Its Friday and it feels like hump day for some reason. Actually its been hump week , hump month, hump quater of the year infact! Post elections has just been an uphill climb and theres no easy ride down in sight anytime soon. In fact it feels like we are climbing Mt Everest except its all at night and theres a storm around us. Humppphhhhh!!
I cant begin to describe the feeling.It feels like theres a grey cloud looming everywhere you go . A sad or nasty feeling that you just cant shake off. I guess, you could look out the window and for a moment and forget as all is peaceful. People are going about their normal lives. Well , at least in Savaii they are. There does "appear" to be some normality to our lives. Until people interact. You know, the usual "Hi how you been hows your family ? business? " is now all replaced with who you voted for and your thoughts on current progress of it all ....its a painful conversation that I would rather avoid. I dont feel the need to share my reasons for who I voted for with anyon nor comment on the current outcomes painful as they are. I dont feel like I need to be so convinced in my beliefs that I should actively be trying to dissuade others from their beliefs (unless of course someone tries to convince me of lie they believe in!) . Yes I get that people are vested in their "side" but it can so quickly become a heated debate that I'm not prepared on the run to be having with everyone.
At the end of the day, I voted for who I believe in . And sometimes that means who I know enough about and have trust in. Maybe I know nothing about the other party and so I dont have any reason to give them my vote. Such is life. I dont think they are bad people or undeserving of the race, I dont think they are pure evil and feel the need to be in the boxing match with everyone. And mostly, I dont feel like as a human being we should start discriminating ourselves by who and why we voted for. Thats why the box is supposedly anonymous and private. Because it is meant to just be a private occasion for you to privately put your 2 cents in, without the need to parade this choice out to the world. Otherwise it would have been a snapshot of your photo/face with a card with their names on it for the world to see and their entertainment like the reality show survivor.
Unfortunately, social media has given humans a medium to suddenly become overnight vocal warriors, and keyboard DEMONS, parading their support and reasons and blasting the non supporters to the extent that it is now an ugly war of words everywhere you look. Im over it. Infact, if someone were to say tomorrow to rid Samoa of FB I would put my hand up and say please. Because, my life seems peaceful, until I look at FB...then the bombardment of negativety, unrest and disgust coming through this little outlet is just shocking. It has revealed the ugly truth about alot of our Samoan brothers and sisters. Here and afar. And watching how names are thrown around and insults are hurdled at people who have worked hard for our country is just sad to say the least.
Its a sad day when our Samoan community who are usually proud and boastful about our culture and faa'aloalo...have become so hurtful, inconsiderate and disrespectful . I guess this is progress and development. People want their voices and opinions heard (never mind how inaccurate) and each to his own right. I think success in that arena still relies heavily on progress going hand in hand with education. Educate your mind to civilise your tongue. And not just vomit out words and think it will go by unnoticed because mate...it is noticed. If you ever wanted to spread propoganda in Samoa like " the PM is the 4th richest person in the world!" (OH MY LORD!!!) please...do it online in Samoa with facebook and village news because it will burn its tracks within hours.
Suddenly, I feel like everyone is looking at each other sideways. He voted there she voted here and its like we are different species. Let us be civil and respectful and remember that we are all humans created by the man above in his image. Ive sat by and watched communities become divided, churches become divided and even couples !!!And it just makes me want to cry. Then theres this whole " Samoans overseas and Samoans in Samoa" eh...Im over that as well. I feel a little insulted that there is belief outside of Samoa that people here at home dont know how to make choices for themselves. Its a misconception Ive found myself correcting even amongst my own relatives overseas whom after a lengthy debate/enlightenment on the reality of how things work back home, is always followed with a " Ooooohhh, wow , well we did'nt know that ....we understand now " but, I guess the number of misled outweigh the number of citizens living at home soooooo......we continue to be bamboozled with rubbish rumors and opinions from afar (this is of course generalising and doesnt apply to EVERYONE overseas of course fanks much to my loving family and friends ! )
I want Samoa to develop so I know elections and governments are important, but surely we the people must be able to handle this better.
Ia, full stop. I want to go to sleep and wake up next year when its all over.In other news....
there is a Potato and fries shortage in Samoa. Ahliki wholesale have begun rationing and we are only allowed to be 1 box fries/potatoes at a time. What does this mean ? for all your fish n chip lovers, please dont be haters when our menu becomes Fish n ulu fries ..or taro fries or eggplant (all things Id much rather have but anyways) yes...if you are living overseas and feel the need to help your family. Maybe send some potatoes our way
fanks .
