A CHAT FRM LONDON: Today’s youth and the long bygone era of sanity

Familiar with the typical, generational statement. “The good old days...”

Or, “Things are not the way they used to be...”?

During my youth walking with a small bag on the shoulder would be rebuked by older guys as being “girlie”...

Only women carried handbags.

In 2017 it is normal for men to carry hand bags or small rucksacks.

Throughout history it seems the past is always better than the present. Life is a puzzle!

I really admire African countries that have abolished the youth fashion of hanging trousers or half revealing underwear for males. “Kata kundu” is the Swahili description.

In Uzunguni world, origins of this “new fashion” are said to be heroic. Prisoners in American jails left their trousers loose to facilitate homosexual behaviour and also discourage suicide via waist belts. I get confused when I see so-called macho behaviour equated with showing buttocks.

A contradiction.

But, again, in 50 years, these values might become mainstream and being “girlie” (i.e. showing your backside and underwear in public) might rule the male world. God help us...

That has also blossomed with the tide of women in the West coming out strongly against males who touch them (“groping”) unwillingly and legal suits against sexual harassment are dramatic.

Recent, ongoing case of Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein is an excellent example. By last weekend, over 30 women had alleged Mr Weinstein raped or sexually molested them.

When I was growing up touching women in public was normal. In Africa and Latin America it still happens, albeit not as widespread as 30-40 years ago. Such expression of public sexuality is totally forbidden in the West.

Almost cultural and due to the hot weather, I suppose. We dance and gyrate hips from childhood. In the West dance is considered “effeminate” and most boys are embarrassed to openly dance. This suppressive behaviour creates strange dynamics like people boozing on purpose (binge drinking) to feel freer.

Lately whistling at passing an attractive woman (mostly by the working class, manual labourers) has been listed as sexual harassment. No wonder such repressive tendencies produce the weirdest behaviour like rape, extreme violence, etc. Watching this as an African hailing from a hot, sensual culture I wonder where the gender wagon is heading? At the beginning of the 20th century the British novelist D H Lawrence profiled social frigidity. Fed up he moved overseas with a foreign woman.

There must be a balance between all these things, of course. Otherwise we shall end with no healthy sexual values...

I should end with the third topic. The rise and rise of robotic behaviour.

You would be walking down the road, see a young guy you know. You wave and shout, but he does not hear you. Your lips are moving, which makes him remove the earplugs.

“Sorry?”

Into his music, his silent world.

Everywhere.

Including gyms where speakers are blasting loud music. But still some punters still have headphones on. Or joggers. Listening to their own thing. The tendency to “switch off from surroundings” is one of the biggest rubbish of this generation.

“When you jog, don’t you want to enjoy the natural sounds of life?”

Jogger shakes her head.

“Why not?”

Shrugs.

Words are paralysed. You have to struggle to a gain a credible response.

Finally: “The world is so full of violence and negative energy ... just want to listen to my music...”

She lets you hear it. Oh, J Cole. The hip-hop artist performed in London on Monday. One of the most coherent, articulate hip-hop artists today. So highly regarded that J Cole’s lyrics are considered motivational. Take a bite from Dollar and Dream.

“Cause this life gets hard on the road, yeah its true

I don’t never tell you how much I be stressing, but I do

But I suck it up to who?

My fans and my Mans who probably never had this type of life style in their plans?”

Or, of childhood:

“I grew up in the city and although sometimes we had less

Compared t some of my niggers down the block

Man, we were blessed...”

So!

Such lyrics provide an alternative sound to trees, wind, birds and police sirens?

You can understand. But it is the “switching off” that is disturbing.

Makes the younger colder and less skilled in social interaction and communication.

Why?

Throughout history young males fight. Physically.

When I was growing up fistfights ended up with bruised lips and scratched limbs.

These days the young kill each other. In London it can be a simple reason as just an unwanted bad look. Sad.

We should not dwell too much on the past and the good old days, yes.

But frankly...