Is Business Just Business Or Do You Give A Damn?

THE article by Lazarus Jacobs about BEE raises a few interesting pointers.

First of all, I have no quarrel with his arguments for BEE. It is, indeed, true that when the tables are turned certain previously privileged compatriots cry foul, and they are well aware of it.Some of their responses in that regard are designed to confuse the issue and to prolong the introduction of remedial action that should have been much more visible 16 years down the line.In truth, their responses are merely reactionary, and for the reasons that Jacobs highlights.But I do have issues with Jacobs when it comes to those moments when he wears the hat of a stand-up comic.It’s then that the other side of the truth seeps out.While trying to project the dignity of the black masses seen against the recent history of discrimination and dispossession, I find it abominable that he uses ethnicity as the framework for his various comic performances.Why is it that Jacobs finds it virtually impossible to extract any meaningful humour from sources other than typifying ethnic characterisations, which in themselves contribute to the promotion of tribalism, and the belief that those characterisations are intrinsic to certain groups of people.I consider it unacceptable that someone like Jacobs, who promotes the empowerment of the previously disadvantaged, has to source his stand-up comedy shows on the very essentials of discriminatory and disparaging comments passed off as humour.That, Mr Jacobs, is reprehensible and unjustified under any circumstances, and to benefit financially from it, to boot, is even worse.So let’s call a spade a spade and a fat cat a fat cat.But on stage you have to deal with your schizoid approach if you want anyone to believe that you are serious and honest about empowerment of any kind.Some introspection is called for before the scrutiny of the balance sheets, amongst the new capitalist elites, becomes mere exercises in accounting or, indeed, accountability! And no, Mr Jacobs, I am not of the previously privileged and advantaged.From not being white enough under apartheid, I am now just not black enough under the new dispensation that passes itself off as democracy in the new Namibia.But, as you say, business is business! Is it all just business to you, or do you really give a damn? John Sampson WindhoekIt is, indeed, true that when the tables are turned certain previously privileged compatriots cry foul, and they are well aware of it.Some of their responses in that regard are designed to confuse the issue and to prolong the introduction of remedial action that should have been much more visible 16 years down the line.In truth, their responses are merely reactionary, and for the reasons that Jacobs highlights.But I do have issues with Jacobs when it comes to those moments when he wears the hat of a stand-up comic.It’s then that the other side of the truth seeps out.While trying to project the dignity of the black masses seen against the recent history of discrimination and dispossession, I find it abominable that he uses ethnicity as the framework for his various comic performances.Why is it that Jacobs finds it virtually impossible to extract any meaningful humour from sources other than typifying ethnic characterisations, which in themselves contribute to the promotion of tribalism, and the belief that those characterisations are intrinsic to certain groups of people.I consider it unacceptable that someone like Jacobs, who promotes the empowerment of the previously disadvantaged, has to source his stand-up comedy shows on the very essentials of discriminatory and disparaging comments passed off as humour.That, Mr Jacobs, is reprehensible and unjustified under any circumstances, and to benefit financially from it, to boot, is even worse.So let’s call a spade a spade and a fat cat a fat cat.But on stage you have to deal with your schizoid approach if you want anyone to believe that you are serious and honest about empowerment of any kind.Some introspection is called for before the scrutiny of the balance sheets, amongst the new capitalist elites, becomes mere exercises in accounting or, indeed, accountability! And no, Mr Jacobs, I am not of the previously privileged and advantaged.From not being white enough under apartheid, I am now just not black enough under the new dispensation that passes itself off as democracy in the new Namibia.But, as you say, business is business! Is it all just business to you, or do you really give a damn? John Sampson Windhoek