Two
wrongs do not make a right; they form a couple – which in turn parents other
wrongs
Gracious
Egedegbe, 2015
Allow
me to dispense with introductions and get straight to the matter on ground
#TheToldStory
Getting
the fact right can be a bit hard because I was not present at the scene and
majority of the eyewitnesses are either pro-NASELS or pro-STUDENT UNION with
the in-between decreasingly narrow.
I have
however tried to get an almost perfect version.
On that
fateful day, Immanuel Kant, the Student Union’s PRO, alongside some other guys,
wanted to make an announcement to 200level students of the department of
English currently having a lecture at ODLT. As it turned out, the lecturer,
Prof Y.K. Yusuf would not allow such. He (at this point things get messy) told
him to get out of the lecture room. Probably in a bid to explain himself, the
PRO approached the lecturer and was pushed back. Soon, Hon Seun, Secretary
General of the Student Union, “charged in” and interrupted the class. The story
ends with both parties demanding apology letters.
#Facts
It has
been a tradition as far as I can tell for the Student Union’s PRO to make
announcements in classes during lecture hours. This is most probably to
discharge his responsibility of disseminating information.
On the
other hand, the lecturer is responsible for how he spends his lecture hour(s).
Whether he decides to share his hour(s), with those who wish to make
announcements, is entirely up to him.
As it
turns out, the lecturer refused to allow the PRO intrude on his time. There is
nothing wrong in that.
What is
wrong, however, is the lecturer’s alleged approach. That is wrong on two
counts. First, the PRO represents the generality of OAU student. He deserves by
virtue of his position to be treated with respect. Furthermore, even if he were
not serving in that capacity, he still does not deserve to be “shouted at” or
even “pushed”. Let us assume this represents the “male wrong’; there is also the
“female wrong”.
Hon
Seun’s charge into the class certainly was not a good move. Even more, the
“invasion” of CEC officials alongside pro-STUDENT UNION boys (some might read
thugs) was certainly not a good move either. It was a rather crude way of dealing
with a delicate matter. That was wrong on three counts. Culturally, the
lecturer in question, no matter how wrong, should have be treated with
respect. Secondly, bringing guys (do not
read thugs) would register in the mind of NASELS’ guys, an attempt to show
physical might. Finally, it reeked of “near intimidation” and “power
drunkenness” among others.
#WhenTwoElephantsFight
The
Department of English boasts of over a 1000 students every session. They have a
right to collectivity and loyalty when the need arises, even to their lecturers
and executives. In addition to that, they form a quite a number of the
eyewitnesses and can easily decide the narrative. They should however realize
that they are a part of a whole; they do not stand alone. The Student Union
represents the generality of Great Ife Students, Nasels alike.
The
Student Union is the grand defender of Great Ife Students, or so it is expected
to be. Its executives, among others, represent thousands of students. It is
generally more recognized than any departmental association. As such, it can be
compared with the Federal government with across-the-board duties and privileges.
Despite all this, it must realize that it, like a human body, should not
undermine any of its parts. There should be a constant striving for peace and
unity
#TheGraySubmission
From
the foregoing, it is obvious that two wrongs have breed quite a number of
problems. It would also be clear to the seeing that no side is ready to back
down. This is quite understandable for two reasons. First, pride is at the
edge. Should a side back down, it would be a case of the victor and the
vanquished. Secondly, there is the argument of precedence. The outcome of this
“clash” would go a long way to decide how future events of similar nature would
play out.
Nevertheless,
it does not have to be that way. All parties should come in the spirit of
humility, peace and unity and reach a compromise. No party can be absolved of
any blame. “All have sinned!” Each party must accept their roles in the events
that happened and apologize. As such, there will be no victor nor vanquished,
just two groups of people who have shown maturity and intellectualism.
But
then, what do I know?
Gracious
Egedegbe
@IamTheGray
200
level, Dept of English
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