Pen & politics are soulmates
28 November 2019
JUSTIN KUNDALIN
SONOMA - I believe politics and pen are inseparable. That they influence each other is a truth that can’t be ignored.
Traversing history, we see how the famed novelist of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens, influenced England with his writings.
Through his pen, he described the dreadful working class conditions and the abject poverty, as he did so exposing the neglect of the country’s rulers.
Dickens’ writings were a blessing to the masses. He wrote fiction that closely mirrored reality and his books inspired the country to change for the better.
If a politician doubts the power of pen, he better think about Dickens and many other authors who managed to swing the pendulum of public opinion.
In the United States, ‘The Jungle’ by Upton Sinclair influenced President Theodore Roosevelt’s administration to improve working conditions in some of that country’s worst factories.
I am afraid for the future of Papua New Guinea if our national leaders ignore the power and importance of literature.
Very often, literature becomes a megaphone for people to tell their leaders about their difficulties and distress.
I want to encourage PNG’s writers to never give up because the pen and politics are never far from each other.
I believe the poorest country is a nation replete with illiterates. That is not us. We have enough literacy to make a difference. But do we have the mindset? I believe literature can play an important role to shape the mindset of the PNG people. Especially if we are reading not only about them, but about ourselves.
The impact of the pen is powerful but it is especially effective national leaders understand its power.
This is a time in our history when we needed to push the power of pen. We writers must not give up because I believe the Marape government is listening and will respond positively.
Clarence Shepard Day Jr (1874–1935), an American author and cartoonist, best known for his 1935 work ‘Life With Father’, made a wise observation about books.
Day said: “The world of books is the most remarkable creation of man; nothing else that he builds ever lasts. Monuments fall; nations perish; civilizations grow old and die out. After an era of darkness, new races build others; but in the world of books are volumes that live on still as young and fresh as the day they were written, still telling men’s heart of the hearts of men centuries dead”.
Guys, keep writing, only time will tell the importance of literature.
Posted by: Kenny Pawa Ambaisi | 28 November 2019 at 03:57 PM
What about Orwell?
http://www.orwell.ru/library/essays/politics/english/e_polit
Posted by: Bernard Corden | 28 November 2019 at 01:07 PM
I too believe the Marape government is listening and will respond positively. At least we provided some information he requested concerning our petition.
I like people who respond even if the outcome will not be in my favour as against those who completely ignore.
Posted by: Daniel Kumbon | 28 November 2019 at 12:20 PM
Vale Clive James, an Australian literary Colossus living in exile in London departed this life this week and was buried in England.
Posted by: William Dunlop | 28 November 2019 at 07:41 AM
Stirrings, Justin. Stirrings are advanced for impact.
Today, we salute remnants of and for influencing.
While writings evidence notable examples, we have not in our ears the sounds of vocal volition of instances that came to be. In PNG still, folk flock to the lift and lilt of fervent vocals, a vantag-ing preyed upon at footpath evangelism and at persuading for politic.
Yet Justin and I may agree mightily at the power of persistence. By every fibre of facilitation, write. By every cognizance on communication, craft too its words. By every survey of significance, will at a way.
Where people parade and pass or pause, point your potent principles. Put words into vocals of politicians
Posted by: Lindsay F Bond | 28 November 2019 at 07:31 AM