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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Dec 2009 : 17:27:16
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It became very clear to me that tribalism is not only the root of all forms of corruption but also the root of all evil in human existence.
The question is how we deal with it, hence if we fail to uproot it from its bloom, most, if not all our efforts will fall in the bottomless pitch of fruitlessness and the consequences thereafter suicidal.
Countrymen, let us foster ganbianity to get away from the separatist predisposition of tribalism. Nothing is more saddening than to see goodhearted, intelligent, well-meaning countrymen fall pray for this monster, whose underlying principle is grounded on the logic of rejection and arguments of resistance. The only hope out of this quagmire is to exploit the strength of tribalism to cultivate the spirit of oneness rooted in the logic of gambianity.
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 10 Dec 2009 : 22:38:49
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Janko, your signature is very apt:
No action but tons of words
Many speak but few understand the spoken word.
For instance:
"The only hope out of this quagmire is to exploit the strength of tribalism to cultivate the spirit of oneness rooted in the logic of gambianity."
I am sure such a statement is fully understood by yourself, but for us mere mortals it's all very confusing  
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 10 Dec 2009 22:39:58 |
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 10 Dec 2009 : 23:22:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Janko
It became very clear to me that tribalism is not only the root of all forms of corruption but also the root of all evil in human existence.
The question is how we deal with it, hence if we fail to uproot it from its bloom, most, if not all our efforts will fall in the bottomless pitch of fruitlessness and the consequences thereafter suicidal.
Countrymen, let us foster ganbianity to get away from the separatist predisposition of tribalism. Nothing is more saddening than to see goodhearted, intelligent, well-meaning countrymen fall pray for this monster, whose underlying principle is grounded on the logic of rejection and arguments of resistance. The only hope out of this quagmire is to exploit the strength of tribalism to cultivate the spirit of oneness rooted in the logic of gambianity.
Uncle Janko, what exactly do you mean by tribalism? It would be an overstatement to argue that tribalism is the root of "all forms" of corruption. Most corrupt people are driven by the desire for self-preservation and they would not hesitate to work with people from all tribes to enrich themselves (our learned professor comes to mind).
It is still true that tribalism plays a significant role fueling corruption and nepotism.
The rest of your words are too fancy for people with tiny brains like me to understand  . |
"When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty." |
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2009 : 13:28:04
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Toubab1020
You just have to excuse me for any inconvenience, due to my limited knowledge in English.
I mean tribalism is such a powerful idea that if we are able to redirect that power towards building a Gambia where being a Gambian is more important than which tribe one is we would be better off. |
Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2009 : 15:12:25
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I aggree with janko. But also i think some argumenst are stifle by simply hiding behind a tribal sentiment. promoting Gambianism can be done in ways which wouldn't be ony doing the conveninet thing. many quickly accuse others of crimes they themselves are more guilty of. Gambians like all other human beings belong to language groups, cultures and traditions. Since no human is better than the other base on ethnicity or language, the focus on tribalism tend to get too flagged up giving it a prominense it doesn't deserve.
We cannot change the fact we are a bit different, so sometimes others will find it difficult dealing with those who are different. |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2009 : 17:45:50
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Janko,now that you have explained what you meant in words that I can readily understand I see no confusion (if I understand now ) ,Being a Gambian is better than being a member of a specific tribe and those tribal feelings should be directed to being a Gambian first and foremost,is that what you meant?
quote:
Originally posted by Janko
Toubab1020
You just have to excuse me for any inconvenience, due to my limited knowledge in English.
I mean tribalism is such a powerful idea that if we are able to redirect that power towards building a Gambia where being a Gambian is more important than which tribe one is we would be better off.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2009 : 19:52:27
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Janko do you mean that being a Citizen should come first before ones ethnicity? Thereby every Citizen will be a stakeholder within nationbuilding and thus cement national unity? Yes I agree with that principle. I also agree with Sanatafara about the richness of diversity as we are all uniquely different and culturally there is a lot of positive elements to be embrassed within our diverse cultures. However I do agree when all is said and done a nation should encapsulate its citizens and treat them all fairly within its laws and institutions therefore Nationhood should come before ethnicity in nationbuilding.
