One cannot help but be aware of the positive results of moral and psychological motivation, and about the relationship between optimism and positivity, and one's achievements, breakdowns and realized goals.
Rabat – One cannot help but be aware of the positive results of moral and psychological motivation, and about the relationship between optimism and positivity, and one’s achievements, breakdowns and realized goals.
It is also common to hear about the role of self-confidence, and confidence in our surroundings, in making individual decisions and in the ability to reach goals and face challenges.
The idea of positivity and hope as a motivational, inspirational force may be behind the choice of intellectuals, philosophers, artists, and moviemakers to bend and enhance reality in their work about realistic social topics. Artists inject reality with extra doses of hope and do not focus too long on the shortfalls and issues that mark everyday life. They focus, instead, on the glass half full aspects, and on giving a little hope in the middle of darkness, as well as on proving the importance of clinging to the light at the end of the long dark tunnel.
Some countries have chosen to promote the importance of spreading hope, of collective trust, of competitiveness in ethics, creativity and originality, and of creating mechanisms to fight a rentier economy.
These countries directed their legislative bodies and media away from the spread of dependency, dark thoughts, and the culture of defeatism and living off others’ mistakes. This direction has led to the creation of unique ministries such as the ministries of happiness, social happiness, women, talent, unity and tolerance. The countries supported this direction with the promotion of cultural festivals and exhibiting human values through annual programs of cultural and artistic activities.
However, this does not mean that there should be no critical readings of reality or objective diagnoses. Analyses and interpretations should not be based on conspiracy theories and should not make accuse those who see the world with a clear, objective eye of treason.
What is needed is constructive criticism, a perspective and analysis that hopes for a better life and future, with social justice, development, and an investment climate to provide good living conditions for our people.
This constructive criticism is a form of responsible criticism without self-flagellation.
The constant negative chatter and negative backbiting in Morocco have reached unprecedented levels, levels that belie a blocked horizon and a lack of hope.
This recent trend in Morocco is spreading one way of thinking manifested in criticism for the sake of criticism and spreading a culture of defeatism and predicting a dark future. The observation prompts questions about the real reasons and motives behind encouraging this form of criticism instead of another, about the parties gaining interests in painting the walls of Morocco’s future in black, and about their role in imposing one thought model and one image of reality.
However, rejecting criticism for criticism’s sake is not an invitation to beautify reality and falsify its components. My motives are purely nationalistic and my aim to create the atmosphere for a public discussion that doesn’t sweep towards populism and empty propaganda.
It is true that Morocco, like any country in the world, suffers from weaknesses and obstacles. It is not a secret revealed for the first time.
Some royal speeches and messages diagnosed reality in all clarity and smoothness by calling things by their names. They shed light on corruption, rentier economy, bribery, and precarity. Still, they also presented visualizations and scenarios to get out of the bottleneck through urgent strategic plans that show confidence in individuals and institutions. This constructive criticism carries with it a message of belief in oneself and in the society, helping to overcome difficult challenges and gain trust in Moroccan people.
My speech about Moroccan people is far from exaggerated or distanced from reality. It is an objective and realistic discourse, based on the achievements of Moroccans throughout history and their contributions to humanity.
The dialogue on Morocco is also based on media reports and the way the country is seen from the outside. It echoes the reports we receive from abroad about the success and achievements of young Moroccans.
The Moroccans we hear about in the news graduated from public schools and were born to Moroccan families, both average families and rich ones. However, they were determined to excel and to prove their talents and strengths in different international contexts.
In recent years, Moroccans have splashed across newspaper pages and online publications and appeared on the covers of international magazines. Therefore, we have to notice them, praise their achievements, and use them as a motivation tool for younger generations, and as a mirror to reflect the shining part of Moroccan society, despite all the hardships and difficulties.
When the world speaks about young Moroccans’ achievements in complex scientific fields and sports competitions, intelligence, medicine, invention, creativity, or religious chanting, it represents an opportunity for us all. The opportunity is to develop and consolidate the positive image of Morocco that these young people have presented.
The kingdom is making its way, with all determination, to achieve the climate for decent living and social justice. It is a country aware of its strengths and weaknesses, and it turns necessities into ingredients to overcome challenges.
Mariam Amjoun, Fatima Akhyar, Lahcen Oulhaj, Youssef El Azzouzi, Amina Demnati, Fatima Amkha, Driss Benali, Amine Driouch, Abdeljalil Bousski, and other Moroccans living in Morocco or abroad, such as Rachid Yazami, Kamal Oudghiri, and Laila Alami, all represent a different reading of Moroccan society. They are the ingredients of a shining image of the future.
A number of these young men and women were not born with a silver spoon in their mouths. They are people who believed in their skills, gained confidence in themselves and their surroundings, met challenges and defeated all obstacles. They used their intelligence to cut out a path towards success and glory.
We might feel sometimes that there are invisible hands that want to drown us with destructive thoughts and spread negative ideas in the souls of youth through anchoring ideas such as “Motribo al-hay la yotrib” (The singer of the neighborhood doesn’t sing, meaning that someone who keeps on doing the same thing ends up losing its effect) or “Makaynch m3amn” (Nobody is with us, nobody will support us). However, hope for a better future rises again when seeing young Moroccans turning into shining stars in the skies of science, arts, sports, and culture.
Translated from Arabic by Yahia Hatim
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Morocco World News’ editorial views.
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