"Enough lives have been sacrificed. We must extinguish our resentments if we expect harmony and union."
-Abraham Lincoln
A satellite camera paints a very attractive and exquisite picture of our planet—an oval beauty robbed is silky blue and white garment—a planet at peace—a planet unperturbed. The camera zooms in to reveal an even more beautiful ball of life clad in a coat of green and blue garment, and crowned with a hat of fluffy and puffy white clouds. She is most blessed amongst planets as she is teaming with life— bobbling with activities. However, this planet alive, she took ill the very day imperfection snaked its way into the very heart of her caretaker: man. Imperfection would lay her dark eggs in the heart of man and hate, lies, greed, prejudice and violence would be born to do no other but torment a healthy and wealthy planet to ill health, debilitating hopelessness—and a slow and painful death. Suffice it to say here that man's many problems are self-inflicted—the degenerating condition of our dear planet is the handiwork of no other but man. Because if zoom in still, one would see the red hot hate, and could even smell the stench of separation. A hate ravaged planet— at the mercy of prejudice and revenge—terror-stricken—full of chains of broken dreams and streets strewn with broken toys and shattered joys.
From a distance our planet seems a planet at peace, but she is a planet in deep pain—her soil reddened by bloods of countless slain by the cold hands of hate. Our planet, she use to revolve—now she sadly writhe and wails around the sun.
All we need is love, though it's just one short word, yet it's a force so powerful and great that our whole existence depends solely on it because it's a force that created us and indeed the whole universe. Love we need—love we say with our whole heart wrapped around it.
"Live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." 2Corinthians 13:11Hate is a monster whose countenance is present the world over-frightening and terrorizing millions to their untimely graves as he pit people against on another. Entrenched hatred would provoke a man to grab a machete, walks up to his neighbour of long age and cut him down like an unwanted tree.
"Love all that has been created by God both the whole and every grain of sand. Love every leaf and every ray of light. Love the beasts and the birds and the plants, love every separate fragment. If you love each fragment you will understand the mystery of the whole resting in God…." Fyodor Dostoevsky
Violence is the offspring of hatred and greed, yet it is often times seen as an option for gaining peace, freedom, or respect; forgetting that nothing positive comes out of hatred or greed as these two are products of the same womb—evil. Suffice it to say here that, violence should never be contemplated for the actualization of freedom, peace or respect; for what has light got in common with darkness: evil begets evil and good begets good; hence, dialogue is the answer.
Violence is a crime against humanity; an arch enemy of peace and unity. It is the most unprofitable business venture man has ever embarked upon: a game of waste, a show of shame. Strange how man would invest so much time, money, sweat and blood to destroy lives and property, deform today and posterity.
Peace is sweet war is bitter, but if you doubt me the story teller, then inquire of the children of Lidice.
Certain factors are responsible for the many walls of separation that towers the world over, and the wide spread of violence that has bedeviled humankind from time immemorial; these factors are: Race, Tribal differences, Religion and Politics.
Race
"Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well…." - Vincent Van Gogh
There is beauty in diversity, however, because man is no longer in the likeness of God—he lost his perfect nature after eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden—multiracial diversity (that was meant to be a blessing) sadly became a bane. One race would claim superiority over another; prejudice would harangue men to make slaves out of their fellowmen—millions would be taken to concentration camps and gassed to their early graves. Entrenched hatred would cause men to embrace terrorism—they would hunt and murder even the innocent.
Men would be discriminated against because of the colour of their skin—they would be judged by their God given colour rather than the contents of their character. Apartheid would wrap itself around a nation and suck the peace out of her; sucking her dry— reducing her to a scraggy—she becomes a place of violence, sorrow and despair.
"Again I looked and saw all the oppressions that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no comforter. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun." Ecclesiastes 4:1-3
Hundreds of millions of human beings are presently suffering from racial discrimination and exclusion. Because most people would not fold their hands and watch while others (who feel they are a superior race) subject them to dehumanizing living conditions, they would voice out their grievances, and at times they would violently lash back at their oppressors.
It is the innate desire of every man to want to be free. Every man deserves to be free—it is the right of all men to be free. Therefore, it is natural for the oppressed to fight back. Those who are incarcerated or whose movements are restricted should be those whom a just law has proven to be of questionable character—those tried in the law court and found guilty of a crime that deserves incarceration.
When false allegations are leveled against a people because of the colour of their skin, and are tried by a law that perceives them inferior, and so incarcerates them, such is prejudice at work; hence, the oppressed would lash back, and when they do, they are tagged terrorists.
Religion
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and be holy." Hebrew 12:14
Most religions claim to embrace peace and harmony as central tenets; promoting altruistic principles such as love of neighbour and sanctity of human life. However, in regards to peace amongst people of different religious backgrounds, tribes, race and political views, religion seems to be powerless—it cannot exercise its formidable power.
