Maybe I’ve been living under a rock. Maybe I’ve been too wrapped in other things to notice. Or maybe I just plain suck at life. I can’t quite figure out the reason just yet, all I know is that I am no longer in the dark about the Somali pirates. At a meeting for the Organization of African Students, I was educated on the situation with the Somali pirates and why they are doing what they are.
I was shocked to learn that it wasn’t because they were cruel, bloodthirsty savages, or crazed, greedy men hunting for buried treasure: it’s overfishing. Hearing the back story to this left my mouth agape. These pirates, who had been all over major news networks like CNN weren’t just monsters. They were men fighting for what they thought was right when no one else would stand up for them. Before you think I’m justifying this piracy, read on and try to follow along.
Many of Somalia’s people make a living as fishermen, but they have been without a central government for almost twenty years, therefore they have no authority to efficiently protect their rights to their own coastline. As a result of this, many foreigners come to Somalia’s coast, stealing an estimated $300 million worth of seafood and leaving Somali fishermen with little to no food to bring home. The men grew increasingly frustrated with the way things were going, and began a more harmless patrol squad that wandered the waters, seeking out foreigners who were illegally fishing and dumping waste in Somali waters, and demanding they pay a tax.
When this proved to be unsuccessful, the piracy began. This desperate measure has now led to 3 deaths and much violence. This story is one of vigilantes doing what they felt they needed to do in order to gain back control of their land. I’m not saying that this is a feasible excuse for violence, because it is not. Like Sting said in his song, “Fragile”: “nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could.” However, we must practice some compassion and attempt to understand these men and where they’re coming from. Knowledge and understanding are the only things that will help us solve problems.
Now, forgive me for going off topic but I come from a country in West Africa where I was very lucky to live a privileged lifestyle and be able to afford the best in life. However, I know that other places in Africa are in major trouble with many different issues. The deterioration of Africa and the seizing of its resources has often been referred to as “The Rape of Africa.” One of the most popular examples of this is the diamonds from Sierra Leone, an issue that has spawned a hit songsas well as a hit movie complete with Leonardo DiCaprio. Many Africans are growing more and more irate and this is what their frustration is leading to: violence.
I understand that this is pretty controversial and, to some, sensitive stuff. I would love to hear what you guys think. Feel free to voice your opinions on anything I mentioned.
