Conflict, fuss or an unrest could be initiated simply by a mere gesture. I grew up to know series of gestures and sign that are capable of dealing with a warring partner and their effects are similar to ,if not more than, a heavy blow. Some words need not be said where people of common orientation have devised a signal for same expression. For instance, you probably knew as a child (self inclusive) that a straightened long arm with a stretched palm towards a person is tantamount to saying "yo baya e ! " ( such abusive statement as "your mother!")" or putting your two index fingers across your cheek, drawing down the flesh beneath your eyes - a gesture equal to saying "orbii" (it's simply a mockery) or touching your head with an index finger and rolling same immediately across your head - doesn't it mean "ori e daru!"? (you are insane! ).
Argh! The above gestures and the likes are indeed odious, offensive and detestable with an aim to arouse a visceral reaction of disgust, anger, or hatred. I remember when I was pretty younger and I would enter into a feud with my playmate, he would make a gesture 'abusing' my mother and I would be provoked severely to punch him -starting a mutual battery. You see, I believe none of our parents taught us the gestures but we surely knew what they meant because we have seen them around somehow. I only stopped to react and read offensive meanings to such gestures when my mother disciplined me when I thought I was fighting for her.
I have seen grown ups reacting to such gestures as well and I concluded that we really need to re-orientate ourselves for the sake of peace. Beyond the stated instances, we need to be matured above unnecessary gestures - not making such gestures or giving an offensive meanings to them. Should anyone does it see him/her as a child and be blind to it since a blind man is not privileged to notice any offensive sign. This is not a sign of foolishness but of wisdom and maturity! If at all you must react let your reaction be justified by a spoken statement. Parents, please see to it that you give your wards a proper orientation (Pro 22:6) on gestures for the mind of child is like a tabular razar, a clean slate.
Ed. 5
Tunde Ogunyale,
For Peacepace Initiative.. towards peace.
