Today is Friday 13th. Before coming to North America I never knew about the superstitions associated with this date. Now I know, I have never believed in superstitions in my life. Should I start now?
Apart from being a non-believer when it comes to superstitions, there are things that I consider “bad cases” when I see them. I believe that is a power of imagination, you can call it self-inflicted superstition. As an African (not every African will tell you this) coming from a normal African family, I have been taught to never give away my pride. The only exceptions allowed is when I deem extremely necessary to do so.
As far as I believe, pride is not a bad thing. It only hinders unnecessary foreign forces to come in, to conquer, to destroy, and kill your mind and soul. It’s a good self defense and roadmap for knowing yourself, your purpose and light for the future.
Over last week the media gateways were busy carrying out a story about Madonna adapting an African boy from Malawi .Apart from all the criticisms that has aroused following these news, I support what Lady Madonna has done for a young Malawian boy (David) in Malawi. Even if I have my personal reservation on who should adopt any child in the world, I welcome any assistance or support rendered to the poor, the underpriviledged, innocent children wherever in the world. If I was to get into details about my reservation, the cultural heritage and understandind would lead my case.
Nevertheless, I hate the way the boy’s dad (Yohane Banda) has buried his pride of fatherhood/ parenthood. How could he give out his son to a stranger (it doesn’t matter if it’s super star Madonna) while he is still alive, able to work, better his life and support his family including his little boy? What exactly is going on down in Malawi?
We have to remember one important fact, adoption is not like a support which can be cancelled anytime.(unless if the laws in Malawi are different) Legally you are giving away all your rights to someone who agrees to adopt your child. That is what this Malawian father has just done. From his interviews that I have seen, it appears that he was not clearly advised of his rights. He thinks he is overjoyed by the fact that his boy “goes to America” not knowing that his parental contract with his son just ended.
Now where is the pride of being a parent? What happened to the dedicated and unlimited love of a parent? Or did he agree for the terms out of same word LOVE? How many of you are ready to do what this father did (if you are a parent)? Another question that lingers in my mind is that, Is Madonna doing this out of love or seeking fame? Is adopting African children a new “made in Hollywood” fashion or PR strategy? Do africans know about this possibility?
And the last tough question. What if this boy’s mother was alive? Would she have given out her son? Many questions, few answers.
