Empty Words vs Small Minds By Taslim Anibaba
I have watched so many videos and read so many materials recently about empty words and their devastating effects on the behaviour of my black folks. I am black but I don’t consider myself inferior to any other human being as a result of being black. I had the rare opportunity of relating with so many brilliant people across different cultures and countries during my several training sessions overseas. I was also in South Africa for the ABSA banking conference in Pretoria and Johannesburg in the 90s.
There I met brilliant and lovely people from different countries and cultures. At no time did I ever feel inferior to any of the students and lecturers. Group assignments were handled professionally and with the objective of performing better than the other groups. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served and eaten from the same table; no segregation. I recall an incident in Pretoria. It was the gala night. So I changed from the regular suit and tie to Babaringa or our native agbada (that big robe). One of my colleagues asked why I decided to wear a parachute. I was confused. For a second or two I couldn’t utter a word until a South African friend of mine educated me by pointing to my attire. My first reaction was to laugh. I laughed hysterically to the extent that I had a tear or two. He was motionless, transfixed. I immediately seized that opportunity to educate him on the “parachute” and how happy and dignified I felt in it. I noticed that he was shocked by my response and he chose to ride with me by a asking me if I will not be inconvenienced if I needed to use the restroom in that attire. My response was swift. I immediately invited him to accompany me to the rest room and he accepted the invitation. After the rituals I asked : can you see how easy and convenient it was.
Unfortunately at that conference most of the Africans were trying to outdo each other and most of the questions that they were asking each other were designed in such a way as to embarrass each other. The questions were about the negative aspects of their countries. A man from Zimbabwe would want to prove that he was better than the man from Kenya etc etc. It was such a shame. I didn’t escape the rough edge of their tongues too. I was performing excellently well in class and I guess that some of them were jealous. My “parachute” provided them with an opportunity to “crack” me. So one of them from South Africa informed the small gathering during cocktail that my parachute was usually worn by armed robbers in South Africa because it gave them easy alibi for hiding their weapons. I ignored him. However I informed the gathering that the attire is usually worn by important dignataries in my country.
The recent upscale in the use of the word racism in America provided some forms of entertainment for me. I just couldn’t understand why I will be incessed or offended by the use of that word and similar words. I couldn’t understand why any man or woman will invite me or drag me by my forelock to fight another man simply because he labelled that other man a racist?? Why should my life and those of my children be limited to the use or assumed verbalisation of that word. So why should I be enraged if any person decides to call me a Negro. Why do I have to restrict my choices in everything concerning my life to the sound or smell of any word?? Do I have any intrinsic value or am I defined in truth by whatever label is hung around my neck?? Smell?? Yes. These days you don’t have to verbally pronounce the word. The are spin masters who have the monopoly of helping you to decide what is racist or not. In some cases you may even be told that the slant in the voice of “that man” as he said good morning to you is racist!! Funny
Ivan Pavlov, the Russian physiologist will be so delighted in his grave. He gave the world what is referred to as Pavlovian Conditioning or classical conditioning.
In summary “The dogs used in conditioned response experiments by a Russian scientist of the late nineteenth century, Ivan Pavlov. In these experiments, Pavlov sounded a bell while presenting food to a dog, thereby stimulating the natural flow of saliva in the dog’s mouth.”
Just like the other theories which sought to analyse and explain human behaviour this highly rated work used the terms conditioned stimulus, agent or stimulus and conditioned response. Everytime the bell rang the dog knew that it was time to eat and it would start to salivate. According to James Hadley Chase, there is always a price tag. So if you are able to discover what best motivates/ satisfies a man (money, power, position, recognition, the opposite sex etc) you can influence his thought process and behaviour towards achieving a predetermined goal
For instance if I know that you are feeling oppressed even though by all standards you are “doing well” I can influence your behaviour by labelling my opponent a racist and that he is your oppressor. Afteralll the enemy of my enemy is my friend. That is slavery in the “second degree”.
This theory was propounded around 1886. It is still relevant today and it is being applied in all facets of life.
