Opinion
By A Concern Citizen
When we tell our family members to look the other way and stay mute about the current events, do we realize that we are actually empowering and feeding the beast to clamp down on others!!The argument concerned family members make is all pointed at their own safety and could care less if the whole country cries and mourns over their loved ones. The beast keeps feeding on our fears and gets stronger to silence the rest of the population.If leaders of the civil rights movements only thought about their families and safety, the African American would not have the right to vote or even sit in proper schools to learn a decent education which most parents in Africa are proud of their kids studying abroad. Freedom is not free and silence is a betrayal to everyones dignity to live in a free society. We call ourselves God’s servants but have no clue of what it actually means to serve God. Do we actually know what it means to be my brothers and sisters keeper!!We are to watch over each other and guide one another to what is just and right. That what is good for us should be good for another. But no, we could care less and say we are fine. I would rather be forgotten and disowned by my people, than turn my back against the people who are victims of this corrupted and tyranical regime.Silence feeds the beast and speaking up against injustice starves and conquers the beast.
When we only care about our financial security coming from the government or a bag of sugar or rice that gets donated to our doorsteps, we are feeding the beast. The beast knows that we can easily be manipulated by money and gestures that is stolen bye the way. How do i know this! Well how much does the beast earn from his salary and how can he afford such a lifestyle that gives him all the millions of dollars he lavishly spends!! It is like knowing that one steals or sells drugs but one could care less about where the money came from as long as it puts the food on the table. We have lost our morals and values to actually deny any gift that bothers our conscience. The high taxes and anti business policies that keeps investors away are all to the detriment of all but yet, every man for himself. It is like survival of the fittest. One cannot even tell the difference from the prostitute who goes on the streets for money and those in proper houses who dance to any kind of music the beast plays. Gambia is sinking fast because we have no more morals anymore. They will say we have nice cars and are living comfortably but at the expense and detriment of keeping the rest hostage to the high prices and the less fortunate. The coorperate businesses that have a huge interest in their profits and market, seem to lobby their way by buying gifts and making huge donations to the ruling party just to be relevant. Yes they do help the less fortunate by giving out charities and scholarships, but their main objective is to survive and pay no mimd to the attrocities commited by the regime. Everyone is just after their own pockets and business but could care less who lives and dies today or gets fired and locked up without trial.
When we buy bags of rice or commodities from the beast, we are feeding the beast. Be it Kanilai Farms, Gamtel or even the taxi transportations which is much harder to detect, the money generated is used to buy others off or used to terrorize people. Money taken from your paychecks to pay for the ruling party’s 20th anniversary, shows that one party dictates where your money goes whether you like it or not. The rams and cattles you buy for your feast and Islamic holidays also goes to feed the beast. The system is designed to make you depend on it otherwise you feel as if there is no other way to survive. Donations of rice and Mecca trips given to the government are inturn sold and used to insinuate that the beast has given its people a free ride. Your everyday life seems to be controlled even if you hate the beast. Do you wonder why I call him a beast!!
He is a beast because he feeds on you and everyone else around you. The little you have goes back to him so that he can have mansions and International Bank accounts. Remember that it was the beast that called President Jawara corrupt!! Well the beast is known now around Africa as one of the most corrupt and you helped him get there. You helped him because anyone that wants to speak up against the injustices that goes on you are quick to silence. Anyone who tries to lift and inspire the hopeless you intervene by saying your voice or actions won’t bring about change. Change for you doesn’t work because you can’t trust what’s coming next because the system works best for you. It suits your selfish needs and gives you the wealth you need to survive. Morally I thought we would share the same concerns but your life is way more precious than Aisha Njie who accuses the beast of raping her. She wouldn’t be surprised to hear that you think she is crazy because it could change the system. The system may be destroyed by allegations that are truthful and damaging to the chief spiritual leader who is also the beast who bites at his victims.
The beast is a hungry animal who sees nothing but power. The power you gave him by keeping silent. The power you try to legitimize by keeping your pockets full. The power that created me to speak up for Amadou Sanneh, Imam Baba Leigh, Fatou Camara, and the Aisha Njie’s. I am not at all surprised that even the decease like Buba Baldeh is forgotten and not given the proper respect he deserves from you because if the living is neglected and forgotten, the dead stands no chance. However, God has a plan for him in this holy month of Ramadan. I hope you won’t cast aside the beast when he falls from power just like President Jawara.The power will eventually seize to exist, because it was you and me that gave him that power. I don’t know about you standing up to do the right thing but for heaven sake, let me do my part. I may not be able to bring the change needed by myself, but if we all play our parts right, change will happen God willing. So please, stop feeding the beast and starve it to death by saying no more. The beast can only survive if you let him make you feel worthless and powerless. Reclaim your rights and cage the beast where it belongs; behind bars. We now know who feeds the beast, it is you!!!!
You know me, you’re right, it’s me.
Yours sincerely..
Anti-Beast