Shall we calm down or not?
Our dialogue is a thermostat that reflects our mental development; reading comments, observing debates shows it all. I always strive and encourage my compatriots to dialogue calmly and rationally. So far, its satisfactory and I continue to do my part.
Our state of mind needs to be refreshed like beating cotton.
Sometimes mattresses and pillows were stuffed with shreds of cloth leftovers in tailoring shops. But cotton is lighter and until it’s compressed due to overuse, children’s piss, liquid spills, etc. Then it’s time to refresh the cotton by beating it before re-stuffing it in the mattress or pillow bags.
In my neighborhood, Taddese, a tall, gentle, and hardworking man, was the cotton beater who needed to be reserved for the task. He came towering in a Sariano jacket and shorts. Previously, the women emptied the cotton from the bags and spread it on a straw mat (tenkobet) for sunshine and drying. Tadesse beats the cotton until it’s entangled, and it becomes a bigger heap.
If the bags are usable, they would be washed and dried, if not, a new bag is made at the tailor’s shop. The sizes of the bag’s measurements are given in cubits, hand spans, and finger-width, usually inaccurate—the arm-length could be different and measuring mistake are inevitable. Measuring tapes were not commonly used in homes. Thus, the mattress will either be larger or smaller than the bed and they extend beyond the size of the bed.
The newly stuffed cotton mattress is fluffy and comfortable. But after a few months use, it sags or becomes compressed; children regularly wet it, and rainwater might drip through holes on the roof. If not regularly aired under the sunshine, mattresses let out foul smells.
Our debates remind me of that foul smell; I think they are over compressed and need sunlight and refreshing.
We could do a favor to ourselves if we stopped being stiff, impatient, and irrational. We could even be lovable if we learned simplicity and developed the habit of a relaxed conversation. Only then we could have less misunderstanding and bickering.
Normally, I navigate through discussion by reverting to our tradition wisdom: “Give hints to the wise but be blunt with the foolish”. And proverbs are a great teaching aid.
Upbringing and Ahmed Shewqi
A few days ago, my childhood peer, Musa Idris posted an excellent line from Ahmed Shaoqi’s poem called The Teacher. It’s immortal, memorized and quoted.
Ahmed Shewqi (Born: 1868-died 1932) is famous Egyptian poet who studied law, arts, and rights in Egypt and France.
Al Muaalim
Qum lil muAlimi w’ffhi ‘tebjila
Kad al MuAlimu an yekuna resoula
[The Teacher
Stand up in awe for the teacher
Pay him respect for he has almost become a prophet.
…….
SubHanek YaAllah
Arselt bi’tewrati Mussa murshiden
W’ibn ‘lebetuli Allema al-Injila
We fejert yenbouAa albeyani Mohammeden…
….
[Glory to You, God
You sent Mosses to teach through the Torah,
The Virgin Mary’s son with the Gospel,
And exploded the well of knowledge through Mohammed.
That helps in contemplating about the teacher’s greatness; that is the message for good upbringing of children. That was just to illustrate what ails our discussion and our sorry intellectual state. And that’s why our debates stink.
People with bad upbringing make annoying Comments
Last week on Negarit 301, I spoke of our uncivilized and crude debates. And yesterday a friend alerted me to the talk by Awel Said, which he considers a response to my appeal for a civil discourse. I am not sure it is a response to me. But if it’s so I am pleased.
I have been complaining, for too long about the PFDJ’s neglect of the ailment destroying our social fabric. And I suggested to them to realize to check their slogans, such as the unproductive screaming of UNITY, forever with no result.
Today, children are learning sciences like robots with no human or spiritual values added to it. Of course, with no arts, it’s a bad upbringing. I encourage those who didn’t make it beyond 3rd graders to try hard to complete high school—for the good of humanity.
Understandably Annoying comments
It’s wise to realize one’s limit and authority; it’s wiser to void making annoying comments. But some supporters of the ruling party think they are legislators and issue edicts on the go. Here is such comment on Negarit 301.
A certain commenter says no one has the right to deny a citizen from entering his country. He finishes his comment with a contradictory edict: “if someone committed a crime against Eritrea and its people, they should remain in exile.”
Minutes later, he adds another nonfactual comment about the opposition to the government, whom he calls “gamblers”. Undoubtedly, he condemns his compatriots with no substantiated accusation, belittling and in support of the government. A citizen for God’s sake!
That chap has been following me for a long-time, sometimes annoying, but other times unbearable and hateful. He follows me like a shadow to undermine, insult, and act like a master! I wish the government would resurrect the old name of the ministry of education to the “Ministry of Education and Upbringing.”
Awel Said
Like anyone who is a public speaker, Awel has haters and detractors who don’t like his guts. Every time I mention him (though I do not mention him often), I get a few comments, some are very harsh. He mostly expresses his views freely without sugar-coating or apologizing for his pro-PFDJ stand. I wish many PFDJ supporters would learn from him—support the regime to your heart’s content but remember that doesn’t give you a right to act as judges. You can’t legislate draconian laws on your own, what the party you support is doing is enough already. You can’t strip citizens of their citizenship, rain on them insults, and level on them unfounded accusations. You have no right to do that!
Sloganeering and creaming “UNITY and Sovereignty” remain empty when you keep foolishly alienating your compatriots. What kind of unity do you have in mind? As I see it, it’s dull, colorless, docile, and thoughtless. In fact, you have become agents of disunity, disarray and chaos. I wish all of you would imitate Awel and put your arguments with decency without encroaching on the rights of your compatriots who happen to be opposed with the way your party is ruling Eritrea. You can’t keep being rude, and irresponsible forever by hiding behind the PFDJ outfit. Are you helping the PFDJ by needlessly creating more enemies? Aren’t they doing that better than your amateurish activities?
As for myself, if I see positive moves by the PFDJ, I will reciprocate with twice as much. But my disclaimer remains—I will not support the PFDJ government as it’s come rain or shine. I detest its policies and despise its leaders. I blame it for most of the ills we have and making it worse with its undue arrogance and snobbish behavior. I blame it for creating a gap between Eritreans by favoring its submissive supporters on everything they do, even when they treat other Eritreans as non-citizen.
Finally, allow me to end this message with a positive note: we will prevail. Eritrea knows how to embrace her children, though you are reflecting a corrupted image of it—making it appear like it has no arms with which to embrace its children. If not anything else, only uncuff its wrists, and you will see the miracles that country would do. For a change, be positive and work for justice and true national reconciliation.
Awate Forum