WE become livid and the world is surprised.
It is that surprise that makes us more livid.
For it is surprise that mocks us, that belittles us, that considers us a nonentity.
Who are we not to get angry, are we so small that we should not raise objection to the offensive, are we so insignificant as to lack feelings and capability to be hurt.
The Freshlyground debacle is no small issue.
And one of their pieces is not humorous, in anyway.
Why should it be an issue that the group was turned away and could not perform in the country?
Freshlyground is a musical group that has offended us a people, as a nation and we do not regret that they were turned away.
For starters, the reasons for being turned away were legit.
Before we even consider their warped sense of ‘humour’, the group did not adhere to the country’s laws and regulations regarding performing in the country.
And they are not above the law, should they be because a part of the group is made up of white-skinned people.
What maddens us is that countries like the United States and the United Kingdom on a daily basis deny many people, artistes and professionals in various fields, from entering their countries and it is not an issue.
They are allowed to have principles that they uphold and we are not.
Those that do not condone homosexuality, for instance, are regarded as homophobic and many of them cannot enter these countries.
When they attempt to visit these countries and they have tried, they are denied visas, they are turned away.
And no one makes noise about it, it is their prerogative, it is their countries, they can let in whoever they want or turn away anyone.
Thus we perceive their indignation and anger towards us when we turn away those that are undesirable to us as an insult and arrogance.
We are a small nation whose principles and values do not matter, their ‘righteous indignation’ suggests.
And therein is our problem.
We are not a ‘small’ nation.
We are a nation among nations, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of the world.
And as a country we will not entertain suggestions that we approach anyone cap-in-hand.
When we assert ourselves as a self-determining people, we do not do it to be belligerent.
Why should our assertiveness be treated as being a nuisance?
We have fought against a people who for years treated us like mere children and expected us to conform and follow their word.
Had we let them, they would be up to now determining what we eat and drink, that is how lowly they think of us and they still do.
We thus emphasise that we are not a ‘small’ country.
When we make a stand for what we believe in we are not doing it to rile the West but to preserve our dignity.
If we were such a small and insignificant country why then is the world, the West to be specific, making a fuss over us, should they not just let us be.
They cannot let us be for the simple reason that we are a huge nation and one so rich that it can take care of their problems for many years.
As a people we must not feel small for we are not.
As a people we must believe that we can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of the world.
We are equals if not better because we have, in abundance, the resources that they desperately need and cannot do without.