Dearest Mama,
Do you have a list of the parties that have registered to contest the next Presidential elections? I am trying to follow the list of those expressing interest in the next presidential elections. Up to date, there are almost ten candidates who have registered interest in contesting the presidency. From the whispers here, and there, the numbers will keep increasing. You doubt that? Check this out; Flomo Tomelah, a snail harvester, a farmer, and hunter, vowed to contest the presidency in the coming elections. Mr. Tomelah said it takes a special eye to look at snails crawling over one another; it takes focus, guts, and commitment to be a hunter; and perseverance to be a farmer. All of these skills, Mr. Tomelah said, will come in handy in running the country. Tomelah lives in a far remote part of the country, and started his journey to Monrovia two days ago. He spent a day traveling from his village to the main gravel road. After reaching the gravel road, he waited for over 24 hours to see a logging truck, which he hopped on to reach the nearest city. But wait; don’t begin looking out for Mr. Tomelah. The logging truck may take a full day to reach the nearest city. From the nearest city, Mr. Tomelah will also need another day’s ride to the nation’s capital. At that time, you may also need to wait a few days, since Mr. Tomelah will need to figure his way around the city - what he needs to do; where he needs to go, and how to make his intention known to the general public. Phew!
At this end, Mr. Peter Homo-Triumliterarum Pilferer, commonly called PHP said he will be a candidate for the presidency in the coming elections. Mr. PH Triumliterarum Pilferer professional background remains questionable, but he is quick to introduce his beautiful wife, Mrs. Light-fingered Gentry Pilferer, who has two distinct ways she carries herself. Sometimes, she crouches like a cat awaiting its prey. I guess when beautiful Mrs. Pilferer crouches, that is the family's hunting period. When she becomes cuddling, sweet, and endearing, that is the win over and persuading period. Weird names for two odd characters, ehn!
Mr. PHP believes he is as equally qualified to run for the presidency because he comes from America, a place he has lived since before the 1980 Liberian coup. Moreover, he boasts that he has a house, rides a beautiful car, and rubs shoulder with those who shop at Bloomingdale, John Varvatos, Clive Christensen, among others. His beautiful wife shops regularly using online Jewelry catalogues, and visits several designer stores, including Gucci, Versace, Prada, and Louis Vuitton.
Aside their material status, Mr. and Mrs. Pilferer did not divulge information about their educational credentials, nor details of work history. However, Mr. Pilferer accidentally disclosed more than he intended. Hear this; “During our [his] days, High schools were High Schools. Yeaaa, you know what I am talking about. Our High schools those days are what you people call college these days. I don’t have to go to college, because the book from my high school days is like the book people learning in college these days.” He added boastfully, “Look at that boy who says he going to college, and he still working in the mall,” as he and his wife laughed mockingly. Mrs. Pilferer now in cuddling mode says, she did few college classes, (which I later understood to be less than a semester of undergraduate classes), but her husband quickly interjected: “My wife is very smart, even smarter than those who have college degrees. See all these people here with their degrees; my wife knows what they know. We all meet, and look at how my wife can dress. She can dress better than them.” With that, Mrs. Pilferer snuggled closely to her husband, and sheepishly added, “Honey, you know thy man we saw that day, did you see the car his wife has…...” as I bid farewell to the Pilferers.
I left the Pilferer wondering whether they truly believed in measuring equality by material things, and that includes setting foot on the American soil. Does America makes everyone equal, and how do we measure that equality? Is it by material things, or because we are human beings? Of course, as human beings we are all equal, because all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. However, it is obvious that the Pilferers idea of “equal” is far from the inalienable rights every human being is entitled; that is those rights that cannot be surrendered, sold or transferred to someone else. The Pilferers were using their so-called material things to mean being equal in status with others who pursue education, training, skills, and humbleness. They seriously believed that material things outrightly placed them in positions to rub shoulders with certain crowd, and places them above others.
Mama, you’ve been in America; Swamama has been in America; Kaliako Kukumumu has been in America. Does America make everyone equal in status? I have heard some of our compatriots use the same phrase, “America is the great equalizer.” Some say the statement grinning, while others say it showing their jaw bone teeth.
Is America the Great Equalizer? Most of the folks on this side of the world have heard others bragged, “Yea, yea, America is the great equalizer!” Think about it, when you hear the “fiamomos” boasting, “Yea, what you thinking you were? Back home you thought you were something, but here we all are. We are now equal. Yea, America is the great Equalizer.”
You know, I was on the phone with some one who also started bragging about what they had, the places they go, window shopping, etc. The person continued while I held the phone smiling to myself. The person said, “I have Infiniti," apparentely to quickly feel somehow superior. You know the car I talking about?” I responded, “I heard about Infiniti, it is a sporty luxury car, but I don’t spend time reading about cars.” My message was still not clear, the person continued, “Oh, I have the 2007 model. It has…. The person went on and on and on. And I listened on and on and on. So I asked this person what they have been doing with their life. Any school? The person slowly responded in the affirmative, but said, they had to drop from the community college because it meant losing hours of work, that affected payment of bills. By bills, they meant ($200+) monthly car note, car insurance, payment for 42 inch HDTV, etc. Later, the person apparently regained their excitement, and said, “And you know what, I went to Atlantic City and La Vegas. You won’t believe how I enjoyed myself. I gambled and won, but lost again. Girl, you should come out sometimes. Yea, America is sweet. America is the great equalizer.” I responded calmly, “You know what, that statement is a fallacy. It is an erroneous belief, and strikingly misleading to believe and feel that America is the great equalizer in terms of status, and development, because of cars, visiting and gambling at Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and all the materials things you listed. I can give you some tips on how to use the money you worked hard to earn, and give you some ideas to manage your time, and how to become interpersonally competent, as well as competent and productive outside of your personal territory.” The phone conversation ended quietly, and I resumed my duties and responsibilities as a mother, and teacher.
Mama, you may have hear stories back home from some people, who are boasting that they are at the top, or on the same level here with others because of the cars they drive, the clothes they wear, and the stores where they buy shoes, jewelries and accessories, among other material things they use as tools for measurement.
Sometimes when I hear these statements, my mind gets in a whirlwind: how do people measure their status; why people will use material things to determine their position, their standing, their eminence, their status, or ranking, when it comes to their capability, aptitude, competency, and ability to make reasonable judgments, and meaningful contributions to their environment.
Well, I guess we are going to see some of these people as presidential candidates in the next elections. I wonder whether people back home will see beyond the words utter by the likes of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Homo-Triumliterarum Pilferer; will they look beyond the garb, and handshakes, and the idea that they come from America?
On the other hand, the likes of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Homo-Triumliterarum Pilferer, will take delight in participating in the coalition, where they feel and become relevant and yet still, hide their limitations. In the grand scheme of this coalition, who takes the back seat; who’s going second, or, who will give it all up?
So be prepared Mama to see Mr. and Mrs. Pilferer, Mr. Flomo Tomalah, Mr. Fraudster, Mr. and Mrs. Fraught, among persons vying for the presidency in our little Village. At this end, we will continue to hear of Mrs. Fraudster, Mrs. No Dollar Store, Mr. Posi and others.
always,
musue
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