Brother Sidibeh,
Unfortunately, I am also well aware that the idea of a rivalry is not at all
ridiculous and defining it as that is deliberate on my part. I guess the way I
deal with that is to ignore it and consider it ridiculous so that others will
see it as just that and concentrate on more productive things. Your
conributions always direct us to the more important matters we should expend our
energies on.
You wrote:
"In a long article years ago, I argued that Gambian intellectuals have mostly
remained aloof on socio-economic and political issues, sharing knowledge
neither with themselves nor with the unschooled masses."
Our intellectuals unfortunately are focussed on matters that benefit neither
themselves nor anyone else. Knowledge is meant to be applied to the everyday
practical matters affecting ordinary people, and if that idea is misunderstood,
well, any knowledge no matter how impressive becomes just a trophy on the
wall, and therefore useless really to all concerned in the long run.
I think it all goes back to our tendency as a people to hoard ideas, to keep
it secret and hidden from the next person so they do not sabotage us, and to
view any suggestions of improvements upon them as akin to relinquinshing our
title to it.
It is hard for good ideas to be born and improved upon in such a setting.
I think that in general, we as a people are not well skilled in the art of
communicating with each other and accepting information from each other,
especially if that information is a criticism or even a simple suggestion. The
problem that arises for us then is that since possesing and utilizing these skills
are the foundation for buiding a society where our needs are identified and
acted upon for the benefit of all, we find ourselves at a standstill no matter
how lofty our intentions.
If we are frank with each other, that becomes viewed as malice and a
perceived enmity arises. We hoard ideas and suggestions to improve upon good ideas are
viewed as threats Every comment or suggestion is seen as a personal affront,
an attempt to somehow undermine.
I have to confess that after having spent the better part of my life outside
Gambian society, I get into a lot of trouble because I tend to forget this
flaw we have before I open my mouth to say something.
However, this internet medium certainly offers us a wonderful opportunity to
address each other, and if we are open to it, it can certainly also help us to
learn that it is through discussion, frankness and the ability to accept
criticism as a tool to improve ourselves that we can become effective in building
a better society for all.
Jabou Joh
n a message dated 10/15/03 5:07:37 PM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:>
>
> Sister Jabou Joh,
>
> As you mentioned earlier, to have so much for which to struggle, and to
> engage in excessive trivia here is itself a tragedy. So I too think that all of
> us should move on to more pressing matters.
>
> I have tried when necessary to just drop some issues with a view to help
> myself concentrate on others that carry more weight for our common interests.
> And I hope neither Ebou Jallow nor anyone else should pay attention to this
> malicious rumour of a Gambial-L closedown.
>
> Nevertheless, as much as it pains, I need to insist that the idea of a
> rivalry is not at all ridiculous. I for one have just simply not paid any
> attention whatsoever to it. As I mentioned in an earlier posting here, internet
> forums operate basically on congeniality. Gambians like any other peoples, can
> start as many mailing lists as they see fit for any number of reasons, and all
> of us can join these lists as long as we believe they serve our interest. Yet
> there is no doubt in my mind that quite a number of aritificial stray mails
> that found there way mysteriously to Gambia-L can hardly have been of noble
> purpose. [I hope I am not the only one who remembers the advent of lost e-mails
> that mysteriously land on the L before the author claims he must have lost
> his way in cyberspace 'cos he is on his way to the Mighty Post?]. And not only
> that, believe me.
>
> Well, what do you do with such incidents? One can neglect them like petty
> irritants. Which is not to say that they lack an underlying motive.
>
> What we should be doing is to share information. Some have done a good job
> of that, now and then forwarding to Gambia-L articles that were sent
> originally to the Post, and vice versa. That needs to continue.
