Rob Macaire

UK and Kenya - Response to Iqbal Halani

Some of the most recent comments on my blog need a response.  I have been away for a week and have not had a chance to come back on the disturbing remarks that single out one ethnic group for blame for the country's problems.  Needless to say, I condemn such comments, and I apologise to any readers who have been offended by them - although I know they are far from rare on Kenya blogs and letters to the papers.
 
But what I am struck by, from my experience in different parts of the world, is the terrible impact of the concept of victimhood. Wherever you find two (or more) groups of people, each of whom are convinced they are victims in a given situation, conflict becomes almost inevitable. 

And yet seeing yourself as a victim is almost entirely a matter of choice.  I had that discussion with a British politician recently, who had come from an extremely disadvantaged background to a position of great power and success.  His point was that he could have seen himself as a victim, and blamed other people for his circumstances, but he chose instead to get on with reaching his own goals.  

I wouldn't presume to know everything about the inter-ethnic tensions in Kenya, but I strongly believe that people have an option to turn away from the narratives of victimhood that are pedalled on blogs and sometimes by politicians, in this country.  I don't want to get into refuting the individual points in recent comments on this blog, but I repeat that I in no way condone them, although I continue to welcome and encourage an open debate.  It is only when people voice their views that they can be understood and challenged. 

Posted at 12:00 22 July 2009 by Rob Macaire  |  Comments[3]