Our world has witnessed the shameful act of religious wars, where men claim to be fighting for God—they would wield tongues and other dangerous weapons of destruction, without regards to the 6th commandment, they'll murder men in cold blood. God the Creator is love—and a forgiving spirit; He abhors men who take it upon themselves to avenge the dead—God despise malice and revenge. God is offended when men bleed their land— killing their fellowmen, and claim to be fighting for Him.
"Love ever gives-forgives-outlives and ever stands with open hands. And while it lives, it gives. For this is love's prerogative—to give and give and give…." -John Oxenham
Prejudice and violence are never part of the attributes of God. If religious leaders who are suppose to encourage peace and unity amongst people are actually those who harangue men for war against their neighbor, then how do they expect those who are regarded as unbelievers or "worldly" to relate with their neighbour. Small wonder why leading scientists have gathered to discuss what they consider to be the urgent need to eradicate religion.
We (Christians, Muslims etc) have given atheists the excuse to further ridicule our God as we have failed woefully in regards to reflecting the true nature of God which is love.
"May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. 2Thessalonians 3:16
Tribe
"Let the peace of Christ rule your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15
Some tribes have been stereotyped with the assumption that they all share certain bad qualities. This ideology is enshrined in the minds of a people, and it is passed on from generation to generation. Babies are born and are taught to hate a people whose language is different from theirs—the garment of hate is faithfully passed on from one generation to another—hand-me-downs ever mended, starched and ironed by the hands of prejudice—hand-me-downs that would be stained with the blood of the innocent because, ethnic clashes are as a result of entrenched hatred, and hatred would prompt men to violence.
"The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they lived, and afterwards they join the dead." Ecclesiastes 9:3b
Our world has witnessed the annihilation of innocent men, women and children by their countrymen in the name of ethnic cleansing. People are slaughtered in their thousands in a single day because they are regarded inferior beings or the cause of a nations tragic end.
In 1994, war broke out between the Tutsis and Hutus in Rwanda, and it left over half a million people dead—a wave of violence swept through that land and many—even little children were not spared the horrifying violence. Trucks brimming with bodies trudged their way to burial sites—mass graves dots Rwanda's landscape. What fueled that war was none but prejudice—prejudice harangued men to decapitate even little children—children whose love respects no border as they would gladly make friends with anyone irrespective of tribe or race.
"The Lord gives strength to his people; the lord blesses his people with peace." Psalm 29:11
Gender
"Real beauty lies in the spiritual accord that is called love which exists between a man and a woman…." -Kahil Gibran
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." Ephesians 5:25
Every man is blessed with two hands by God the Creator for a purpose, one hand is stronger than the other, and one hand is weaker than the other. The strong will remain strong only if the weak remains the helper—the stronger is not strong without the weaker. Those who are of the view that the left hand is dispensable should cut theirs off and see how their right hand fares without the left—the background is no place for the woman—her place is beside her man.
"Love does not bind with chains and demands, love gives the soul wings. Love teaches freedom and happiness and gives inner peace." -- Unknown
"Women liberation is the liberation of the feminine in the man and the masculine in the woman." -Corita Kent
It is true that God the Creator created man first and then, from man He took a bone to form the woman placing man above the woman; however this doesn't mean that the woman was made a slave for the man, neither does it mean that the woman is but a piece of furniture meant to beautify the home—the place of a woman is by her man. Women should learn to respect their husbands and be submissive—any relationship that lacks respect will surly hit the rocks.
"Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord." Colossians 3 vs. 18
Politics is not the exclusive reserve of men—the voice of women should be heard even in matters of state.
"He who loves his wife loves himself." Ephesians 5:28b
Politics
"Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience." - George Washington
Political conflicts are no strangers to man, they have been from of old robbing men of their peace and security. Politicians with rabid loss for power would stop at nothing to cast a nation deep into the bowels of terror and insecurity doing whatever it takes to achieve their selfish ends.
The wealth of a man should not be judged by his social statues or by how much he is worth financially; a man's wealth should only be judged by his knowledge of God and how that knowledge affects his relationship with his fellowman.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neigbour as yourself" Luke 10: 27 b
We should cease to be lovers of self alone, but lovers of our country—which makes us lovers of our fellowman (neighbour).
"It is not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country." - F. Kennedy
When we learn to love our country, then we will not be given to corruption and violence; greed for power will not be found amongst us hence, violence will cease to rob even our little ones of their dreams.
The life of a rapacious man will end in sorrow—selfishness and greed has deprived many of their tomorrows—selfishness and greed for power is the reason why many nations the world over bled (some are presently bleeding) profusely and crying a river for their great loss—selfishness and greed for power are the ones that would beckon on violence to come and torment a striving nation at peace to abject poverty and insecurity. The companion of rabid loss for power is no other but violence—the twosome has over the years left ugly scars on the face of human history.
Peace is sweet; war is bitter, if you doubt me the story teller then inquire of the children of Timor.
The Way Forward
Prejudice disunites a nation—he is a peace devourer—he would incite men against their fellowmen—charge the air with the gun powder of hate, and the peace of the nation is consumed in one vast chaotic sweep.
There is an adage that says "If cobwebs unite they can tie a lion." With this I heartily agree for there is great power in unity.
