This is an edited version of a Facebook Post shared by Hafeel Farisz the founder editor of the site, who upon our request has agreed to us using it.
Having watched the entire saga unfold and having observed the many comments that have since spread, I find it appalling that we Royalists, or self professed “gentleman”, have stooped down to the level of bringing in “class” and the ” tri shaw” driver argument into this issue revolving around a match played by school boys.
I have seen many of those from the so called “elite” schools commenting, most of whom i personally know, friends, good human beings, bringing about this argument about class and how we ( the elite schools) should refrain from playing rugby with “dastardly institutions”.
It baffles me, that men who are old enough to have moved beyond their schoolboy arguments to this day possess the sense of elitism that they should have outgrown a few years after leaving school.
It baffles me as to how individuals are judged by a school, and being a part of a certain school makes you of a lower class than the rest.
I don’t think I would be wrong in saying that this colonial, supremacist argument stems from the ability to speak impeccable English, to use the fork and spoon and mix with the ‘hoi polloi’ in society among other so called ‘elitist’ attributes.
This is nothing but supremacist. Similar to the white supremacist attitude against the blacks, similar to the Govigama attitude towards the Rodi, Durawas and Karawas that was a curse in this country and world over.
Class is an illusion, sportsmanship is not. Sportsmanship can be moulded, so can restraint, so can violence. Its not generic nor is it inherent. Just because an individual goes to a certain school does not and cannot biologically, scientifically or even rationally be assumed to have greater qualities than any other.
It is the nature Vs nurture debate alright but stooping down to being supremacist by virtue of ones school is unacceptable by any rational standard.>
School doesn’t but upbringing does. Upbringing could happen anywhere, in any environment. School, home, cousins, relatives, friends near home, teachers and coaches I dont know. But no one, let me reiterate that no one can profess a “holier than thou” attitude only based on the school they went to.
I think it should be reminded to all and sundry that the biggest rogues, cheats, white collared criminals were produced from these ‘elite schools’ of which i’m sure by virtue of population Royalist rank well above the rest, similar to the outstanding products the schools have produced.
It must also be said that there is no shame in being a “tri shaw driver”, road sweeper or a garbage collector. As long as it is being done honestly and they earn their dues with integrity there is no such shame.
But there is shame in being white collared criminals who parade around town. There is shame in being able to maneuver a system that is biased towards them and being able to get away with that, rolex watch, folk and spoon, and tie in hand.
Similarly Isipathana and all the “lower class” schools have both produced the good and the bad.
I dont think there is even an argument about the hypocrisy, political maneovoring and corruption that has engulfed this country by virtue of the products of these “classy” schools.
This is, if we are to be tied down by this classist school boy argument. But there is much more to it than that and no man should be judged by the school he attended.
It is a curse that has engulfed this country since pre independence- to give prominence, not based on quality, but by breed.
Its a mentality that is much akin to the caste system that prevailed in this country. There is no difference. If your “rodi” you ought to act in such a way and that is no different from this class argument that has been brought up many a time after this issue.
There is hypocrisy in all those who cry for the banishing of such divisions while at the same time are quick to judge actions based only on a persons school.
Let us be clear, it was a match played by schoolboys. The incidents cannot be condoned and all those guilty must be punished. The boys with the green jersey, with the evidence that we have seen are clearly guilty of playing well beyond acceptable norms. They should be punished, and if punishment means banning them from playing rugby that is fine.
Can this issue be only left at that and nothing more for sanities sake?
What has this elitist, supremacist and might I be bold enough to add a racist- argument got to do with any of this beats me? Just because one went to Royal or STC, or SJC or SPC or Trinity for that matter does not and will not make them better human beings than the rest.
What was displayed on that field was uncondonable, but let us not stoop down to a level of bringing in divisions that we so proudly have claimed to transcend- caste, breed, creed, race and the illusion of class of course.
Might I also add, that no one who by virtue of their entry into any school could be “proud” unless it was through their achievement. The only Royalists who can be proud about being ‘Royal’ have to be the scholars who earned their right to be in Royal.
The rest can only be happy, because you cant take pride in a decision you played no part in. Pride comes from achievement, and being admitted to Royal thanks to the will of ones parents does not and cannot constitute pride nor can be termed an achievment.
Pride also doesn’t come through genetic accident as George Carlin would say. You can be happy to be Sri Lankan, but proud?
I understand that this might touch many a raw nerve, but it has to be said. I also admire those Royalists who were on the field that day for the restraint shown. That also has got nothing to do with “class”, rather it was to do with the ability to restraint themselves- a human condition which can be moulded within the right environment. Not inherent because they went to Royal, and not generic because they know the school song.
Moulded. Like it can be moulded in any other human being from any other school.They indeed proved that they were above and beyond the other 15 who took the field that day and indeed showed what sportsmanship was also about.
Let us be clear, this was a schoolboys game, played by teenagers. It was ugly. Accepted. But it has to be left at that, when grown men assume roles of school boys it leads to moral quandary, it leads to many questions about the larger systems of this country and the mentality of these men who assume greater roles in society.
Unfortunately while we were in school we never knew the words and the wisdom of Kenny Rogers when he sang “Son you don’t have to fight to be a man” thus, had it been a different Royal team on the ground that day, the way they retorted would have been the talking point in many a circle and not the gallantry in retreat.
Royal didn’t teach me class or division. Royal taught me humanity, to treat each in his own merit. Royal taught me to “learn of books and learn of men and learn to play the game”. “Men” if i’m to interpret Reid was ‘humanity devoid of caste, creed and ethnicity”, ” To play the game” if i’m again to interpret Reed was to to play the ‘game of life’. A lesson many of these ‘classist’ have unfortunately missed while walking through those hallowed portals at Reid avenue.
This article is not intended to address anyone below the age of 23. that school boy arrogance I understand.:)
Caveat
Hafeel Farisz was a former Deputy Head Prefect at Royal and the winner of the Lalith Athulathmudali award, awarded to the most outstanding Royalist. He is currently employed as a journalist at the Daily Mirror & was the founder editor of ThePapare.com
Editor’s note – While ThePapare.com tries its best to maintain an open forum, we would like all persons to use decorum and decency in this matter.
