I have personally read both sides of the issue, and I saw the entire series
and I still disagree with Gates on substantial portions of his program. Now
that we know his objectives, it is even more ironic that he could not do a
better job than what he did and presented.
Among other things, he left the impression that the Ashanti Kingdom WAS only
because of Ashantis traded slaves to white Europeans. What about white
Europeans who conceived, planned, and implemented this trade at high risks
to themselves for serious economic gain? Can you imagine getting on a
sailing boat 500 years ago and travelling around the world to get slaves?
You'd do everything to get those slaves once you get to Africa including
bribes to anyone who can get you those slaves. What about the situation and
context of the times from the Ashanti's perspective? If we are jumping into
hasty conclusions, Gates as a scholar is worse than us.
Constructive criticism is no vice, so long as it is not personal. We can
not sit on the fence forever, but must take a stand and articulate it
vigorously.
Thanks much.
-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Yarl <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thursday, November 18, 1999 9:15 AM
Subject: GATES' RESPONSE (Revised comment)
>--- Received from WPS.RYARL 223-5923 11-18-99
912a -
>
> => [log in to unmask]
>
>Good morning fellow Africans and friends of Africa.
>
>And thanks so much, Aggo, for making this information
>available. God bless.
>
>I will encourage all interested to take the time and
>read Gates' response. Truly, this goes without saying
>that there are always, and I mean, always two sides to
>any story. This is the bedrock of many truths and trusts
>to what you hear. It also goes with a heavier weight that
>you should be careful not to get caught in hasty conclusions
>that spring from hasty judgments without facts. Usually we
>find ourselves in this situation when we use biased feelings
>instead of facts. In other words, while being sensitive to
>the achievements, skills and contributions of others, always
>base your critical analysis on substantial facts from the 'WHY'
>question(s). Facts and not feelings, like in many situations,
>have merit here. That's one way to appreciate others.
>
>Please, please read Gates' WHY's to lot of the areas of the critiques
>we saw soon after the film series on his 'Wonders of the African World'
>was presented by PBS in October 1999. It may help you to understand
>why Gates did what he did in his work.
>
>On a side note, africana.com contains a wide range of interesting
>information. Enjoy.
>
>Cheers and God bless!
>
>Richard Yarl
><><><><><><>
>(608) 277-5687
>
>
>
>
>
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
>
>From: [log in to unmask]
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 07:42:53 -0600
>Subject: GATES' RESPONSE TO ALI MAZRUI
>
>The complete and full text of Louis Gates' response to Ali Mazrui is
>available at the web-site URL address shown below. It is a long one, but
>very much worth it to read. Very interesting indeed, check it out.
>
>Cheers.
>
>>
>> http://www.africana.com/
>>
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
>To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, visit:
>
> http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/aam.html
>
>AAM Website: http://www.danenet.wicip.org/aam
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
>
>---- 11-18-99 902a ---- Sent
-------------------------------------
> -> [log in to unmask]
>
>---- 11-18-99 912a ---- Sent
-------------------------------------
> -> [log in to unmask]
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
>To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, visit:
>
> http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/aam.html
>
>AAM Website: http://www.danenet.wicip.org/aam
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, visit:
http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/aam.html
AAM Website: http://www.danenet.wicip.org/aam
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
