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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Jul 2007 : 23:25:29
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The problem is that Africans and people of African descent are not on good terms and hardly deal with each other. Its an unspoken reality. The case of gambian jailed in Jamaica, who was on holiday from Cuba where she was doing a post graduate degree programme is one among many. She was jailed for five months and given no reason. See this link. Its very troubling.
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070523/cleisure/cleisure2.html
Two things must happen.
1. A United States of Africa will never happen unless Africans and peoples of African descent can meet at the table and understand each other.
2. Reparations will never happen until there is a United States of Africa. Through out history, compensations have only been paid to a united people speaking with one voice behind a unified leader not a disorganised group that hardly talks to each other. There is strength in unity. |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2007 : 09:33:51
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kondorong
Can you explain why africans descent people in Jamaica significant for United States of Africa? Are you talking about racial unity or african unity?
When in the history any compensation paid repreation? |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 06 Jul 2007 09:35:02 |
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Sibo
Denmark
231 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2007 : 10:06:19
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Kondorong
I don´t understand why you are against united africa. What do you mean by saying that african and their decendents are not at good terms, can you clarify that a little for me???
No wonder africa can´t unite when you and your likes are so negative about the idea. If we all think the same way you do, africa will never ever unite |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2007 : 12:00:28
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This might be interesting to share on CORRUPTION OF AFRICAN LEADERS!! Lawsuit against Ghana's Govt over AU Govt under http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=126743
I wish to re-ierate that INTERNAL POLITICAL CRISES AND PUTING THEIR HOUSES IN ORDER is TOP PRIORITY inorder to ADVANCE AFRICAN UNION, GLOBALISATION, REDISTRIBUTION OF OUR SCARE RESOURCES, COMPETITION & PROTECTIONALISM.
Sadly also CHINA IS EXPLOITING AFRICA especially THE MINES in ZAMBIA! They work hard to boost their economy to becaming a super power and Africa lacking behind and always EXPLOITED. Can we use our human resources and BRAINS to take us out of this quagmire?
Long live PAN AFRICANISM (BOWL OF AFRICA FOR AFRICA'S PRIDE AND INDEPENDENCE!) |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2007 : 18:09:27
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quote:
Originally posted by turk
kondorong
Can you explain why africans descent people in Jamaica significant for United States of Africa? Are you talking about racial unity or african unity?
When in the history any compensation paid repreation?
You see. Unless you study race relations you cannot understand what i am talking about. We are all grouped together as Balack whether in Jamaica or Dafur. Thats why a jamaican musician said " If you come from Trinidad, if you come from Zimbabawe, if you come from... you are an African"
Even the Roots movie which came out in the 1980s did nothing for gambians. The Hailey family did not adopt any Gambian even when they traced their roots to the Kinte Family. Go to Juffereh and see for yourself and compare it to the millions that have been made and how much of that is spent on the Kinte Family.
Barack Obama is finding it hard to penetrate the community. Its like because he did not play part in the civil rights era,never lived in the "hood" and partly because his father is an "African", then he is not African American enough.
A friend of mine who studied in the United States in an African American College was approached by some of our brothers that when he was going back to gambia, if he could donate his clothes to charity as they heard that we do not put on clothes back home. He also said when he used his hand to eat, the brothers would make fun of them.
Personally, in 1998, whei was on studies to the U.S, i offered a brother a piece of land if he ever steps foot in the gambia. Guess what he told me. he said " i hope you are not giving me a swamp land infested with ....". Pictures of my son were a suprise to him as he could not believe that we put on shoes in the Gambia and that my house may perhaps be a poster behind which my son posed.
What a tragedy. This difrence has for over two centuries been the problem in Liberia where one group dominated the other in terms of superiority. Its a skeleton in our cupboard and am sure not pleasant to hear any way. Even in the Gambia, people of African descent have not integrated into the African community. They still maintain a seperate way of life, traditions, believes whilst surrounded by a sea of "Africans".
I read about two weeks ago, how people of African descent who hung unto to their African traditions since slavery and escaped to a treacherous island in Jamaica, are the subject of mockery and encroachment on their lands by businesses.
The example of Ida Drammeh i indicated above also goes to confirm how we treat each other. We have to have a united front for reparations. Africans in the diaspora will never be compensated unless they do that with the support of the mother continenet. Because in the end, both suffererd.
Some years back, i was refused entry into Tanzania because as a gambian i needed a visa even though our commmon african heritage is not enough, even though we are all part of the commonwealth, even though i was a public official on an official mission and putting some money into their treasury. I was stuck in London for two days because the Consular Office in London needs 24 hours clearance from Tanzania before i could fly. Think of that.
THOSE WHO ARE TALKING OF AFRICAN UNITY ARE ONLY DOING IT FOR POPULARITY NOT SINCERERITY. EVEN IN LIBYA, WHICH SEEMS TO "CHAMPION" THE CAUSE, ASK OUR GAMBIAN BORTHERS THEIR EXPERIENCE THERE IN THE 1980s. The likes of Nkrummah have long died. It was only in Ghana and Guinea Conakry where Africans could claim to be home from home. With the death od Seku Toure and Nkrummah, African Unity was dead.
