Patriotism Common Road

Politics divide the river.

The destination is the same. The market. Somebody had a good corn harvest. She kept some for the family and stored some in the granary. Now she is going to the market to sell the surplus. She doesn’t like the goat-seller because he denies his rogue goats trespass in her cornfields. She also doesn’t like the palm wine seller because her husband is a standing customer, but it’s market day. All three are on the same road to the market.

It is always disappointing to see political parties destroy the road and turn the market - a public trading place - into a personal backyard. It might not be a big deal to some Americans but it is, to outsiders that have never known a proper road. Potholes maybe, but not a real road to the market, football stadium, schools, hospitals or concert. Our main problem as human beings is mental vacation. Life is so easy, we don’t connect dots. The common road is everyday. When police seal off part of the highway in search of crypto currency criminals, we become late for work and kids suddenly want to use the bathroom. An accident that flattens traffic lights, slows down traffic, for both Democrats and Republicans, Liberal and Conservatives. New York and Tokyo subway floods affect locals and tourists, employed and unemployed.

Call me naive, but the whole point of political parties is working towards a common road and keeping it in good shape because we all use it. A teacher asked kids to use beans in a sentence. “We are all human beans,” said one Einstein. Brilliant.

Nonqaba waka Msimang

Executive Blogger