In Nigeria we call each other names even if the occasion is a happy joyous one. Ofe n manu, mallam, aboki, yanmiri, omo ibo etc. Yet we laugh and joke over such “derogatory names”. Calling me such a name does not define me. And I will refuse to subject myself to mental slavery.
This is just an advice. Let us assume that blacks refuse to get angry at being called these empty words negro, aunty jemimah etc. Let us assume that they start with an experimentation of laughing at everyone who calls them any of these names. I am just wondering. What will likely be the result. More peace of mind for the blacks and with time these words will die naturally because they are not pungent anymore. And it is so painful when the “victim” is always the one reminding himself or herself of those days (painful) which have gone. Reminds me of Stevie wonder’s “past time paradise”. Reminding yourself or unearthing whatever you consider painful is self-hate . Playing the victim card attracts condescending remarks and laughter. That assures your oppressor that he still has control over your life :that you are still a slave in your subconscious mind. Move on. Afteralll your ancestors sold your grand parents to the slave masters for consideration (money, one bottle of gin etc).
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery – Bob Marley.
According to Mahatma Gandhi “they cannot take away our self respect if we do not give it to them.”
And Thomas Sowell had this to say about racism
” Racism is not dead. But it is on life-support, kept alive mainly by the people who use it for an excuse or to keep minority communities fearful or resentful enough to turn out as a voting bloc on election day.”
Muhammed Ali used those “derogatory” words to joke about himself thus removing the effects on him. He then channelled his energies to the achievement of lofty heights which decorated him with respect, admiration and honour across all races. Wake up and go.
I have watched so many videos and read so many materials recently about empty words and their devastating effects on the behaviour of my black folks. I am black but I don’t consider myself inferior to any other human being as a result of being black. I had the rare opportunity of relating with so many brilliant people across different cultures and countries during my several training sessions overseas. I was also in South Africa for the ABSA banking conference in Pretoria and Johannesburg in the 90s.
There I met brilliant and lovely people from different countries and cultures. At no time did I ever feel inferior to any of the students and lecturers. Group assignments were handled professionally and with the objective of performing better than the other groups. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served and eaten from the same table; no segregation. I recall an incident in Pretoria. It was the gala night. So I changed from the regular suit and tie to Babaringa or our native agbada (that big robe). One of my colleagues asked why I decided to wear a parachute. I was confused. For a second or two I couldn’t utter a word until a South African friend of mine educated me by pointing to my attire. My first reaction was to laugh. I laughed hysterically to the extent that I had a tear or two. He was motionless, transfixed. I immediately seized that opportunity to educate him on the “parachute” and how happy and dignified I felt in it. I noticed that he was shocked by my response and he chose to ride with me by a asking me if I will not be inconvenienced if I needed to use the restroom in that attire.
My response was swift. I immediately invited him to accompany me to the rest room and he accepted the invitation. After the rituals I asked : can you see how easy and convenient it was.
Unfortunately at that conference most of the Africans were trying to outdo each other and most of the questions that they were asking each other were designed in such a way as to embarrass each other. The questions were about the negative aspects of their countries. A man from Zimbabwe would want to prove that he was better than the man from Kenya etc etc. It was such a shame. I didn’t escape the rough edge of their tongues too. I was performing excellently well in class and I guess that some of them were jealous. My “parachute” provided them with an opportunity to “crack” me. So one of them from South Africa informed the small gathering during cocktail that my parachute was usually worn by armed robbers in South Africa because it gave them easy alibi for hiding their weapons. I ignored him. However I informed the gathering that the attire is usually worn by important dignataries in my country.
That unpleasant experience occurred in South Africa, a country which was under apartheid ( noted for racial discrimination and segregation) for 45 years from 1948 to 1993.
However I had the opportunity of attending the Columbia Senior Executive Programme (CSEP) in New York in 2009.
I had a pleasant, delightful and unforgettable experience. The daily interactions with the faculty and other participants were astonishingly delightful. Several social events were organised as part of the learning process. These, in conjunction with other programmes were structured meticulously in line with one of the cardinal objectives of the programme – to enable participants explore a variety of topics through faculty interactions, individual coaching and collaboration with diverse peers thereby creating new foundation for better leadership.
