[SirEli1]

To start things off, I was hoping to go way back to Ancient Greek Philosophy and begin the discussion with Plato.

Plato, a student of Socrates had a profound impact on Western thought. Plato’s allegory of the cave for instance has had a profound impact on cinema and literature. The latest example would be the cult classic, “The Matrix Trilogy” and classic novels like “A Doll’s House” and “The Beautiful Ones have not yet been born”. Kenya’s Ngugi wa Thiongo once published an essay (type Ngugi was Thiongo and Plato on Google to read the essay) on Plato’s famous allegory.

I think understanding Plato’s allegory of the Cave is very important for us Kenyans of the diaspora especially those of us who intend to return to Kenya. A famous Ghanaian Novelist, Ayi Kwei Armah, published “The Beautiful Ones have not yet been born” which goes into a lot more detail in explaining Plato’s famous allegory and its relevance in Africa. Our generation could be the beautiful ones.

I offer the following conclusions from reading the preceding writings.

1. Shanukad Kenyans (those who have seen Plato’s light) need to go back to the 'cave' to spread their new found knowledge and enhance living standards for all. Or contribute to the emancipation of their brothers and sisters in the cave through whichever means they can.
2. Ngugi suggests that Shanukad Kenyans/Africans need to learn how to recommunicate with their brothers and sisters in the cave.
3. Armah illustrates the “not-quite-shanukad” post independent leaders in his novel and offers us a character who has begun to see the light. The narrator in his novel did not need to go overseas to see the light. He achieved it by “doing the right thing” always and abstaining from corruption. Also by smoking weed to see Plato’s forms of good rather than superficialities and materialism.

A good novel that illustrates the difference between appearances and reality is Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”. Plato is obsessed with reality versus shadows. In “A Doll’s House” this difference is well illustrated.

If anyone at all feels like discussing these issues…….