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Subject:
From:
Jabou Joh <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
The Gambia and related-issues mailing list <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 4 Nov 1999 09:53:43 EST
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Ndey Jobarteh  wrote:

there is a crisis among the  intellectuals, a
 crisis of  nationhood, identity, due to the lack of the understanding of
 the concept of nation, Nationalism and Pan Africanism. ANd until that is
 understood the problems will continue. For that to happen they need  to
 liberate their minds which I believe applies to all of us. We always assumes
 that intellectuals are liberated for the fact that they are
 interllectuals.That is not always the case.

 Maybe we need to revisit their roles in the development of our continent
 through the  positive and negative contributions they have made. Some of
 them seems to be lost or not clear as to their responsibilities  and roles
 in our societies. Or shall I say they are simple dishonest but that will
 still leaves me with the question as to why?

 The Struggle Continues!!
 Ndey Jobarteh

***********************Reply separator
CORRECTIONS:

You know Ndey, l don't really believe that it is so much a question of
dishonesty, as it is a question of just having the wrong focal point. Our
so-called intellectuals are trained elsewhere other than in Africa most of
the time, and the emphasis of their training is not shall we say "Africa
centered"? The point of reference is not Africa and her needs and values.
They were not trained to focus on this, and l personaly believe that this has
a lot to do with it.We have to learn to apply our training that was obtained
using someONE  else's POINT  OF REFERENCE  to address our issues, and this is
like fitting a large square into a small triangle. We have to arrive at a
point where in learning to do research, and   IN LEARNING TO USE  all problem
solving tools, it has to be learned using our own points of reference, I.E
USING OUR  OWN SITUATIONS AND SOCIETY AS MODELS  IN SETTING UP THE  SCENARIOS
 THAT WE THEN APPLY THESE TOOLS  TO. