Linda Sithembiso Sihlali

Slow Down... Or Die Linda Sithembiso Sihlali

Please do not ask me for sources; do not ask me where my references are; do not even ask me on what I base my observations. This is not a matter only for scientific research and observation but of grave concern for all of us - humans. Please do not ask me to rethink or go and conduct research and develop theories to substantiate my claims. I am not claiming; I am merely observing, trembling with fear and alarmed at what I see. I neither have the time, nor the expertise, nor money to conduct all the necessary research. All 'expertise' I have, all time I have, is to talk: about what I see, about what you (also) see and perhaps ignore, about what is happening to me that I find extremely difficult to ignore. I am a 21st century citizen of this world. I was born in the 20th century. I may be fortunate to have seen the 21st century; but do I really cherish the life I am living in it? Do I really belong in (or to) it? Am I educated enough to feel proud of these times, to cope, to make a meaningful contribution to humankind? If the answer to all these questions is in the negative, I think it is fair for me to conclude that alarm bells are ringing... for all of us.