Quote:
Originally Posted by chi
Baserbillion......I dont really understand how the economic hardship of the Africans you saw becomes an obstruction to changing a name. It doesn't change history......or is the issue that you were a little ashamed ?
I'm not trying to accuse you, but I dont quite see the connection. The difference between your access to material things and those poorer Africans you saw is no different to a Ghanaian or Nigerian who lives in the west and those back home who just dont have the same economic standing.
If you had gone to a rich community where people had more than you, would your stand be different?
I understand that the experience of often quite startling, but it still doesn't change your history.......your roots are still in Africa.
I think its more about how you see the situation. The fact that pencils were currency, to me, is something which would make me proud. In some communities that are deep in poverty, its crack or alchohol which becomes their currency. The people you saw see education, self development as their way out of the situation. Its just like kids who walk miles to go to school or do their homework by candlelight.........I would be proud of those people.
Anyhoo.....at least you are being honest about it.
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Thanks for showing maturity in disagreeing with me, i appreciate it as its often rare on forums.
Firstly, economics are not a barrier to changing your name, the point i am trying to make is that it just feels like a token gesture in forwarding our cause. High-lighting the economic disparity between us seemed like the most stark background on which to illustrate this.
Was i a little ashamed? Honestly? Yes & No. I guess you think thats a non-answer right? Well, i'll try to explain. Going to Africa WAS THE BEST THING THAT I HAVE EVER DONE. I felt a closeness with the Kenyans (and JAH, you'll know when you get there) that is difficult to describe, a brotherhood whilst recognising that we were different. Everyone greeted me and my fiance as 'brother or sister' almost without exception. They greeted white people with 'Mum & Dad, (I am cringing as i write this) which in its self shows a disturbed psychy, but thats another post! The art, the music, the food the conversation was beautiful and the countrys' views themselves BEYOND DESCRIPTION.
The downside was visiting an orphanage that is not much better than that we see on TV appeals. There were a few Whites with us, who you could just see were thinking, "why can't you do better?". So yes i was ashamed. Ashamed of the governments who actively aid and abiet Europe in its sustained ruthless, relentless savaging of Africa. Ashamed that for all the great men and women of our past nothing has changed, ashamed that Africa is decades if not centuries behind the rest of the world. Now guess what. UNTIL WE STOP TOKEN GESTURES IT WILL NOT CHANGE. Lets face facts, lets see it for what it is. Lets stop looking at Africa through Euphoric rose tinted glasses and REALLY TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Good lord, oh Mr Illuminati whitey must be laughing his ass off. Whilst we're changing our names in A FEW pockets he's funding his latest genocide in Darfur. Its brilliant.
Trading pens and pencils for food is not the way forward!!!!! Come on. I am not dissing them as thats all they as individuals can do, but for you to sit there behind your laptop, in your comfy house and see it as a good thing is mind boggling. No money is not everything, but that does not mean we don't need it. We do. Thats how the world works.
Lastly, its just amazing that the standard of education ther was nothing short of FANTASTIC. Those kids (3 - 7yrs old) would put they're western counterparts to shame.
Lastly, lastly, yes my roots are African, Yes i love who i am & where i'm from, yes i want to make it better. I don't mean to offend anyone and if i have i appologise, i just call it how i see it. I love your sentiment, understand where its from just disagree with its manifestation.