Human reason is one of the major factors that separate us from animals. Reasoning is the capacity for consciously making sense of things and applying logic for establishing and verifying facts. It is also the principle used for changing or justifying practices, institutions, and beliefs based on new and existing information. It is a definitive human characteristic.
Through reasoning, human beings were able to get out of the DARK AGES and into the era of The Enlightenment (1650 – 1800). The Age of The Enlightenment brought us modern science, philosophy, mathematics and the technologies that are making what was once impossible – possible. It was during this period that John Locke (the English philosopher) argued that human beings are naturally equal, free, and capable (through reason) of defining the common good. He further argued that human beings have “Natural Rights” including the right to life, liberty, property and just treatment by the ruling order, and should revolt against tyranny.
The same “Natural Rights” are also echoed in the Holy Bible and the Holy Quran. Understanding the human condition was the first step towards human progress and the improvement of human life. So it is no doubt then, that we saw the beginning of social sciences – such as, anthropology, sociology, economics, and political science within the same time frame. With the focus on the study of humankind, these new disciplines were used to better understand social order. Although Locke’s arguments didn’t stop slavery, they did inspire Thomas Jefferson (a slave owner himself) when he drafted the Declaration of Independence, which in turn motivated Abraham Lincoln to put forth the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery.
Based on the notion of human beings having “Natural Rights” including the right to life, liberty, property and just treatment by the ruling order; it is then safe to conclude that tyranny is unnatural. There is a social contract between government and the governed, and the natural rights of the governed must be preserved. While citizens may willingly consent to give up some of their liberty for a ruler’s protection, they may never surrender their ultimate authority. That belongs to them! Government must only referee between the exercise of one person’s liberty and that of the next. If a ruler becomes tyrannical or oppressive, the people not only have the right but obligation to revoke their mandate and seek a new ruler. These were the ideas that inspired the American and French Revolutions towards the eighteenth century.
Unfortunately, tyranny and oppression are still prevalent in the world today. In certain countries, citizens have been relegated to the DARK AGES and forced to view their rulers as God-like and provide them with free labor. Poor people are suffering under tyranny and the world is lazily watching. One such place is Gambia!
The contours of the country have changed, it is now an elastic place with boundaries that expand and the rules have become fragile and easily broken. Institutions have been manipulated and high jacked for the sole purpose of oppression. Freedom of speech has become a luxury too expensive to even put on a layaway plan. The right to life, liberty, property and just treatment by the ruling order has all but evaporated. According to John Locke “whether people become brutish or otherwise depend solely on their experience and their environment.” I believe this now more than ever. A country that was once known as “The Smiling Coast”, has now earned her right into the history books as a tyrannical state. The arbitrary decisions and actions of ONE MAN continues to further isolate what used to be a warm and welcoming country. My heart gets heavy when I think of the Gambia I lived in, and the Gambia that exists now.
Gambia’s current predicament has created numerous oppositions groups and generated a lot of debate, but the groups are scattered and the debates are messy. Any opposition is better than none, but a unified and structured opposition is ideal. For us to have a fruitful debate, we need to focus on the ideas presented and not the person presenting the ideas. The discourse should be about the issues! A countless number of Gambians are now well traveled and exposed to other cultures, so I see no reason why folks cannot seem to draw from their experiences to hold better debates and form a united front. I’ve noticed that baseless arrogance is rampant among Gambians, and I wonder to what degree it has hindered the process of unification. Could it be that some confuse arrogance with confidence?
The word “intellectual” is very loosely used by Gambians and it’s starting to scare me. There is a certain discipline and principle necessary to be referred to as an “intellectual”, which is lacking among most Gambians. In my opinion, the “intellectual label” should be reserved for certain thinkers whose contributions can be used for the betterment of society. The majority of Gambians are still learning to use their college degrees outside of getting a job, if you ask me. So I am really perplexed by the unnecessary arrogance I see.
Regardless, I will always consider myself a Gambian. In fact, I will not even allow myself to think otherwise. But, being a Gambian only identifies me it does not define me. It is only a part of who I am. It is my experiences in life that defines me, not any particular geographical location. I can be contended and fulfilled anywhere. Our life experiences are not the same and we all have a different turning point in life, and that needs to be recognized. We should not expect each other to think alike. Some Gambians have denied themselves the opportunity to grow by staying inside the box, and by so doing, may have caused themselves a huge disservice. Life is a process of growth and evolution. The person you knew twenty-five years ago may not be the same person today, based on their life experiences. This does not necessary mean that they’ve changed, it only means that they’ve grown and evolved.