In Ethiopia, which is the seat of the African Union, Gambians needs visas to travel to Ethiopia with a minimum of 48hours clearance needed. When i went to Ethiopia, i was not allowed to pay my airport tax in the local currency(Birr) but in Dollars even though i had enough local currency to pay the tax. I had to change their money into dollars at one of the few allowed state banks and then go in line and pay the airport tax. Is that any sign of seriuosness for African Unity when Ethiopia places visas on Africans travelling there even on offiial missions?
i am not being pessimistic. I have all along been a victim of the so called African Unity where i see road blocks placed before me everytime i board an aircraft seeing my own people. I would say that in Zimbabwe, i did not need a visa as a Gambian to travel there. Ethiopia should have been a visa free zone if they want to be the headquarters of the Union.
How many people of African descent are doing business in Africa. I have not heard any powerful ones going and adopting children in war torn Dafur. I heard of Oprah and Danny Clover helping out.
Even the Roots Homecoming Festival in the Gambia, how many turn up. A handful of less than 250 diasporans. I would hasten to say perhaps 150.
Turk
Thgere is no clear cut difference between racial unity and African Unity. They are both thesame it just depends on which lenses you put on. The AU is just a waste of resources and a way of compensating loyal civil servants with huge salaries for their retirement packages. |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2007 : 00:00:02
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sorry kondorong but i am lost.
Almost half of T&T east indian? Have you been to Jamaica. Have you seen chinese, german, syrain jamaicans? Racial unity? Sounds like adolph hitler too me. Anyway, african should not expand african unity to racial unity that includes those africans in americas. It is just make everything more difficult. It is ok to support each other but when political union is based on race, that is very dangerous. African Union is a geographical, political, cultural and economical project. Not a racist one. They already have difficulty to unite in the continent africa.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2007 : 00:21:06
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quote:
Originally posted by turk
sorry kondorong but i am lost.
Almost half of T&T east indian? Have you been to Jamaica. Have you seen chinese, german, syrain jamaicans? Racial unity? Sounds like adolph hitler too me. Anyway, african should not expand african unity to racial unity that includes those africans in americas. It is just make everything more difficult. It is ok to support each other but when political union is based on race, that is very dangerous. African Union is a geographical, political, cultural and economical project. Not a racist one. They already have difficulty to unite in the continent africa.
You are taking things too far. I am not talking about an africa for africans. What i am trying to show in simple terms is that we do not deal with each other and have put barriers between each country to such ean extent that African Unity is impossible. Even Gambia and Senegal are always at each others throats trying to suffocate each other economically. How many times do we close the borders and Gambia in return increase ferry tarrfis for senegalse trucks.
Unnecessary visas have stifled trade and travel to such an extent that to travel within africa, one is better of travelling to Europe first and then come back to africa than try travelling within africa. Its faster and cheaper. Think about that.
Again you are taking things way out of range. I am not saying african unity should include people of african descent in the united states. What i am trying to show is how we deal less with each other not only in africa but overseas. For there to be an african unity, the trade barriers, visas and all those big elephants must be removed. Why would i need a visa to go to ethiopia if ethiopia is the headquarters of the african union. It tells me that Ethiopia is not serious about the African Union and the same thing for tanzania.
Ghana was the only country in Africa, where Police could not ask another african for an ID card. That was why Nkrummmah was removed because Ghanains felt he was thinking more about Africa than Ghana.
I know very well that there is no african american who wants to hold an african passport. That is very CLEAR to me. But there cannot be African Unity with all the trade barriers among ourselves. We hardly do business with each other in the continenet let alone try to include outsiders. We have to put our houses in oder first. At national levels, there most be respect for various tribes in our countries. The genocide in Rwanda is tribal in nature and such tribal conflicts have wasted many lives on the continent. Dafur is another example and Cassamance is becoming a tribal issue rather than an independence issue.
If we cannot respect tribes in our small countries, i dont how we can do the same to others.
Sadly while other countries have drought and need corn, other african countries have excess corn and cannot sell to the "world Market" which for most african policy makers is in the West. The world market is any market outside your borders. Its that simple. So cunny business men take advantage of this and buy within and sell back.
May be you are confusing me with some others. I have never said that half of T&T are east Indian. Where have you come up with that. Please check your postings before submitting them. I think its a strong allegations and to try to paint me as one.
The AU is a lip service and as such should be closed beacuse its wasting our hard earned hard currency only to create round-bellied civil servants.
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2007 : 01:40:20
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kondo
you have very valid points. There are obstacles for african unity but there must be a start. All i have to say, if things are very difficult and not moving, alter the unity plan, make a smaller more realistic goal which is starting the unity with United Sahara.
It is like an avalanche. It starts small but when the snowball have the acceleration, big obstacles would be overcome easily.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 07 Jul 2007 01:44:12 |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2007 : 13:44:50
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Division in human society is universal and not just a peculiar African affair. In the most developed economies, the reality of "we and them" is well expressed in daily dealings. These are the gains and losses of capitalism. Even the European Union is not all that UNITED as word has it. Closer, still, sibling rivalry is enough to spell the complexity of humans at that range.
