Following the ongoing post presidential election crisis in Ivory Coast, West Africa...which currently has two presidents vowing to control the state, I hope and pray that the meeting today Dec 28 with Gbagbo and the three regional leaders from other African states will yield some solutions to the current crisis. Read more about the ongoing crisis.
Ivorians do not want to go back to another civil war. War is just not the solution to our many problems in Africa. Our major problems are the lack of accountability, transparency and reliability in the bureaucrats—which most often times lead to distrust in the government by the people. In any form/system of government, once the people distrust their leader—that nation is likely to fall into serious crisis. This has been the case with many post-war nations in Africa. In general, chronic corruption and the failure of most leaders to run the state justly—that is by reaching its power and economic developments in rural parts of the nation, has been one of the biggest causes of conflicts in Africa.
It makes me sad to see many of our African political leaders, who got their education from the western world, misusing what they have learned by bringing instability to their home countries rather than contributing constructively to help the nation. Is that what universities in the western world taught these leaders who have walked through the walls of great schools in the developed world? I beg to differ. I am currently attending university in the United States—studying Supply Chain and Logistics Tech, but none of my classes, nor the ones in liberal arts, have taught me to go back to my home country and disrupt the peace that many people are enjoying by negatively influencing my brothers and sisters, who are less educated, to fight against the current government in order to gain political power and do nothing for the nation—but to enrich myself and my family.
I think it is time for African leaders and students that are currently studying aboard in developed nations to rethink their role in society as college graduates. It is our educational duties as students and good citizens to contribute to the well being of society—specifically toward humanity. By contributing our time and talents and if possible our treasures, we will to help make the world a peaceful and better place for all.
If our African leaders can only promote education among the growing youth population and foster accountability and transparency in our government, Africa will rise. Our leaders also need to benchmark our economic development policies and capacity building strategies by looking at key players in today’s global economy—China is a good example—rising from being a developing nation to becoming one of the major players in the global economy.
So, why most leaders in Africa are power greed? I have been trying to find an answer to this question. However, I came up with this possible answer... I strongly believe that the answer is post-presidency insecurity due to the way they got in power (military often the case) or their political actions toward the public in general during their term in office... corruption and mismanagement of public funds and natural resources. It is often said that what goes around comes around; therefore, most African leaders, who have tasted power for several years, do not want to step down for fear that people who they have offended during their presidency might go after them.
Overall, Africans need to start thinking ahead. Our leaders need to see what others in the developed world are doing positively and adopt to a best practice strategy to help improve the lives of Africans be it from east to west or from north to south. All African nations need to rally around one another to help develop a vibrant economy, good roads network and transportation systems that enable the free flow of goods and services throughout the continent. This is not a one person or one nation task; it is every African responsibility. Our brothers and sisters in other African nations have suffered and are still suffering today because of some individuals’ selfish political will.
As we enter the New Year, it is time to shine our eyes, look back and think constructively on how best we can improve the well being of all Africans. We have the resources to do this, but we need the right people with God fearing hearts to manage these resources properly by accounting for every dollar received and putting the received revenues into programs that promotes economic developments, prosperity, and education for all people. We need leaders that love the continent not because of its wealth, but because of it people and the continent as a whole.
Some Possible Solutions
How can we move toward economically self-efficient, socially viable and environmentally sustainable society in years to come? African Union, ECOWAS and other trade blocs within Africa and the international community will have to assist in capacity building and economic developments in all African states to ensure the proper management of funds. Regional, religious, tribal and local leaders will all have to work together in all capacities to help create a vibrant economy by assisting the state government with the management of natural resources and public funds. An African Union development fund will also need to be set aside to help strengthen the economy of poorer nations on the continent. Every state will have to contribute somehow, either through human capital, financial capital and natural capital, to this fund in order to benefit from it. A board of trustees consisting of two representatives ( nominated by the president and confirmed by the senate from each state) from all African states should govern the allocation of this fund by ensuring that every dollar spent is accounted for and is approved by majority of the board for the right purpose.
We must also empower current college graduates to contribute what they have learned to help with the economic developments process. These students should be compensated well according to their academic level in order to avoid corruption and other malpractices. We must also encourage students that are studying overseas to come back home and help with the development process. We must also empower our educational institutions by providing all the necessary teaching resources to create first class learning environments in all African states. It is also important to invest in regional research institutions such as medical, technological and transportation, and other studies that will contribute findings to help improve the standard of living of citizens on the continent.
