Thread by @KathleenNdongmo

Africans.

We were not raised to speak up.

In the times we are in, it is out responsibility to raise a generation of people who will turn up their noses at despotic authority and speak truth to power.

There are times when being a part of a minority bold enough to fearlessly question authority becomes exasperating & frustrating. Especially when you go at it, expect a following, only to realize you are on your own.

Despite the fact you fighting with truth & for ALL.

Our history is telling. We have mainly had decisions made for us.

By the clan
By the chief
By the elders
By the men of God
By the gods & deities
By the system...

Hardly have we made personal, individual decisions.
Hardly have we questioned decision makers.

And so if you were told you were an outcast, and should be ostracized or thrown into the evil forest, or not marry ''free-borns'' because the deities said so, no one questioned that....

Your fate was sealed by a bunch of people who ''knew better''.

It follows that this is the foundation that has shaped our lack of critical thinking even to this day. This, compounded with a fledgling educational system & of course, oppressors bent on keeping us ''docile''.

A hungry, oppressed human with no mind of their own is difficult to have a critical narrative with.

They need food.
Their decisions are made for them
They wait to be led by the one who emotionally satisfies their most basic needs first.

When you understand this, you understand why someone would think something as serious as children being kidnapped is a scam (they said so in 2014 of the Chibok girls kidnapping. An incident which has destroyed so many lives).

I cast my mind back & I can only weep.

We must raise a generation of critical thinkers.
We must empower and enlighten our peers and our youth with truth, in empathy and with support
We must teach our children that it is okay, it is necessary, & a legacy to ask questions and speak truth to power.

unroll @threadreaderapp