THE BLACKMAN FACTOR; Nigerian Factor! part 1

Do you ever wonder why you should be black or just ask why we just never seem to have it right for the most part? It is annoying but true. You can resist it; talk yourself out of it but the truth so remains. You may have asked what is wrong with the black man, where exactly did we miss it that we all seem to be experiencing similar backdrop the world over. The truth remains that there is nothing wrong being a black man; you just have to know who you are, where you are coming from and how to rise above every limitation. Understanding it has changed a lot of things for me and believe me, it works. I am no longer angry being black, I most love it because I know my roots, who I am and how to be different. I write with reference to Nigeria.

The issue of race is very serious even though we have our drops of prejudice, every man, black or white, mulatto or where ever you are from. The only difference is in knowing when not to submit to that prejudice. The challenges of the Blackman all over the world are peculiar and the feeling comes with the questions that we ourselves alone can answer. The secret of rising above the stereotype is in knowing where you come from, your roots and being honest with the shortcomings of your colour. You must not be given to excuses, you must stop finding every reason to blame the white man, no matter what he has done or is still doing….it is your life; you must be determined to make it work.

It breaks my heart that even the educated “elites” as they call them, have yet to rise above nepotism, tribalism, traditions that holds us back, self-limiting believes, superstitions, corruption and defeat. For the most part mediocrity is still very much, a part of our system. While those in the western world have experienced some light, those of us in Africa still deal with issues, a lot of it. Our problems do not just end in physical dilapidation; it goes far into our mentality. Our way of thinking, relating with others and how we do our things….our system. The system must be progressive and productive for it to work.

The feeling that if it is imported, then it is the best. We so much believe in the superiority of the white man (thanks to the black slave-brain washing, which has been passed down generations and still going) that we have lost self-believe, it is one  reason why china made products are taking over the Nigerian market. It is easy for us to import rice or any food stuff than to make it happen here. We want to speak like them; they are the standards for what we do here, even in recruitment, auditions, fashion shows, relationships, television etcetera. There are policies that perpetuates red-tapeism, unproductive bureaucracy that frustrates many who want to make things happen here and even those in the Diaspora wanting to come home. From registering a company, to starting a university or a school, opening a business, building a house or owning a house etc. Methods that does not add value to life of the common man. You waste time, resources to achieve and you find these procedures that are unnecessary, practically frustrating. We are played by our leaders and plagued by indecisions of our leaders. As I have discovered, they really cannot lead when they do not understand what it entails. It is easier for a sate Governor to get a private jet than repair roads, renovate school or provide drinking water. Leadership is not part of our school curriculum…..you really should not blame them.

The things we worry about and the things that drive us for the most part are things that are for the now.  We want to get the best grades to get the best jobs so that we can live the luxurious lifestyles. Delayed gratification makes zero sense and excellence is rarely celebrated. We rarely implement originality; we prefer to copy and make the fake version. Even when it comes to using our talents, it is hugely for personal gains, there is little space for how we can touch lives. Impacting someone goes beyond giving them money. We often deceive ourselves with huge supposed “philanthropists” on the page of newspapers and on our TV screens. It is not about what you have and that is the part we miss it. We enjoy being at the top and the rest staying down below. Even those who claim to help the under privileged, at the back of their minds there is something to gain. For us, everything must have personal gain. Whenever there is a promo, it has to do with you buying first, to get the chance to win. It is okay to be profit driven but you must be careful who you step on and how you use people to get it. Many of us are complaining about our leaders but deep down, it is because we are not experiencing part of the national cake, when we do, a lot of us are prone to compromise even the human rights activist, we have seen them and it happens. In Nigeria, we know everyman, no matter his profession, religion, has a price tag. No matter the plan, the strategy, someone is likely to compromise. Chances are that when if someone becomes a millionaire from the slums, he is more eager to set myself up and be the star, than help someone up to be better than him or her, there is fear of succession. They often want to be like the master enjoying the homage and respect people pay them for what they have….not so much for who they are because when those things vanish, it is back to square one. When you see the kind of Freebies Corporation gives people around here, you will understand the type of people we have become. Getting a salary raise or a Blackberry® or something with no effectual value is likely to happen than getting a day off or getting vacation for your family. Just as long as they have control over you. We are so material driven that we see others in the light of what they have at the moment. For the small beginners, you are on your own. Things like this, is the reason why entrepreneurship never thrives here. It is easier for the Government, CEOs to employ your than teach you how to be an employer. We are taken over by the consumer mentality, we have little preference for seed sowing, we believe in the harvest. That is where you see us, which is where we are.

The lifestyles on TV and soft sell magazines even newspapers promote vain human pursuits. We prefer to rollover the same people, the supposed elites than take the story of a nobody and write about their success. Why? It will not sell. We rarely celebrate values and when young people grow up with all those stuffs, the get rich schemes thrives on that…it grows into networks.

Photos: Google Images
 To be continued...