I stand by my statement that majority of our politicians are ethnic/religious bigots. True, they get support from bigoted and non-bigoted people. But then, how much of this support can be investigated as genuine. In Nigeria where bags of rice and kegs of oil determine who gets the most vote, are we sure that their supporters really believe in the bigotry they preach?

oyb:

actually, i kind of doubt that politicians are ethnic bigots

they have no problems in sharing looted funds etal

SEFAGO:

^ I doubt that's the issue. Real tribalism isn't really prevalent in Nigeria IMO. I think sticking and trusting people with a similar culture is what people are mistaking for as "Tribalism."

And why should that happen in a 'united nigeria'?

Ethnicity is not a big deal in LA(Cali) they regularly have black vs brown(latino). Religion is the one that is the most.
Because if igbo man kills yoruba man over a babe, Both side ones wont go after eachother but if hausa man kills igbo man over islam both sides will go crazy.

beejaei:


@SapeleGuy

I don't understand what you said.

beejaei:

Thanks all for your contributions.

@Kobojunkie
You come off as being cocky and too sure of yourself. I have been like that before so I can recognize someone like that. You don't have to lace your replies with terse remarks and pseudo-insults. You don't need to bring others down to look better. As for the issues you raised, this is my submission:

beejaei:

I did not say the issues exist up North only. There are religion/ethnicity motivated instances of violence in many parts of the country, but the North is most notorious for violence based on radical Islam/dislike for Southerners/Christians. This is my observation. If you have a different observation, you can point it out.

beejaei:

I stand by my statement that majority of our politicians are ethnic/religious bigots. True, they get support from bigoted and non-bigoted people. But then, how much of this support can be investigated as genuine. In Nigeria where bags of rice and kegs of oil determine who gets the most vote, are we sure that their supporters really believe in the bigotry they preach?

beejaei:

What really got men thinking about this issue was an essay I had to write on the difference diversity has made in my life. I found myself confused and going back-and-forth between my experience in America and Nigeria, wondering whether diversity existed(it did i both cases) and whether or not it made a difference(I am yet to answer this question). I definitely can identify with the examples you gave about your experiences in Lagos and America. I have had similar experiences but interpreted it differently. For example, when the yoruba market woman says, " All this dimwitted Hausas and Igbo are the cause of all these problems in this market. Let them go back to their place." I see her frustration, but I do not believe she sees the Hausas and Igbos as lesser creatures than her ala racism in America.

beejaei:

Just the same way my Mum complaining about the loudspeaker from the mosque facing her room window does not mean she hates Muslims or think less/evil of them. But then, I have seen my dad discuss politics and refer to "awon Hausa" and "awon omo Igbo yen" in ways that are cringe-worthy. If a bigot is according to Wikipedia, "a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from their own or intolerant of people of different ethnicity, race, or class," then I will not categorize the people I mentioned above as bigots. Will you? In this sense, what this thread is really asking is that is the average Nigerian intolerant of people of different ethnicity/religion.

beejaei:
I think people that are actually "intolerant of people of different ethnicity/religion" are the minority. Tensions may exist and people may act in certain ways out of anger, irritation and frustration, but the real bigotry, in terms of hate and intolerance, is not very common, I believe. In this sense, my submission is closest to the one made by Beaf. Even if we use your own definition of bigot, I don't think the average Nigerian can be described like that. If you have a reason to think otherwise, your opinion is welcome.

SapeleGuy:

Federal Character, monopolisation of power, misappropriation of  mineral and financial resources have lead to resentment, which has become bigotry and ethnic intolerance.

The traits you highlighted (ethnic and religious bigotry) are mere symptoms and reactions to something more insidious. Religion and ethnicity is what the politicians use to control the people and make them do their bidding.

Who we think we are, dictates how we function as a society. I think our society is far too complex / diverse for 'catcha all' phrases like the average nigerian to be effective.

What or who is an average nigerian? What does it mean to be a nigerian? What is the nigerian dream or value system?
So many people have died and continue to die defending our votes. Your bag of rice and oil scenario is a tad simplistic.