Most importantly, we must also invest in turning our own natural resources into finished goods, which will help to create possibly millions of jobs, rather than solely depending on imported goods or having foreign companies extract our resources and export them overseas. We must invest in clean agriculture technology to grow more food to feed the growing population and the workforce. We must also invest in good road networks and public transportation systems to create easy access for farmers to reach regional and local markets. Also, it is important to focus on major environmental issues such as safe drinking water, good air quality and the conservation of our natural resource for future generation.
Further, we must forgo the mentality that war is the only solution to our problems. For decades, it can clearly be stated that war has not taken us anywhere. It has led to millions of deaths, poor living conditions, hundreds of children undernourished and malnourished and increased dependent on foreign aid. Africans, this is the time for us to rise. Let’s say NO to WAR in every region, town and village. Also, let us learn to manage our own conflict without international intervention (they should be the last result), if one arises, from the onset before it becomes a major one.
Finally,I do understand that it is not easy to just come together as one people to achieve these above mentioned goals taking into consideration the size of our continent, the hundreds of different tribal languages and traditional practices, but it is the time now to start working toward it. Nothing comes easy—it takes people, hard work and self dedication and unity to achieve a common goal. If Europe with all its post internal conflicts or the United States with all it post civil conflicts can unite as one people today regardless of their political differences and heritage, we too can come together to rebuild our continent and unite as one people. We must all learn to compromise our tribal, religious and political differences for the sake of peace and the love of our people, the nation and the continent.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
An Analysis on Confucius and the Analects
“Always keep in mind the age of your parents. Let this thought be both your joy and your worry,” writes Confucius, explaining to his disciple the responsibility of one’s relationship and dedication to parents (Analects 4:21). Confucius was a well respected and influential person in Chinese history. His parents died when he was a child, and he experienced severe hardships as an orphan during his childhood. As a result of the hardships he underwent, he started working at a much earlier age as an accountant and a livestock caretaker to support himself. He was a native son of duchy Lu, known today as Shandong Province, China (“Confucius” Current Event). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on Confucius cites that Confucius, being self-motivated and passionate about learning, taught himself in music and ancient history. He started teaching a group of disciples at age 20, and at 50 he became involved in politics. He served during the Duke Ding regime as Minister of Public Work and later Minister of Crime. However, he served a short term as a Minister of Crime and was forced into exile due to some political conflict between him and other government officials. His teachings are referred to today as Confucianism, which centers on the teaching that people should treat others with respect—Confucius’s golden rule—and they must not only better themselves, but also work to enrich the lives of others around them (“Confucius” The Stanford). Despite all the struggles that Confucius underwent during his early childhood, he devoted the remainder of his life teaching the moral and the social philosophical ideas of love, peace, wisdom and respect.
The “Analects,” which contains his teachings, conversations and exchanges with his disciples, was compiled by several generations of his students. It contains his teachings on subjects such as government, personal conduct, warfare, family values and the spirit. The original text was first translated into Latin and published in Paris in 1687, under the title “Confucius Sinarum Philosophus” (Spencer 1). Confucius’s teachings in the “Analects,” such as his emphasis on respecting and obeying parents and elders and education and study, are significant in understanding his ideology or philosophy.
Devotion to parents is one of the major hallmarks of Confucius’ teaching that is outlined in the “Analects.” He regards respect to parents and other family members as the most basic form of promoting the interest of others before one’s self interest. According to Confucius, “A man who respects his parents and his elderly would hardly be inclined to defy his superior” (Analects 1.2). Confucius also believed that parents and elderly persons are wiser and more experienced; therefore, having respect for them is the “root of humanity” (Analects 1.2). The phrase “root of humanity” possibly implies that being respectful to parents and elders forms the foundation of treating others with respect and love and self-discipline. This root of humanity starts from home because if one treats his or her parents and older siblings at home with respect, he or she will treat others the same way. The root of humanity also forms the basics of living in peace and harmony because respect brings love, which fosters peace.
