By Asonganyi Tazoacha
The flag is like the identity card of a
country. More importantly, it is a symbol of certain national ideals; it is an
expression of the principle of freedom and inclusiveness. It is not an
instrument for the promotion of stage-managed patriotism. It is not a symbol of
repressive state power. It is not a tool with which demagogic politicians play
games of simplistic patriotism, or puppets and puppeteers grandstand with the
concept of patriotism.
Human progress and achievement is
anchored on the rights of spirit and mind – freedom of speech, press, religion,
assembly, association, and petition for redress. These freedoms can also be
expressed through symbolic actions like the memorable corner-flag dance of
Roger Miller, or the recent symbolic actions of Eto’o Fils, in response to the
gossips of Mourinho about his age. When such symbolic expressions are played
out, opponents jeer, while friends and supporters cheer. That of course is
their right.
The National Football Team is an
effective form of political association; it is a team of individuals united in
common purpose. Like every association, its members enjoy political expression. The
refusal - in protest - of the Captain of the National Football Team to take the
Cameroon flag from the Prime Minister was a supreme act of political
expression. It is a statement about corruption, crooked management practices,
high-handedness, one-upmanship and many other ills that have plagued football
and the team for a long time. Again, opponents are jeering while supporters are
cheering. Individuals may disagree with the message; even society may find it
offensive or disagreeable. However, toleration of such political expression is
a sign of strength. It is patriotism at its best. Patriotism is not just saying
that you love a country, or about touting its flag around, or mouthing the
national anthem while daily bleeding the country through profligacy and
brigandage.
It is interesting that many people are
acting as if this act of political expression by the “Indomitable Lions” is the
most threatening problem faced by the team prior to the Brazil football fiesta.
They are wrong. The act was an expression of the mood of the team that is going
to represent Cameroon in Brazil. We should be thankful that it was here on Cameroon
soil, not faraway in Brazil where the problem would have been more difficult to
resolve, and probably too late. Whatever the outcome of their representation in
Brazil, they leave the rest of us with the message that patriotism is about
living in truth and telling the truth about the country. It is about standing
up to power with courage and integrity.
Each and every one of us may think differently
about the act; my one word to Eto’o is -Thanks! Please know that Cameroonians
look up to your team with a mixture of confidence and anxiety.
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