Culture of silence
IWISH to thank the general secretary of the Fiji Council of Churches, the Reverend Simione Tugi, for his wise words in calling for an end to our culture of silence. We are all held captive by the desire to keep quiet and not get involved. Mr Tugi is wise. Preaching in our churches is preaching to the converted. We need to get outside and speak up when necessary. We are all aware of the dangers of drugs, and the other social ills that beset us, especially our young people, but we sit tight and say not a word.
Need to reach the young
We need to reach out to the young people who are not interested in anything outside their own little worlds. We should gather young groups of them, find ways to interest them in learning more about the big wide world with all its temptations. Could we look to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for some positive work in this field? We need to find ways to bring young people to the understanding that leads to wisdom. So many lives are being lost unnecessarily.
Involve the whole of society
The government, the churches, the other faith traditions and all the organisations that seek to deal with our social ills need the assistance of everyone, beginning with the parents at home. Children learn more in the home than in school or anywhere else. They learn by being told how to live their lives, being taught honesty and openness and being taught to listen. They learn by example, so parents, you have a great responsibility. And we all look to you. Our natural culture of silence has been reinforced over the years of silencing imposed on us. Now, with our renewed freedom granted about a year ago, we should be speaking out, challenging the status quo and acting to improve things.
Denial of the past
It is with dismay that I read of a government minister, and also the Acting Commander of the military forces, denying the vast amount of suffering that was inflicted on so many in the years after 2006. We need to speak out now as Pita Waqavonovono is doing. Yes, the past is best left alone. That is too easy an answer. We need reconciliation and truth. Trying to deny the past is not acceptable. All those of us who knew what it meant to “be invited up for a cup of tea” cannot just forget and be satisfied with “it’s just allegations” (FT 7/12). Those who live with the reurring nightmares need room to seek some understanding and recompense, or at least someone who will listen and some who will admit the truth.
Truth and reconciliation
It is getting well beyond time for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission that will go back over the past 37 years to help us. This is the path to mercy and the way to bring an end to our culture of silence. It will require sensitivity and above all absolute honesty on the part of all of us. Have we as a nation, the courage to embark on this? As a largely Christian country, with other faith traditions that also have a culture of mercy, we should not hesitate, but move forward together.
What has happened to consultation?
With renewed freedom granted us a year ago, we have been promised genuine consultation and discussion before decisions are made. I was more than a little upset to read (FT 3/2) the report of the Minister for Lands, Filimoni Vosarogo, and to hear him say on
TV, that “he does not consult directly with the with landowners or an NGO”, referring to LAMA as an NGO. I think the minister is misinformed. LAMA is a group of landowners, not registered as an NGO. It is a group of people who are seeking to break the culture of silence and speak out about the loss of their land and their resources. It seems that government is not prepared to listen.
A final plea
I still have had no response to my cry about the cashless society. I can see the benefit to the business world, but there are many of us not in that part of the community. We need notes and coins in our purses. We need to be sure of the future. Is that bothersome bus card problem really solved for those living in remote areas where top up machines are not readily available?
What is the use of breaking the culture of silence if those who can change things for the better and are not prepared to listen? I am old enough to say ‘oh! it doesn’t matter’, but it does matter. Even for those approaching the end of life, these things do matter, for everyone. For years we have had a special ten days near the end of the year to promote breaking the silence over gender violence, but there is little real response or improvement in many lives of those who suffer hurt in the home.
Break the culture of silence
Where is our great Fijian spirit that cheers on our boys? Where are our voices speaking out for the things that matter? We do not wish to hear Mr Tugi’s prediction “we are doomed”, nor do we wish to find it come true. Come on Fiji! We can do it! Break the culture of silence – today!