Confucius also stressed the importance of family values with respect to obeying parents. For instance, when one of his disciples asked him about filial piety, which relates to family values, Confucius responded by saying, “Never disobey,” meaning be a servant to your parents; do whatever they tell you to do. He went on to say that “when your parents are alive, serve them according to the ritual” (Analects 2.5). The ritual he is referring to is Li, which is the ritual forms and rules of prosperity through which one expresses respect for parents and the elderly and behave accordingly so that his role in society is worthy of respect and admiration. The Stanford Encyclopedia on Confucius argued a similar point toward serving parents, that being submissive does not mean subjecting oneself to ritual; rather it gives one the ability to learn “how to reconcile one’s own desires with the needs of one’s family and community” (“Confucius,” The Stanford). Being humble does not mean being subject to others, but it shows that one is disciplined and respectful. Confucius mentioned that filial piety is about attitude, and he stressed that an individual, especially youths, should always offer to help when there is work (Analects 2.8). Being respectful and obedient to parents and elders brings prosperity and joy because it is the basis of how one would treat others around in a society.
Education and study are also other major hallmarks of Confucius’ teachings. He disagrees with those who believe in intuition and holds that the understanding of subjects originates from long and careful study. According to Confucius, “a gentleman enlarges his learning through literature” (Analects 6:27). This is to say the more one reads, the broader his knowledge becomes. He also emphasizes the effectiveness and characteristics of a good teacher. For Confucius, a good teacher is one who studies the past to make informed decision about the future (Analects 2.11). He sees study as thinking critically and finding a right teacher and following his or her footsteps. Confucius believes that “studying without thinking is futile” (Analects 2.15). He defines knowledge as taking “…what you know for what you know, and what you do not know for what you do not know” (Analects 2:17). This statement implies that one must critically explore beyond the mere understanding of something that one has a little knowledge about in order to get a better understanding.
Robin Wittermore, author of the article “To Know is to Act Knowledge,” argued that acting knowledge requires dedication, being creative, detail oriented and intellectually inclined (Wittermore 1). To act knowledge is to practically demonstrate with integrity and enthusiasm what one has studied. Confucius would possibly agree with Wittermore too because he himself made it clear that he only teaches those who are willing to learn and individuals should practice what they preach. “I only enlighten the enthusiastic; I guide only the fervent,” Confucius writes (Analects 7.8). The Phrase “I only enlighten the enthusiastic” implies that Confucius was an instructor who was willing to teach anyone that was ambitious to learn. He also made it clear that he only “guided” those that are passionate and serious about learning.
Confucius' teaching is important to the social orders of a society. His teachings, such as filial piety and the significance of education, create an ideal moral society that fosters love, peace and harmony, respect, obedience and a learning community that promotes disciplined scholars. His philosophy or ideology creates a gentleman that demonstrates integrity, respect for humanity and family values. Some of his ideologies, such as filial piety, are still relevant in some parts of the world. Even though all of Confucius' teachings might not be relevant today in modern society, putting to practice some of his major teachings such as respecting and obeying parents and treating others with love and respect and promoting education foster an ideal society.
Work Cited
“Confucius.” Current Events, a Weekly Reader Publication. 29 Sept 2006: SS2. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Web. 4 Oct. 2010
“Confucius.” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 5 Sept. 2006. Web.5 Oct. 2010
Page duBois et al. “The Analects.” The Longman Anthology of World Literature. Editors David Damrosch and David L. Pike. New York: Pearson Publication 2009.1046-1050. Print.
Spence, Jonathan. "What Confucius Said." The New York Review of Books (1997): 10-13. Rpt. in Literature Resource Center. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Literature Resource Center. Web. 5 Nov. 2010.
Wittermore, Robin. “To Know Is To Act Knowledge (2.17).” Journal of Nursing Scholarship 31.4 (1999): 365. Health Reference Center Academic. Web. 4 Oct. 2010.
The “Analects,” which contains his teachings, conversations and exchanges with his disciples, was compiled by several generations of his students. It contains his teachings on subjects such as government, personal conduct, warfare, family values and the spirit. The original text was first translated into Latin and published in Paris in 1687, under the title “Confucius Sinarum Philosophus” (Spencer 1). Confucius’s teachings in the “Analects,” such as his emphasis on respecting and obeying parents and elders and education and study, are significant in understanding his ideology or philosophy.
