So What Exactly Are Our "Bigger Problems"???

Shemsi en Tehuti · (#1 (**permalink**))

Often on Blacknet when a particularly uncomfortable topic surfaces people sling out the auto-response, "We have bigger things to worry about than <current subject>." Thereby acknowledging that there is a problem yet giving themselves permission to ignore it at the same time. This has been used in countless threads from religion, politics, news, sex, commerce,nationalism, slavery/colonialism, language, philosophies,hair,beauty standards,and just everyday discussion on current events or concernspertaining to Africans. Sometimes it seems as a cop-out to a real discussion on certain issues.

What I want to know is, what are these "bigger problems" people refer to? And exactly what are you doing to better resolve them for the African community? If you are doing nothing, then why not address the not-so-bigissues facing Africans worldwide? As for the "bigger problems", please also state what you think we should be doing to address them.

Hotep.

TheDogon · (#2 (**permalink**))

Shemsi en Tehuti wrote:

Quote:

Often on Blacknet when a particularly uncomfortable topic surfaces people sling out the auto-response, "We have bigger things to worry about than <current subject>." Thereby acknowledging that there is a problem yet giving themselves permission to ignore it at the same time. This has been used in countless threads from religion, politics, news, sex, commerce,nationalism, slavery/colonialism, language, philosophies,hair,beauty standards,and just everyday discussion on current events or concernspertaining to Africans. Sometimes it seems as a cop-out to a real discussion on certain issues.

What I want to know is, what are these "bigger problems" people refer to? And exactly what are you doing to better resolve them for the African community? If you are doing nothing, then why not address the not-so-bigissues facing Africans worldwide? As for the "bigger problems", please also state what you think we should be doing to address them.

Hotep.

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I think our biggest problem is lack of consensus and unity. Until we face the hard, honest truth that we can't do much by using small organizations and by acting as individuals, it's going to be a tough road. What we continuously see is "Black" folk pointing out this or that as a problem. That's all good. But most of us have to see the same thing. We have to start staying on message like other groups do. If we think Hip-Hop has some negative influences, pointing it out as an individual won't do much. We need to be articulate about the subject and express clearly what the issues are. We also need to be united when we do so.

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Shemsi en Tehuti · (#3 (**permalink**))

So unity and consistency are our big problems in your opinion?

Incognito · (#4 (**permalink**))

Shemsi - I've been thinking for years to start a thread titled 'What have you done for Africa today' but I got kind of disheartened by the responses I used to get in the days Iused to send out an email with the same title

Personally my attentions focus on what I can do for charity - as in for real poor peoplebut the money well is running dry - and helpingthe up and coming engineers in my trade learn the trade.I have this vision of a large IT boom in Africa and want as many ready and capable African engineers on the case.

I'm more an undivided attention person. Don't think there's anything worse than making promises you can't keep....known too many good intentioned people fall out for stuff like that. Im kind of on thismission where I gave myself until 40 for the solid graft. In that time I would have had family andcollateral well established laying the foundations to dedicate myself to the cause. Kind of still on it but found some soft sand in the foundations which will take about two years to stabilise so I'm seriously thinking aboutusing it as an excuse to jack in the 9-5 three years early. Ultimately I see myself on a flex similar to FredB, wish I'd met him ten years ago.

But for me,ourbiggest problemis with no collective cohesion, everybody doing their little thing to helpis like pi$$ing in the sea - it's like more of aconscience clearing exercise or just something done out of passion where achieving the end game is a bonus.I believe collective cohesion comes from sharedcore valuesas opposed to a shared dream.

DtotheJ · (#5 (**permalink**))

Shemsi,

don't get offended by the brother telling you that we have bigger things to worry about.
that's his opinion.....all you can do is present information to people........and how they react is up to them.......
I felt better informed by your colgate thread...and it will probably impact my next purchasing decision for toothpaste..and I may write a letter to customer service for the parent company and ask them to clarify...
the next man may react differently to the info.....It's all good really...