> What I think we should do at Gambia-L is to create the profile of a forum
> where we address one another with respect in spite of the diffeent creeds we
> may represent. We should hope that by being that modest and cultured in the
> way we conduct debates and discussions, even those institutions or individuals,
> especially in Gambia, who are often objects of debate, may honestly feel
> that criticism directed at them are, for all intents and purposes, constructive;
> and that we can contribute in a modest way, to inculcate a rigorous culture
> of dialogue that seems to elude so many of Africa's societies; looking for
> solutions to our national problems by exchanging ideas rather than insults,
> which are usually a prelude to violence.
> (Goodness, if we prove incapable of addressing one another with respect, why
> should anyone in Gambia, especially political leaders, listen to what we
> have to say? Why should we be taken seriously?)
>
> In a long article years ago, I argued that Gambian intellectuals have mostly
> remained aloof on socio-economic and political issues, sharing knowledge
> neither with themselves nor with the unschooled masses. It has been the Muslim
> clerics who stationed themselves at street corners and spread the word about
> living as good muslims and decent human beings. PDOIS broke that tradition in
> the mid-eighties. The internet has also provided us with a dynamic
> instrument by which we can strengthen and deepen that culture of dialogue. Herein lies
> the responsibility of our generation in the struggle to create a truely
> democratic and open society in Gambia.
>
> Cheers,
> Momodou S Sidibeh
>
>
> --- Original Message -----
> From: "Jabou Joh" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 2:34 PM
> Subject: Re: Rumours that G-L is closed/Omar
>
>
> > Thank you Omar. I sent this message to the list to dispel the rumour, and
> > prove how ridiculous it was, and I must say that when the individual told
> me
> > about this rumour, the idea of any list rivalry never entered my mind.
> > Unfortunately, Ebou Jallow's use of the occasion to make that connection
> has turned this
> > into something it was not intended to be.I had actually assumed that the
> > rumour came from the Regime's agents who would rather that we were not
> here
> > exposing them.
> > Infact, i see no reason for those who want to join both lists not to do
> > so.The idea of ay rivalry is ridiculous.
> > Omar, I always miss the chance to tell you that I admire your maturity and
> > wisdom possesed by such a young man. It can only be an asset for our
> country.
> >
> > Jabou Joh
> >
> > In a message dated 10/14/03 8:04:07 PM Central Daylight Time,
> > [log in to unmask] writes:
> > >
> > > Sister Jabou,
> > > lets proceed, this rumour is just one and there may be many more along
> the
> > > way. What is essential is for those in charge of the list to ensure that
> all
> > > such rumours are proven wrong.
> > > Personally, I have joined both lists to get a broader spectrum of the
> > > Gambian public opinion. Thus I can only urge their managements to keep
> up
> > > their good work. They can definitely co-exist harmoniously and I have no
> > > reason to believe that they have been doing otherwise. There is nothing
> > > wrong in even having some more lists as long as they give many more
> Gambians
> > > at home and in the diaspora the opportunity to publicly express their
> views
> > > on all kinds of issues.
> > > Omar Joof.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > >From: Jabou Joh <[log in to unmask]>
> > > >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
> > > ><[log in to unmask]>
> > > >To: [log in to unmask]
> > > >Subject: Re: Rumours that G-L is closed!!!!!
> > > >Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2003 17:30:54 EDT
> > > >
> > > >I know brother Modou Camara. I thought it rather amusing that there is
> such
> > > >a
> > > >rumour. Thanks to the list managers for all your hard work.
> > > >
> > > >Jabou Joh
> > > >
> > > >In a message dated 10/14/03 9:53:47 AM Central Daylight Time,
> > > >[log in to unmask] writes:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Sister Jabou,
> > > > > Its just wishful thinking! Gambia-L have almost 500 members.
> > > > >
> > > > > Momodou Camara
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Jabou Joh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > > > > > I guess someone has been spreading rumours that G-L is
> > > > > > closed. I received an
> > > > > > email this morning asking for confirmation of this.
> > > > > > Perhaps the wishful thinking of those who would like to have
> > > > > > the list go
> > > > > > away.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Jabou Joh
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
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