Maravi

‘Difference is not enmity, unity is not uniformity’

‘Difference is not enmity, unity is not uniformity’
Sun 16 Jan. 2011, 03:59 CAT

Our politicians, especially those in government, should pay a lot of attention to uniting and working with fellow citizens who differ with them.

We have come together from every corner of our country and we should be good at uniting in our work, not only with those who hold the same views as ourselves, but also with those who hold different views.

And this is the point Bishop William Mchombo was trying to get across to us the other day when he was advising us as a nation, as a people, not to shy away from pointing out any shortcoming that affects human development and shackles the majority of our people in perpetual poverty like corrupt activities. He said this was the essence of democracy and “difference is not enmity and unity is not uniformity. We should always strive for harmonious peaceful co-existence despite the myriad of diversities that we are faced with…”

There is need for the political leadership of our country to guard against arrogance. For anyone in a leadership position, this is a matter of principle and an important condition for maintaining unity. Even those who have made no serious mistakes and have achieved great success in their work should not be arrogant. Even if we achieve gigantic successes in our work, there is no reason whatsoever to feel conceited and arrogant. Modesty helps one to go forward, whereas conceit makes one lag behind. This is the truth we must always bear in mind. With a bit of success in our work, certain moods may grow – arrogance, the airs of a self-styled hero, inertia and unwillingness to make progress.

Many things may become baggage, may become encumbrances, if we cling to them blindly and uncritically. Having made mistakes, you may feel that, come what may, you are saddled with them and so become dispirited; if you have not made mistakes, you may feel that you are free from error and so become conceited. Lack of achievement in work may breed pessimism, while achievement may breed pride and arrogance. All these things become encumbrances or baggage if there is no critical awareness.

Some of our politicians in government have become arrogant and high-handed in their behaviour towards the people, always blaming others but never themselves, always seeing their own achievements but never their own shortcomings, and always welcoming flattery but never criticism. We must endeavour to eradicate these faults.

We should not let things slide for the sake of peace and friendship when a person has clearly gone wrong, and refrain from principled argument because he is an old acquaintance, a close friend, a loved one; or touch on the matter slightly instead of going into it thoroughly, so as to keep on good terms. The result is that both the nation and the individual are harmed.

There is also a habit of indulging in irresponsible criticism in private instead of actively putting forward one’s suggestions openly or publicly; saying nothing to people to their faces but to gossip behind their backs, or to say nothing at a meeting but to gossip afterwards. We should also not let things drift simply because they do not affect us personally; say as little as possible while knowing perfectly well what is wrong, being worldly wise and play safe and seek only to avoid blame.

We should also avoid the practice of hearing incorrect views without rebutting them but instead take them calmly as if nothing has happened; seeing someone harming the interests of the masses and yet not feel indignant, or dissuade or stop him or reason with him, but allow him to continue.

It is not right to be aware of one’s own mistakes and yet make no attempt to correct them, taking a liberal attitude towards oneself. These things are harmful to the nation; they are corrosive and eat away unity, they undermine cohesion, cause apathy and create dissension.

Criticising what is wrong is not a display of enmity or hatred. To agree with everything the key political leaders say is divine, but to disagree is treason. All critics must be crushed! The citizen must belong to them or be condemned. They are not ashamed to attribute enmity where it may not exist. Criticism per se is non-existent. Anything else is destructive. Opposition is an expression of enmity or hatred, not pure disagreement. They are incapable of being criticised without feeling rancoured about it. In fact, all the time, the impression given is that to criticise is to condemn or curse in the biblical fashion.

And as we have consistently stated, it is quite true that acceptance of criticism implies the highest respect for human ideal, and that its denial suggests a conscious or unconscious lack of humanity on our part. Intolerance must surely rank as one of the worst forms of immorality in human affairs. What is distinctly lacking among our politicians, especially those in government, is a culture of tolerance and humility which places the humanity of others before self and accepts that all citizens have a right to participate in the shaping of their destiny directly without fear of reprisal. They should take a leaf from Nelson Mandela when he says, “If the criticism is valid, it must be made.”

Those who truthfully and sincerely work for the common good should not fear criticism because the truth is on their side, and the basic masses are on their side. Opposition and struggle between ideas of different kinds constantly occur in a nation and within organisations. This is often a reflection of contradictions within the nation or the organisation between the new and the old.

If there were no contradictions to resolve, life would come to an end. These contradictions and the struggles they generate are better than unprincipled peace that gives rise to a decadent attitude and political degeneration.

If we have shortcomings, we should not be afraid to have them pointed out and criticised, if we are servants of the people. Anyone, no matter who, may point out our shortcomings. If he is right, we should correct them. If what he proposes will benefit the people, there is need to act upon it. We must not become complacent over any success. We should check our complacency and constantly criticise our shortcomings.

Labels: WILLIAM MCHOMBO

posted by MrK @ 8:10 AM