In the last 12 months, many changes have occurred in the Naga realm of life. Despite these changes, old problems and dilemmas in this fast changing situation remain to be addressed. The Nagas are yet to discover whether the changing situation has only provided new perspectives and opportunities that address the old problems in a new ways. Given this see-saw like process, it is worthwhile to revisit the story of the two wolves.
A Cherokee elder was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them, "A fight is going on inside me... It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, pride and superiority. The other wolf stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside of you and every other person too." They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked, "Which wolf will win?" The old Cherokee simply replied..."The one I feed."
This striking metaphor is so relevant to the Naga context. Which wolf are the Nagas feeding? Are Nagas feeding and nurturing the forces that will create a shared humanity of respect, dignity, peace and justice. Or are Nagas only fueling the forces of prejudice, hatred, oppression and the ‘isms’ that destroys human dreams and hopes? When will Nagas realize that they cannot begin building a future that is founded on ‘fear’ ‘hate’ and ‘exclusivity?’ At this time, each Naga person needs to question which wolf they have been feeding in their hearts all along.
The nature of the two wolves makes humanization and dehumanization as inevitable destinations in the course of human history. These conditions make the question of a shared humanity crucial to the issue of justice and peace. More importantly, at the heart of this question is whether Nagas can freely exercise their rights to determine the course of their own future. Human history is about human struggle and it is for Nagas to determine the course towards either one of these paradoxical destinations. The idea that eventually defines the path towards these destinations is the crucial question that depends on which wolf the Nagas feed.
Now is the time for alternatives that are self-determining and enable realizing a dignified shared humanity. Let’s ask ourselves if it is possible for Nagas to engage in a collective process to define a future inspired by our shared humanity that has the potential to meet everyone’s fundamental human needs. Today, Nagas are challenged by the forces of history to adequately demonstrate the basic idea that Nagas need to come together and jointly pursue the realization of their political rights and shared humanity. Are we feeding the wolf that will help us achieve this?
