A TIME TO CHALLENGE PRECONCEPTIONS

 Doris Ochei argues that an inclusive world is essential for harmony and peaceful coexistence

“All preconceptions when you laugh go out of the window. Laughter kills it”

–Chevy Chase 

I am not a big fan of feminism, motherism or other advocacy groups that demand for equality of the sexes, but I like the work they do. And I am fascinated by most of the things they do for many reasons. But I am particularly captivated by the fact that some of these courageous feminists, (women and men) are consciously addressing issues of prejudices and sexism in our societies. And this is satisfactory irrespective of our beliefs or leanings. As a matter of fact, I love Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s thoughts on feminism, and I strongly recommend her book: WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINISTS because of the book’s depth, relevance and bravery. As we know, Adichie is an avowed feminist, a public intellectual and a well-known author and winner of many literary prizes across the world.  

But feminism, women and their challenges are not the subject of this article, and it is important to state this from the onset. This piece is essentially about preconceptions and the threat they pose to society and our common humanity.

And it should be noted that ethnicity, racism, bias and discriminations are weapons of mass destruction. Profiling people, based on race or ethnicity is dangerous, and it is an ill- wind that blows nobody any good. Therefore, humankind and the world must pay attention to this malady, and we all have a duty to rise in condemnation of this evil wherever they are found. So, how do we treat or react to persons of another tribe, race or religious group upon your first contact with them?

For instance, in Nigeria, we know where we are on issues around ethnic considerations and prejudices. But I thank God for our founding fathers, especially somebody like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe whose children: Chukwuma, Emeka and Nwachukwu bore Yoruba names like Bamidele, Ayo and Abiodun, respectively.  There are also persons like Professor (Obi) Chike Edozien, the nonagenarian Asagba of Asaba and Queen Modupe, his wife; Chief Philip Asiodu and wife Olajumoke; the Adelekes of Osun State; Engineer Vincent Maduka and his wife who is Yoruba; Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu; Chief Emeka Anyaoku and his wife Bunmi; Sherifat Fafunwa and Okey Ndibe, her husband and Gen. David Bamigboye and his wife Chinyere.

There is also the example of Gen. Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu, born of Igbo father and a Fulani mother from Katsina State, but married to a Yoruba woman; Gen. Ibrahim Babangida who married Mariam, his wife from the well-known Okogwu family in Asaba; Mrs. Tare Pauline Philomina Shagaya from Ashaka, Kwale in Delta State who was Gen. John Shagaya’s spouse; Gen. Buba Marwa’s first wife, Zainab who hailed from Imo State and Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe who is married to Amina, a Northerner.   

Who remembers Prof. Adebimpe Ike who is resting in Ndikelionwu, Anambra State, with her husband, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike or Air Marshal Paul Dike, the first four star general of Anioma extraction and Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba, a former Chief of Naval Staff, (an airman and a sailor from Aniomaland in Delta North) who married Yoruba ladies; Prof. Aaron Ola Ogundiwin and his wife from Abia State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ijeoma Jacklin Adiele-Ogundiwin and other respectable Nigerians especially in the military and the police for their cross-cultural marriages? Somebody once described the actions of these distinguished men and women as a demonstration of uncommon patriotism, and I agree with that person completely. All of them who married across tribe are shining examples of our possibility, love and strong sense of community.    

Unfortunately, many people have suffered grave persecution, injustice and even death on account of their skin colour, gender, ethnicity and faith, both during war and even peace time.

But I believe that an inclusive world is still possible. An inclusive world is also essential for harmony and peaceful coexistence among people of the world. That is the only way to avoid the chaos and hostility we see everywhere today.

But there are also other accruable benefits we get as human beings when we come together, love one another and challenge preconceptions. When we treat people equally and with dignity, irrespective of their circumstances or status, we advance human rights, social and economic justice, good neighbourliness, stability and a better society.

Those who have experienced stigma and discrimination at home and abroad, understand the issues at stake, and the urgency. That is also why many of them are in the forefront in the awareness and struggle for greater action, and to see an end of inequalities in the world. And I strongly believe that in this age of technology, a lot more could still be achieved with the information that we have, and are willing to share as individuals on any open forum. So, what are we doing with the smartphones and Android phones in our hands? Are we using these devices to better the world or to make the world more divided and disunited? A unified world is far better than a divided world that is sometimes shaped by obnoxious laws, a section of the media, misconceptions, other people’s opinion, politics, economics and conventions. 

However, it is gratifying to note that even the United Nations is interested in this burning question of racial and social disparities. And this is understandable because it is a global issue which touches everyone, small or big, white or black, male or female, poor or rich, weak or powerful. After all, all of us will be losers at the end of the day, if we fail. And the world body appreciates the danger of inequality, that is also why it observes every March 21 as International Day of Racial Discrimination. March 21 is very significant here because it was on that day in 1960, that the world witnessed the massacre of hundreds of innocent people in Sharpeville, South Africa. I am also delighted that the United Nations, like other international organizations and people of good conscience, recognizes the roles of slave trade, the scramble for Africa, colonialism and the activities of multinational corporations in bringing about today’s marginalization, segregation and human suffering all over the world. And so, we must condemn exclusion and discrimination in its entirety, whether in the Southern Hemisphere, the Caribbean, Asia, Europe or Africa. The gravity of this problem shows that time is of the essence, and the world must wake up and go.     

Imagine for a moment, a world without social, economic, cultural or political restrictions and barriers on the basis of who we are. In that case, there will be equal access to resources, job opportunities will be open to everyone, career choices will be unhindered, creativity and innovation will thrive, there will be hope for the physically challenged, youngsters will dream and live their dreams, elderly people will be happy, and people generally, will live their optimum life because conditions are kind and favourable.  

That is the world we truly and desperately need right now. A world that comes with different benefits and openings. This ideal world, if it eventually becomes our lot, will offer immense economic opportunities, cultural revival, improved social interrelationships and extended viewpoints, among other things. This model world that we all seek and anxiously await, will also guarantee cooperation among all, understanding, tolerance and above all, acceptance. So, there could not have been a better time to address inequality and stigmatization. And we must begin by breaking down all the barriers.

Undoubtedly, the world needs peace and harmony, and all of us, wherever we find ourselves, must be a part and parcel of this movement to heal the world. It is not just a duty of a few persons. It is our collective duty to make the world a better place for this generation and the generation to come. And it is achievable.       

Dr. Ochei, a business development coach and gender advocate, writes from Lagos.