condoned Fulani attacks on innocent lives across the country to ultimately justify RUGA establishment in order to help "solve" the security situation. The RUGA initiative was finally "suspended" due to an unprecedented outcry from Nigerians who saw the dangerous traps non-Fulani citizens were being led into.

It has however become customary that when the north fails to get its wish, it tends to try making life difficult for other citizens of the country. In the RUGA case, leaders of the Fulani arrogantly gave a sitting government 30 days to rescind the suspension of RUGA or face "dire consequences". Now, if a group other than Fulani had uttered those threats, the army would be mobilised to crush it. If it was IPOB (a pressure group from the southeast) for example, the military will come up with ideas to intimidate, imprison or kill people that are peacefully protesting. The general outcry against the establishment of RUGA projects in the southern states of the federation discouraged any compromise by some of their fence-sitting governors.

Given the myriad problems facing Nigeria, the apparent importance accorded Fulani settlement is unsettling. Ignoring or being flippant about the rights of other Nigerians to life and livelihood while promoting traditional cattle holding is unacceptable. The citizenship rights of Nigerians cannot be equated to cattle rights, no matter who is raising them. From the utterance of ultra conservative northern leaders, Fulanis apparently think they have exclusive rights to land across West Africa. Nigeria is particularly prized because of the Hausa/Fulani socio-political dominance that guarantees control of the country's resources. Professor Wole Soyinka recently said that the present government of Muhammadu Buhari, does not have what it takes to govern Nigeria. While this is a correct assessment, the goal of the northern oligarchy has never been to run a country but to run after selfish interests at the expense of the country. Except in very few cases, the north has always had its way while the rest of the country have their say or play dumb for crumbs.

jrotimibgood@gmail.com

Senator Abbo: A Depressing Spectacle

Senator Abbo: A Depressing Spectacle

SENATOR ABBO

Senator Elisha Abbo, a couple weeks, back found it irresistible to assault a mother in a sex toyshop while he was drunk. The video, which received wide circulation in the media, was sad to watch. In a single video, an observant citizen can see all that is wrong with Nigeria.

First, there is the inebriated representative of the state (a senator no less), then a police officer, who is supposed to protect the people and common citizens trying to make ends meet in their place of business. The senator, hiding behind the royalty that the country's leaders have become assaulted a nursing mother in full public view for daring to calm a belligerent situation initiated by him. After shamelessly slapping the hapless woman around, Abbo then ordered his police orderly to arrest her on the spot for a crime that is still unclear. Maybe she forgot that mortals don't speak when gods are throwing childish tantrums.

If you are reading this as a Nigerian, it is evident that the value of your citizenship may depend on the whims of a state official backed by force and not the constitution.  The story of the assault by senator Abbo clearly shows that our lawmakers are some of the most lawless groups in the country. These political misfits are aided by policemen, soldiers and the interpreters of the law to destroy what little rights the constitution guarantees citizens. The clear reason why there is so much banditry, robbery, kidnappings and sundry crimes in Nigeria is simply this: our leaders do not care and law enforcement officers think only of survival, not protecting the people. In fact, evidence suggests that crimes in the country are aided and abetted by law enforcement while state officials turn blind or drunken eyes. The state is silent or languid in combating crimes unless it affects officials directly, or their expatriate business partners. Because they are concerned about survival, law enforcement tends to protect and do the biddings of the leaders at all costs as uniformed thugs and area boys for simple bread. Protecting society does not bring in much so they extort the people and sometimes kill or maim those who refuse.  

When arresting ordinary citizens, especially if carrying out orders from "above", the Nigerian police are at their worst best because they know the victims are totally helpless. But when asked to do the real job of policing the society to reduce crimes, complaints about salaries and lack of weapons surface. The only weapon lacking in the arsenal of law enforcement in Nigeria is integrity not surface-to-air missiles or military grade assault rifles. With integrity and dedication to a just society, most miscreants will look for other jobs rather than risk arrest and jail. But a just society where our lawmakers are not gods is inimical to the ego of our leaders at various levels of society. They need orderlies, guards, errand boys, enforcers and sirens to survive and feel relevant in a royalist society such as ours. Because of the utter disregard for the rights of common people in Nigeria, it is easy to see why there are no good roads, dependable electricity supply, well-funded primary education, healthcare and infrastructure or equal right and justice before the law. Politicians are versed in the art of tokenism to win elections and feeling good about themselves for providing what is a right (not privilege) of the people.