The cultural night was indeed very colourful with various traditional attires from China, Nigeria (tie and die from abeokuta) and various other countries. The atmosphere was filled with joy, laughter, mutual respect and admiration. No foul language, no discrimination and of course no racism.
The boat cruise was also a brilliant idea. Chinese, Arabs, Americans, the French, Africans etc all related as one big, happy family. We ate, danced, played musical instruments together. Group assignments were vigorously undertaken with every member contributing and supporting the group. The sessions were intense and tasking. Collaboration was also an important key towards success. I practically forgot about the colour of my skin or where I came from.
The recent upscale in the use of the word racism in America provided some forms of entertainment for me. I just couldn’t understand why I will be incessed or offended by the use of that word and similar words. I couldn’t understand why any man or woman will invite me or drag me by my forelock to fight another man simply because he labelled that other man a racist?? Why should my life and those of my children be limited to the use or assumed verbalisation of that word. So why should I be enraged if any person decides to call me a Negro. Why do I have to restrict my choices in everything concerning my life to the sound or smell of any word?? Do I have any intrinsic value or am I defined in truth by whatever label is hung around my neck?? Smell?? Yes. These days you don’t have to verbally pronounce the word. The are spin masters who have the monopoly of helping you to decide what is racist or not. In some cases you may even be told that the slant in the voice of “that man” as he said good morning to you is racist!! Funny
Ivan Pavlov, the Russian physiologist will be so delighted in his grave. He gave the world what is referred to as Pavlovian Conditioning or classical conditioning.
In summary “The dogs used in conditioned response experiments by a Russian scientist of the late nineteenth century, Ivan Pavlov. In these experiments, Pavlov sounded a bell while presenting food to a dog, thereby stimulating the natural flow of saliva in the dog’s mouth.”
Just like the other theories which sought to analyse and explain human behaviour this highly rated work used the terms conditioned stimulus, agent or stimulus and conditioned response. Everytime the bell rang the dog knew that it was time to eat and it would start to salivate. According to James Hadley Chase, there is always a price tag. So if you are able to discover what best motivates/ satisfies a man (money, power, position, recognition, the opposite sex etc) you can influence his thought process and behaviour towards achieving a predetermined goal
For instance if I know that you are feeling oppressed even though by all standards you are “doing well” I can influence your behaviour by labelling my opponent a racist and that he is your oppressor. Afteralll the enemy of my enemy is my friend. That is slavery in the “second degree”.
This theory was propounded around 1886. It is still relevant today and it is being applied in all facets of life.
In Nigeria we call each other names even if the occasion is a happy joyous one. Ofe n manu, mallam, aboki, yanmiri, omo ibo etc. Yet we laugh and joke over such “derogatory names”. Calling me such a name does not define me. And I will refuse to subject myself to mental slavery.
This is just an advice. Let us assume that blacks refuse to get angry at being called these empty words negro, aunty jemimah etc. Let us assume that they start with an experimentation of laughing at everyone who calls them any of these names. I am just wondering. What will likely be the result.
More peace of mind for the blacks and with time these words will die naturally because they are not pungent anymore. And it is so painful when the “victim” is always the one reminding himself or herself of those days (painful) which have gone. Reminds me of Stevie wonder’s “past time paradise”.
Reminding yourself or unearthing whatever you consider painful is self-hate . Playing the victim card attracts condescending remarks and laughter. That assures your oppressor that he still has control over your life :that you are still a slave in your subconscious mind. Move on. Afteralll your ancestors sold your grand parents to the slave masters for consideration (money, one bottle of gin etc).
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery – Bob Marley.
According to Mahatma Gandhi “they cannot take away our self respect if we do not give it to them.”
And Thomas Sowell had this to say about racism
” Racism is not dead. But it is on life-support, kept alive mainly by the people who use it for an excuse or to keep minority communities fearful or resentful enough to turn out as a voting bloc on election day.”
Muhammed Ali used those “derogatory” words to joke about himself thus removing the effects on him. He then channelled his energies to the achievement of lofty heights which decorated him with respect, admiration and honour across all races. Wake up and go.
Thanks for reading
Taslim Anibaba (FCA)
Tax and Management Consultant
