Saiks, 
Being part of a collective and delivering one's share of the assignments is what the struggle is all about! There is no contradiction and certainly not a question of  'personalization'.You claimed: 'I am also part of that collective', and my question is: what are you delivering?  

> To stay in the Gambia is not what is going to make a difference ,what has
> inspired me most is the determination of the students to make the truth known
> and be felt,the price they paid is great

Saiks you have been chanting the words 'For Freedom' too long! The spirits of the fallen students who have paid the heavy price are calling on you to continue the struggle at home.

During my visit, I was literally living at RVH. I have talked to different people(both gambians and foreigners), and in the midst of all the wretchedness and decadence you label that place with, these ordinary people do share a lowest common denominator: The ability to deliver one's little contribution in a collective setting, positively moving forward our nation. Your presence at the RVH could be seen both as a professional and an activist. You can be instrumental in forming The Union of Health Workers, an interest group that can strategically work towards the improvement of the general condition of that hospital both for the patients and the people working there! Going on strike if the need arises and heroically saving lives as the order of the day! You may say they would meet the fate of the students. But I am saying if that union was in place and functioning, together with the dockworkers', fishermen's, housewives', batiksellers', vegetablesellers' to name just a few, then our young ones would not have been sacrificed!

About James I believe that the problem is his not that of the languague. Karl Marx made similar comments: 'Men make history, but not from circumstances of their choosing'. Ofcourse knowing the latter's relationship to women(his own wife included) one would not raise a brow!  Wole Soyinka was quoted here as saying: 'The Man Dies in Whoever Keeps Silent in the Face Of Tyranny.' Since that declaration how many women have been ACTIVELY heard on this list?

On Fanon, he would rather say:

"We are nothing on earth, if
 we are not first of all slaves of a cause; the cause of the people, 
 the cause of liberty, the cause of justice"

There is a difference! Isn't that refreshing yet so powerful?!!!

Reminding me of the man is highly welcomed, as it hammers home the same message I have been trying to put across. Finally, you said it yourself. Your own words: 'political active' and 'joined the struggle in Africa(Algeria). I could not have put better!

> Believed me sister this sounds very petty without any political substance.

 That is your view and I am not here to negotiate for that. For me yours was a very fruitful one. You have as usual widened my horizon. Thank you.
With that I can only rest my case and in the memory of all that we have shared I am saying:
Mbi'fe,
Sister Jay


----- Original Message ----- 
From: saiks samateh <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2000 3:04 PM
Subject: Re: [SV: RE (There is beauty in diversity)]


> Sister,
> 
> I am closing this case from my side with this.Off course sister you will
> remain my sister

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------------