The actions of a few most times, define the perception of the many. Stereotypes are formed from the encounters people have with singled out representatives of the whole.
Nigeria’s history is one interesting read, whichever biased version you come across. It is the tale of a people with so much potential, plunged headlong into one alley or the other designed to keep them away from achieving that potential.
One interesting thing that is common with whichever version of the history you read is the impression, overtly or covertly stated, of different groups by others. This is usually a product of years of encounters, real or imagined or handed down that have come to represent the brush with which that group is colored each time. So often that it becomes difficult to even know when we are falling into this.
Question though is, who are these individuals who were the archetypes upon which the stereotypes were built?
Make no mistake. There is no smoke without a fire. Behind every stereotype is a ‘subject zero’ from where the initial impression was formed. They may not have known it but at the end of the day, their character strengths or weaknesses eventually will define the group they belong to.
Now to the actual subject of this post before it gets too long and winded.
Nigerian youths today are wont to describe the older generation as the problem of this country. Some of the older generation will tell you they are afraid of what will become of this country with the ‘kinds’ of people they see the youths becoming.
And so, because of that, young people are being misled to assume that anyone older than them will only be another copy from the production line that bequeaths only faulty specimens …and vice versa.
You see, I know there are older people in Nigeria who are the definition of competence, integrity, wisdom, patriotism and progress. I also know there are young people in abundance who are the definitions of same because I have encountered them in their numbers.
But again, you see, I also know that there are older people who are the dictionary definitions – to a T – of greed, avarice, evil, selfishness, foolishness, idiocy, visionless-ness, dim-wittedness, etc. Again, ditto for young people.
So, who are the ‘subject zeros’ that people encounter in this two categories that make them form the opinions that tar whole generations?
A better question still …are you one of them?
When you look back at the experiences people have of you, do you in all honesty think you belong in the first category, those who leave impressions that build confidence in your generation – or the second …those who spread the muck.
2, 5, 10 years from now, when others sit back to assess what your conduct has been like, will they give you a thumbs up or down? Make no mistake, the position or point of view you hold today which ‘justifies’ your actions to you may not be as relevant in the scheme of things down the line. However, perceptions you have created in the hearts of many may never change.
When people have unkind words for your generation, does your self-evaluation show that you are part of the problem? Do you really feel you are a great specimen of your generation? You know, the type people refer to as role models?
