Join the revolution

Throughout human history, the idea of revolution has always excited people. Revolutions have rallied those in search of a cause larger than themselves and have given previously aimless men and women a cause they are willing to die for. They have birthed great leaders and they have literally changed the world.
A revolution is a sudden radical and complete change from the way things are normally done. Revolutionaries are usually ignited by one person or a very small group of people who are unwilling to continue living the way they have lived in the past. They believe that something can change and must change and they keep promoting their ideas until a groundswell begins and ultimately changes the situation, often in radical ways.
Revolutions also took place as outdated, ineffective systems or ways of doing things were replaced and old ways of thinking gave way to new ideas.
In Africa, we have had our own share of revolutions, such as the armed revolution of the ANC in South Africa to end Apartheid or the emancipation of the Burkina Faso’s economy and well being in 1980s. These revolutions all had a common trait; they were started by Young Visionaries who were tired of the way the world was and were fighting for the way the world should be. Young intellectuals like Nelson Mandela “madiba”, Steve Biko, and others believed in a South Africa that was free from racial discrimination and institutionalized hatred, and they spent their lives fighting for a more just and a better world for all South Africans. In Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara, a charismatic leader, fought against the injustice of poverty and women discrimination in his country and even though he’s a fallen soldier I believe that Africa has never had such a selfless and committed leader.
These revolutions have inspired human progress .People have been able to live more satisfactory lives because of the courage and sacrifice of their fore fathers.. Because of the efforts of Mandela and the ANC leaders, people in South Africa are now living free and racial segregation is no longer a basis for restriction of rights.
Thomas Jefferson said: “every generation needs a new revolution”.
So one might wonder, what is our revolution? What is going to be written about our generation in textbooks and history books and if 50 years from now our kids ask us what we did, what are we going to say?
I believe that we live in very exciting times, times where the world is run by technology that connects all corners of the world. Now you find Rwandese students coming together to pray in Kinyarwanda, and in a city in India, we find people being able to communicate through Facebook , Hi5, MSN,and other social networks. As an old saying in our mother tongue goes, “ abapfuye bagiye vuba".
We also live in a time where leaders like Paul Kagame are talking about the development of Africa. For many centuries, starting from the conference in Berlin in the late 19th century, Africa has always been seen as a lost cause. Corruption, poverty, and disease have long kept our continent bound in “darkness” - our continent has always been known as “the dark continent”.
But today, even though we still hear of cases of corruption and high child mortality rates, AIDS, and other disasters, things are different in Africa today. Today we have leaders like Paul Kagame who are aiming at not being dependent on foreign aid in a matter of a generation’s time. There are also economists like Dambisa Moyo and Jacqueline Novogratz who are bringing new ideas on how to move Africa from extreme poverty to prosperity. But what if that was our revolution? What if our revolution was one that will move Africa to the place it truly deserves, a place of dignity and respect?I have decided to call this revolution, the “HOPE REVOLUTION”. This revolution will be a revolution more complicated but yet more fulfilling than any other that came before. It will be complicated because it would require books and knowledge instead of guns and bullets that we have seen in the past. It would require innovation and critical thinking rather than blind obedience. This revolution will however require far more than brain power but also a healthy heart. It will require love over hate , and generosity coupled with sacrifice over greed and selfishness! This Revolution will create a new generation of selfless and courageous young people.
However, all of this will not come easily because people by nature oppose change; it will require faith, hope and love. These three principles that are usually linked to the Bible but are principles that should lead every person. Faith is our belief that if we do what is right and never give up things will get better or things will change. Hope is the belief that better days are ahead if we are willing to work for it, fight for it and sacrifice for it. And finally love is the main reason we do what we do, for our kinsmen and our country.