Order
Order. It seems like an innocuous word, but it’s a double-edged sword. Order is good and we appreciate it the most, when things we take for granted go offline, literally.
1. Summer is around the corner so the city will be digging roads and upgrading water pipes and electricity grids. No order as two lanes are reduced to one.
2. There’s an accident on Main and Mitchell. Cops and ambulances are on the scene. No order as traffic is diverted.
3. The local team won the Grey Cup for the first time ever. No order as roads are closed for the parade.
4. Covid-19 is upon us. It’s not clear what businesses are closed. Have schools re-opened? No order at home because we’re not used to be with loved ones the whole day.
5. Order also involves driving on the right or the left hand side, depending on which country you’re in. No order as tourists drive rented cars on the wrong side.
However, order has an ugly side because we use it to perpetuate a status quo. It is verbal. This is how we do things around here. I will not tolerate this in my house. The government must stop all these immigrants from coming to Canada and the U.S. This is not how our women behave.
Some women live with ‘order’ for the sake of the kids. Most don’t have a place to go because they’ve never had their own money. In most cases culture and religion dictates that they stay put. They get used to the 'order' and say: Sally, it’s not that bad, really.
Order at home is joined at the hip with public order. While order at home is reinforced by threats, insults, kicks, slaps and fists, guns reinforce public order.
Shipping and Receiving is a common sign in factories or Amazon warehouses. In the case of ‘public order’ those that ship it feel they have an inalienable right to display guns and pull the trigger.
Those receiving it die on the streets and families cringe whenever they hear the word ‘order.’
This is another ‘written podcast’ by Nonqaba waka Msimang.
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