WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU STAND FOR?

Trying to settle into the new year

Just when we are trying to fully settle into 2018 and get comfortable, subliminal racists comments are coming full throttle.

A clothing line by the name H&M recently posted an ad on their website of a young black boy in a hoodie with a slogan "Coolest Monkey in the Jungle"

OMG!!!! The nerve! 

Who's idea was it to put this cute little boy in a hoodie with such a slogan? So this damn company wants to tell us no one, from production all the way to marketing, raised any concern about the message being put across by the slogan? If the other boy has a "what the hell is that message????" look on his face, adults can't put a finger on it? This is utterly disrespectful and outright discriminatory. Why would a company with obviously intelligent employees (given the success of the brand over the years ) think it is even remotely a good idea to allow their merchandise to communicate such a disparaging message? This lack of social awareness and ignorance can not be tolerated in this day and age. Who is with me?

I wanna see some hands risen up in the comments section! hehe

The term 'monkey' or 'apes' dates back to eons and eons ago, where it was used to describe black people. In a nutshell, it can be traced to the start of the Europeans' reign of plunder in Africa. It has thereafter been used consistently to denigrate black people as being less worthy than their white counterparts. Simianisation (of or relating to an ape or monkey) was used as an instrument for dehumanisation and desocialisation.

In the 20th Century, it has been perceived that such simianisation is more subtle in its expression. So we thought, until we see bananas being thrown at black sportsmen (👈click to read on it) as a means of provocation and hateful pictures of the Obama and Michelle, where caution was thrown to the wind.👇👇👇

Earlier in 2014, the Belgian newspapers De Morgen ran an image depicting Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes

As Kenyans we are not so innocent either. During the election period people's ugly side comes out to play. My God! Some of the things you read just makes you realize how much pretense exists between certain tribes. We cannot help but remember the post election violence that occurred in 2007 that left more than 1000 dead and thousands internally displaced due to tribalism.

The tribalism demon has tried to be tamed... but this fire ain't letting out. Commissions have been formed, peace messages spread throughout the country as well as songs sang on the same but to no avail. We lost lives during last year's election too,which is quite heartbreaking. Politicians may not be so express/direct on dividing us on tribal lines, but what we at times forget is that all they really want is to get political mileage from all the division. Let's read between the lines. Their needs come first at that point in time (or is it all the time?) and we should never allow ourselves to fall in that kind of trap. That's why when all hell breaks loose they are quick to get themselves and their families outside the country. Where does that leave us?  I am of the opinion there is need for more level headed-ness during such periods. 

Being part of a generation that has had the amazing opportunity to enjoy the internet in all its glory, we should use the platform to advocate for unity and love amongst us all. It has brought us closer to each other thus better placed to be supportive and kind to one another. The youth in Kenya are the majority with a whopping 64% of general voters and approximately 3.5 Million youth on social media platforms. Imagine all that we can do when we unite towards such a positive cause?

Being all born in the image and likeness of God, as stated in Genesis 1:27, we should realize that none is superior than the other. He loves us all equally and I can bet my last 500 bob that the Quran agrees with it 100% with regards to equality. Let's not be greedy to the point we would put our children in the line of such discrimination and normalize messages that are so wrong it hurts. Can you imagine the mother to the young black boy said that she does not see the racial connotation and we should all stop crying wolf!? Where Kidero at? Someone is in dire need of that slap he served Shebesh on a hot plate😂😂😂

DISCLAIMER: I am not advocating for physical abuse (This is just for laughs.)

Just like H&M said in their apology (Which was flat out BS!) Discrimination "... in any shape or form, conscious or unconscious, deliberate or accidental are simply unacceptable and need to be eradicated from society." Because at the end of the day we are the ones who end up suffering. But to what end? 

So my question to you is, WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR? 

All the hatred and vile commentary that pits us against each other or all the love and respected owed and therefore freely granted to each of us?

Independence in our thinking or sheep like mentality where you follow members of your race/tribe even if it leads to a wretched hole of pain and lack of progression?

Superiority complex that holds no water or humility that allows you to appreciate all those around without the need to keep profiling?

The fight to do what's right and just has no end. 

 So I ask again, WHERE DO YOU STAND?  You tell me.

Spread Love & Light

Njeri💋