We-should-use-this-period-as-a-time-to-reflect-and-emancipate-ourselves-from-mental-slavery
September 7, 2020 | News
WE SHOULD USE THIS PERIOD AS A TIME TO REFLECT, AND “EMANCIPATE OURSELVES FROM MENTAL SLAVERY”
Part of the subject above is from the lyrics of Bob Marley’s exceptional and timeless song: Redemption Song, which has remained fresh and very relevant in the times that we are in. As I look at the lyrics of the said song again, I could not help but consider the fact that in the times that we are in currently, especially with the lockdown that has kept everyone at their various homes over the Coronavirus pandemic, and the Easter celebration within the same period; there is need for everyone of us to take out time to reflect on the lyrics of Bob Marley’s song, and make the necessary changes that are required of us as a people and as a society.
The said lyrics of the Redemption song is one that is deep and filled with a lot of prophetic meanings and interpretations:
“Old pirates, yes, they rob I, Sold I to the merchant ships, Minutes after they took I, From the bottomless pits, But my hand was made strong, By the hand of the Almighty, We forward in this generation, Triumphantly. Won't you help to sing, These songs of freedom? 'Cause all I ever have. Redemption song, Redemption song…”
I am also aware that there are many enthusiasts out there who think in the same light. One of such is a Ghanaian Arch Bishop (name not known), whose shot interview video in a program, is well circulated online. In the words of the said Arch Bishop, he noted that: “One of the people that I have always respected; the one I call the high-priest of reggae, Bob Marley. I came to love him so much because, my father also got me to listen to one of his hit tracks then – the Redemption song. And my father said this man is a prophet. I remember my father saying this. And so, I took time to listen to this particular song. I even sang it in Jamaica Kingstown and they could not believe that an Arch Bishop would love it…”
The said Arch Bishop went on to sing the above lyrics of the said song, right there on set. Trying to reiterate the message behind the song and its relevance in the times we are in. He noted that: “There is a part that I love so much – ‘Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but our self can free our minds, Have no fear for atomic energy, 'Cause none of them can stop the time, How long shall they kill our prophets, While we stand aside and look? Some say it's just a part of it, We've got to fulfill the book…”
The Arch Bishop went on to note the undeniable fact that: “Jesus came to fulfill the book (referring to the Bible prophesies about a coming Messiah to save mankind), redemption of humanity. We should not only sing redemption song, we should live in redemption, and joyful in the Easter. And follow His selflessness and His self-sacrifice.”
Yes, that is exactly what we need to do as a people and as a country. Especially on the part of the political leaders at all levels of Government. Until we start living the exemplary life as portrayed by Jesus, and as reiterated in the lyrics of the song by Bob Marley; where we are expected to live for the good of others, then we would not be able to overcome the present challenges on our hands.
Our political leaders need to start thinking less of themselves and their selfish interests, especially in the trying times we are in, and start thinking and acting more in the interest of the people. They need to start making the necessary ‘sacrifices’ in entrenching good governance across all boards, regardless of tribe, party, religion or political affiliations. This is not the time for people to be greedy and looking for opportunities to enrich themselves, when the majority of the masses are suffering and dying in hunger and under the pandemic fear and anxiety. The general masses on their part, should learn to live and act with others in mind. Aside holding the political leaders accountable, and not sing their praises when they are not performing, the Nigerian masses should also not act like the leaders by exploiting their neighbors in the times that we are in. Truth is, we all need some redemption for a secured future. Nigerians need to emancipate themselves from every iota of mental slavery that has held us bound and underdeveloped as a people.
Zik Gbemre.
April 13, 2020.
We Mobilize Others to Fight for Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
Part of the subject above is from the lyrics of Bob Marley’s exceptional and timeless song: Redemption Song, which has remained fresh and very relevant in the times that we are in. As I look at the lyrics of the said song again, I could not help but consider the fact that in the times that we are in currently, especially with the lockdown that has kept everyone at their various homes over the Coronavirus pandemic, and the Easter celebration within the same period; there is need for everyone of us to take out time to reflect on the lyrics of Bob Marley’s song, and make the necessary changes that are required of us as a people and as a society.
The said lyrics of the Redemption song is one that is deep and filled with a lot of prophetic meanings and interpretations:
“Old pirates, yes, they rob I, Sold I to the merchant ships, Minutes after they took I, From the bottomless pits, But my hand was made strong, By the hand of the Almighty, We forward in this generation, Triumphantly. Won't you help to sing, These songs of freedom? 'Cause all I ever have. Redemption song, Redemption song…”
I am also aware that there are many enthusiasts out there who think in the same light. One of such is a Ghanaian Arch Bishop (name not known), whose shot interview video in a program, is well circulated online. In the words of the said Arch Bishop, he noted that: “One of the people that I have always respected; the one I call the high-priest of reggae, Bob Marley. I came to love him so much because, my father also got me to listen to one of his hit tracks then – the Redemption song. And my father said this man is a prophet. I remember my father saying this. And so, I took time to listen to this particular song. I even sang it in Jamaica Kingstown and they could not believe that an Arch Bishop would love it…”
The said Arch Bishop went on to sing the above lyrics of the said song, right there on set. Trying to reiterate the message behind the song and its relevance in the times we are in. He noted that: “There is a part that I love so much – ‘Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but our self can free our minds, Have no fear for atomic energy, 'Cause none of them can stop the time, How long shall they kill our prophets, While we stand aside and look? Some say it's just a part of it, We've got to fulfill the book…”
The Arch Bishop went on to note the undeniable fact that: “Jesus came to fulfill the book (referring to the Bible prophesies about a coming Messiah to save mankind), redemption of humanity. We should not only sing redemption song, we should live in redemption, and joyful in the Easter. And follow His selflessness and His self-sacrifice.”
Yes, that is exactly what we need to do as a people and as a country. Especially on the part of the political leaders at all levels of Government. Until we start living the exemplary life as portrayed by Jesus, and as reiterated in the lyrics of the song by Bob Marley; where we are expected to live for the good of others, then we would not be able to overcome the present challenges on our hands.
Our political leaders need to start thinking less of themselves and their selfish interests, especially in the trying times we are in, and start thinking and acting more in the interest of the people. They need to start making the necessary ‘sacrifices’ in entrenching good governance across all boards, regardless of tribe, party, religion or political affiliations. This is not the time for people to be greedy and looking for opportunities to enrich themselves, when the majority of the masses are suffering and dying in hunger and under the pandemic fear and anxiety. The general masses on their part, should learn to live and act with others in mind. Aside holding the political leaders accountable, and not sing their praises when they are not performing, the Nigerian masses should also not act like the leaders by exploiting their neighbors in the times that we are in. Truth is, we all need some redemption for a secured future. Nigerians need to emancipate themselves from every iota of mental slavery that has held us bound and underdeveloped as a people.
Zik Gbemre.
April 13, 2020.
We Mobilize Others to Fight for Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes