When America Had One River

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The river has an upstairs and downstairs. We collected drinking water on top of the river, not far from its source. Grandma also woke us up early in the morning to fetch it from the spring as it gurgled from the ground. We had to, because it was no use later in the day since cattle came and ‘disturbed’ it (made it muddy).

The top floor of the river is for collecting water for cooking. The bottom is water for irrigation, building houses, cattle enclosures, swimming and washing clothes. There are no signs. It is knowledge passed down from generation to generation. Fast forward to 2024 and the U.S. presidential election.

The big question is what is the river? America obviously. If it is, which part, top or bottom floor? It used to be a given that America is the river. Not anymore. That was way back, during the presidency of Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Because they understood that there was one river, one America, they accepted defeat and gave the White House keys to the next winner of the election.

The 2020 election and the 6 January 2021 nightmare changed all that. It stunted America. Instead of Donald Trump admitting he lost the election, he stunted America because his Republicans in Congress put Americans on the back burner. Their needs can wait. Very little legislation was passed. What is important is revenge, for bringing Donald Trump before courts to account for crimes against America.

The sun will shine over the river again because America will vote in November. Grandma woke us early to fetch water before cattle ‘disturbed’ the spring. But she reassured us that after a while, the spring settled. In November, America will vote to retake their river.

Nonqaba waka Msimang

Blogger Without Borders

 

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