----- Original Message ----- 
From: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2000 1:09 PM
Subject: [panafricanperspective] Slavery in Sudan, by Joe Madison


> We must not pretend that slavery does not exist.  It is alive and well in 
> much of Africa, and in some cases it is just as vicious as the institution of 
> slavery that existed in this country.  I am usually tolerant of people's 
> cultures regarding traditions and rituals, but what is happening to the Dinka 
> in Sudan leaves no room for tolerance - it is outright cruel.  To have a 
> united Africa, we must have a united people (at least to a degree).  Africa 
> is a continent, diverse in her people, and in many cases (such as with the 
> Dogon of Mali, the Massai in Kenya, the Denegal of Ethiopa, etc.), these 
> ancient traditions will remain in tact; a unified Africa does not mean the 
> destruction of Africa.  There is no justification for the atrocities 
> inflicted upon the Dinka by fanatics.  Although I have never seen his 
> program, talk show host, Joe Madison, appeared on Tony Brown's Journal giving 
> a report of his findings in Sudan:   <A 
> HREF="http://www.joemadison.com/madisudan.html">Black Eagle in Sudan</A>.  
> This is an outrage, and something should be done to disperse this inhumane 
> treatment.  However, what Mr. Madison suggested is not the answer.  A couple 
> of days ago I posted to several individuals and The Black List, concerning 
> another gentleman who seemed to have the same solution as Mr. Madison, and I 
> gave the reason why what they think is a solution will not work:  "I recall 
> the latter message when the school children raised the money for the release 
> of Sudanese slaves, after which many other organizations jumped on the 
> bandwagon.  Please be advised that this is a total waste of money.  In fact, 
> it has turned into a lucrative business for the Sudanese slaveholder.  I have 
> sent this message out at least 25 times, but people are still believing they 
> can free the slaves.  What has happened, and what has been happening all 
> along, is that after the slaveholder is paid, he releases the slaves.  
> However, as soon as the beneficiary is out of sight, the slaves are 
> recaptured.  Then this little game starts all over again.  Someone else goes 
> to Sudan and buys the freedom for some slaves, only to have them recaptured 
> and once again enslaved.  This game is making the slaveholder quite rich.  
> What is needed is an alternative to this predicament, and if anyone comes up 
> with a creative solution, they should put it forth.  Also, think about the 
> logic - why would a slaveholder get rid of his slaves?  The money is not 
> going to replace the slaves.  He has slaves, because he feels he needs them, 
> and he is able to acquire them."
> 
> We must not stop working towards a United States of Africa, as this is a 
> vision that must be realized; we should be able to deal with diverse 
> cultures, but we should not have to deal with perverted acts.  I feel we 
> should let the Government of Sudan (GOS) know that we are aware of what is 
> happening to the Dinka and that these acts must cease - someone must speak 
> for the children.
> 
> Forward Ever; Backward Never!
> Karen
> 
> 

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