http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35006865
Not only is this a relevant article for the African Area Studies class however, it is relatable to the United States' growing gun obsession as well. It seems that the new in the US has blown up with (no pun intended) breaking news stories about innocent civilians being shot and almost always killed. This article uses the Paralympic gold medalist Oscar Pistorius as an example for the many people who develop an obsession of firearms. Pistorius was convicted of murder because he thought someone was intruding into his house. Instead, he ended up killing a loved one. In a prosecution video he stated while shooting at a watermelon that it is "not as soft as brains" (Nkosi). Whether joking or not, what kind of sane person jokes like this? Pistorius might have seemed like a good person dedicated to his health and determined to be successful. However, such a successful gold medalist must have had to work so hard. Perhaps, he overworked himself. Perhaps, unconsciously he felt subjugated to olympian training and shooting made him feel powerful and in control again.
In the 60s, the AK47 symbolized liberation from the Apartheid. "The liberation movements said they took up arms because the apartheid government encouraged white citizens to arm themselves against 'die swart gevaar' (the black threat)"(Nkosi). This type of mentality is dangerous and ironic because it is the mentality of fire combating with fire in place of strategic planning helping the authority understand that you are of value. "Good guys never win", perhaps this is why the liberation movement used guns as a symbol, to represent the power and control they regained over their lives. In this day and age it is difficult to feel in control of ones life. There seems to be no privacy, more and more rules to follow, more things to do that many feel forced to do and less time in ones day to reflect and partake in ones own passions. People sleep less nowadays, and trust me not sleeping can make you go a bit crazy. It is also difficult for families to be families and for parents to be parents and watch over their children. As a result, harmful habits are developed as a way to destress such as alcoholism which can make some violent, junkfoodism which can affect one's physical and mental health, and violent video gaming that can become addicting. The feeling of winning is a boost of self esteem that many are lacking due to feeling of loosing ones identity and free time to judgements and the responsibilities of every day life. Violence is a causation of anger. The gun obsession that is increasing nationwide will only become worse if education is not more enjoying for students, work environments are not enjoyable for employees and do not give employees enough time to spend with their families and if the media continues to make people feel watched and insecure.
They say most CEOs test as psychopaths, lacking empathy and remorse for others. Well, they had to get to the top somehow. Many idolize power and CEO means power. Power over others, over a business, and over capitalism and policy. It seems that in todays world successful businesses, such as Nike and Apple, are successful through unethical decision making such as child labor and working people to the death (literally). For example, Apple factories in China must have suicide nets to ensure none of the workers kill themselves at work.
The definition of success has seemed to change. It seems that success means being a part of the top 1% that controls almost everything. Money makes the world go around. Hunger makes you do crazy things. The lack of sleep makes you insane. What a combination. -_- But its ok because patience, family, love and the understanding that things need to change can fix this all!
No comments:
Post a Comment