GENUINE VIOLENCE IS THE ONLY LANGUAGE OF THE OPPRESSED

                   Frustration breeds violence. Violence as a response to provocation is justified. It is legitimate. It is the only language of the oppressed. Only in the sense that the oppressor understands no other language other than violence. The Swahilis say "dawa ya moto ni moto" (the cure of fire is fire). It is the only language because freedom acquired in this manner is "sweet". This freedom is long-lasting. It goes beyond the present generations. It links all peoples. It is a reward for standing up against oppression. It is a reward for speaking truth. It is sweet because we understand the bitterness of securing it from the hands of senseless, heartless humans.

                     This fight manifests itself in different forms. It can be mental or physical. It can be long or short. It can be bloody or bloodless. The common denominator is the reason of the fight - the acquisition of freedom. Just like any conventional war, "weapons" are needed. Winning strategies must be laid down. In this fight there is no surrender. There is no "bowing out". There is only one outcome. That is winning. Victory is its ultimate goal.

                      But "weapons" alone aren't sufficient. Weapons are just but a show of physical might. The important factor here is the brain. It is the mind behind the weaponry. It is the power to draw winning strategies. It is the capacity to act as a team leader. It is the power to see a leader from a crowd. Yes this is the needed reinforcement. With this victory is assured. Let me be clear, I'm not advocating for violence to settle scores. Violence driven by this isn't genuine violence. It is misguided violence. It is vision-less violence. And this begs the question - which violence is genuine?

                    Genuine violence comes out in the defense of public good. It is a response to injustice. It is a solution to poverty. It is the ammunition needed in the fight of intellectual poverty. It is the path towards nationhood and personal independence. It is a fight against "communal/tribal/ethnic mindset". Yes this is genuine violence! But this calls for another ingredient - selflessness. Violence based on this stands the test of time. It is a visionary violence.

                    And this takes me to the world of politics. Governments are founded on the principle of protecting the weak. Equally important to know is that these governments are founded by the populace. It is the voice of the many that carries the day. But numbers alone do not legitimatize these governments.What gives credence to any government is the manner in which it takes care of its people - however "unfruitful" they might be. A government ought to remain guided by its mandate and not its feelings. Feelings and emotions aren't the needed ingredients for development. What is needed is responding to the needs of the people with action, not empty rhetoric.  

                  On the other hand citizens ought to contribute to nation building. This is their core mandate. A working and pro-active population is patriotic. It loves its mother - the nation. On the contrary, a crying population is a lazy population. It believes in the "power of manna". It waits for the government to provide. Its only role is to wait for the government to intervene. What a hell! This isn't the way to build a nation. 

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                  As you vote, know that you are in a battle whose ultimate goal is winning. Be informed before choosing. This is what I refer to as genuine violence. It is the only way to win your "wars" bloodlessly. But voting alone doesn't secure victory. Victory comes when the aspirations of the weak are fulfilled. These aspirations should define the working formula. When this happens, just say this to yourself, "YES I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, A WINNING FIGHT!"