Who do you aspire to be: the Hunter or the Lion? It's imperative for us to recognize that merely ascending to the altar is not our ultimate goal. This holds true for Pan-Africanists like us and those who advocate for all living beings. The current discourse on climate change underscores the repercussions of environmental degradation caused by some individuals. In contrast, African societies traditionally upheld environmental respect.
Historically, outsiders arrived in African territories, felling trees without regard for our sustainable practices. Now, the same individuals champion tree-planting campaigns, turning it into a global slogan. Unfortunately, some among us perceive European or white sponsorship of such initiatives as favours. It is crucial to remember that those who write the books dictate the narrative.
Returning to the literary perspective, the lion symbolizes the victim but may not be perceived as such by other animals. The lion's status varies based on interactions with different species and circumstances. Similarly, capitalists struggle to control their insatiable desires, becoming slaves to their tastes, emotions, and sensations. This parallels how some among us become enslaved by their sensations.
Despite the lion's portrayal as the king of the jungle, the oppressive system weakens both the oppressors and the oppressed. The goal shouldn't be to become the oppressor, gaining an upper hand to perpetuate the cycle. Some individuals, even while experiencing oppression, partake in oppressing others, illustrating a complex dynamic.
The writer's omission of other animals from the narrative, apart from the lion, encourages us to transcend the urge to oppress. Our consciousness should aspire to rise above power struggles, avoiding the trap of becoming oppressors ourselves. We must not emulate the language of the political class that often disregards the masses.
To achieve true freedom, our consciousness should transcend the pursuit of privileges like an international passport or visa. Instead, we should focus on building a society free from oppression. A genuinely free society is one where no one is subjugated, and the neck of no one lies beneath the oppressor's foot. This is the society we must strive for and fight to establish—a society worthy of inhabiting.
That concludes my contribution.
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