“We are fine,” says the words of the concern, but what about other families that may not be! Should one have a blind eye approach towards other families that are subjected to arrests, torture, or killings because one is not affected by it financially or family related! Whether one calls these legitimate concerns of family members that fear harm being done to their son, or daughter for standing up against injustice, would be left to you to decide, but would it be morally right?
It is said that those who speak up against evil acts that goes on in The Gambia are tarnishing the image of the country, but are they falsely making up stories, or are they telling the truth from family members that are the actual victims of tyranny! The false portrayal of the country comes from no one but those enablers that travel to say the contrast message from the head of the government. It is one thing to say that Gambia is a peaceful country and there is freedom of speech from the press, but another for the President to say,” this place is a hell for journalist.” All tourists are welcome, but we will deal with certain people when they are in the country. Whenever you speak up against the government, it is seen as a national security threat. Really! Where does keeping people from exercising their God given rights in the very constitution they swear to uphold have anything to do with National Security. Perhaps protecting the President that seems to defy the constitution would be seen as treasonous. The image the government wants the people to see is one that is developing and striving for its people, where one can call it the smiling coast. Are people actually smiling or crying of misery and economic turmoil that is created by tarnishing relations with other nations! The legitimate concerns can make sense but could also be disheartening. You will hear them say:
It is not your fight! Your family is well taken care off. A paycheck is received from the government that puts food on the table. Leave it all in God’s hands. Watch out for those that influence you. They will get you in trouble. Your family members can get arrested and those close to you. You are married and should worry about your spouse. Worry about your relationship and not the relationship of the government with the people. Think of yourself and not others. Nothing is going to change. What you’re doing is not going to make a difference. Concentrate on your family and worry not about other families. Other people will do the fight, stay away. The people you are fighting for are the same people that will sell you out. They can’t be trusted. You can end up arrested, or killed like others and nothing will come out of it. Last concern but not the least, we are afraid of the unknown and don’t know what will happen next. Civil war, or who takes over can be more terrible than the man who doesn’t reason.
Ladies and gentlemen, these are legitimate concerns that should not hijack the purpose of doing what’s morally right. “We are fine,” as a family is not ok but that “we” should be all fine as Gambians living in The Gambia. Every family should be able to say that but not just a few who seem to care of their own. We as a people cannot be fine when some are behind bars, missing, and even killed. When one family cries, we should all mourn with them. When a member of a family is missing, we should all be in searching and investigating. When a family member is arrested without been charged or trialed, we should all speak up and protest for justice. The religion of Islam and Christianity that the administration keeps talking about is not for selfish gains, but making sure that all should be cared for, loved, and treated with respect and equality. What is morally right is to fight injustice and speak the truth without fear. For the same people that made those concerns earlier, tell them:
Just because you are fine, doesn’t justify that others are fine too. The money received from the government to put food on the table, doesn’t mean that money is what should dictate one’s life. It is God who is the provider and that when work or services are done, you are paid for what you’ve earned. It is God that is to be feared and not man. When it is said that it is not your fight, tell them that if it is not yours, who does the fight belong to? Who should come and do our dirty laundry? Senegal, the West, or us Gambians! Leave it all in God’s hands! Tell them with all due respect, that God created us with minds, and hearts to solve problems and not to wait on miracles. God gave us a conscience to act on what is morally right and he will judge us for action or inaction either way. When it is said off marriage and family, tell them those that are away from their loved ones need to be next to their spouse too. No one is better than the other. Love would be selfish if it was just meant for couples and not others. It is true that people can get influenced by others to just do anything, but we are influenced by great people that changed nations. The greats, like Martin Luther King, and Mahatma Gandhi that walked on this earth and won the hearts of many through civil disobedience and non-violence movements. The values taught to us did not originate from the West, but right in our parents homes in The Gambia. The values of respect, love, human dignity, and to speak the truth even when a knife is placed on ones throat. Generosity and kindness towards others is something that was taught at a very young age and that is the same model we shall carry.
Our culture teaches us to be respectful and listen to one another through open dialogue. It also teaches us that we should not curse or insult, and not to raise our voices over our elders. Not to divide us and tell us this tribe is better than the other. For those who don’t believe in change, your children will have no hope if you believe things are to remain stagnant. Change has to take place because it is for the better. Worry not about people who might betray you, but avoid betraying the people who are less fortunate and are voiceless. The utmost betrayal is when you ignore seeing the suffering and stay silent. Be willing to get arrested, or even killed, for this life is hopeless if those you care about are denied freedom. Nothing comes without a sacrifice, and in order to achieve those freedoms, one has to be courageous enough to face his or her fears.
Concerns that are controlled by fear cannot be hijacked by doing what is morally right. What is right, is to free all the people of Gambia. Like in Tunisia when someone was mistreated by the authorities, he set himself ablaze. We don’t condone suicide and Allah doesn’t either, but since there was no hope for him, the world answered to his suffering. I for one will go to Gambia and there are three possibilities that would either happen. Either the President set the people free and apply what the people asked him to do, or arrest me to be tortured forever, or kill me so that my blood will wash down the pains and sufferings of my people to set them free. Walking out alive, arrested, or killed, but I must go when am ready to bring the change that is desperately needed. What is morally right, is for us to unite and end tyranny in The Gambia. Everyone can’t be President, but we can make it possible for everyone credible and trustworthy to have a chance at leading when such frameworks are in place. Silence is not the answer, but marching towards State House and taking our country back is. Those who call on elections and want it resolved in the ballot boxes, if all opposition parties are not united, you will continue to have the same results.
The awareness and exposure that different organizations are doing is what’s right. Supporting organizations that are honest, transparent, and show great leadership skills in a democratic process is worth joining. Debates should be encouraged where both sides can speak respectfully and this will be the only way you can get others to crossover. By showing what you are all about, and hearing other people’s opinions, much can be achieved. No one is to be silenced, and no one is to make a mockery out of the other. Editorials can be biased or criticized, but the ultimate fight is not among us, but tyranny alone. What is morally right, is the fight for human rights. 19 yrs of words will now be put into action, for we have all had enough. The fight will not be won by guns, but by individuals who will stand to fight for justice by marching in numbers. The fight is now and near, so make sure you are on the right side of history. No spiritual leader or marabout can stop God’s children if our faith is strong and we are united. Abraham cut down the idols and was thrown into the fire for which God made cool for him because of faith. My faith is what gives me the confidence to face all kind of evil, and together we shall bring back the peace that is desperately needed. This will be my final message on paper for I have said all there is to be said and asked off. Let us leave the concerns behind and join the movement that stands for unity, and truth that gives hope and courage to penetrate through the fears of Gambians. This is what is morally right, so let us take the fight to Gambia. You know me already and will see me when am there! I will come to you with thousands of people when am ready. For now, let us get ready and prepare the fight that will win the hearts of many without raising any arms. Peace be with you all!