In 1776, Thomas Jefferson was nominated by a committee of five, known then as the Continental Congress, to draft a statement or a declaration If you like, of independence. In the opening of this declaration, Jefferson wrote: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. . ."
The Yoruba people seem to agree with Mr Jefferson. Since all men were born of a woman, then no head can be better than another; therefore, all heads are the same they reasoned.
Are all men born equal? Are all heads equal?
Events within Nigeria and around the world in the last few days have kept me wondering If Jefferson was right. If my ancestors were right. If all heads are the same, then why do we feel some heads deserve our pity, our compassion, our humanity more than some others who suffer the same affliction?
Exactly one week ago, two gunmen stormed the Paris office of a satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, that is notorious for it's offensive caricature of just about anything. I think, personally, that they overstretched the right to offend in most of their publications. One example of such publication was the "depiction of the father, the Son and the holy Ghost in a sexual threesome." They've even offended the Muslims the more by their depictions of prophet Muhammad. But did they deserve to be murdered in cold blood? Their murder must be condemned by all - even those they've offended. But, "just because one condemns their brutal murders doesn’t mean one must condone their ideology."
Events within Nigeria and around the world in the last few days have kept me wondering If Jefferson was right. If my ancestors were right. If all heads are the same, then why do we feel some heads deserve our pity, our compassion, our humanity more than some others who suffer the same affliction?
Exactly one week ago, two gunmen stormed the Paris office of a satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, that is notorious for it's offensive caricature of just about anything. I think, personally, that they overstretched the right to offend in most of their publications. One example of such publication was the "depiction of the father, the Son and the holy Ghost in a sexual threesome." They've even offended the Muslims the more by their depictions of prophet Muhammad. But did they deserve to be murdered in cold blood? Their murder must be condemned by all - even those they've offended. But, "just because one condemns their brutal murders doesn’t mean one must condone their ideology."
Just three days before those journalists were murdered in France, hundreds were massacred in Baga, a fishing village in the east of Borno state, Nigeria. The terrorist group, Boko Haram is blamed for the massacre.
The difference between this two events is not just the wide gab in the number of deaths but the response. While, in Paris, about 2 million people, including more than 40 world leaders, participated in a rally of national unity to honour the 17 victims, there were no rallies in Baga where hundreds were killed. The Nigerian government didn't even condemn It, in fact, It took days before It could acknowledge that Baga was attacked. The government was more interested in pruning down the number of deaths. “From all available evidences, the number of people who lost their lives during that attack has so far not exceeded about 150 in the interim. . .,"said Army spokesman.
A Presidential spokesperson, Doyin Okupe, said the figures were exaggerated but he didn't condemn the attack. What is surprising, however, is that a government which refused to condemn an attack on it's people was swift in sending condolences to France, a country that it does not even share the same continent with. Even Okonjo Iweala seemed to be less concerned about happenings in Baga. "Terrible incident. Our deepest sympathies to the journalists and their families. We are one with France in mourning #JeSuisCharlie" she wrote on twitter.
So, I ask again, are all men born equal? Are all heads equal? Why did the death of 17 birth the biggest rally in France since the 2rd world war and that of 100+ remained deliberately unnoticed? Why did President Jonathan feel It necessary to send condolence to France over the death of 17 white men and decided to ignore that of 100+ black men in the country he presides?
All men may be created equal, but some heads become lesser than others.
So, I ask again, are all men born equal? Are all heads equal? Why did the death of 17 birth the biggest rally in France since the 2rd world war and that of 100+ remained deliberately unnoticed? Why did President Jonathan feel It necessary to send condolence to France over the death of 17 white men and decided to ignore that of 100+ black men in the country he presides?
All men may be created equal, but some heads become lesser than others.
-Mark Ademola Israel
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