What makes people to bad people?
Lately I saw two movies that where suggesting ways how people are made into bad people, and both stories were situated in Africa.
One is "The last king of Scotland", where an ignorant and "innocent" doctor suddenly becomes a wrongdoer, simply because he did not (want?) to realize that his boss killed everyone who was stating a critique.
The other movie is called "Blood diamond", where it is suggested that one of the main characters, the diamond trader Danny Archer acts immoral because he has seen his parents being killed and because he has no hope for Africa.
Both movies made me think:
- What needs to happen to make sure power does not destroy? Is it law and order? If yes, what needs to happen that law and order is in power and not some despotic leader?
- Of the hundred and thousand things that need to happen to get a country from a state of civil war to a state of "thriving", what is the priority?
- It´s now nine months ago that I am not studying Social Anthropology anymore, and it seems I started to forget what horrbile things are going on in the world. I want to find out how I can make sure to remember even 5 years after my graduation.
And lastly;
- If I really want to see a change happen in the world, and I am most shocked by wars and despotic regime: Is it hypocritical to strive for making a change somewhere else?
Thanks to Hollywood for triggering my thoughts! :-)
2 Comments:
I have heard good things about Blood Diamonds. I should watch it!
Greetings from Helsinki,
Erica
Hi Verena
Well, my experience from living here in Kenya for a period (even though Kenya is one of the most thriving and peaceful African communities), is that it basically is up to the individual whether he or she is good or not. Most of the wrongdoings in Africa is to some extent linked to accepting the status quo - just as in Blood Diamond, the phrase "This is Africa" or "This is Kenya", is used as an excuse for the country or the region not moving anywhere, and newer being able to do so - which is really sad.
The people who are "evil" down here, that is muggers, conmen, corrupt officials etc., all see themselves as justified for their actions, as they have families to feed or because nobody ever supported them (survival of the fittest). The interesting thing is that this even counts for the rich bad people too - what is important is the thrift of you, your family and your friends, everybody else must try to make it on their own.
By my belief one of the biggest reasons for this, is undependable governments throughout many years - if you cannot depend on the system, you will have to make your own way in the world - if you tried to change it a few times and failed, the easiest way out is a "TIA" attitude - accepting status quo, is to fail as a leader of change.
Anyway, luckily I see a lot of positive development in many African countries now a days. Kenya lived under a dictator for 20 years until the last election in 2002 where he democratically was replaced. The current president has used most of this term on slowly rebuilding the country, and on the way fighting corruption, bad economic growth etc. Kenya is on the right track now, and so is Tanzania, Ghana and a few others. South Africa is fooling a bit around, and does not seem to be moving much, Rwanda is developing strongly by surprisingly having an extraordinary strong, open minded and development focused leader (who nevertheless is a dictator - political opposition to him always seems to get beaten down in the press very quickly), Nigeria - heh, etc.
So my hope for the world of tomorrow is that this development continues, and that other areas of the world does not develop into a status of utter stupidity - like a Kristian/Muslim war or whatever - aie, humans can be so stupid at times.
See you in Copenhagen before you bounce to UK :)
Smiles,
Kristian
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