We Are Far from Free

Freedom can be defined simply as the state of being at liberty from confinement or restraint. With the advent of easy individual access to mass communication spaces, certainly an increasing number of voices speak of and demonstrate 'freedom' in this simplistic definition of the term. 

However, it seems we talk more and walk less freedom so we’re far from being free. Our mentality and reaction to what happens outside of the confines of this kingdom continues to expose a number of us to this truth.

This past week I was initially irritated when people on Facebook continuously disseminated the exact same message after literally copying and pasting it. My irritation evolved to sadness and hurt when the number of people who committed this heinous act grew even five days after the message was first posted. 

The text which started with the words DEADLINE TOMORROW went on to detail how Facebook is deep in the process of invading our privacy as users in contravention of serious laws including the Rome Statute, and how the only way of stopping Facebook from this invasive route was by copying and circulating this message. In fact here’s the message:

Deadline tomorrow!!! Everything you've ever posted becomes public from tomorrow. Even messages that have been deleted or the photos not allowed. It costs nothing for a simple copy and paste, better safe than sorry. Channel 13 News talked about the change in Facebook's privacy policy. I do not give Facebook or any entities associated with Facebook permission to use my pictures, information, messages or posts, both past and future. With this statement, I give notice to Facebook it is strictly forbidden to disclose copy, distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of privacy can be punished by law (UCC 1-308- 1 1 308-103 and the Rome Statute). NOTE: Facebook is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you prefer, you can copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once it will be tactically allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in the profile status updates. DO NOT SHARE. Copy and paste.

Free or Dom?

So why am I stressed about people clearly exercising their 'power or right to act, speak, or think as they want'? Isn’t this the essence of freedom? My challenge is around the 'think' part. Ok sharp; that's also within an individual's right, right?

In probing the evolution of my feelings from irritation to sadness and hurt, I realized why this gauche social networking stunt bothered me so much. The problem is people. People are a problem when they are part of your interdependence chain; when you need them for your own progression as an individual or as a collective hence hurt. Because why are we not free from ourselves? 

Are we waiting for some Che Guevara to tell us that it's okay to exercise independent thinking and action even though we are a part of an ecosystem of interdependence? That we can and should free ourselves from ourselves in order to be useful to the complete chain? That the interdependence chain itself doesn't come with physical chains? Are we free or Dom?

Ok, sharp maybe I'm a difficult nutcase but what is Channel 13 News? When exactly is TOMORROW if the U.S. from where the message originated is at least seven hours behind local time? Law UCC 138 what? 

Is Swaziland even a signatory of the International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute? Isn’t the Rome Statute established around four central international crimes: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crime of aggression? 

What is a public entity? What have all these things got to do with a Facebooker in rural kaLanga? Ok sharp, for arguments sake let’s say they do affect me then what? A simple copy and paste will guarantee me all the legal recourse I deserve to counter Facebook's intentions?

Passive Consumerism

It’s as if this newspaper has never published stories of people being scammed of their monies, wives, husbands and even lives; landing up as human trafficking victims after gullibly responding to unverified Facebook messages. What will free us from ourselves?

Our readiness to consume anything from ‘relevant’ sources without questioning continues to embarrass us. It uncovers the depth of our ignorance. Remember how over the years we’ve distressingly aligned ourselves to celebrating Women’s Day on August 9 when this is a day exclusive to neighboring South Africa and South Africa alone? Passive consumption.

Think about how we subconsciously react to Muslims based on foreign media reports which often make Muslims out to be synonymous with ‘Terrorism’. 

It’s been donkey years of ALL Swazis indulging in their halaal delicacies including Lucky Star Pilchards, Rama margarine, and finger licking good Kentucky Fried Chicken amongst dozens of retail products we consume daily. 

But as recently as last month, our Christian leaders were up in arms warning people not to eat halaal meat offered to all Swazis in celebration of the Muslims’ Eid-ul-Adah.

We should get into the habit of handling information the same way pedestrians treat a Zebra Crossing; look right, then left and right again then walk across. Just because this is a space designated for pedestrians it doesn’t mean they should walk across without heeding oncoming vehicles. That is freedom. It comes with responsibility.