What happened in that shop last week is a microcosm of what the citizens of Nigeria endure everyday while trying to make a living in a moribund country. But any hope of Nigeria's renaissance and progress hinges on protecting people such as that nursing mother and making her feel she can live and contribute without fear to a country currently ruled by drunk lawmakers and pitifully subservient law enforcement officers.

jrotimibgood@gmail.com

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PMB: A General On Paper

Nigerian Cabinet Meeting Picture

 

In the chequered history of Nigeria, there has never been such an egregious assault on national security such as obtains currently in the country. Buhari campaigned on the promise that he would be different from his predecessor by tackling the security problems facing the country and dealing with corruption. But on both scores Buhari has failed woefully. The reason for this failure is simple: the current president of Nigeria is neither a patriot nor a nationalist; he is even less of a soldier.  In fact, the man has no real vision other than promoting an obdurate religious, ethnic and cabal-dominated irresponsibility against the Nigerian state where Hausa/Fulani oligarchical agenda of dominance of the middle belt and southern states of Nigeria is de rigueur. 

Buhari has been the most ill-prepared and ill-suited head of state to date. He does no justice to his profession as a soldier and his bigotry is so obvious that those who follow him do so for selfish reasons. Without the energy or dream of a Nigerian renaissance, it is easy to see why a vicious self-interested cabal has taken over from a president who spent nearly half a year in a foreign hospital but still thinks he is president of a sovereign country. Without equivocation, Buhari does not have what it takes to lead almost 200 million people in this century and his continuous occupation of the office of president may not be divorced from the fact that Nigeria operates on political autopilot that is dominated by ethnic, religious and military apologists. Leaders, both elected and appointed throughout the strata of our national life maintain these existential paradigms. It has been difficult to change the narrative because since our paper independence the current national ethos and leadership have danced (with benefits) to the beat of the world neo-liberal and neo-colonial superstructure.

Boy Scouts have a motto: "Be Prepared".  But a soldier of Buhari's standing (or sitting) certainly has not acted prepared as a "General". He gives the idea of a "quota General" a new meaning.  He is always languid to constitute his cabinet and when he manages to accomplish this elementary task, nothing extraordinary is accomplished. But the "cabinet", filled with praise singers and disinterested courtiers tell Nigerians how fortunate they are to have such an incorruptible leader. They say this with such gravitas as if Nigeria's leaders are expected to be corrupt and Buhari is a god-sent exception. But the fact that corruption and lack of accountability still goes on under his leadership means that corruption has an unquestionable Buharic subtheme. You are corrupt if you oppose the government but angelic if you help propose its most harebrained ideas.

On the question of security, how do you explain the sacking of military bases by a "degraded" Boko Haram who now supposedly attack "soft" targets? Even if the government is given the benefit of doubt; are soft targets not Nigerians? Are soft targets so expendable that a clueless former "General" is okay with jaded, incoherent, interlocutions while most communities in the country daily fear for their lives? Herdsmen killings, faceless banditry, kidnappings, genocides and mass rapes have rendered communities vulnerable, resulting in millions of internally displaced persons - without a formal war. And yet, we have one of the largest standing armies in Africa. But unfortunately, some members of the Nigerian army consists of ill-trained, criminal and morale-deficient buffoons who are quick to brutally suppress or kill civilians while going to extremes to avoid defending the Nigerian state. 

When there are protests in the South East of Nigeria over the inequities apparent in our polity, the army carries out "operations" against peaceful protesters. These "operations" invariably leads to massacres of innocent Nigerians. Today, a big chunk of our national wealth goes to subsidize the army without tangible achievement in ensuring national security. Because of the unstated agenda of total dominion of the central parts of Nigeria who are not of the Hausa/Fulani stock there is evidence that members of the army and police contribute to violence in these areas by inaction when minorities are being attacked and helping to suppress self-defence.  It is also evident that Boko Haram could not be this powerful and seemingly invincible without some support and a hidden agenda that necessitates their existence by the northern elite (both civilian and military) and their foreign backers. And they do have an enabling "General" in PMB - a perverted ethnic and religious jingoist who has voiced his support for Boko Haram in the past while condemning government action against the sect.

In the eighties, Buhari described Nigeria as a '…a great country in chains". In this decade, Buhari has bound the country with stronger chains and thrown the nation into solitary confinement. In a genuine democracy, the failure of PMB to manage the security challenges in the country was enough to derail his second coming. How can a former "General" preside over the travesty the present Nigerian security apparatus has become? PMB is a symptom of our collective herd-mentality where intelligent and deliberate evaluation of the country's progress is stymied by selfish ambition, coupled with ethnic and religious emotionalism.

jrotimibgood@gmail.com