Horizontal?
(Baonghean) - Let me start this article with a rather eloquent but not unfamiliar quote: “Dear conference!... The economy is growing at a high rate, social order and safety are ensured, social culture has many improvements, national defense and security are maintained...
In short, what has been achieved as presented in the report above once again allows the conference to be completely confident in affirming to the people with certainty that this year, and for the 11th consecutive year, our commune is leading the entire district...”. Of course, after that, there is always a round of applause, murmuring praise, and even enthusiastic congratulations. That is good news, that is also “a daily story in the district”. It is also not much to discuss, even very encouraging, if what we are hearing is the result of the emulation movement of a commune A or a town B. Unfortunately, it rarely has to suffer such isolation. This is one of the many types of documents that are often read solemnly in many communes in a district, even many districts in a province. It seems that every year there is one, every commune you go to hear it, either the same exact text or something similar.
Spring and Autumn, the second period, as scheduled... the microphone, the refrain "our commune is leading" is raised again every time the summary is held. It seems that someone once jokingly called it "the six-word touching movement" (the writers are passionate, the readers are happy, and the listeners are happy). Next to commune A is commune B, following commune B is commune C, following commune C is commune D, then commune E, commune F... all are in unison leading! Everyone is leading. Happy! But unfortunately, most of them are self-proclaimed leaders! In the language of teenagers, it is "self-pleasure". And it is true that no one taxes "self-pleasure". Therefore, the resolution at the beginning of the year must obviously be based on the spirit: being "our commune", we can only "lead"! Last year was the champion, so this year there is no reason to "come second"! In principle, that is the case, the report must be like that. Does this situation exist? Is it common? Is this a disease?
We know that emulation is to bring together all our talents and efforts to compete with each other in working, studying, creating and contributing, in order to motivate each other to achieve the best results in a certain field of activity. It can be said that emulation is a science. During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh once taught, "Emulation is patriotism, patriotism requires emulation. And those who emulate are the most patriotic people." No one can deny the powerful effects and enormous efficiency that emulation motivation brings to social life. Emulation seems to be present at all times, in all places, in all eras and regimes. However, like a double-edged sword, if emulation work is not done skillfully, incorrectly, not substantially, or lacking in objectivity, its opposite effect is much more frightening.
At that time, people "competed" in a movement style, doing it for the sake of it, sometimes doing it for the sake of it. They were so passionate about compliments that they had to conquer that sometimes frivolous title, even if they had to use all means. Sometimes cutting corners, sometimes running around, there were even cases of "drown" everyone around... "losing"! For what? To gain a reputation! What reputation? The reputation of being the leading unit! This was the most favorable "weather", the "golden" soil for the sprouting of "sparkling" reports accompanied by a dreamlike data system that even those involved could recognize had just gone through the "processing" technology of the office. Then the commune submitted it to the district, the district "respected" the commune's report. Not every year there was a condition for inspection, "cutting" was "afraid of the brothers' thoughts", so the district had to bite its tongue and follow the plan of "every child gets candy". So the commune took the lead. This paradox "gave birth" to the story that every commune "completed its tasks excellently", but the whole district was sluggishly lying at the back of... the bottom group!
The 2013 Law on Emulation and Rewards clearly states: “The goal of emulation is to create motivation, attract, and encourage all individuals and collectives to promote the tradition of patriotism, dynamism, and creativity to strive to fulfill assigned tasks well for the goal of a rich people, a strong country, democracy, fairness, and civilization”. Emulation is not a “candy” that the district gives to the commune, nor is it a “medal” for someone to satisfy their bitterness. Achievements are never something of virtual value! But, why like a certificate of merit that the more you hang it up, the more guilty you feel! Some people say that the MC's catchphrase “We are all winners” is just a consolation for those who win “secondary prizes” in game shows. Before defeating others, before becoming a champion, if you want to, you need to defeat yourself. Dare to overcome, know how to overcome virtual values is already a victory, is already a “leader”. Right, sir?
However, this disease is not unique to any particular person, nor is it a local specialty, nor is it new. Remember, for decades people have been passing around But Tre's poems.
"Competition we are determined to move forward
Go ahead, we are determined to go to the top
Top not knowing where to go
"If you don't know where to go, just go."
Oh, if everyone is determined to be at the top, then who is behind me to be proud of? Besides, if everyone is at the top, then how can we have "horizontal" achievements?
Nguyen Khac An
