So I realize that I’m a bit delayed
with my response to this “Spear” painting. I’ve being monitoring the media and
all, listening to people’s opinions on whether Brett Murry (the artist) and the
Goodman gallery are in the wrong or right, or is the ANC party and leader
taking this a bit too far? Is the
President infringing on the rights of the people? And is Mr. Murry infringing
on Mr. Zuma’s rights? One throws the race card in… the other throws the religious
card and then some others play the “disrespect to cultures” card.
With the title “president” comes
great pressures and responsibilities. As a leader and especially one of a
country, it is obvious that you would have to watch your every word, you’re
every move and every reaction, as the country will be holding you responsible!
As we all know Mr. Zuma has said some… well to be quiet frank, he has said some
really dumbass things! We can go back to the “shower the aids off” story or comments
he has made about the homosexual community and culture, not to mention
underlining racial nudges he has made from time to time. So yes Mr., Zuma be
prepared to take it like a man when it bites you in the arse –if you can dish
it out make sure you can get it back- then we have the corruption within the
government and some of the heads of various departments. And of course who must
answer? The leader, the president. It’s just the way it is. Now I’m not saying
the ANC is the only party that have corruption or who make uneducated statements,
but they are the leading party and unfortunately they are in the spotlight and
are under scrutiny from the public.
So when a respected artist decides
that he would like to express how he feels about the current situations in the
country I think he has just as much right as Mr. Zuma had when he slandered the
homosexual community as well as embarrassing a nation by saying aids can be
washed off in the shower, and chanting “kill the Boer” (lead by example?) and
that’s just a few… so yes Brett Murry had every right to express his feelings
the way he did.
Was this painting of Jacob Zuma’s
genital offensive to him and his family as well as his culture? Well yes it
was! Of course it was! Who wouldn’t be offended? He was probably just as
offended as the homosexual community was and as offended as the Afrikaans community
felt, as well as everyone else he has offended in his “up in the air statements”.
In SA we have many different race’s, cultures and creeds and it is impossible
to –at one time- not offend everyone, someone will always be offend in some way.
In the end we can learn a lot about
one in their response to particular situations and how they react. Do they blow
up and become defensive? Do they “turn their check”? Or do they use their power
to make something seem bigger than what it is? It is very clear that the ANC and their leaders have used their
power to bring a halt to society… and to fight against the very rights
that South Africans have –Freedom of Expression- those children marching and protesting… why
where they not in class ? Why where all the people protesting not at work or
studies trying to better themselves? And in that, uplifting our county. It’s simple,
it’s because the “leaders” we as South Africans look up to for guidance and
leadership are encouraging childish public acts of display and once again
making uneducated decisions.
I’ll leave this subject with these
words: Jacob Zuma’s reaction aside from his previous ones tells us a lot about
his leading styles… does he lead by example? And does he just use his power to
shift focus?
How many rapes; murders; starving
children; houseless families; communities without schooling; communities who
have no access to running water or electricity have we missed? What about the gentleman
or lady lying in pain in hospital waiting for an operation that could save their
life, but they cannot afford it? Surely these all have more importance than a
painting of a leader’s penis?
Where is our concentration being
shifted? And why are we allowing this?
Come on leader! Come on “father of
our nation”! Encourage us to uplift our nation as one! Stop encouraging this
segregation and rebellion!
What about the freedom
that was once promised?
Picture Source: http://www.google.co.za/imgres?imgurl=http://files.abovetopsecret.com/files/img/bh4fac85f6.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread839319/pg1&usg=__5xuAwpHbud0g-Io91-d4NtGlaFk=&h=525&w=350&sz=54&hl=en&start=3&zoom=1&tbnid=AGiza4TJGFwulM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=88&ei=yoXOT473C4OXhQeE1MiiDA&itbs=1
-Blythe Linger-