I've been there and done that in previous board where I put up info and got different repsonses...hey, it's just important to put the info out here....

some will care..some will not.....some will tell you you are wasting your time...

don't let that discourage you from posting info that otherwise would never get exposed........

Abissinia · (#6 (**permalink**))

Right now

Making sure that every African has the basic essentials (food, shelter and education)....... that to me is the no1 priority.

You are not going to get too far with unity and the many other equally important things with people who are preoccupied with trying to survive day by day.

TheDogon · (#7 (**permalink**))

Shemsi en Tehuti wrote:

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So unity and consistency are our big problems in your opinion?

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I think so. I think we must build from a stable foundation. I don't see any other way than to follow the steps that that lead to us being more effective as a group.

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But that's easily our greatest challenge. Building unity and building consensus.

TheDogon · (#8 (**permalink**))

TheDogon · (#9 (**permalink**))

Incognito wrote:

Quote:

Shemsi - I've been thinking for years to start a thread titled 'What have you done for Africa today' but I got kind of disheartened by the responses I used to get in the days Iused to send out an email with the same title

Personally my attentions focus on what I can do for charity - as in for real poor peoplebut the money well is running dry - and helpingthe up and coming engineers in my trade learn the trade.I have this vision of a large IT boom in Africa and want as many ready and capable African engineers on the case.

I'm more an undivided attention person. Don't think there's anything worse than making promises you can't keep....known too many good intentioned people fall out for stuff like that. Im kind of on thismission where I gave myself until 40 for the solid graft. In that time I would have had family andcollateral well established laying the foundations to dedicate myself to the cause. Kind of still on it but found some soft sand in the foundations which will take about two years to stabilise so I'm seriously thinking aboutusing it as an excuse to jack in the 9-5 three years early. Ultimately I see myself on a flex similar to FredB, wish I'd met him ten years ago.

But for me,ourbiggest problemis with no collective cohesion, everybody doing their little thing to helpis like pi$$ing in the sea - it's like more of aconscience clearing exercise or just something done out of passion where achieving the end game is a bonus.I believe collective cohesion comes from sharedcore valuesas opposed to a shared dream.

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Powerful sentiments there, Incognito.

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TheDogon · (#10 (**permalink**))

Abissinia wrote:

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Right now

Making sure that every African has the basic essentials (food, shelter and education)....... that to me is the no1 priority.

You are not going to get too far with unity and the many other equally important things with people who are preoccupied with trying to survive day by day.

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True that, but even outside of Africa, there is little unity.There is little unity even where "Blacks" are middle class and live like fat cats.

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The Watcher · (#11 (**permalink**))

Abissinia wrote:

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Right now

Making sure that every African has the basic essentials (food, shelter and education)....... that to me is the no1 priority.

You are not going to get too far with unity and the many other equally important things with people who are preoccupied with trying to survive day by day.

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I don't think that approach works either Abs because there will always be poor and hungry people unless we act on why people are poor and hungry. Feeding them does nothing in the longrun and like "AID" to Africa may even prolong things. The only way we can tackle the reasons behind the poverty are to act for more unity. Because those issues are so big and geopolitical they can seem daunting. WTF can I do against a bunch of governments I think to myself at times... but if it is just me then the answer is practically nothing. WTF can I do myself to combat the loss of soul in todays black youth? By myself not a damn thing... nothing.

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So because all the issues are so overwhelming and big that merely thinking of them may cause despair and hand wringing, we do first need unity or there is no point in attempting to address them at all.

Abissinia · (#12 (**permalink**))

@DM @The Dogon

I understand and agree with working for more sustainable long term solutions such as unity... because with unity Africa can feed and sustain the whole continent with out the help of an outsider.

What i was thinking of was the immediate problem, 'the now' which isn't as effective as a long term solution but how do you convince people who are suffering from drought and hunger to work towards unity when they are busy trying to find their next meal?

I like the idea of unity but everyone or majority has to be convinced to working towards it and then work to maintain it.