Get Up, Stand Up and Speak Up
There is a saying that there is nothing new under the sun and as I write this post, I am reminded of the song, ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ by Bob Marley in which he encourages us to stand up for our rights and not give up the fight.
These were powerful words that retain their power even today. A similar call to action is happening in Nigeria where it appears that the adopted slogan for 2024 is, ‘No ‘Gree For Anyone’ which loosely translates to the same call made by Bob Marley.
Songs, skits and videos have been created reiterating that message and many are entertaining but the clear message rings true. Some people are afraid of the slogan in the same way that some leaders are scared of people standing up for their rights and refusing to give up the fight.
‘No Gree for anyone’ is about taking a stand for what is right, refusing to be taken advantage of, challenging the status quo that’s not in your best interest; it’s about demanding for truth, justice and righteousness and not being bamboozled or fed lies. It is about not allowing yourself to be wilfully cheated or be a willing participant to selling your future or your nation.
It’s about not letting anyone make you their scape goats or do their dirty work. And it is about not turning a blind eye when people are destroying what is meant for the collective good of the nation.
In practice, ‘ No Gree for Anyone’ means you point out when others are damaging your environment. That person littering your road should be advised to clean up after themselves and reminding the person ignorantly destroying public property that the phrase means they stop the self sabotage. It means when someone brings wares of questionable sources, you send them packing by refusing to play by their stupid rules.
It looks like refusing to cheat others, selling them fake goods or being a part of a dubious plan to ruin others or your nation. It is about refusing to play ball when the wrongs requests or rules are made.
When we break down the phrase and translate its outcomes, they are all good and positive outcomes that we can expect to see which begs the question, ‘why are some afraid of a catch phrase that demands that any society and its people change for good’?
‘No Gree for anyone’ is a people’s cry for hope and a demand for change because frankly speaking, there isn’t any other option because the status quo is no longer tenable or feasible.
As we move on in the new year, we have to reflect on what the phrase, ‘Get Up, Stand Up and Speak Up’ means for us and how we need to apply it to our specific situations and lives.
There are many times when ‘Getting Up’ for me literally means not allowing my body to call the shots on what it needs but wishes to avoid like my weekly exercise routines.
I see a lot of content on social media and sometimes I see food that is intended to look delicious but will land its consumer in hospital after much indulgence. ‘No gree for anyone’ for me looks like watching what I consume mentally and physically. Just because someone creates contents for views doesn’t mean I have to agree to their content damaging my emotions or physical wellbeing.
How about standing up, what does that mean for you? For me it means standing up for what is right and against what is wrong. It means standing up for my colleagues, family, friends, neighbours, the environment and nation; and it involves standing up to those who mean me and them harm.
Speak up is something we all have a responsibility to do. The announcement at train stations which says, ‘See it, Say it, Sorted’ shows the importance of speaking up. To avoid accidents, speak up when you see a spillage; if something looks dodgy, speak up as it might just save your life and that of others.
If someone is removing parts from a train track and selling them on, speak up because you don’t know who might board that train with the potential of running off the tracks. When we keep quiet, it’s often because we think we are not impacted by the actions of others but we are all interconnected and the danger might be a lot closer than you can ever imagine.
As this slogan builds momentum in Nigeria, I have no doubt that different iterations of it are happening all around the world. Those who are scared of this statement should ask themselves why and those who are yet to embrace it should ask why the delay.
We are the change we crave and we are responsible for a better society, company, business and nation. I leave you with the phrase, ‘No Gree For Anyone’ who will seek to destroy you, your company, business, nation, or life. The least you can do is to not make things easy for anyone who is against you, your life, wellbeing and your future. Thanks for reading and sharing this post; see you next week and don’t forget to subscribe.
