Outside Reading, Week 6, Post B

Okonkwo-

Why do you fear change? Why are you so stubborn and stuck in your ways? Why do you continue to fail to realize what is going on around you? It seems like you are now purposely attempting to shut out the rest of the community from the old regime by simply labeling them as "heathens". Sure, maybe you seemed justified in rejecting your son simply because he was weak and failed to live up to your expectations, but surely half the population of your village is not weak? They are simply more eager to embrace change than you are, not corrupt or evil. So, why then, do you continue to denounce these new ideas and religions as pure heresy? It seems to me that if the population of dissenters starts to rival that of the "majority", then they are no longer dissenters, but simply a minority among the villagers. These things are all easily recognizable facts, yet for some reason, you have shrouded yourself in your protective bubble of denial, always reaching back to your past and claiming that we must beat the newcomers out of the village and maintain the status quo. Well, unfortunately for you, the status quo is changing and you must act now and adapt to the change or be left in the dust with your outdated social customs, technology, and government. You may be afraid of the change and fear the wrath of the gods, but remember what the missionaries were talking about when they moved into the evil forest: why are there simply arbitrary items or patches of land that are designated as holy or cursed? Think about that.