A Note to the Forgotten

We live in a society where everybody is striving to make it to the next day, next phase of life, to gain reputable social standing and much more. In this journey we often long for people to look into our eyes and assure us of a better tomorrow, give us hope that the fight is worth fighting but no so often do we get such people in our midst. As Alain de Botton says in a #TEDTalk on “ A kinder, gentler philosophy of success” he enunciates that we all long for the most fundamental emotional rewards such as love, affection, appreciation, recognition and this is what drives us into materialism generally i.e. when an individual buys a Rolls Royce chances are more people will be inclined to befriend him/her which fulfils the initial longing for recognition and validation.

Recently we had mid-term elections in the USA which saw a record number of women getting elected to congress and especially the first time when we have Muslim-women being elected to congress one of whom is Ilhan Omar, a Somali who traversed the continent through Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya before finding her way to the US. It’s such a commendable achievement and a source of inspiration to the forgotten ladies out there to strive to dream and pursue those dreams, it’s possible to realize the most unthought-of dream. This isn’t the basis as to why I am crafting this piece so let me delve into the why.

The most basic on human nature is sentimentalism and a need for belonging just as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs outlines immediately after satisfying our physiological and safety needs. This underscores the whole narrative by Alain de Botton and justifies human tendencies to strive for more and more achievement which I wouldn’t claim to be wrong but then when as a society we hail great achievements and turn a blind eye to the small strides as per societal perception we are failing ourselves. We are eliminating the reward aspect of the process and making those who do so much with little returns feel unappreciated, unvalued regardless of how much they try. The same fuels the desire for massive success without being socially conscious of the consequences of means we may employ to get to our desired destination. I feel obliged to show recognize the forgotten in our societies and give them hope to keep keeping-on, their little efforts may not be recognized widely but we feel them and appreciate them. So here we go;

      “As mama mboga wherever you are the society may not notice all that you go through to put food to your table for your family. Waking up at the crack of dawn to rush to ‘Markiti’, ‘Gikomba’ etc. to get your daily stock so that your family never goes hungry, so that your child/children get school-fees, so that they can have uniforms for school and so that they can get clothing let alone the rent that you have to remit by 5th of every month to your landlord. It isn’t as easy, but you are managing, you are doing great. It may never give you recognition in the media houses, it may never get you covered by journalists and surely it may not make you so rich to get you recognition in the society but of all rest assured that your family sees how much you work for them, God knows how hard you are working for them and that is enough. I acclaim you for keeping on the hustle with diligence, you would quit out of frustration but then that won’t take care of your family so just keep on.”

      “As a security guard it is not many times that you get recognized for the hard work you do to keep others safe, guide those who have lost their way on the streets etc. You are passed by our journalists at the ground floor as they take lifts to the 10th floor to have an exclusive with your employer whose business is thriving. They feature him/her to be among the few millionaires/billionaires who keep the economy not recognizing the work you put in day after day. You earn a few bucks at the end of the month which is meant to help you fend for your family. Most times it’s never enough for your needs so you take double shifts or work with different contracting companies to offer services with one firm during the day and another at night. The only time you get with the family you work for so hard is the few minutes or an hour as you transit from one station to the next, but you still keep on for you believe in them and own in up as your responsibility to take care of them. At times you even have dependants in your rural home for whom you are the only hope and being in the city you are the light of the home; you do much for them, but this may never be noticed by the society. You may never get hailed, but rest assured you are driving our societies and I am proud of your effort. Keep keeping on.”

       “As a casual worker you wake up early every morning heading to unspecified destinations in the hope that at the end of each day you will have earned enough to cater for your needs and that of your family. Some days you never get into the sites to carry on and must move around in search of other alternatives, it’s not easy but you are doing it and succeeding. You carry boulders for constructing buildings you may never get access to upon completion, but you still do it, the owner may not recognize you the next time you pass by but just do what you got to. Be glad you did your part, you have done great and I hail you for keeping on with the hustle.”

       “As an attendant at a restaurant; here I refer to you as a chef, waiter, marketer at the door ushering in people, cleaner etc.; you report to work daily, perform your tasks and even do more. Often-times you do it and get accustomed for you have to make a living. The restaurant grows but your salary remains the same, the owner opens a new joint and you are transferred without considering whether you wanted to or not, but you still do it. You prepare, serve or market meals your monthly salary cannot afford even for a single day, but you keep doing it because you have a family to fend for, you have bills to pay and a life to live. Not many times will you be appreciated for the work you do; some guests may even be harsh to you when they presume the services didn’t meet their expectations but never say a word when you surpass their expectations. You deserve better but before then be happy for I am proud of you and you are the kind of person that gives me hope. Keep on keeping on.”

“As a single mother/father the stresses of life keep pressuring you with a longing to make it and be able to take your child to the best school as your peers who are married. To be able to live in the neighbourhoods where your peers live. The society may never recognize that you are bound to do all you do single-handedly with nobody to support you either financially or emotionally just to give you the assurance that when tomorrow comes, it will be a new dawn with its’ own blessings and to let you know that you are doing well. I am here to tell you that you are a hero, you are a fighter and of all you are successful for you child eats, he/she goes to school and of all he/she is loved and cared for by you. Keep on keeping on for it’s your resilience and perseverance that gives the next person, the next generation the courage and motivation to push on however bleak the future may seem.

“As a university/college student who takes up multiple tasks around to stay afloat and even on occasion support your family back home, don’t give up for you are doing well and I acclaim you. You may not go out for parties with your peers, you may not have the latest fashion in clothing and even your circle of friends will be limited. Nobody recognizes you nor wants to relate with you for you don’t fit in their criteria for ‘friends’. The closest you get to your peers is when they have a task you can perform for them after which you are relegated. Don’t you worry for you are already living the life and doing great at it, the people who care will come in and be your friends. I am proud of you and the effort you are putting in whatever it is that you do. Your siblings look up to you, your village has you as the role model for their children, your parents bank all their hopes on you and that’s good enough just keep on keeping on.”

You may be forgotten for you don’t form the circle of the ‘who’s who’ in whatever sphere you operate in, but rest assured that you are doing great and the least I can do is let you know that you are shaping the world. You give someone hope, motivation and courage to move on, you give someone a smile when you provide for them however little it may seem; when this is multiplied, the ripple effect is stupendous, and it all is because of you. You are loved, cared for and appreciated in the greatest of ways possible.

*“ The forgotten” in this piece refers to the minorities who are given little consideration or attention in our society, they appear invisible to the majority, they are not recognized in public functions and the media pays even least attention to them unless they make great achievement as seen with Ilhan.

Twitter: @DavyJnr // @RycultureHealth

Blog: https://www.bonstadafa.wordpress.com