Warning: This topic talks about things that many don’t take lightly, its something that has actually eaten deep into the society in which I find myself. I may offend a few people who might have opposing views about this topic, but I believe that steemit as a whole is against censorship of any kind. As such, I express my personal opinion on what I feel is a topic not given enough light. So before continuing , leave, if the concept of secession and LGBT rights don’t appeal to you.

I am also expressing my own personal opinion in this topic so... .... get that in mind as well

Humans have this tendency to have a ''us'' vs ''them'' mentality. The smart people who study these things in school will say that humans have a need to ''belong''. To belong to a group, a society, to be in an alliance with one or more humans with whom we have a common affinity with or goal.

This behaviour however, leads to a load of problems. From when we are young, it can be noticed that we get automatically attached, as if by some invincible cord, to a group of people that we call ''friends'' and ''associates' and for some reason, anyone outside this circle is seen as inherently not ''one of us'', an outcast. This, like I say has its own problems, but this sort of thing builds our collective confidence and gives us comfort as we know that we belong to a social group.

The problem about social groups are those who go overboard with it. See, take any agitation, any misunderstanding worldwide, any war, and you'll see the ''Us vs ''them'' pattern in it. Problems on religion, race, ethnicity, class, etc are all problems that arise from this. The moment a group of people give themselves an Identity, an opposition is sure to arise.

What we see, what we know

I speak of these things because I have been following news on the military action titled ''operation python dance 2'' that was just concluded in Nigeria.

I must state clearly right now that I do not support, neither am I against the secessionist tales spun by the current leader of the movement. I am but an outside observer from the inside.

Why?

Why these calls for secession? why the excessive military action? After some research, I figured I have gotten the reasons I looked for.

The SE(south east) region of nigeria is predominately occupied by the Igbos, a group of people who have tried to leave the country in the past. Not to bring up the history of the country, but that single act of secession that lead to the civil war, created an ''Us'' vs ''them'' mentality within citizens of the country. This specific train of thought has continued even to this day.

The fact that the country seem to be divided along lines of ethno-religious boundaries seems to drive mistrust and misunderstanding between country men, for while we all are supposed to be united as a country, we are more united as ‘christains’ or ‘muslims’ or ‘igbos’ or ‘yorubas’ or ‘hausa’ or ‘fulanis’.

When sentences like ’’the unity of this country is non-negotiable’’ , ‘’we are tired of being in the same country as insert other tribe here .

Then we need to sit down and ask ourselves.
#WHY?
my answer?

Us vs. Them

Not just ethno-religious lines

A few days ago I heard about the arrest of a young couple, arrested in the small community of ede in Osun state, students they were, and the two boys were arrested for homosexuality. Of cause this isn't news anymore in the country and I sincerely wish there was a news site to carry it, but alas, there wasn't one.

Nigeria as a country has had federal laws that stand against LGBT activities for at least 116 years since 1901.( according to wikipedia)

The penalty for these activities vary depending on the part of the country where one is located.
Be in the north and be treated according to islamic laws, be in the south and be treated by federal laws.

The main argument is often one of religion and ethnicity. Again, Us vs them being taken too far in many isolated cases.

Despite medical research showing that being attracted to the same sex isnt something that can be ‘’cured’’, many people still take matters into their own hands, I.e going overboard against those who don’t fit into their social group.

Us vs them

Not just in africa, but worldwide

These same pattern occurs around the world. The blacks keep to themselves as do the whites, latinos, etc etc. The christain keeps a close circle and looks upon those of other religion as outcasts(I am a christain). Nations threaten nations with sanctions and bans, community against community, man against fellow man,

US vs. Them.