previously unpublished sequel to an earlier article
The heroes of a society whether implied or explicitly stated are a showcase of the qualities and values that society holds dear. The people and the qualities of these people that society praises determine in many ways what the children of that society aspire to in their lives.
At least two factors determine how much influence these heroes have on a society. Firstly, the more a society honours a hero the more younger generations will try to emulate that hero. Celebrated heroes will be looked up to more than unsung heroes. Secondly, the more the youths can relate to that hero, the more they will try to be like them. Albert Einstein for instance is a bigger influence in the places he lived than he is in other places. Elsewhere he might be just another good scientist.
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| Tomb of the unknown soldier /kololo |
At least two factors determine how much influence these heroes have on a society. Firstly, the more a society honours a hero the more younger generations will try to emulate that hero. Celebrated heroes will be looked up to more than unsung heroes. Secondly, the more the youths can relate to that hero, the more they will try to be like them. Albert Einstein for instance is a bigger influence in the places he lived than he is in other places. Elsewhere he might be just another good scientist.
Uganda: The fault in our heroes
Ugandans generally have eyes for two major types of heroes, the rebels and the wealthy.
The wealthy Uganda’s culture largely defines success and achievement as having wealth, with minimal focus given to the methods. We have few platforms on which individual brilliance can be showcased outside entertainment and sports. The people we grow up seeing held in high esteem are the wealthy private citizens and the (typically also wealthy) public servants. The public servants and elected have their esteem not based on any brilliance of strategy or service rendered to the society but rather to the wealth, power and position they command. The result of this is that aspiring leaders are not in it to serve better but rather to be served themselves. This particular message carries on among the youth who begin to see wealth as their ultimate goal and not any cognitive task or challenge.
The rebels this is almost expected since youth are often drawn to rebellion elsewhere in the world as well. It is little surprise then that expressing opposition against the government is a fairly popular thing, as is lamenting all the problems they have failed to fix. This has however created a population with a tendency to look at every problem as one that needs to be fixed by getting rid of someone. Few think to solve the problem by building something better.
There is a tendency towards the more polarising issues of society. Little is said or done with the common good in mind. When politicians are drumming up support the language is almost always an us vs them thing. This makes a fertile ground for pure politicians whose ultimate goal is not to serve but to hold power.
With the youth growing up with this as an example, some would argue that little can be expected but more of the same. However, there are always outliers, and in these few who don’t conform to the society around them might lie the key to a better, smarter society.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has -Margaret Mead\
The rebels this is almost expected since youth are often drawn to rebellion elsewhere in the world as well. It is little surprise then that expressing opposition against the government is a fairly popular thing, as is lamenting all the problems they have failed to fix. This has however created a population with a tendency to look at every problem as one that needs to be fixed by getting rid of someone. Few think to solve the problem by building something better.
There is a tendency towards the more polarising issues of society. Little is said or done with the common good in mind. When politicians are drumming up support the language is almost always an us vs them thing. This makes a fertile ground for pure politicians whose ultimate goal is not to serve but to hold power.
With the youth growing up with this as an example, some would argue that little can be expected but more of the same. However, there are always outliers, and in these few who don’t conform to the society around them might lie the key to a better, smarter society.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has -Margaret Mead\
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