Tribalism and hate won't get us anywhere

Tribalism and racism are still very much prevalent in the 21st century despite all the progress in our understanding of societal matters. These two are at loggerheads with humanism. Most people know the effects of tribalism and racism but not many can put their heads around it. Tribalism, pride & loyalty to one's tribe and racism is a negative forms of tribalism. Tribalism helps in grouping people with similar traits and this aids in assisting those sharing the same group. It is a way to know whose flesh and blood you have to call upon if assailed without reason, who has your back and who doesn't.

Tribalism and racism are rooted in our social construct. We are what we are. This structure is of our own making. Now we need to be honest and say goodbye to this social construct because it makes us hate and disrespect each other.

Back in the days of our fathers, we have social groups that support each other. Growing up, I’ve heard numerous tales of how friends support each other in various ways. My father do tell me how friends will take turn visiting each others’ farm. Contribute money together and many more.

Since Lagos is seen as the home of opportunities, many young men head down to Lagos from their village in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Most get there with no plan or accommodation in mind. They go with an empty pocket but with hopes. After getting there, reality dawns on them and they start struggling. However, things get a little easier for them if they get to meet someone from their hometown. They will be offered accommodation and help and treated like a brother till they can stand on their own. That was when coming from the same Tribe was used for something meaningful but the same can’t be said today.

We see today, that tribalism and racism are at the forefront of our political discourses. It's unfortunate, it's unfair, but it's not unexpected. Nowadays the world has evolved otherwise. We now have a global village. Today humanity should be one, but we have ethnicity, colur, States, and races that make us feel different from one another.

I am not going to waste my time responding to those claiming tribalism and racism is a must, what is even the point?. If you have the time, please spend it helping humanity instead of demeaning others. No one has a right to say what another can or cannot do, but I don't see this being the case as long as people are trying to kill each other in the name of a religion or tribe. The good news is that humans can learn and grow, we don't have to be like what we were born into. If you are working on how to be better tomorrow than you used to be yesterday you are on the right track.

The 21st century is a century of disunity and tribalism. No, I'm not referring to the war that rages in Syria or the war that was rising in Iraq but the war of which we are all a part of every day.

The story of humanity is one of a long series of clashes between groups, tribes or nations and its unlikely to change. As the years pass by the clashes become less bloody but they are still there just different in form.

I’m a Yoruba man and I love my tribe a lot, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t respect others’ religious stands. That doesn’t mean I will give to a Yoruba what a Hausa or Igbo man deserves. Humanity should be the first consideration, and I hope someday every Nigerian will think this way.

Conclusion

I’m sure the Nigerians here already have an idea that this article is about the upcoming election. This isn’t a campaign for any aspirant and I will never force anyone to choose or vote for a particular person. I’ll only advise us to put humanity first when choosing, put aside tribe and religion for now and know fully well “the 3 aspirants leading the race are all cut from the same cloth” don’t let them destroy your friendship or relationship with others. Be smart!

Thanks for Reading!❤💚💙