Update News: TransAfrica Forum
Thanks for your Support!
from Tina Jones
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From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2002 12:05 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: TransAfrica Forum News: February 6--A Quick Note of Thanks to
Supporters of TransAfrica Forum
TransAfrica Forum News
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A Quick Note of Thanks to Supporters of TransAfrica Forum
By Bill Fletcher, Jr.
Before too much time has passed I wanted to send off this note to thank
those of you who have already responded to our appeal for financial
assistance. I have been very moved by the generosity of the contributions
as well as the notes of support.
Watching from afar the World Economic Forum taking place in New York City,
I did a good deal of thinking about the role of TransAfrica Forum. Here we
had the world's economic elite discussing the future of this planet. While
there was dissent expressed both inside the event (e.g., through the words
and activity of the singer Bono) and outside (through demonstrations), one
could get the impression that this conference was of no importance to Black
America and the Africa World generally. One could never be more wrong.
At the international level the dominant view of economic development sees
the so-called free market-that is free of social regulation unless the
market is in trouble-as the means for all countries to develop. This
orientation, which is the cornerstone of this process we have come to call
globalization, is being enforced through trade agreements, international
financial institutions (e.g., the World Bank), and, yes, through military
action. Particularly since September 11th, those who have raised questions
as to whether there is another economic model, especially a more humane
approach to the economy, have been tarred as sympathetic to the views of Bin
Laden and the Al Qaeda network. Leaving aside for a moment that Bin Laden
and Al Qaeda actually support their own version of a free market economy,
such tarring inhibits us from having the sort of discussion needed about the
directions for the future.
The Black World needs to engage in discussions about economic development,
regardless of whether we happen to be invited to these gatherings of the
elite. We need to engage in discussions ranging from what happens to the
urban centers of the USA when companies shut down and run, to discussions
about the economic impact of HIV/AIDS on Africa, the Caribbean and Latin
America. We cannot afford to sit back and wait for the multi-national
corporations, international financial institutions, or the governments of
the USA and Europe, to outline our future or the lack thereof.
Thus, in listening to the reports from and about the World Economic Forum I
was reminded of how important a role TransAfrica Forum potentially has in
strengthening a Black American constituency to speak to the critical issues
facing the African Diaspora. Without your help and involvement, we will go
no where. None of us can afford to forget that the most effective and
impassioned lobby we have in the USA for the concerns of the African
Diaspora is Black America itself. Through education, organization and
mobilization its voice will be heard. I look forward to working with you on
this mission.
Thanks again for your support.
_____________________________________________
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Copyright 2002 by TransAfrica Forum
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