I was discussing the unfortunate state of many developing countries, specifically in Sub-saharan Africa, when i compared them to hot-lead age of gangland America (early 1900′s entertainingly depicted in movies such as Miller’s crossing). The comparison fit, with the lines between thuggery, politicking, enterprising, preaching and many other social pillars in most of the developing world being essentially intangible when found. It was quite a depressing thought as per the comparison, it could be assumed that it would take the 50+ years to change for the better.
I quickly came to a realization that can gladly drastically cut down the time, communication.
The comparison to gangland is only partially fitting. It may be more accurate to describe it as a mix of post colonial, old west and gangland America. This presents the developing world with assorted historical hurdles as well as unprecedented potential aide.
Post colonial would fit due to the relative youth of most developing countries. The older countries just approaching 50 years of governing themselves without direct colonial participation and the youngest one, South Sudan, less than a week into it after decades of civil strife.
Old west would fit due to the living conditions of most people in the developing countries. though states and the governmental structure that goes along with them have been established, they do not factor in the daily lives, weeks or months of the a large majority of the citizens, whose main interaction with their state and representatives comes during election time.
Gangland would fit due to the high levels of blatant institutionalized crime and corruption in most urban areas. You can watch the news and see that the charred remains of a disheveled homeless man in lynched in the slums for stealing a chicken to feed his starving family by the same citizens whom in the following story, are standing by their elected Minister of Parliament as he directs his bodyguards to break off the clamp on his illegally parked car in the center of the capital city (unfortunate tru fax The MP is the potbellied chap in the green pants with the approaching Mr.T levels of tacky chains around his neck).
Communication can bring change
The ability to communicate today is clearly exponentially greater than in any of the above times, what needs to improve is the access. Take Kenya for example, arguably the most stable country in East Africa and one of the better regarded ones in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has a dismal electrical penetration of under 20% compared to South Africa which >70% and first world countries >90% range. Electricity can improve quality of life will be increased in numerous ways for example giving children adequate light at night to study. These children, their families and communities my begin to access information sources such as the internet, television and radio regular-am-fm-non-sirius broadcast radio still being big in developing countries and with that social change can easily follow.
Communication can bring social accountability.
I am not counting on Jasmine Revolutionish change, but simply presenting a broader, less biased source of news and information, outside of the rumors they are accustomed to can change the belief that their MP was unjustly targeted by the unscrupulous city council because ‘he represents the poor,’ to an informed opinion of a man living in a life quite elevated from their own, committing a crime with impunity that they would never be afforded for simply stealing a chicken out of hunger. They may start truly voting on issues and not empty campaign trail promises and gifts read as bribes of food and drink. It can begin to curtail blatantly out of control levels of impunity.
Communication can bring inspiration.
if you are sitting in a room and when you look out of the window you see something is amiss yes it is odd analogy time to give this post sufficient rant flavour. Whenever you begin to mention it, everyone in the room tells you, not to worry about that, there isn’t anything that can be done, its just the way things are, so after a while you begin to ignore it. Now let’s say someone from another room much similar to yours can contacts you and says that they too see something amiss. Together you may find the courage to convince the others in your respective rooms of this problem, or in the least create a debate on what can be done to change it. Another form of inspiration can come from outside influences. A lot can ,has and will most assuredly in future rants be said of the negative, at times unabashedly self-centered, effect of foreign interests in the past, present and likely future; but simply knowing more about life in those countries can better equip the locals. Showing a villager in a rural area their local town on Google maps could could easily make them a more responsible member of their community, town, nation, continent and world (that is once you actually convince them of its credibility and they get over their probable shock and awe). Policy makers can avoid mistakes made in the development of other countries and better decipher which intentions are intended to benefit the aiding countries far more than those being aided.
facebook, twitter, google, yahoo, wikipedia as catalysts for change
The pen is mightier than the sword. Information has long been a proven catalyst for change. Once it could be written endless things could be done. We should take heed to who is behind the information, not only from those currently in power but ever increasingly from our fellow peers. Media can be used to both bestow knowledge and perpetuate ignorance. But through responsible, educated and unbiased creation and consumption of information and with the current social movement I can propose that the ‘the key to change is the Key.’
- First post in over a year. Was a little more restrained and analytical on this than many rants and I will likely move it to my What’s the Good News Blog which will have a more editorial and newsly feel, not going to promise any return to any regular schedule of updates but you can expect a few more of these rAntalytical posts coming soon so feel free to rss or keep checking in for those and more. Also thanks to new readers, those that have been reading and those that may be coming back after some time away.
- I do plan on continuing the adding a video at the end of the post. I find the girls in this video rather cute, and it’s a chill song. Warning to some Soulja Boy Tell ‘em is in the vid but you can jump to the 31 second mark to avoid him… could be worse, they could have done a song with Wacka Flocka. What’s that? They already did!? Vistosso Bosses – Delirious. Enjoy.
This is an excellent post, and I agree with your observations on “Communication”. Good work man!