GIJ Politics Sense of Entitlement

“When we think we are automatically entitled to something,

that is when we start walking over all others to get it.”

–Criss Jami

III.    The Sense of Entitlement

One fascinating thing I have observed is the fact that many student leaders in GIJ are courted, groomed and/or recruited as foot soldiers by some past executives with the delightful arrangement and promise of helping them gain political recognition in due season. A situation natural to this process is that, these sidekicks come to think of positions in the school as their inheritance and expect all and sundry to bequeath it to them without question.

Having vowed fealty to the powers that be, many such soldiers bask in their buffoonery and traverse the summits of notoriety in the name of allegiance because they know there are big hands behind the political stage that can pull strings to save them from any penalty and reward their fatuous loyalty. Thankfully, God has a sense of humour. Their Commanders-in-Chief either realize their immaturity with time or sideline them in favour of more marketable figures when the time comes. 

And, this is where it gets really interesting. There arise all sorts of drama that makes Shakespearean Classics look normal. The once vocal foot soldier becomes a staunch critic of everything he once celebrated; revolting against his master and ready to bite the hand that fed him; politically speaking though.

This foot soldier and commander-in-chief arrangement also creates sickening situations of monopolized opportunity and preferential treatments.  As a way of rewarding the most loyal soldiers and committed combatants, those at the helm of affairs often shade the truth and bend the rules to compensate their people. This often means doing everything possible to keep others out and bring the loyalists in - even if they are square pegs in round holes. 

Exposition:

For someone who has benefitted immeasurably from my seniors and course mates, I should be either mad, confused or both to suggest that being a mentee to a current student politician is questionable.  Personally, and from a distance, I have profited from the experiences of many student ‘leaders’. In fact, the list is beyond what my mind can number or name.

What is my point then? Associating with an executive, pledging blind loyalty and sacrificing every sense of decency, dignity and discipline in the hope of a political inheritance is disgraceful.

Exception:

There are those who relate closely with SRC Executives and yet don’t count GIJ positions as their inheritance. By their deeds, you will know them.