[Continued from HERE.]

I believe that many of the other contradictions come from the very genteel nature of most Malawians, a nature that can be summed up in two words: "no problem."

Even if there is a huge problem, most Malawians will say "there is no problem, but…" They will then proceed to tell about the problem that isn’t supposed to be a problem, periodically insisting, "but there is no problem" throughout the explanation of the problem. Are you still with me? Good.

Generally, people don’t want to disappoint or upset anyone, so everything gets a tiny bit of sugar coating. Direct confrontation is not the norm, but rather, conversations tend to meander from side to side, up and down and around the point at hand, with many metaphors and allusions permeating every word.

At the end, everyone usually knows what has been REALLY meant, but harsh, confrontational and/or even simply direct language is just not used as it is considered disrespectful. Similarly, direct eye contact when speaking to someone is also usually avoided out of respect. Showing respect is very important to Malawians.

I strongly suspect that by frequently saying they don’t have a problem with Madonna and/or the adoption, coalition representatives are attempting to accord her respect. At the very least, they seem to be trying not to offend her, even if some of those making statements are very much against the adoption and Madonna being the guardian of a Malawian child: it is just the way things are done in Malawi.

HRCC also seems to want to take on the role of moral authority concerning Madonna’s fitness as a mother, an inclination that no doubt stems from the fact that the oldest, most reputable and majority of local human rights NGO’s in Malawi are sponsored by one Christian church or another. No mystery there why more than a few of the group members may not consider this particular Madonna a paragon of virtue … even if they didn’t happen to catch her stint on the cross in her last tour.

Ultimately, it seems to me the HRCC leaders may have seen their chance for fame, fortune and their piece of the pie. I am sure many people in the coalition are truly dedicated to human rights, but let’s face it, it is not every day someone like Madonna waltzes into Malawi for ANY reason, let alone to adopt a child and pull some strings. It seems as though some HRCC members have stars in their eyes, or at least one star, maybe with the sweet ringing of “cha-CHING” in their ears.

I can’t blame the guys, really. Even if they can’t figure out a way to get money out of the deal, the feedback I have been getting from my friends in Malawi in the human rights field is that some of those involved have somehow noted an opportunity to either make a name for themselves locally or even to find an opportunity to go overseas. Don’t ask me how exactly.

Would any of us be different in the same situation? If a rare opportunity comes knocking, would we, too, answer the door?

[Next blog: The beginning of the end of my play in the fray.]