Our post-election sentiments are so side-splitting at times...lol

When great changes occur, some thoughts will be overwhelmed by emotions of what was, some minds woken up, and some hearts broken. That’s how it is! But because events in life are unlike a recording that you can playback, fast-forward or rewind anytime you want, press the play and savour every minute of the moment, of course not losing grip on the degree of focus required for the future.

That said, I believe that Jaliba Kuyateh like every other Gambian has the right (earned or otherwise) to celebrate a happy occasion. If I choose to cry my emotions out, and he uses his trade to sing a song in praise, I cannot assuredly claim that he’s ego-feeding, nor can I not allow him the privilege. What I can at the very least do is to be civil. If you ask me, I believe there’s a difference between an opportunist and someone seizing an opportunity to do what he was dying to do the whole time.

The progress of the process of democracy is not in building too many walls; one doesn't have to be a career politician to know that; it’s about ending differences and building bridges. Yes, it is natural to feel disappointment that he kept his tongue behind his teeth when he was expected to talk, but it’s also wise to ask: was talking really all that there was to be done? In fact, President-elect Barrow was UDP (so I was told), yet most of us didn’t know him like we knew the rest. But just because he wasn’t all over the place doesn’t mean he did nothing or was indifferent; he was perhaps differently active.

We need to overstand that change is a cumulative effect of many small actions (covert or overt). In our case, from that straw that stirred the drink, including those who paid the ultimate price, to those combined straws that broke the camel's back, i.e. the political alliance, the go-funders, the advocacy groups, youth leaders, voters, hood popes, etc.

I am sure those who feel entitled to accolades will be recognised in due course –the ORGs and all. But in the meantime, if you have a pre-election chapter that you wouldn’t want to read out loud, stop reading out someone else’s. Some of us have been on social media from I don’t know when, and have seen enough to state that If we should do a ‘sosolaso’ and dig up some memories from a few years back, some people doing the apathy-bashing on here will be shamed, but that will be as petty.