Kenyatta answers John

25.JULY.08

Dear John,

Thomas Paine once said: “The sublime and the ridiculous are often so nearly related that it is difficult to class them separately. One step above the sublime makes the ridiculous, and one step above the ridiculous makes the sublime again.” John, I thoroughly enjoyed your article. I will (mis)quote the Buck Owens song and say that ‘I Brought Out the Best In You’, (allow me this bit of immodesty). Your defence of your position is laudable and well put together. However, like the biblical character King Agrippa I say, “Almost thou persuadest me”.{{more}}

You are right when you say we are travellers on two divergent roads, though I can understand your point on the dearth and, therefore, need for sound, quality leadership in all spheres of our society. I also agree that governments play an important role in the formation of a society and country. Thomas L. Friedman says that a country that is committed to sustainable growth must transform, and reform where needed, their educational system, infrastructure and governance. Governments do this to a large degree. However, this alone does not ensure a stable and competitive nation; according to Friedman a key contributing factor is culture. Not the bacchanalian display we see (and smell) on our streets annually, but values such as the fear of God, diligence, discipline, integrity and resourcefulness that are intrinsic to a people.

It is here that our roads must separate; you are a believer in the power of the government to create and sustain development; I am to a much, much smaller degree. For me the power lies in the individual, the transformed individual (not to be confused with Nietzsche’s superman). You see, John, it is the person who determines whether or not a thing or institution or endeavour is ultimately successful or not. The values that a person brings or adheres to are the determinant factor in my book. An innovative Bill Drayton of the Ashoka foundation, a brave, compassionate and tireless Mother Teresa, these were the catalyst for change and development in their time.

Let’s say we pursue your plan and we change government, but the value system of the people remains the same. What we have done is exchange one parochial entity with another, while fundamental attitudinal change eludes us. So when Goodman Jones forms an NGO to advocate for the plight of rural farmers, what Goodman Jones has done is engage his passion, resourcefulness and sense of justice for those disenfranchised and unrepresented. He sends a clear message that the qualities mentioned are alive and active; others are emboldened to pursue feasible solutions to current and challenging issues.

Suzie Q’s entrepreneurial spirit leads her to form and head the Women League Association that provides employment and education for ex-female prisoners. These “unbeatable alternatives” are sound and they deliver services to portions of the society that Maladjusted Maxine’s government (made up of Adulterous Andy, Project Funds-Stealing Steven and Drunken David) has neither desire nor resources to do. For those who benefit, it is certainly no “bandaid on a compound fracture”, but pragmatic efforts “in the urgent quest for survival”.

Kenyatta Lewis

P.S. – When you visit our shores again, give me a call and we will have lunch at the Bounty. You will pay and as I listen to you I will…..uh….shut up (no offense taken).