Independence Days

On June 30, Congo celebrated their Independence Day. Congo was under Belgian rule from 1908 to 1960. Independence is usually a good thing, but sadly, Congo's story of independence did not turn out as successful as America's. Belgium's main priority of governing Congo was to extract it's abundant natural resources and they did treat the local population as second- class citizens. However, they also brought with them better health care and education than Congo had ever experienced before. The Belgians took an interest in the endemic diseases and launched large campaigns that just about eliminated them. Belgian Congo was also one of the few African colonies that actually taught local native languages in the schools. They also put an end to the brutal practices used by mining companies to try to get the most production out of their workers. I am not trying to idealize the colonization of Congo; you just can't wrap up Congo's history in a neat little bow. The native Congolese did not have a say in the government and they were treated with a separate set of rules, but the Belgians did bring with them helpful advances in infrastructure, medicine, education and possibly order. After Congo won it's independence, there was no fairy tale ending. They did not have the opportunity to flourish under wise, benevolent leadership. They only suffered under one corrupt leader after another and the resulting relentless conflict and poverty. Their infrastructure is crumbling and the government is too weak and/ or corrupt to adequately deal with the violent rebel groups and to create a country of order and safety for their citizens. The people of Congo do celebrate their Independence Day, but I believe it is more for an excuse to have a celebration than it is a day of exclaiming "Look how great our country turned out since we are free of Belgian rule!". As we celebrate our own Independence Day in a couple of days, let us be truly grateful for the wisdom of our founding fathers who created our nation. Our country definitely has its issues, but, compared to many, it is still overwhelmingly a place of freedom, safety, and opportunity.