AFRICA, THE WEB AND THE WIND OF CHANGE REVOLUTION VS. TERRORISM

CHAPTER 2

REVOLUTION VS. TERRORISM

 “Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Revolution cannot be achieved through terrorism.  It is a contradiction of intent to try to rid oppression with terrorism. It is indeed a paradox that is obvious in this age. Terrorism, in my opinion has also gained widespread knowledge and access into society thanks to technology. Globalisation has its downside in this sense because one society is now exposed to learning and imbibing the ill in another. And what was once a taboo in Africa is now acceptable because we are part of this so called Global Village.

The question is can we create positive change through terrorism? The answer is NO.  We cannot get rid of corrupt leaders through terrorism. We have seen over time that the people who wield terror against corrupt leaders for whatever purpose tend to turn out like the corrupt leaders themselves.

History records these events and we can see it even in the military regimes in Africa. The coup that removes a greedy general is always planned by a greedy general, whose greed supersedes that of the general he ousted. His fear of being forced out causes him to be even more so wicked than his predecessor.

Absolute power is corruption!

Terrorism negates the brotherhood of humanity. It is a clear fact that disagreements will exist, but the idea of democracy or even brotherhood shows us that we can achieve much through dialogue and if that cannot be done then we must use the tools available to us to fight for our rights. It is important to note that a protest or even war is in no way the same as terrorism. In my opinion, terrorism is an act of cowardice; it makes the likes of Hitler look like a hero. At least he had the decency to show his face. Humanity will not bow to terrorism and brotherhood will prevail!

When do we go to war? When do our peaceful and civil protests turn to violence? Is it when our demands are met? Is it when we are treated as human beings with rights and privileges? Is it when we are allowed to live and express ourselves within the confines of our mutually agreed upon constitutional and representative rights and responsibilities? Is it when we are allowed to live within the consciousness of our God- given sense of what is right and wrong?

When do we go to war?

AFRICA, THE WEB AND THE WIND OF CHANGE The reasoning of an African youth

1.

AFRICA AND THE WORLDWIDE WEB

“The time comes in the life of any nation when there remains only two choices – submit or fight. That time has come now to South Africa. We shall not submit and we have no choice but to hit back by all means in our power in defense of our people...”

Nelson Mandela

Africa, the continent of the largely black and mixed race, has been the sleeping giant for decades but in recent times, certain events have led to the awakening of the giant. It is interesting to note that for centuries, Africa and indeed Africans have been lulled to sleep by patronizing persons, both foreigners and natives who come with promises of a better life and future, and once they are given the opportunity to serve have tended to dominate and oppress the people to a point where they accept  their fate. I agree completely with this observation;

“When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said, 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land”

Bishop Desmond Tutu

 However, as it is in every human society, the oppressed have their day and they always insist on being heard.  Indeed, the time has come for Africans to decide to be Africa’s voice as done in times past, even though then it was against foreigners, today it is against fathers and brothers who want to be Africa, all by themselves.

A society has never been about one man, it is about a group of people that share the same values and beliefs and traditions and culture. In Africa it is generally about respect and hospitality and brotherhood. The opportunity to demonstrate these values was given when the FIFA World Cup was brought to Africa. It wasn’t about South Africa 2010; it was indeed a thing of Pride for all Africans. It did not matter that no African country came first; it mattered that we could show the world that we too can. It was another moment of pride and indeed every African walked taller when this historical feat was achieved and facilitating these historic event is technology.

We, the young people of Africa, would never be exposed to these revolutionary moments without the technology available in the age we live: The satellite, that allows us access to media houses reporting issues around the world and the internet, which has turned the world into a global village. With just one click, one is exposed to the billions of opinions and views available online. It is incredible that one can connect and exchange views and ideas in matters of seconds with someone a thousand seas away – the social media secures for us this grand opportunity.

To be young in Africa today is a great opportunity because we have been offered the potency to create change where we see fit – The World wide web. Access to it is a right and one we must guard jealously. We cannot afford to sit by anymore and allow people, foreign or native, alien or related to lie to us and oppress us and keep us from the opportunities that are available to the rest of the world which we too can have and do have.

There is so much potential in Africa and yet we agree to submit to corrupt leaders who sell us short in the bid to gain absolute power and reign like monarchs in our hard-won democracy. We have the web and we must indeed use this medium to bring about the much needed revolution in our societies. We must oust corruption and live to build a better society for the next generation.

Words have power and we have the web, we must put this power to the web and see the wind of change blow across our land.

The Excuse “Impossible”

To be or not to be considered ridiculous or just plain silly is the choice that helps us achieve our wildest dreams or keeps us where mediocrity holds sway!


The word impossible is the excuse of cowards. People who do not have the courage to push themselves beyond their comfort zones, over the edge of that which is within easy grasp. To upset our well planned out life is something we are not willing to consider.


Every time I read the place where Jesus said, “… greater things shall ye do.” I get pretty upset because I can tell something isn’t right. I think, “Grand ! Easy for you to say!” Not that I do not believe Him, it’s simply beyond my human mind.