Devotion to parents is one of the major hallmarks of Confucius’ teaching that is outlined in the “Analects.” He regards respect to parents and other family members as the most basic form of promoting the interest of others before one’s self interest. According to Confucius, “A man who respects his parents and his elderly would hardly be inclined to defy his superior” (Analects 1.2). Confucius also believed that parents and elderly persons are wiser and more experienced; therefore, having respect for them is the “root of humanity” (Analects 1.2). The phrase “root of humanity” possibly implies that being respectful to parents and elders forms the foundation of treating others with respect and love and self-discipline. This root of humanity starts from home because if one treats his or her parents and older siblings at home with respect, he or she will treat others the same way. The root of humanity also forms the basics of living in peace and harmony because respect brings love, which fosters peace.
Confucius also stressed the importance of family values with respect to obeying parents. For instance, when one of his disciples asked him about filial piety, which relates to family values, Confucius responded by saying, “Never disobey,” meaning be a servant to your parents; do whatever they tell you to do. He went on to say that “when your parents are alive, serve them according to the ritual” (Analects 2.5). The ritual he is referring to is Li, which is the ritual forms and rules of prosperity through which one expresses respect for parents and the elderly and behave accordingly so that his role in society is worthy of respect and admiration. The Stanford Encyclopedia on Confucius argued a similar point toward serving parents, that being submissive does not mean subjecting oneself to ritual; rather it gives one the ability to learn “how to reconcile one’s own desires with the needs of one’s family and community” (“Confucius,” The Stanford). Being humble does not mean being subject to others, but it shows that one is disciplined and respectful. Confucius mentioned that filial piety is about attitude, and he stressed that an individual, especially youths, should always offer to help when there is work (Analects 2.8). Being respectful and obedient to parents and elders brings prosperity and joy because it is the basis of how one would treat others around in a society.
Education and study are also other major hallmarks of Confucius’ teachings. He disagrees with those who believe in intuition and holds that the understanding of subjects originates from long and careful study. According to Confucius, “a gentleman enlarges his learning through literature” (Analects 6:27). This is to say the more one reads, the broader his knowledge becomes. He also emphasizes the effectiveness and characteristics of a good teacher. For Confucius, a good teacher is one who studies the past to make informed decision about the future (Analects 2.11). He sees study as thinking critically and finding a right teacher and following his or her footsteps. Confucius believes that “studying without thinking is futile” (Analects 2.15). He defines knowledge as taking “…what you know for what you know, and what you do not know for what you do not know” (Analects 2:17). This statement implies that one must critically explore beyond the mere understanding of something that one has a little knowledge about in order to get a better understanding.
Robin Wittermore, author of the article “To Know is to Act Knowledge,” argued that acting knowledge requires dedication, being creative, detail oriented and intellectually inclined (Wittermore 1). To act knowledge is to practically demonstrate with integrity and enthusiasm what one has studied. Confucius would possibly agree with Wittermore too because he himself made it clear that he only teaches those who are willing to learn and individuals should practice what they preach. “I only enlighten the enthusiastic; I guide only the fervent,” Confucius writes (Analects 7.8). The Phrase “I only enlighten the enthusiastic” implies that Confucius was an instructor who was willing to teach anyone that was ambitious to learn. He also made it clear that he only “guided” those that are passionate and serious about learning.
Confucius' teaching is important to the social orders of a society. His teachings, such as filial piety and the significance of education, create an ideal moral society that fosters love, peace and harmony, respect, obedience and a learning community that promotes disciplined scholars. His philosophy or ideology creates a gentleman that demonstrates integrity, respect for humanity and family values. Some of his ideologies, such as filial piety, are still relevant in some parts of the world. Even though all of Confucius' teachings might not be relevant today in modern society, putting to practice some of his major teachings such as respecting and obeying parents and treating others with love and respect and promoting education foster an ideal society.
Work Cited
“Confucius.” Current Events, a Weekly Reader Publication. 29 Sept 2006: SS2. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Web. 4 Oct. 2010
“Confucius.” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 5 Sept. 2006. Web.5 Oct. 2010
Page duBois et al. “The Analects.” The Longman Anthology of World Literature. Editors David Damrosch and David L. Pike. New York: Pearson Publication 2009.1046-1050. Print.
Spence, Jonathan. "What Confucius Said." The New York Review of Books (1997): 10-13. Rpt. in Literature Resource Center. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Literature Resource Center. Web. 5 Nov. 2010.
Wittermore, Robin. “To Know Is To Act Knowledge (2.17).” Journal of Nursing Scholarship 31.4 (1999): 365. Health Reference Center Academic. Web. 4 Oct. 2010.
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