THE FOUNDATION OF XENOPHOBIA Part 2

 THE FOUNDATION OF XENOPHOBIA Part 2

By Percy Omenazu

Igbo man has a popular saying:

"Ebe onye ọsọ gbaruru, onye ije ga-eru ya."

This can be interpreted in the Pinkman's language thus:

"Wherever the man that runs reaches, the man that walks will surely reach."

I am a small boy, I don't have power to challenge into to the wise old saying. However, from my observations, I have noted that if we must go by that saying, we must be ready to apply the Economist's citeris paribus to make the saying always correct. This is because, if we go by true life experiences, three conditions must be satisfied before it is justified. These three conditions are:

1) The time allotted for the race must either be very long or unlimited. May be the runner must have rested for a long time before the walker meets him.

2) The distance to be covered must have been determined to ensure the runner does not continue.

3) Even if the walker must meet the runner, both will never get that point of meeting at same time.

For these reasons, my piece of advice to anyone close to me is to RUN when others are running. Don't console yourself that you will reach there when you are walking while running is required.

The Holy Bible paints it well. There is time for everything. As a parent, be mindful of how your children run and walk. When you notice sluggish movements when their mates are running, begin immediately to seek for the solution. It is like a taboo to watch other youths from other regions and countries arriving with nothing and eventually having things for themselves while your own children are busy claiming to be the owners of the land. When this is not curbed early, it leads to xenophobic attacks.

Youths should choose between partaking in the  blessings of their countries/regions and watching strangers capitalizing on same blessings. The later brings about inequalities which bring about envy. This envy is the cause of xenophobia?

When your mates are running, run....

Make a right attempt.

Don't be left behind.

Wait for Part 3