I have just been listening to a teaching (Homily) by Fr. Michael Pfleger. He came to international prominence when he preached at Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s Church during the last US presidential election (Rev. Wright is the flamboyant evangelist whose firebrand sermons caused Obama significant embarrassment in the campaigns). Fr. Pfleger seems to have dedicated his life and ministry in the catholic church to help the poor (black people) of Chicago. I have never been to Chicago (unless you count the few times I have connected flights through O’Hare International Airport) and therefore do not have a firsthand account of the many problems facing the black folk. However in his sermon entitled “where are the voices” Fr. Pfleger lists some of the problems ….
There are only 11 000 black males in the 22 Colleges in the State of Illanois.
22 000 black males are currently incarcerated in the state’s 22 ‘correctional facilities’.
Black males have a pass rate of 34% in colleges.
More black males die of gunshot wounds in Chicago than US Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In “where are the voices” Fr. Pfleger is questioning why there isn’t public outrage at these appalling statistics.
What is the relevance to Zambia you may ask?
Zambia has been ruled by the MMD since 1991. There have been a number of successes BUT on the whole lives of our people have not improved significantly. There is still a shortage of drugs in our hospitals, limited access to good schools, lack of sanitation etc. The excuse time and again is that GRZ lacks resources to provide these essential services! BUT this is the same government that is able to find funds to purchase expensive vehicles for Ministers and other political appointees, pay themselves huge salaries and benefits while they encourage civil servants to accept a pay freeze.
Everyday our papers (the independent ones) are full of one scandal after another. BUT Zambians remain ‘obedient’ and continue paying their taxes.
When the Local Authority does not provide running water and Sewerage services (even after paying for these services), we simply find money to sink boreholes.
When the Local Authority does not provide passable roads, we simply invest in 4X4 vehicles to navigate the potholes.
When ZESCO imposes a national wide load shading of electricity, we simply invest in backup generators.
When crime goes up, we hire private security firms.
BUT where are the voices for the people who can’t afford spend their way out of the mess caused by GRZ incompetence?
The PANEL
2 comments:
The PANEL,
I think that you are correct to draw this parallel. Having lived in Chicago, I have to second the assessments of Fr. Pfleger as to the state of affairs. I should point out however that the circumstance is by no means limited to Chicago, it is simply better publicized there because it is one of the few parts of the country where African Americans actually have significant political power and sufficient allies in other demographic groupings. That's why it is no accident that Illinois is the only State that manages to elect Black Senators. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
Yakina,
We probably need some selfless community organisers in Zambia to act as a voice for the voiceless. More like the role Obama had in Chicago. Unfortunately NGOs funded to carryout such activities are only interested in seminars and conferences.
The PANEL
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