Have I ever had the privilege of being the subject of a commercial psychotherapeutic session? However, through reading and television, I have come to understand that one of the best methods of healing a mental disease is to let the PATIENT TALK. Primarily, and according to my limited knowledge, this forms the major portion of psychotherapy sessions. JUST TALKING. How does this help? Foremost, the doctor has an opportunity to get a clear impression of the patient’s psychological disease. Secondly, and most important, the patient gets an opportunity to hear himself SPEAK RUBBISH. Unless, the patient is mentally sound, which is rarely the case, he will often himself speaking NONSENSE! This usually helps a lot, TALKING ABOUT IT HELPS.
Now, every time we hear somebody say… Luhyas are this… Kalenjins are this… Kikuyus are this… We often brand those who speak tribalists, which is a good and a bad thing. Good, because, their tribalism is exposed by their very own words, as I have observed above, the sick one will hear himself speak about his sickness. Bad, because we often, by TEN WAYS TO FIGHT ETHNICITY
1. Act
Do something. In the face of hatred, apathy will be interpreted as acceptance — by the perpetrators, the public and, worse, the victims. Decent people must take action; if we don’t, ethnicity persists.
2. Unite
Call a friend or co-worker. Organize allies from churches, schools, clubs and other civic groups. Create a diverse coalition. Include children, police and the media. Gather ideas from everyone, and get everyone involved.
3. Support the Victims
Ethnic-crime victims are especially vulnerable, fearful and alone. If you’re a victim, report every
incident — in detail — and ask for help. If you learn about a ethnic-crime victim in your community, show support. Let victims know you care. Surround them with comfort and protection.
4 Do Your Homework
An informed campaign improves its effectiveness. Determine if a hate group is involved, and research its symbols and agenda. Understand the difference between a ethnic crime and a bias incident.
5. Create an Alternative
Do not attend a ethnic rally. Find another outlet for anger and frustration and for people’s desire
to do something. Hold a unity rally or parade to draw media attention away from ethnic.
6. Speak Up
Ethnicity must be exposed and denounced. Help news organizations achieve balance and depth. Do
not debate ethnic-group members in conflict-driven forums. Instead, speak up in ways that draw attention away from hate, toward unity.
7. Lobby Leaders
Elected officials and other community leaders can be important allies in the fight against ethnicity. But some must overcome reluctance — and others, their own biases — before they’re able to take a stand.
8. Look Long Range
Promote tolerance and address bias before another ethnic crime can occur. Expand your community’s comfort zones so you can learn and live together.
9. Teach Tolerance
Bias is learned early, usually at home. Schools can offer lessons of tolerance and acceptance.
Sponsor an “I Have a Dream” contest. Reach out to young people who may be susceptible to
hate-group propaganda and prejudice.
10. Dig Deeper
Look inside yourself for prejudices and stereotypes. Build your own cultural competency, then keep working to expose discrimination wherever it happens — in housing, employment, education and more.
The repression of the expression of tribalistic sentiments is not only unscientific…., it is effectively counterproductive!
