Sometimes, I wonder if it's a blessing or a burden to be a citizen. You can just wake up in your part of your world, minding your business, striving to make ends meet, only to see yourself responding for a decision leaders made on your behalf.
Leaders you have never met but only know that they occupied a seat at the top. When they were busy making policies, you weren't there to approve them, but citizens will be seen bearing the consequences of their action. Does it make any sense that the citizens or even celebrities suffer for actions they can't control? That's the big question.
Why does it look like our world loves it more when masses suffer a punishment rather than focusing on the people concerned?
Whenever there is global conflict whereby one country attacks another, before the twinkling of an eye, the world will turn against the citizens of that country. The whole internet will be filled with backlash; citizens will face discrimination, especially those abroad; their businesses will get destroyed; and celebrities are not left out with the many pressures from all sides. Most victims wouldn't know anything was going on until they see news on the Internet, yet they are affected. That's injustice.
Looking back to the time when Russia and Ukraine had conflict, I remember that most Russians residing in some part of Europe became a target, and their students and business men were attacked. I also heard that athletes were banned from participating in competitions over there. All these because our leaders made a decision at the top, and it traveled to affect innocent citizens wherever they are. Is this really fair? No, of course, but that's the type of world we find ourselves in.
Discussing this topic as a Nigerian is on another level, simply because we have been judged so much wrongly. The stereotype is too effective on us globally too, just because of the bad actions of some people, but unfortunately, it's always generalized that all Nigerians are bad, scammers, name it. Our people abroad are treated unfairly in certain places; we are denied opportunities all because we are citizens of Nigeria with a corrupt government.
The international students abroad are not left out. Any little issues, and they are being suspected of theft or other negativities all because our government never manages our funds well, so all Nigerians are bad with handling money? Every now and then, you see citizens paying for the sins they never committed; it's unfair. Government and citizens are never the same, but unfortunately, citizens bear the consequences of actions they never bargained for.
Overall, I feel the way forward over this unfairness is us citizens speaking up whenever our leaders make harsh decisions. Get involved during elections regardless of if they will do it right or not; who knows, at least let our voice count whenever possible.
Again, let the whole world know that citizens shouldn't be used as scapegoat whenever things go wrong in a country; let's call a spade a spade instead of subjecting fellow humans to suffering from what he or she has no hand in, but simply because he is a citizen of the country . If the leaders commit an offense, let them face it; if the citizens do, let them face it. Everyone should bear their consequences individually instead of this madness we see today.
Images were taken from canva