Wait a second! . . . . If the same market woman had made the same racist remark in a place like America, would have been front news, and the woman would have been lynched or even forced in some way to apologize and maybe made a pariah. If the same had come out of a South African, would you still have interpreted it the same way? Or is it OK for a Yoruba market woman to say such in a place like Lagos but just not ok for an Ibo to say the same or something? I mean I am trying to understand why you would dismiss that sort of remark when we know that such have caused some serious fights in the past.

beejaei:

@Kobojunkie

I am tired of your phocking arrogant backside talking bullshit. Seriously, are you phocked up? You need to visit Aro? I am not willing to adjust to your cocky terse statements. If you are tired of life, go jump over the 3rd Mainland. Who the phock do you think you are to be telling me all this bullshit? Abi u wan die quick quick? E ma ri oloshi yi sha? When I get over your cockiness and obvious lack of etiquette, I will come back to address the issues. You are definitely one arrogant modaphocker who thinks he knows it all and cannot have a conversation without passing acerbic remarks. What for? If you know it all, then take your rotten backside off NL. My guy, I swear u dey vex me gaaan U dey craze ni. Wan shepe fun ni e?

beejaei:

@Kobojunkie

I am tired of your phocking arrogant backside talking bullshit. Seriously, are you phocked up? You need to visit Aro? I am not willing to adjust to your cocky terse statements. If you are tired of life, go jump over the 3rd Mainland. Who the phock do you think you are to be telling me all this bullshit? Abi u wan die quick quick? E ma ri oloshi yi sha? When I get over your cockiness and obvious lack of etiquette, I will come back to address the issues. You are definitely one arrogant modaphocker who thinks he knows it all and cannot have a conversation without passing acerbic remarks. What for? If you know it all, then take your rotten backside off NL. My guy, I swear u dey vex me gaaan U dey craze ni. Wan shepe fun ni e? 

rotflmaooooooooooo

Very diplomatic, you remind me of Martin Luther King.

What a dream!

beejaei:

@Kobojunkie

I am tired of your phocking arrogant backside talking bullshit. Seriously, are you phocked up? You need to visit Aro? I am not willing to adjust to your cocky terse statements. If you are tired of life, go jump over the 3rd Mainland. Who the phock do you think you are to be telling me all this bullshit? Abi u wan die quick quick? E ma ri oloshi yi sha? When I get over your cockiness and obvious lack of etiquette, I will come back to address the issues. You are definitely one arrogant modaphocker who thinks he knows it all and cannot have a conversation without passing acerbic remarks. What for? If you know it all, then take your rotten backside off NL. My guy, I swear u dey vex me gaaan U dey craze ni. Wan shepe fun ni e?

Name 10 of the many politicians that you know FOR A FACT to be an ethnic bigot, and please provide support for the accusation you make.

Then, tell me why those who SUPPORT them do so, with some support and I am not speaking of the usual sharing of phonecards and what nots.

Wait a second! . . . . If the same market woman had made the same racist remark in a place like America, would have been front news, and the woman would have been lynched or even forced in some way to apologize and maybe made a pariah. If the same had come out of a South African, would you still have interpreted it the same way? Or is it OK for a Yoruba market woman to say such in a place like Lagos but just not ok for an Ibo to say the same or something? I mean I am trying to understand why you would dismiss that sort of remark when we know that such have caused some serious fights in the past.

You tell me. Are you saying even though your examples point to people who seem to harbor intolerant views of others on mostly ethnic and probably religious lines, you are unwilling to consider they are probably bigots since the definition seems to fit anyway?

It is not MY OWN DEFINITION, that is the dictionary definition of the word according to Merriam and Webster. So if you are here to REDEFINE the word, know that I am not in that with you.

Now, last I checked, bigots are people who out of frustration or tension would act along ethnic or religious lines. I am not sure what exactly you wanted to hear when you started the thread cause I sort of sense you are looking to change the meaning so you can accept or allow some things. Am I wrong?

If a caucasian american, or even a white policeman, where to, out of the tension, frustration and irritation call you the N word and insult your people would you be willing to excuse that in much the same way you are willing to excuse the above?

Notice: I have NOT said anywhere in my post that I believe the average Nigeria is or is not bigoted. I am simply providing you with something different from what you have provided so far, to get you to see where you may possibly be wrong about what you think is the case.