I once heard that the quickest way to turn your best friends and loving family members into worst enemies is to discuss religion and debate politics with them. It is true.
With religion, however, the corresponding reactions may be kinder and gentler because the discourse is around God human eyes don’t see. But with politics involving human candidates, and not just ideology, it’s a different cup of tea.
Friends, I have been in journalism for about 40 years. I express opinions on politics and life. I’ve incurred very subtle and some blatant wrath of friends; and made enemies more adversarial because of my opinions. Politics in America is largely regional and race-based. Discussing it in Nigeria is largely consciously and unconsciously ethnic.
In Nigeria, my people huddle up In their ethnic tents as they huff and puff. Even most lettered intellectuals, without knowing it, make pitches based on ethnic leanings. You’ll see it in their body languages and the rattling in their voices. Yet, they deny it.
I sincerely don’t think it’s necessarily about the hatred of one ethnic group by another. It’s simply love of your own driven by your beginning in life and Stories you heard at home and in your community in formative years. And these stories you believe into adulthood even when some don’t make sense. And many of us have told same senseless tales to our children who care to hear. The tales become part of our beings and like the color of your skin you can’t change.
Where political opinions rub certain people the wrong way, I’ve seen marriages destroyed, friendships ended, jobs lost, contracts taken away, opportunities tossed, and people killed. These happen between families and friends.
I have lost friends and friends have lost me because of politics. Ironically, professional politicians who get paid in dollars and Naira playing the game don’t lose friends permanently. They know how the game is played. They know the whole thing is a flaky fluke that only riles up human emotion. But those of us on the sidelines chanting songs of support take politics personal and turn off from our beloved friends and family members because of differences in opinions. Like sheep taken to the slaughter we follow and listen to people who should be listening to many of us in wisdom. The slave is riding the horse as the prince walks on dusty, bumpy roads rough and unpaved. Ain’t that stupid?
Do you like to talk or play politics? Do it with wisdom, and watch your back. It’s a treacherous terrain.
#SMACKDOWN
