Born to govern

There once was a time when national authorities and local authorities were held in higher esteem than actors, play-writer, musicians; who were on the same level as court jesters in the eyes of the people.

From the cradle they cry, not just for food but for maturity

From the cradle they cry, not just for a home but a throne

From the cradle they cry, not for power but servitude

From the cradle they cry, not for fame but greatness

From the cradle they cry, not for self-importance but patriotism

From the cradle they cry, not for handout’s but an inheritance

From the cradle they cry, we are born to governOn the 7th of March 2013 Hollywood star Will Smith was given a tour of “real London” according Shadow Business secretary MP Chuka Umunna, who took Smith around his constituent. The Hollywood actor was in London at that time to support his son Jaden who was in the city supporting Justin Bieber on his Believe tour at the O2. Will Smith visited a girl’s school called St Martin's, upon his visit MP Chuka Umunna introduced Will Smith to the school assembly where Smith received an enthusiastic and warm welcome. Some of the highlights of the event was a performance of one of his old hit songs and the encouraging and inspiring words he gave to the students. After the visit some of the students stated that they were very excited to see him and it was an unbelievable experience.

On the 7th of March 2013 Hollywood star Will Smith was given a tour of “real London” according Shadow Business secretary MP Chuka Umunna, who took Smith around his constituent. The Hollywood actor was in London at that time to support his son Jaden who was in the city supporting Justin Bieber on his Believe tour at the O2. Will Smith visited a girl’s school called St Martin's, upon his visit MP Chuka Umunna introduced Will Smith to the school assembly where Smith received an enthusiastic and warm welcome. Some of the highlights of the event was a performance of one of his old hit songs and the encouraging and inspiring words he gave to the students. After the visit some of the students stated that they were very excited to see him and it was an unbelievable experience.

On the 7th of March 2013 Hollywood star Will Smith was given a tour of “real London” according Shadow Business secretary MP Chuka Umunna, who took Smith around his constituent. The Hollywood actor was in London at that time to support his son Jaden who was in the city supporting Justin Bieber on his Believe tour at the O2. Will Smith visited a girl’s school called St Martin's, upon his visit MP Chuka Umunna introduced Will Smith to the school assembly where Smith received an enthusiastic and warm welcome. Some of the highlights of the event was a performance of one of his old hit songs and the encouraging and inspiring words he gave to the students. After the visit some of the students stated that they were very excited to see him and it was an unbelievable experience.

A student commenting on the event highlighted the fact that when the Shadow Business secretary MP Chuka Umunna appeared on the stage hardly anyone knew who he was. Mr Umunna who grew up in Streatham was elected as member of Parliament for Streatham in May 2010, becoming the first MP for the constituency to have grown up in the area. He addressed the students first who were clueless to who he was and what he was doing there, which was “funny” to one student in hindsight. The assembly was quite unimpressed at this point but when Mr Umunna introduced the Hollywood actor the students went crazy, screaming and taking out their mobile phones to capture the moment, showing a gulf in value between the two personalities. The students had a larger than life impression of Will Smith but the MP would have been irrelevant except that he was the man that introduced Mr Smith.

This picture is in contrast to history. There was a time when national authorities and local authorities were held in higher esteem than actors, play-writer, musicians; who were on the same level as court jesters in the eyes of the people. In modern times however, actors, play-writer, musicians, and artists in short the media are helping to paint a totally different picture of what we should value. The above roles were there to enhance society with their different expressions.  Daniel J. Boorstin said “Celebrity-worship and hero-worship should not be confused. Yet we confuse them every day, and by doing so we come dangerously close to depriving ourselves of all real models. We lose sight of the men and women who do not simply seem great because they are famous but are famous because they are great. We come closer and closer to degrading all fame into notoriety.”

In history, plays were written to portray and educate us about the following: authority, law, government, citizenship and culture. Authority and government were important within society and were in the consciousness of the people from cradle to grave.

What is happening with celebrity and musicians is more important than what is happening in government. The children of St Martin’s school highlights what the next generation’s value system would be like if the trend in modern time continues. Our children were born to govern not in the sense of taking up national governmental roles, but understanding their citizenship and having governance over themselves. They should be wired to understand authority, laws, government and citizenship which would be evident in the culture they produce.

We understand that artistry, national government and the media have played their part in devaluing national birth rights of any kingdom that understand the value of citizenship. But the blame is not to be laid solely at their feet. Our responsibilities as parents and guidance is to teach our children what governance truly entails in light of authority, law, government, citizenship and culture. Children mature into what they are fed, be it good or poor.

We know that our educational system is not fit for our children this is evident in the house of common- which is not really common. The privileged are the ones who take on the different offices within the Westminster hall, but I am not too concern with that hall, my concern is first within our own halls, within the home and community. Our children who are born to govern must be taught to govern at their first and then beyond.

He who has an ear, let him hear.