The Death of Common Sense in Ghana
Common Sense is Dead!
Today we
mourn the passing of an old friend and mother, Common Sense, who has been our teacher
and caretaker for many years. For years we had heard of the deaths of her namesakes in Europe and North America but we did not realise that the end of our own beloved Common Sense was near. Like her namesakes who passed before her, no one knows for sure how old she was, since her
birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
Affectionately
known to many as Sound Thinking, Good Faith, Rational Thought, and Moral Fortitude, she selflessly devoted herself to a
life of service in homes, schools, hospitals and offices, helping folks get jobs
done without fuss, fanfare, or drama. But alas! Never again will logic and good conscience grace our presence.
She was a
most loving mother, and will be remembered as having taught us such valuable
lessons as:
Knowing
when to come in out of the rain,
The early bird gets the worm,
Life isn't always fair,
Maybe it was my fault, and
Short cuts make long delays.
The early bird gets the worm,
Life isn't always fair,
Maybe it was my fault, and
Short cuts make long delays.
Common Sense lived by simple but sound financial principles (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not
children, are in charge).
Her health began to deteriorate after she inhaled the deadly "All things African are bad, All things Western are the Best, virus", and rapidly worsened when rights were placed above
responsibilities.
Common sense took a beating when twerking and sexual
dexterity became basic school certificates whilst high school students could
not do basic arithmetic. She suffered a
relapse as children and youths took to insulting their elders and her condition deteriorated when this was justified in the name of partisan politics and freedom of expression.
Reports of 5-year olds required to learn Comprehensive Sexual Education, school authorities prosecuted for sanctioning teenage girls that have taken to social media to advertise their sexual prowess and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened her condition.
Reports of 5-year olds required to learn Comprehensive Sexual Education, school authorities prosecuted for sanctioning teenage girls that have taken to social media to advertise their sexual prowess and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened her condition.
Common sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for
doing the job they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly
children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental
consent to administer an aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents
when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common sense lost the will to live when the churches became
businesses, discarded the Ten Commandments but became fixated on collecting
tithes, and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
She finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize
that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilt a little in her lap and was
promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common sense was preceded in death, by her parents; Truth and
Integrity.
Her husband, Discretion.
Her daughter, Responsibility.
And her son, Reason.
She is survived by her 4 stepsisters:
I know my rights.
It is not my fault.
I don’t deserve this, and
I’m a victim.
Not many attended her funeral because very few realized she
was gone. If you still remember her, pass this on if not, join the majority and
do nothing.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.
This is an adapted version of a text originally composed
by Lori Borgman (https://www.loriborgman.com/1998/03/15/the-death-of-common-sense/)
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