Walaa's Weekly Wrap-Up ~ November 23, 2013

This week marks 50 years since the American president John Kennedy was assassinated. Half a century since Dr Who, the British cult television series, graced our screens.

There is also the Flowers’ scandal, the CO-OP Bank disaster, Ed Miliband is again beautifully snuggled between a rock and a hard place, but what I want to talk about is an issue much closer to my heart. And a matter that puzzles me. Because, I find it mystifying how today; in the year 2013 some see and feel about other peoples’ money.

As most by now know, I come from the Sudan. Where I was raised and lived until 1990. There are many great things about Sudanese culture the world doesn’t know and never hear about. Despite its huge natural resources and potential riches the Sudan does not have any national health or social service to speak off. Till today for many people, when they fall ill they have to top up their health care privately. It is mostly the better off relatives and the society who support and look after the old and destitute in their communities.

It’s not a rule or a legislated law, just an unspoken, unwritten understanding passed down the generations, where the young cares for the old and the rich looks after the poor.

Good education costs, so many families and in some cases communities earmark a child or two to give the best possible education so they can get the best possible job, usually as a doctor or an engineer. In return those earmarked understand their duty and carry it out proudly.

Therefore, when a person succeeds, their whole community celebrates and welcome that success, because his success is theirs and in many cases is a return in their investment.

Of course there are exceptions and not all cases are the same. Not all successes are rewardful and not everyone honours the social code, but overall it’s the norm. Overall, the general unspoken, unwritten understanding is that the strong has a duty to the weak and being strong is not a bad thing those in politics need to compete on how they can curb!

That’s why it puzzles and disturbs me when I hear the constant, relentless bickering by even some of our legislators about how the well-off of this country are vilified for their successes – rather than praised and encouraged further ….

I spend most of yesterday’s afternoon in my car. Listening to the radio I was shocked at some of the callers’ remarks about people’s wealth and how it’s the government’s responsibility to take that wealth and distribute it to those who have not! Shocked at how even the presenter of that show had trouble with inherited wealth, as she put it “I have no problem with people working hard for their money, but I reserve judgment on those who inherit it and have it passed down to them” !!!!! What did she think people work hard for? Most do it to secure theirs and their children’s future. And securing that future many times comes in the form of inheritance…..

I lived in London most of my adult life, and know that most Britons don’t share those views but if I was a visitor listening to London’s Biggest Conversation (LBC 97.3) yesterday afternoon I would think the British hate success and all successful people, and would then understand why Richard Branson choose to exile himself an Island.

Money is not the root of all evil but envy most definitely is.