Posted by By Alagi Yorro Jallow
This for those suffering the “Jollof Classism” disease; those who see political agitation on the street as “hooliganism.”
Photo credit: Author
Folks who do not eat chicken skin because they will get “fat.” Folks whose mobile phones are more expensive than the limit on their health insurance. Folks who are quick to light up Cuban cigars before appreciating the nuances of tobacco smoke from a cigarette. Appearance enthusiasts. The “25-year-old single malt” herd. The lit crowd. Fol…ks who “speak” too much politics on Twitter (de facto social media for posh people of “little” words), but refuse to execute their civic duty – the right to vote. In their “humble” thinking, voting is for
“hooligans.”
Those whose only posts on Facebook are about “peace,” “destruction of property” and how the political crisis is “affecting investments on the NSE,” yet the only investment they have is a monthly salary bogged down by unreasonable income tax, consumption oriented bank loans, advances, mortgages, loans for cars whose fuel is barely affordable, rent paid to landlords in leafy Brusubi and the jet-set “Jumbo Jet” and “Java” lifestyle to create an illusion of success. Miss one paycheck and you are no better than the “hooligan” on the streets.
Folks with little appreciation for context. Posh people who spend more of their time, jumping from one “latest” shopping mall to another, sipping cheap coffee from Butcher Shop and paying heat breaking prices, can only see “hooliganism” in political agitation. Unfortunately, the “hooligans,” – from Kombo, Kiang, Jokadu, Jarra to Choya in Niamina – yes, those who do not spend time talking useless business ideas and political theory at Java, are the majority.
Most of the “hooligans” we want to harsh tag, do not even own smart phones! The “hooligans” are the result of unemployment and idleness which have become national projects. The “hooligans” determine how high your fencing at home goes. They determine how many guards you hire. The “hooligans” can collectively determine when, where and how you enjoy mechanical myths of your turbo charged Range Rover. Today, those “hooligans” have made many posh people miss their flights and brought business to a standstill in Greater Banjul Area.
Instead of ranting how we should harsh tag “hooligans,” the posh “middle class” should start demanding good governance. Governance that creates a conducive atmosphere for political stability, justice, ethnic cohesion, investments and job creation.
But again, the “poshness” induced by Jollof ‘s middle class disease can only allow one to appreciate JAVA coffee in a mug, not the larger environment from whence it is served