In war, walls of separation are erected everywhere, dissension and hatred thrive like a palm by the stream; unforgiving spirit prowls like a famished lion, and hence, revenge will never be pacified until he drinks his fill of blood. Moreover, even when war is over, fear lingers and hatred still occupies his cozy chamber in the hearts of many. And so, the nation sits on a keg of gun powder waiting to blow up again at the slightest provocation. The people experience a false peace—the peace of a graveyard.
Peace is sweet war is bitter, but if you doubt me the story teller, then inquire from the children of Liberia.
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world go blind." Gandhi
Each generation are blessed with angelic beings who with words and actions attempt at educating the international community on the need to always opt for dialogue for the resolution of conflict amongst peoples; for such is the only true source of peace and unity. Our generation has its own fair share of saints; it is expedient that we listen to them. For there are too many scars on the face of human history, and countless lurid tales in her mouth.
Disunity will never put clean clothes on our backs but rags…war will not put health in our bones but decay. It has become imperative that all, both great and small should strive to protect our unity…our peace, because some of those who lost theirs did not live to tell the tale. Moreover, in our strive for a more perfect union, we should not shut God out, rather we should endeavor to draw closer to Him because He is love, therefore, it is only through Him the human race can achieve a healthy world.
Peace is sweet…war is bitter, but if you doubt me the story teller, then enquire of the children of Somalia.
"Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring…." - Oscar WildeWe are tired of wearing the ancient rob of hatred and violence: hand-me-downs faithfully passed on to each generation. We are tired of taking up arms and bleed our lands, destroy our homes with our own hands; tired of burying our young men and women in their prime, living in fear of our fellowmen. We are tired of seeing the graves of our little once—little ones devoured by greedy guns. Therefore, it is time we denude ourselves of this robe of prejudice and violence, and clothe ourselves with love and unity; for it is only then that we can have true respect for life, as we come to a full understanding of its meaning and so, enjoy it to its fullness.
Therefore, I implore us to use our God given talents to contend against prejudice and violence; as artists, we should not cease to draw, paint and sculpt against tribalism and prejudice; engineers should construct against violence. Musicians should never cease to sing against women enslavement. Doctors should continue to cure against hate; architects should ceaselessly design against racism; writers should continue to write and publish against lies and prejudice amongst other woes that sought to reduce the human race to nothingness. Suffice to say here that whatever talent one possesses is but a gift from God only for the enhancement of humankind.
Peace is sweet war is bitter, but if you doubt me the story teller, then inquire from the children of the middle-east.
Violence should never be contemplated as it destroys not only the good of today, but also that of tomorrow. We owe it to our children (both born and unborn) to build a healthier world for them: a hate free world—a world where guns will cease to roar, deadly chemicals no longer poison the atmosphere sucking life from lungs, where bombs will cease to tear homes and families apart and where unclaimed cadavers will no longer dot our landscapes. A world free from the clutches of prejudice and his poisonous extremism. A world that does not only look peaceful when viewed from above with the aid of a satellite camera, but a world extremely beautified by our relationship with our fellowman and our environment.
I believe Utopia is not that far away, our ticket to that blissful land is just a little bit of love and understanding amongst tribes, races and gender. Love is all the ticket we need to live a healthier and happier life on earth, and dialogue (an offspring of love) is ever ready to take us by the hand and lead us to that blissful world.
Peace is sweet war is bitter, but if you doubt me the story teller, then inquire from the children of Sudan.
"O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life…." - Saint Francis of Assisi
On wings of prejudice how high, how far can we fly? On wheels of corruption how safe, how long can we ply? Aboard the "Tyrant", we set sail—like the Titanic, we'll surly fail.
When words are like fire in bushes of thorns men becomes ferocious—they'll surly cock their guns.
From the wings of tribalism all comes crashing down. On wheels of corruption, we twirl and shudder—woe bound. Aboard the Tyrant, like a rock, we're fast sinking—days dark, dead and decaying. What future is there for a people who often chant and dance clamoring for fire? "Tarry not to flee" ever trumpets our town crier.
The filth, the nauseating face of ethnic cleansing—the stench… the stinking rottenness of religious conflict. And the noisome pestilence of racial discrimination; these are the causes of the tears that floods the weary eyes of our earth—many tears—she cries herself slow to death.
Walls of separation should be pulled down—all should strive to embrace communal living: white, black, red and brown. If a man draws a circle and invites some into it but leaves you out because of the colure of you skin or the language you speak, or for whatever reason he finds under heaven to give, fret not—draw your own circle and invite him and all into it. Let us strive for a healthier world—a sane world a world where all see a need to keep alive peace and sanity. Suffice to say that prejudice hinders the progress of a nation—prejudice incapacitates the progress of humankind in a sumptuous and lush planet.
There is a beauty that never fades—a beauty that time cannot kill; this is the inner beauty that never withers but blossoms even after its host is long gone; as its presence remains with the living giving hope to the dying and strength to the weak—leading many to love: the fountain of peace and unity.