That is no reason to conclude African Unity is impossible. People of SHARED VALUES will find no trouble building economic and political blocs. To bite what you can chew is a sure of going about it. The picture of a United Africa is big enough. Each generation has only so much to do and let succeeding generations perfect subsequently. Unless something starts, we never know the gaps and how to fill them up. Development is a dialectical and realistic process. |
Karamba |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2007 : 21:31:00
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Nothing is impossible to people who have an open mind.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Sibo
Denmark
231 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2007 : 22:55:57
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| I totally agree with you Sister Omega. We have to be openminded, determined and believe in ourselves and united Africa |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2007 : 23:22:53
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Good point from Sister Omega. With open minds, nothing is impossible. |
Karamba |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2007 : 00:26:15
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I must caution that to dream with ones eyes open is a sign of madness. Sometimes, there is a thin line between hopefulness and depression.
It reminds me of the Iraqi information minister in the days before the saddam regime collapsed when he said that the Iraqis were slaughtering the Americans and that they are being buried in their hundreds whilst American tanks were rolling a few locks from his propaganda bureau.
Even Bush seemed to like the man's sense of humour. Such a hope is just like the hope of United States of Africa. Anyone who has the hope is only day dreaming. It will never be and so we must move on.
The greatest military General is not one who orders his troops to fight to the finish in the face of an enemy ready and powerful enough to wipe his troops out, but his ability to minimise casualties even if it means surrendering.
The example of the Kamakazis comes to mind. In the end, it never achieved anything.
The aim of every son and daughter born on the continent is to be "president for Life" so who will give in for who? Do you expect Mugabe to give up power for Jammeh or Zenawi for Kabila? Our problem is patronage.
Even NADD could not agree on a term limit or even a rotating presidency for a tiny hamlet like Gambia with over five political parties. Its a joke. AU SHOULD BE DISBANNED. IT’S NOTHING BUT THE SHADOWY DREAM OF A VISIONARY. A dream is harmless unless translated into reality let alone a shadowy dream.
Like the Wolof say: NYU MUNA KHOTTA, AMUNGE MBAM.
The opportunity of a United States of Africa had passed in 1960, when French West Africa stood on the side of France except Guinea Conakry that stood on the side of an African Intercontinental Government, an idea deeply rooted in the believe of Nkrumah.
What happened? Guinea was basically robbed of even spoons at the statehouse. Old telephone sets were all taken away, plates spoons and knives. International telephone lines were cut off and all the machines taken away. It was like travelling into the prehistoric period. Only Ghana came to their aid. Even the "Negritude" club looked the other way for an opportunity to dine at the prestigious palaise de.....
Yes Guineans in the end did not like Seku because they thought independence will bring in a sort of magical formula to turn their mangoes into diamonds. But what do you expect from a man building a country from nothing. Don’t ask me about cars. In the end Seku asked for self sacrifice which unfortunately we do not have in our DNA resulting to migration of millions of Guineans into Gambia and Sierra Leone. Those who lived in the villages in the Gambia must have come into contact with seasonal farmers from Guinea. If the French can take away telephone sets then we should not ask about the big the elephant in the room. Like the Wolof say: KU DEMUT GAN NARR SAH, KHAM NA NEH, GOODI LE NYUY RERR.
Seku's health Minister was also the surgeon at the main hospital in Conakry shifting between policy planning and routine administrative matters.
Even the so called believers of "negritude" were found on the wrong side of history. We killed or exiled all those leaders who believed in an African Continental Government. The likes of Patrice Lumumba, Seku Ture(so many attempts on his life), Kwammeh (who died in exile and his widow almost turning into a beggar for a man who brought free universal education to Ghana upto University, exported surplus electricity to Togo and Benin. Today Accra is struggling with even drinking water let alone electricity.
In Nungua which is a suburb of Accra, I saw water being sold on Donkey carts in big barrels which I bought some for my host. In Abeka Lapass, it’s the same problem. May be those super rich in Achimota did not experience it or those in the cantonment district.
Almost all the grand projects in Ghana are the legacies of Nkrumah.
Thanks to Nkrumah that most Gambians on the internet today were taught by Ghanaian teachers.
Like Youssou Ndour said: BO DEMEH BEH KHAMATO FO JEM, NYI BIL FINGE LA KHAMEH, FINGE LA TETEH, FINGA JANGEH LEKOL.
Today even South Africa is closing its borders to their neighbors when millions of South Africans were hosted in Mozambique, Namibia, and mainly in Zimbabwe. Radio Free Africa was broadcasting from Zimbabwe with Mbecki (junior) as one of the broadcasters. All in the name of maintaining a healthy economy but something that her neighbors never cared for and were ready to share the little crumbs they had with them.
Even small Gambia hosted many Namibian students to pursue high school education to help them have a core of educated nationals once they have independence. One of them, a girl named Rachel later became a private secretary to the Prime Minister of Namibia. She lived in the home of late A.A. Njie, the NCP MP for Serrekunda West. Rachel I believe went to St. Joseph's High School.
This sacrifice for the neighbor has long gone.
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