A Deeper Look Into Cleanliness, Class, and Human Dignity

Seeing the title of today's prompt remind me of social inequality in our community, between the wealthy and the invisible, how struggle and poverty can be hidden in plain sight, most especially in areas where the rich neighbourhoods is just a street away from the less privileged, and even though this is the uncomfortable fact, a lot of people will not accept the fact that cleanliness is not a choice but it is for those who can afford it, and that is why we often say that, "cleanliness is next to godliness". But the truth of the matter is that, all these things comes at a price. It is expensive to stay clean. Looking at communities with no electricity, adequate water supply or money to buy soap to wash, those people cannot be clean and this is not as a result of laziness, it's just poverty.

We often criticise people by mere looking at the type of outfit they wear, smell, their haircut, nails, where they stay and their bathrooms. But how well do we take a deep pause just to take a look at those things and what it takes to maintain them? Bathing soap, washing soaps, sparkling water, a lot of clothes, dental care, toothbrush, getting a fresh cut, sanitary and toiletry products, these things are not free and some are expensive to get, I know some will say they are basic things but these things are now turning into luxury, not to talk of skincare products and cleaning products. Are we going to say these people are lazy, when in the real sense of it, the system is not working well which has led to mass poverty?

Well, I know some few people who might say that to get a proper hygiene does not require money. They say all boils down to being cultured and disciplined. And to a few extent, I will agree to this. I have seen people who are really struggling... like struggling but that does not stop them from keeping their surroundings clean by sweeping it daily, washing their clothes with cheap detergent and care, and they move with dignity. And even with this, there are some limitations. Can you keep your outfits clean when you do not have water and soap to wash? With no fan or a functioning bathroom, will you be able to stay fresh and clean when there is heat? Can you deal with a sweaty body and smell even when there is no perfume to spray?

The way we were brought up and the environment we grew up in also affects us. Take a good look at it, kids who were brought up in a very cleaned environment and a well tidy home have higher chances of being hygienic always even when things seems hard. Regardless of how much we earn, our self worth, the pressure from the community and our culture will continue to give us to motivation to stay clean. Again and again, when the odds are stacked against you, it might become much hard, and this made me remember my 21 days in NYSC camp, after the night activities when we are all mandated to go and sleep straight away, I still make sure that I have my second bath that day not minding what the soldiers will do because, that is my nature. Bathing twice a day, yup, that is me.

And at some stage in life, psychology sets in. When poverty has eaten up to a stage, being numb sets in and people begin to ignore the mess. Being helpless and depressed can take away that motivated to stay clean. And personally for me, being hygienic is not about soap, it has become part of my mental health, what I am known to constantly do and my self perception. And I am sure this is for some people too. Staying clean always is a way to stay human in the social and not just about looking good.

So, to answer today's prompt question if "money begats hygiene"

With no iota of doubt, staying clean is amplified by money. But another truth is that, maintaining our hygiene is not all about money. Because personally, it is about my mental health, the way I was brought up, the community settings I am, gaining access, will power and most importantly, my dignity as a man. It is just a intricate crossing of emotions, class, environment, and culture.

And rather than making mockery of those who look "unkept," I think we should bothered about how the system has failed them and working towards how we can make the words a better and clean place for you and me, by also making the luxury basic.

Because at the end of it all, having a clean body but not necessarily mean the soul is also clean. But at least, a clean body makes life bearable.

We should start understand and stop with all the shaming.

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Thank for reading.

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