AM v. FM – The War of the Meter Bands

Here are the two words that have dominated the Gambian discourse lately: Relevance and Expose. I hear them a lot and have been trying to contextualize them.

First, let’s explore their meanings in English. 1. Relevance:  Relating to the matter at hand; practical and especially social applicability.

2. Expose: Make (something) visible, typically by uncovering it; leave (something) uncovered or unprotected, especially from the weather.

Second, let’s explore the Gambian/struggle meanings. 1. Relevance: A. Having “imagined” authority/importance in the struggle. B. A vocal individual or group claiming to want change in Gambia but not practicing what they preach, and pretending to have the answers for Gambian's problems. 

2. Expose: A. To put someone else’s dirty and soiled laundry in the street and throw some into the River Gambia and let it float away; say negative things about them and their family members. B. Destroy/Tojal.

Those who think of themselves as "relevant" in this struggle, tend to dismiss others who they feel are trying to question them by declaring them "irrelevant". And once there is an actual conflict (aka hulo), then the next step is to "expose" each other, Gambian style. 

In the past couple of weeks, we’ve witnessed the Gambian versions of “Relevance” and “Expose” taken to higher heights, both online and on the radio airwaves. Mann dama waru sah! We now take pride in "exposing" each other with our sidekicks and a cheerleading squad to assist. 

Honestly, it has been a whirlwind for me! As I watched the war (AM V. FM) unfold and climax (or has it?), I was in total dismay not knowing what to think or feel. Kitchen sink here, toilet bowl there. Guy yee di jamanteh rek! 

Is this what the struggle has degenerated into? Is this what we are fighting for? Is this our vision for a better Gambia? Don't we have issues to talk about? Better yet, what do we want?

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue

In this struggle, I see two schools of thought: 1. Those who want Jammeh to go by any means necessary and that he alone is the problem. And to them, getting rid of him will make our roses red and our violets blue again. 2. Those who want a better Gambia and society and want Jammeh to go, but also think that a change of attitude is highly necessary. Among those who are visible and vocal, the former is larger than the latter. 

If you are part of the first group, you are sowing seeds of weeds and telling yourself that it's roses. And if you are in the second group, you want our roses to be red and violets blue again. 

The param param, naw tak ak saganteh will not change our situation, but a change of attitude will. Our attitude determines how we treat each other, what we value, how we handle ourselves, and how we handle what we are entrusted with. 

If we don't shake our present attitude off soon, the "Mary-go-round" will never stop and our dizziness will persist!