Morocco: Eugenic Politicians

: MOHAMED BRAHIMI; 03/05/11

Boston—Morocco Board News-- I, like most Moroccans, would gladly sing the praises of the ever so eclectically multicultural Moroccan society every time an opportunity arises. Some would even subtly gloat about it in juxtaposition to the fractious diversity models of other countries where pluralism secreted nothing but a myriad of conflicting ideologies, each bearing a litany of absurd entitlements.

A quick scan of recent articles and discussion forums reveals a deep feeling of disgruntlement among a sizeable portion of Moroccans lamenting the decay in public affairs in Morocco and pouring much of their wrath on Al Fassi family’s pervasiveness in public office. The sobering reality is that the true composition of Moroccan society is grossly underrepresented in both appointed and elected office, as well as on the economic front, as far as the relationship to capital and means of production is concerned.
Let me first acknowledge Mrs. Baddou’s pain when she says that her family is at the receiving end of ruthless racist attacks. Singling out people because of gender, color, or creed among other things is grounds for racism. The same principle covers all components of the Moroccan society in its great diversity and heterogeneity. Trying to pin the ills of society on one group is a wedge driving maneuver that has consistently fallen flat on its face mainly because of the long unbroken bonds that exist between the motley groups that make up the sum of Morocco. The idea that someone’s ancestry should have any bearing on how much access this person should or should not have is absolutely ludicrous. This toxic rhetoric no longer flies with any of the new generations.

On the same token, it is only fair to also acknowledge that the expression of loathing towards one single family that dominates the entire political landscape is hardly a feeling exhibited by one person with an axe to grind. It is rather a shared sentiment of anger among a great number of Moroccans towards the unchecked and uncontested attrition of public affairs NOT someone’s family or lineage. This is not about some random haters gunning for her family as Miss Baddou would like to have us believe. These antagonistic feelings are directed against nepotism and patronage. Trying to spin that into racism is a deftly but a desperate move to garner the public’s empathy. Moroccans have every right to express their resentment at this brazen relegation. They are completely justified in showing their frustration at what they perceive to be inequitable and discriminatory. I would venture to guess that most Moroccans don’t even know or care that Abbass El Fassi hails from Berkane in the East. Saying that El Fassi family is being targeted because of its roots is tantamount to intentional political waffling predicated on the assumed naivety and supposed civic lethargy of Moroccans. This is also a serious charge in need of some earnest unpacking.
John Adams was America’s first vice president and second president. Put in its historical context, America was still a nascent country with a fledgling political system that lacks the maturity to devise a satisfactory system of governance. Adams political acumen allowed him to predict today’s diversity and what it would entail. He made a pronouncement at a time that further illustrates the founding fathers superior political genius by arguing that the legislature: “should be exact portrait, in miniature, of the people at large. It should think, feel, reason, and act like them..." His words spoke bluntly of representation as the substantive and essential element of true democracy. Benjamin Franklin put it rather in lay terms when he argued that congress should just be a mirror of the people; a true representation of the constituency and an accurate reflection of the demographics.
I am in no way implying that the US is out of the woods. In fact, America has yet to reach that level of representative democracy to be able to claim any bragging rights. A lot of old rich white men still run the show. But a clear distinction is easily discerned between the two. The number of these old white rich males at the helm is waning steadily rivaling the change in pace and patterns of the demographics. These old white rich males don’t cry foul and play the racism card when they are called to allow for a broader representation of the community; they do recognize that they can’t possibly be the only competent game in town. We should all stand against racism in all its forms and manifestations especially the institutional kind where other components of Moroccan society are excluded from the deliberation room. Equally as important, we should foil all actions that further promote Francis Galton’s Eugenic philosophy of the “well born” and the “hereditary genius”. Equal opportunity should be extended to all deserving beings regardless of their propinquity to the existing power structure. This is NOT about your family Miss Baddou, this is about a much more complex concept often broached by RAP artists and ignored by complacent politicians known as “Representing”
Abraham Lincoln was reported to have admonished his overly praising vice president by reminding him that:” only a narcissist is foolish enough to believe that he or she is indispensable”

Mr. Mohamed Brahimi studied Organizational Management, and then Journalism from Suffolk University in Boston, He has a graduate Degree in Political science. Mr. Brahimi is currently working for Harvard University as an associate researcher. He is a founder of the Arabic- English “Al Arab News” newspaper that caters to Muslims and propagates the importance of civic engagement. He is also the founder of The Moroccan American Civic and Cultural Association, a not for profit organization that emphasizes the importance of Volunteerism and the quest to reach the level of mainstream society. Mr. Brahimi also serves as a Board Director in one of Massachusetts largest cap agencies whose mission is to fight poverty and homelessness and to empower minority groups

Add comment

While Morocco News Board encourages discussion on all subjects, including sensitive ones, the comments posted are solely the views of those submitting them. MoroccoBoard.com does not necessarily endorse or agree with the ideas, views, or opinions voiced in these comments. This is a moderated forum. Comments deemed abusive, offensive, or those containing profanity may not be published. Please Read Site's Terms of Use

To post Video, images and links please use appropriate button

Comments (33)

0 #1 ahl fes... — ifriqui 2011-03-05 19:46

Allal el Fessi said " AL MAGHREB LANA LA LE GHAYRENA " so on .......