PATRIOTISM & RESPONSIBILITY
The respect that one has for self - dignity, rights to freedom of anything (natural or constitutional especially to life) must never be thought to rank any greater or higher than those of others. Therefore, in your belief that you earned the right to hold a certain view, you must equally be conscious of the fact that those on the opposite side of the aisle deserve the same right to theirs, even when they dissented.
And as subjective as Patriotism’s definition is, it is better to carve out your own based on a widely identifiable barometer than run on someone else’s definition whose (mis)understanding of that term was deliberately to suit self.
That said, if you're in a position of Authority, or even if only privileged to execute a task or an order, bear in mind the greater good for self but most importantly of the PEOPLE (not an individual) you serve. For if you perpetrate evil in the name of Patriotism that never was, it would not be up to you to determine your fate when the time comes to be accountable. That day of reckoning will get here!
Unfortunately, the Gambia, my country, has a political definition of patriotism off of the color of the [party] shirt you wear and which side of the political spectrum you claim. The two decades of tyranny under former President Yaya Jammeh's watch have distorted all politically related adjectives to suit the president's taste. That includes the definition of terrorism in the wake of December 30, 2014 events in Banjul where a practical attempt was made by dissident Gambians to change political leadership and landscape. In show of political loyalty to the president, scores of “solidarity marches” swept through the tiny nation, from Armed and Security Services, Religious leaders, regional representatives, students and civil service clearly staged to control the narrative. The aftermath of which were arrests and detentions of those guilty by blood and association. So the ever distorted definition of Patriotism broadened by the week.
Sad and sorry state it is. But whatever it is, the execution of one's duties and responsibilities must be in the interest of the state and the majority of the citizens. There and then do we register meaningful progress and go to sleep with a clearer conscience. Unfortunately, this has not changed as much even after the change of Government from a dictatorship to a democracy. The political leadership continues to see citizens through the same prism. Patriotism still ascribed to defined by one’s relationship with Government or political affiliation. Public and National services in function and delivery leave much to be desired. It is either we are deliberate in the respect and importance we accord our responsibilities and obligations, or we are still struggling or unclear about them. We can argue about what Patriotism entails but our Responsibilities to Country and People must NOT be ambiguous.
By Pata (PJ) Saidykhan
