chewable vitamin
"my africa is rich in human resources and dignity, i get insulted when i see only images of our dying, our wars, our Darfur, our AIDS victims... not our doctors, our nurses, our teachers... africa must find it's own saviors: the salvation of africa is in the hands of African women."
: iman abdulmajid
3 comments:
Ooh, good stuff! I have been having some good conversations around this stuff lately with a few people. I suppose it's natural that we tend to oversimplify places we have never been and people we have never known personally. BUT nevertheless, we should also strive to see them as people, just like us. I don't like when America is characterized as potato chips, neocons, and Britney Spears. So why would I think it's okay to characterize a vast continent by its suffering and conflict alone? Wholehearted agreement with you there, sister.
Plus I'm reading the Autobiography of Malcolm X, and there is a lot with which I disagree, but he says essentially, "the black man has to do for himself; he cannot achieve dignity with what the white man gives him." And I have to resonate with that.
Also. . . I had a good conversation at the Lifewater conference about African men and women. Some African guys pointed out that men do not do the domestic work because it would be a disgrace. Essentially, with the loss of traditional ways of life and agriculture/hunting and gathering opportunities, African men have lost their special roles. They don't have a place, which often leads to vices like drinking and domestic abuse. So the question is, do we look to African women to save Africa, or do we also try to engage men in rediscovering valuable roles? Heady stuff.
if it is any consolation; until recently, charles outdid me in housework easily. now we're about even.
;)
maureen
i really love this qoute.
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