The Black Crab Syndrome.
In the process of putting down this write-up, I've slept and woke up several times. This might be because of the weaknesses of having to break through boundaries and challenges. In the end, I have to pull through and let the world know of the things I've been through.
I have read lots of books, but I have never come across a concept called "the black crab syndrome" until recently, while going through Myles Monroe’s Power of Character in Leadership.
I was astonished by it because it describes the character that is prevalent and predominant among my people. It is hard to say but it's the truth. I have been a victim of this several times hence my reason for voicing out through pain and anticipation.
This concept is a true definition, or call it an explication, of the character and lifestyles of people in my tribe.
Many people are victims of this syndrome, which is why most people have not grown past certain levels in life. This syndrome has held us sway for generations.
Let me briefly summarise the black crab syndrome. This is a phenomenon named after the behaviour of real crabs. When these sea animals are stored in a container, you don't even need to cover the container because none will crawl out. This is what happens:
The other crabs wouldn't allow a single crab to climb over the rest to reach the opening top. If one tries to climb up to the top, others will pull him back down again. Meanwhile, if the crabs would only allow each other to reach the top many could go free.
This idea or mindset of not wanting someone else to get ahead of you and therefore not helping him and even working to keep him down or pulling him down when he begins to succeed is not proper, and it's not helping us as a people.
I want to be free!! I want to soar higher!! I want to make it in life!! I want to have a better life so I can lift others up. This has been my cry every day, but you know what, people who were supposed to help me achieve this have made up their minds that instead of allowing me to go far in life, all of us should remain small and die.
I have come to realise that God will not come down from heaven and lift a man up. This assignment was left for a fellow man to do. The black crab Syndrome has covered the mindset of my people never to allow someone to progress in life. Black Crab, black heart.
The idea of “we rise by lifting others” is far from my people. The ones that have risen already see the ones rising as a threat to their success. They believe that when you rise, you can't be cajoled and controlled any longer. They developed fear and inferiority complexes.
I just hope that this letter gets to some of them for a change in mindset and behaviour. We cannot rise as a people when we keep pulling people down. Also, many people cannot rise when they do not have the necessary support.
This time I want to rise, I have been pulled down several times by my family members, church members, society and the rest.
Let's change this behaviour.