Peace
Sister Omega
www.sophiasewell-njie.blogspot.com |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 11 Dec 2009 20:06:21 |
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2009 : 00:55:53
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Thanks, all
It is to Gambia we pay our allegiance not tribe. As one people, one nation and one intention our agreements or disagreements and discussions should be based on ideas, reason, and facts. When tribe become a consciousness, a yardstick for evaluating and understanding the world around then it corrupts the rationale hence the whole notion of existence becomes tribal.
Tribalism in this usage is a screening principle that puts tribe on top of the hierarchy whiles competence, ability and knowledge at the bottom or none existent. Any justification that has tribe as its only criterion is not only corrupt but also discriminating and is doomed to fail. When you vote for a candidate based on tribe and not political agenda, when you employ someone based on tribe and not merit, when you argue for or against an idea because of tribe and not reason, when you pick your friends or enemies based on tribe, are all forms of corruption, hence the only positive advantage is tribe.
Gambianity implies that we are first Gambians then tribes. Diversity is a force, a resource that enriches our national heritage not a curse or a reason for antagonism and separation. Diversity is our strength not weakness.
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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tamsier
United Kingdom
557 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2009 : 01:54:52
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| Couldn't agree more. I would add religion to that list. Thank you very much. |
Tamsier
Serere heritage. Serere religion. Serere to the end.
Roog a fa ha. |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2009 : 22:57:03
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quote:
Originally posted by tamsier
Couldn't agree more. I would add religion to that list. Thank you very much.
You may also add taste of food, dress, colour of people, politics, and what have you. People will always be different. what is important is respect and acceptance. no one can elimanate difference. be it faith, ideology, politics or taste. |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 25 Dec 2009 : 15:19:41
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Budget proposal - a deterrent to tribal escapism
If the politicians had given us a budget proposal, something to hold onto, to compare and contrast, something that would give a hint about their mindsets and their political goals there would be no time left for narrow-mindedness and tribal escapism. So give us your alternative budget proposals and stop narrating the same incomprehensive story over and over again without getting nowhere.
It seems as the politicians are engaged in pettiness, talking about ideologies that have no direct connection to the everyday reality of the electorate. They are not coming up with something concrete, and in such a political context tribe and tribalising becomes the easy way out. |
Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
Edited by - Janko on 25 Dec 2009 15:22:26 |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 25 Dec 2009 : 21:27:31
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Well Said Janko, but it's politics,so no chance, I am afraid , until the whole world gives up self interest and starts to see and deal with the problems of the mass of the ordinary population,in The Gambia The U.S. The UK.......... everywhere, when will that day come.......NEVER!!
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 25 Dec 2009 : 22:48:10
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Thanks toubab1020
What would they concretely do when they win?
Gambian opposition politicians in particular should translate their political ideas into an alternative budget proposition to help the voter to understand their ideas better.
I suppose any politician in opposition who wants the voter to take him/her seriously should be able to give an alternative "budget proposition".
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
Edited by - Janko on 25 Dec 2009 22:50:00 |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2009 : 12:15:23
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Janko.
Back to things that are possible,
I totally agree with what you have written and I think that the general feeling on Bantaba is as you see it,for without some concrete proposals, what on earth is the point of voting at all if a party has not developed an alternative to that which is on the table.what the alternative that you would be voting for must be spelt out in terms that the people can understand, just to say vote for me I have an alternative is plainly no choice to anyone.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2009 : 22:08:51
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How could Gambian politicians ask for the votes of the electorate and yet not respecting them enough to present an alternative budget proposal.
What does that tell us about Gambian politics and politicians who spend all their time discussing ideology and not one single time mention or even insinuate an alternative budget proposal.
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
Edited by - Janko on 26 Dec 2009 22:12:19 |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2009 : 12:04:53
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Janko,Thanks for that clear summing up of Gambian politics,I hope that we can now have some concrete not idoligical discussion on real terms 
quote:
Originally posted by Janko
How could Gambian politicians ask for the votes of the electorate and yet not respecting them enough to present an alternative budget proposal.
What does that tell us about Gambian politics and politicians who spend all their time discussing ideology and not one single time mention or even insinuate an alternative budget proposal.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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