THE EDITOR, Sir:
IN THESE turbulent social, political, and economic times when many of us are vulnerable to feelings of hopelessness and despair, a few thoughts may enliven our spirits and even stir us to action.
It has been said that "minds are like parachutes: they only function when they are open." I, therefore, urge you to open your minds and reflect upon the following famous quotations.
In our search for historical identity we would well be advised to heed the words of Marcus Tullius Cicero, the noted Roman orator and writer who stated: "Not to know what happened before we were born is to remain perpetually a child. For what is the worth of a human life unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the record of history." These are indeed profound words for it is said that "those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it."
In reflecting upon our past, let us not forget the words of Frederick Douglass that great American abolitionist, who said: "Without struggle there is no progress." And it is worth noting that Michael Manley's words complement Douglass' when he said: "Failure occurs only when the struggle is abandoned."
Let us not forget that Black people all over the world are engaged in a perpetual struggle to create an environment in which they can realise their true potential. In the words of the Rev. Pat Francis, a well-known Canadian TV evangelist: "To fulfil your destiny you have to be in the right environment." We as Blacks should all strive to fulfil our destiny through persistence and hard work, knowing full well that "the dictionary is the only place where "success" comes before "work." The importance of hard work cannot be over emphasised as it is said that "hard work + determination+ discipline= success."
Predominantly Black nations throughout the world should, therefore, strive to become more self-reliant through hard work, determination and discipline. They should strive to become less dependent on external forces to minimise the perverse effects of neo-colonial rule. In the words of Kwame Nkrumah, the first prime minister of Ghana: "Neo-colonialism is the worst form of imperialism. For those who practise it, it means power without responsibility, and for those who suffer from it, it means exploitation without redress."
In the quest for self-reliance, independence, and political stability, Black leaders, particularly in Africa, should stop acting like 'tinpot' dictators and involve the populace in the governance of their countries. This would probably help to diffuse the ongoing political tensions. African leaders should take the words of the late John F. Kennedy seriously. He said: "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable."
I have a great deal of admiration and respect for capable, upright people of African ancestry in the Diaspora who continue to take an active part in political affairs. For "the heaviest penalty for declining to be in politics is to be ruled by someone inferior." These memorable words were uttered by Plato, the famous Greek philosopher, over two thousand years ago.
And we should also remember and reflect upon the words of Edmund Burke, a noted British statesman and orator who said: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
I, therefore, urge you to let these words resonate into your minds, remembering that "minds, like precious metals, grow brighter from frequent use."
I am, etc.,
RUPERT JOHNSON
r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca
Scarborough, Ontario
Canada, M1C 3M7
