By Haruna Eleazar
As a student of mass communication, a study that revolves around Arts and Humanities with a little or huge touch of technology as a medium of practice. Going beyond the knowledge of four corners of the classroom, considering my experience gained around the world. As wise men conferred the notion “the world is a school”. Yes, it is indeed a school full of practical experience except for the one who does not move beyond his/her origin in order to earn living or in pursuit of a career. At a tender age, I experience a peaceful coexistence among Muslims and Christians. I was raised in the northern part of Nigeria, where my father served in the civil service as a village extension agent under the ministry of agriculture. His contacts were farmers that reside in the villages. We live together as children, sharing things in common, the senior ones are our elder brothers (both the Almajiri and those living with their parents). They look after us without considering our faith and beliefs. Whether Muslim or Christian, they don’t allow any outsider to molest anyone among us.
Now days, the case is different at an alarming rate. Since the beginning of the millennium, it is difficult to think of much besides desperate thoughts about how to protect our world and how to make our society a more peaceful and less violent place. Enough has been written about insecurity in Nigeria that I don’t feel the need to rehash the horrific details or postulate what could have driven a human being to do such a thing.
When we rise in the morning and listen to the radio or read the newspaper, we are confronted with the same sad news: violence, crime, wars, and disasters. I cannot recall a single day without a report of something terrible happening somewhere. Even in these modern times, it is clear that one’s precious life is not safe. No former generation has had to experience so much bad news as we face today; this constant awareness of fear and tension should make any sensitive and compassionate person question seriously the progress of our modern world.
It is ironic that the more serious problems emanate from the more industrially advanced societies. Science and technology have worked wonders in many fields, but the basic human problems remain. There is unprecedented literacy, yet this universal education does not seem to have fostered goodness, but only mental restlessness and discontent instead. There is no doubt about the increase in our material progress and technology, but somehow this is not sufficient as we have not yet succeeded in bringing about peace and happiness or in overcoming suffering.
We can only conclude that there must be something seriously wrong with our progress and development, and if we do not check it in time there could be disastrous consequences for the future of humanity. I am not at all against science and technology – they have contributed immensely to the overall experience of humankind; to our material comfort and well-being and to our greater understanding of the world we live in. But if we give too much emphasis to science and technology we are in danger of losing touch with those aspects of human knowledge and understanding that aspire towards honesty and altruism.
Science and technology, though capable of creating immeasurable material comfort, cannot replace the age-old spiritual and humanitarian values that have largely shaped world civilization, in all its national forms, as we know it today. No one can deny the unprecedented material benefit of science and technology, but our basic human problems remain; we are still faced with the same, if not more, suffering, fear, and tension. Thus it is only logical to try to strike a balance between material developments on the one hand and the development of spiritual, human values on the other. In order to bring about this great adjustment, we need to revive our humanitarian values.
I am sure that many people share my concern about the present worldwide moral crisis and will join in my appeal to all humanitarians and religious practitioners who also share this concern to help make our societies more compassionate, just, and equitable. I do not speak as Christian. Rather, I speak simply as a human being, as an upholder of the humanitarian values that are of all the great world religions. All world religions are already for world peace in this way, as are all humanitarians of whatever ideology. Each individual has a universal responsibility to shape institutions to serve human needs.
I want to focus on some positive ways to promote peace in our badly broken nation. Here are some ideas –Make a personal commitment to nonviolence, when you see someone in trouble, whether he or she is lost, confused, upset, or has fallen, don’t act like you don’t see the person – provide some help. Show a child how to achieve calmness through deep breathing, show a child how to be kind to animals. Show a child how to be kind to vulnerable people – the homeless, those with physical or cognitive disabilities, older people, and anyone else that appears different to the child. Speak out against prejudice and discrimination when you see it.
When you feel angry, count to ten before saying anything. Then, ask yourself what response will be best for the greater good. When you feel slighted, ask yourself if what happened was really about you or if it was about the other person. When you realize that it was about the other person, find in your heart some compassion for that person, realizing that he/she is surely struggling. Regard people who hurt your feelings as your personal teachers of how to maintain a peaceful nature.
If you are a member of a religious community, ask how you can get more involved in promoting peace through its programs and ministries. If you are not a member of any religious community, find a non-profit community organization that works toward peaceful communities and volunteers. Choose a career that yields only good things for our families, our communities, and our nation. Look people in the eye and smile when you pass them on the street. Better yet, actually say, “Hello.” Become trained in mental health first aid so you can respond to people in mental distress. Serve on committees and task forces that work to make your neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces safer. Celebrate successes in the quest for peace and nonviolence in society. Don’t hide from life. Have faith that there is still an abundance of good in this world. Please, let others know this too.
Haruna Eleazar is of the Department of Mass Communication, Abubakar Tatari Ali polytechnic, Bauchi.
