Who Are You? Really, who are you?

The whole world has been gripped by the scenes that were plastered on our Television in recent days. We’ve seen horrifying pictures of riot, devastation, callousness and sheer stupidity in some cases.

We’ve heard phrases like, ‘this is not our America, this is not who we are, this is not how we behave’. But what if it is for some or many Americans? How do we know who we truly are unless circumstances happen that make the real us show up?

Before this riot, America was the shining beacon of democracy, the city on a hill that cannot be hidden. They took it upon themselves to be the conscience of the entire world and to have an opinion and exert their influences – welcomed or not.

The American Presidency was revered and respected worldwide. People understood the President as a spokesperson for America and a respected voice for the rest of the world.

This is how America wants to continue to be seen but the question we must ask ourselves is what did they do to protect this brand? The events of the past week did not happen by accident. They were more than four years in the making.

Even as we look at what America could or should have done, we can also take a leaf from their book and learn from recent events.

For us to create or reinforce a brand, we must look at our language, our conducts, choices, actions and complicity.

Mind your language

Throughout the campaign process and the four years of the presidency, we cannot be in denial about the kind of language that was often used. Many statements lent themselves to various interpretations, undermined people and cultures, were condescending and many times bullish.

Sadly too many were willing to excuse or condone the language for whatever reasons.

Mind your conduct

We saw some appalling leadership behaviours on display and supported by appalling behaviours from some followers and sidekicks. Too many kept quiet and those who dared to speak up were vilified.

Mind your choices and decisions

Again some questionable decisions were made but many turned blind eyes to them because they had their own interests to protect. Others because they had some other decisions go their way chose to defend actions that were reprehensible.

Poor choices were not regretted or apologised for; instead they were side stepped even when they were clearly unjustified.

Mind your actions

Actions and inactions have consequences and a lie pushed enough becomes the truth for those who listen to it. Radicalisation starts with consistent drip feeding of a thought until it becomes a belief that people are willing to die for.

Too many double standards were on display but again people condoned, defended or excused them.

Mind your complicity

Inactions and indecisions actually translate to actions and decisions. There are many situations where a ‘do or say nothing’ approach is not acceptable.

Many people including the media, religious, community and political leaders had opportunities to stand up for the right thing and the truth but chose to turn blind eyes.

So we must own up to our own role in everything that happened in recent days. They happened on our watch and we must ask the tough questions like, how was I complicit? Why was I complicit?

So as America grapples with who they thought they were and try to collectively get back to that, we must ask ourselves the same question, who really are we when the chips are down? It’s reflection time for us all.

America has been given a gift to reflect and press the reset button which will allow them to start the rebuilding of the country and the image they want.

We can’t just say who we are, we must show who we are. And we show this in our language, conduct, choices, actions and in standing up for what is right, true, pure and just.

Thank you for reading my post. Have a great week.