Like so many before me, I accidently returned to the whole list what was intended as a private
message...But--I don't mind, as it gives me a chance to clarify what I found so compelling in
Soffie Ceesay's message, especially in light of recent, very negative, dialogue on the list:

a) I think many of us can relate to what she describes:  working long hours in demanding and
stressful jobs, sitting in traffic, coming home to cook, clean, help kids with homework...and still,
in our "spare time," we are all supposed to stay informed and actively help Change the World....

b) the idea of The Gambia being "different" when it comes to "tribalism"/ethnic strife.  I found
solace in her reminder of a Gambia that I thought I had experienced, in which it is "normal" to
have someone say: "I am a ____, but my mother was a ____, and my paternal grandfather a___.
And I  grew up around the _____, and I like their ways."

As a teacher, who has been trying for some time to disspell American stereotypes about
"Africa," I have over the years joyfully used my albeit limited knowledge of The Gambia to point to
a society that, in my opinion, does NOT fit the media stereotypes of all the buzzwords that most
Americans associate with Africa: conflict, famine, AIDS, "tribal warfare," etc......

It saddens me a great deal that, lately, the list seems full of cursing and name-calling and--as we
anthropologists like to say--"Othering" ["YOU are not like ME..."]....If a nation of less than 2
million people cannot find a way to "get along," it sure gives you pause thinking about the whole
world.....Help us all.

Hoping for Peace, Ylva




On Tue, 6 Apr 2004 [log in to unmask] wrote:

> I hear you, tomaa, very well said. Stay strong. Saffie
>
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