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A MIRROR OF HOPE

You forcefully open the double doors to your room to see your reflection in the large spotless mirror staring at you, as you try to avoid the Master. Your image kills the mustard seed of hope you have been trying to nurture – your eyes exhausted from too many tears. Your lips are chapped, and the glory of your skin is in the past - your beautiful skin as your mother would remark. You wonder if it’s because of its fairness or the hairless sight of it, or the chubby feeling when touched. And then you reckon the eyes of your mother are not yours. Your beauty lies in your freedom, you think to yourself. You affirm that you don’t belong here, not in this castle with grey walls, lofty ceilings, and heavy brown curtains. Not viewing ancient paintings of wars. Not on a bed for a crowd and certainly not wearing these expensive clothes too pure to smear. You recall the first day of your arrival at your new home. You were greeted by a servant who avoided your eyes as he bowed his head and sai...
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Self Immolation: Ahmed the Barber



Ahmed set himself on fire because he was fed up with the hardship in his country (Nigeria). This is similar to the story of a man from another country whose action triggered an uprising and changed the negative normalcy in his country. His name was Tarek el-Tayeb Mohamed Bouazizi; a street vendor from Tunisia who set himself ablaze on 17 December 2010 in response to being harassed by an officer while selling his wears. This resulted in an uprising; a revolution against the dictatorial system of government, by the citizens. We are yet to know Ahmed's surname.

 Ahmed was a barber in his twenties. He was probably not a father yet or a husband; just a son to his parents. Eye witnesses reported that he smoked regularly and was on drugs and acted crazy; once a good guy turned bad, but no one investigated why. Before his scary action, he lamented about the hardship in the country and decided not to be a part of it anymore. He had reached his climax. People watched, some took pictures while he took a can of petrol, poured it over his body, brought out a match stick and lit himself to his supposed freedom.

 There are many drunk Ahmeds, frustrated Ahmeds, Unemployed Ahmeds who feel the only way out of their tragic life is suicide. Ahmed must have been told the "we'll get back to you... see me in person" mantra by employers, family members and friends. He must have switched occupations to be in line with the survival nature of his surroundings. He must have wanted to improve even as a barber but probably was pulled down by an un-enabling environment. He must have been rebuked with the usual "no be only you dey suffer abeg...the country hard for everybody...na everyman for himself." Thus, he suppressed his fears with drugs but reality needs more than that to go away. He was in the end conquered. 
We would hear the "eyah" comments, "he was a young man that needed God in his life. He was a hustler. He was a good son, He was a poor barber..." and days later Ahmed would be forgotten like a low budget movie watched in black and white pictures after his act has been condemned by the "Ogas at the top". He'd be just another unemployed or underemployed dead meat!
 The difference in these self-immolation stories is left for you to decipher. Don't forget to be honest, first with yourself.

Comments

  1. Anonymous8 July 2018 at 14:55

    Need I say that most unemployed people are Ahmeds of various degrees. Some may have contemplated immolation just like Ahmed but it's to no good. There's a Yoruba adage that says'Ori bi be ko ni ogun ori fi fo' Some say drastic situation deserves drastic measures but I believe drastic situation deserves meticulous measures. A lasting solution is what we should see to whatever problem we face. Our frustration should never get the best of us. Suicide is a no not even in this country of ours where whatever cause you die for is in vain.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous8 July 2018 at 14:56

    Need I say that most unemployed people are Ahmeds of various degrees. Some may have contemplated immolation just like Ahmed but it's to no good. There's a Yoruba adage that says'Ori bi be ko ni ogun ori fi fo' Some say drastic situation deserves drastic measures but I believe drastic situation deserves meticulous measures. A lasting solution is what we should see to whatever problem we face. Our frustration should never get the best of us. Suicide is a no not even in this country of ours where whatever cause you die for is in vain.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EMMAWAD9 July 2018 at 00:56

      May that lasting soLution come in the speed of light. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

      Delete

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