To think the outrageous and the ridiculous demands faith that says you can walk on water or raise a dead man. (Think on that for a second)


But then I read Myles Munroe and he goes off and says something as outrageous as ‘yeah doing greater things should be natural’. Ok! So this is outrageous but not unnatural!


I keep thinking to myself the world is doing it and they don’t even acknowledge God and yes, they are still missing out on something – Greatness. The old testament folks had it figured out and Jesus hadn’t even died. Something’s completely wrong.”


I am not talking walking on water here or even raising the dead which can be done. I am talking about that wild dream in your heart that keeps frustrating the ‘Mondays’ of your life. Myles Munroe says the reason you go to work feeling frustrated is because the counsel of God shall stand. What that means is, if you die without fulfilling your purpose, you die frustrated even if you had all the money in the world.


We need a paradigm shift! It’s not enough to think it’s possible with God only, it is possible with you and I and even more so because we have all this grace available.


There are obstacles but there are no impossibilities.


There are walls but there are no limits.


It's your choice to settle down and be comfortable or shake off your fears and take a risk.


Adventure!


My take is, if a man can think it, it is possible.


It takes a lot of mind stretching and perseverance and just the willingness to apply oneself to see possibilities.


It is a process and a challenging one at that! It isn’t one for the faint of heart or the weak willed and we can understand from Abraham to Jesus, why T.D. Jakes would ask if we can stand to be blessed.


Being blessed as Solomon was demands choosing to have grand resilience or limiting ourselves to a few thousand concubines and missing out on where God would take us.


Impossibilities is the excuse for lazy minds.


There are simply no impossibilities!


If you can imagine it, heaven knows you are your only limitation. That is the story of the confusion of tongues (Babel).

.Some distant cousins you should think of killing. Seriously it's legal!

Worry- a subtle foe one needs to deal with constantly.




Worry is the thief of time and energy. Anyone who entertains him knows he is high maintenance. He consumes your time exaggerating every little issue and magnifying every little care.


Worry saps your energy and won't leave until you understand that, "of all men, you are most miserable because you have this little problem. "


Worry seeks to put faith in a corner. ''Face the fact, he insists, your reality is sickness, lack and pain and if you think God cares, then just let me invite my friends over.''


Think on this for a moment if you please. Worry always arrives uninvited, promises to stay for only a minute or two and once you let him in, he stays a day, two or a week. Worry almost never goes anywhere without his buddy Frown.


Frown takes his place on your forehead and before you can even find a Word to counter all that Worry has said, his friends, Guilt and Shame have arrived. They are here to remind you to keep Worry because you failed, ''here and there.'' They point out, with crooked and dirty nails, your failures on this dirty map of your shameful past. ('Crooked and dirty nails' because they had to dig up this buried and forgotten map.)


And shame? Yes she is here to let you know it's ok to stay ashamed. "Forget that God has forgiven you, the shame is yours to keep forever'', she bats her eyes while reminding you with a voice that seeks to comfort or produce some self- righteous or self-pitying feeling.


Worry wants you to deny who you are and what you have in Christ. He wants you to say, 'God I know you care but I don't trust you to take care of this need that I have now.' Worry magnifies his friends, the Cares of this world and seeks to belittle God's ability to fulfill His promise.


The truth is God has already provided all you need but worry keeps you from finding the faith to receive what you need.


Worry is persistent and never gives up and if you must overcome him and his friends here's how.


When next worry comes to visit, tell him about the last time God came through and how He amazed you with His faithfulness (Praise and Worship). Tell Worry about the promises God made to take care of you, to never leave or forsake you ( confession of your faith). Tell him about the address God gave you to always drop off the Cares of this world. (Casting all your cares on Him for He cares for you.) Invite your friends, Peace, Faith, Hope and Joy over for tea.


Worry hates nothing more than a smile and a person who refuses to be anxious about tomorrow. He'll come again to remind you of the Cares of this world and insist you think of ways to resolve them. Take him aside and give him the address you dropped off his friends, the Cares of this world - at God's.


Isn't it amazing how we allow worry keep us awake at night only to find out in the morning that God had already supplied our needs and keeping company with Worry was such a waste of precious time.


Imagine the cost of housing worry and his gang. Get careless around them and they open your door when Depression comes knocking. Now this isn't just a petty thief like worry, shame and guilt whom you are comfortable with just because someone told you they are your distant cousins and you have to treat your family right. Right?


Wrong! Depression is an armed robber and he can kill you just as well as worry, guilt and shame. These are cousins you tie to the drum and practice shooting with, so when Depression comes, you are armed and ready.


We forfeit Peace and yet we have a friend, Jesus, who has taken it upon Himself to bear our burdens.


I've learnt that "taking it to the Lord in prayer" doesn't require beads and a long winding worry-encouraging-prayer.


I know worry can be persistent so I simply go to Jesus with a simple, 'Jesus help, this is beyond me and you promised to take care of me. Thank you.'


If worry keeps nagging, I simply remind him that God has never failed and won't start with me first. I send him to God with, "I forgot your friends, the Cares at His feet, see I'm careless! Go ask Him about it, if you can and must. I have a book to read or I need to sleep...''


Redeem the time!


Worry knows when he is no longer welcomed and he always leaves with a sullen face and if you are wondering why, it's because Frown hopped on his forehead.