The Great Divide
Well this is my 2nd post, and I already have plenty to say!!!
Basically, I've been having several conversations with fellow Somaliis and getting their views on the phenomenon, or fixation with Somali Conciousness. It is part of my duty to defend my homeland with all sincerity and passion and there is no other culture or group of people that I would be as happy being part of than being Somali. That being said, I would like to point out that this "phenomenon" though with well intentions, is looking like the Louis Vuitton of the past few years. Its great that many of us woke up one day and realised that we have family back home that we need to give back to. However, our family back home have been living in the same state for almost two decades, nothing changed. I keep hearing kids and older folks that have many intentions of going back home after receiving their education and saved up some change, and try to bring miracles to the community that gave them their parents. One thing they don't realise is that just as our people back home are unfortunately facing endless obstacles and adversities we, in the diaspora, need to stop overlooking our OWN problems, and try to solve someone else's problems. I guess its in our nature to assume that we are in a good place so we might as well try to solve someone else's problems. I would like to dispell that, completely.
Why is that we turn a blind eye to issues like: alcoholism, crime, teenage pregnancy and promiscuity (including STD's) and school drop out???? Why is it that a culture that prides so much in posessing true followers of Islam and the Sunnah, do we bury our head 6ft deep into the sand?????????? One thing I've noticed and no one wants to realise is this: There is a HUGE divide between us in the diaspora and those living in the motherland. No matter how much we would like to deny it, a huge rift was created when we started our new lives in our new home countries and faced new problems such as housing, employment, education, and family support.
Basically this my rant and plea for everyone to start looking at our own problems before we can try to solve other people's problems. We naturally come together when disaster strikes, such as the dire situation of the drought that hit the Eastern countries of Africa and I recognize that each and every family does their own part by sending endless amounts back to our immediate and extended families back home. But, don't let the plight of others distract you from bettering yourselves.
Basically, I've been having several conversations with fellow Somaliis and getting their views on the phenomenon, or fixation with Somali Conciousness. It is part of my duty to defend my homeland with all sincerity and passion and there is no other culture or group of people that I would be as happy being part of than being Somali. That being said, I would like to point out that this "phenomenon" though with well intentions, is looking like the Louis Vuitton of the past few years. Its great that many of us woke up one day and realised that we have family back home that we need to give back to. However, our family back home have been living in the same state for almost two decades, nothing changed. I keep hearing kids and older folks that have many intentions of going back home after receiving their education and saved up some change, and try to bring miracles to the community that gave them their parents. One thing they don't realise is that just as our people back home are unfortunately facing endless obstacles and adversities we, in the diaspora, need to stop overlooking our OWN problems, and try to solve someone else's problems. I guess its in our nature to assume that we are in a good place so we might as well try to solve someone else's problems. I would like to dispell that, completely.
Why is that we turn a blind eye to issues like: alcoholism, crime, teenage pregnancy and promiscuity (including STD's) and school drop out???? Why is it that a culture that prides so much in posessing true followers of Islam and the Sunnah, do we bury our head 6ft deep into the sand?????????? One thing I've noticed and no one wants to realise is this: There is a HUGE divide between us in the diaspora and those living in the motherland. No matter how much we would like to deny it, a huge rift was created when we started our new lives in our new home countries and faced new problems such as housing, employment, education, and family support.
Basically this my rant and plea for everyone to start looking at our own problems before we can try to solve other people's problems. We naturally come together when disaster strikes, such as the dire situation of the drought that hit the Eastern countries of Africa and I recognize that each and every family does their own part by sending endless amounts back to our immediate and extended families back home. But, don't let the plight of others distract you from bettering yourselves.
posted by Borderless at 3.4.06
2 Comments:
The old adage comes to mind: Charity begins at home. It is true that we tend to concentrate on others before ourselves but could it also be that it was socially instilled in us to be that way? The society we come from teaches us that when a guest comes to our house and we don't have enough food, that we give them what we have and feign satiation. Yet, I can see the wisdom in your words. Unfortunately changes in the norms tend to take time. Keep hope alive dear maybe the next generation will fulfill what you begun. :)
Thank you sis, I'm just a little frustrated with recent conversations I had with my peers and noticed that alot of them bypass the serious issues we face here, even though we live here, we see it daily, and we CAN do something about it......how much more time do we need to implement these changes? Patience is a virtue....but its a costly one.
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