Editor’s Note: Considering Global Crypto is a blockchain news and media platform, this piece may come across as a little out of place. But when one considers that Bitcoin was invented as an alternative to monetary systems that empower greed and executive-level corruption, and that blockchain is being explored as a technological infrastructure for better governance and accountability, I felt it fitting to publish.
Here in the Republic of South Africa (where Global Crypto is headquartered) today, June 16th, is a national holiday.
It is unfortunate that the term “holiday” is given to such a tragic day in South Africa’s history. On June 16th 1976, police opened fire on a group of youth protesting the enforcement of education in Afrikaans, for many of them, their third language.
10 young people died that day, and no police officers were ever held to account.
I’d like to commemorate those 10 lives with a dream to inspire a better future.
As we see global protest against racially biased police brutality, and in the midst of financial stimulus that only benefits the few and disregards the working class and their futures, the need for reformed governance structure is at its highest this century.
Governance structures that not only need to ensure that the youth of a country trying to right the wrongs of apartheid are well positioned to prosper, but so too the youth globally. Such structures are necessary everywhere. Whether it be a nation like South Africa where corruption has robbed from the futures of so many youths, or developed nations like the world’s leading economy where corporate greed has wrought similar damage.
As financial crisis predictor and social scientist Nassim Taleb argues in much of his work, the governance structures of modern society are devoid of repercussions that those in power should face when things implode. These structures are in dire need of reform.
And while I am no sociologist, I am an artist who paints pictures with the work of my words.
So… what is the picture I want us as a society to see on this poignant day in South African history?
It is the picture of a future where leaders are directly held to account for every decision they make.
Where such decisions are not based on these leader’s ability to be re-elected or not, but by the impact they will have on the majority of the people.
A future that introduces systems and structures that make such raw accountability possible, and thus makes such decision-making not only likely, but commonplace.
Such accountability would lead to less corruption and far less gross mismanagement of funds.
Such accountability would lead to more responsible business practices at the highest level of our economies, making the labour-force just as important as the CEO who does all he can to protect his interests (and succeed).
I believe that such systems and structures are possible.
While not easy to imagine, design and create, they are possible.
And I believe we will see new forms of governance introduced in the future where ALL of civilisation are considered: The poorest of the poor, and those yet unborn in the distant future.
Let us consider that quite possibly the best way to honour the young activists who fought apartheid in the 1970’s is to dream of, design, and build such forms of governance.
Governance that ensures the youth of today and tomorrow, no matter where they fit in the cogs of our economies and society, are given the chance to prosper and achieve fulfilment.
May we together buidl such a future. ✊
Image by Cheryl Holt from Pixabay
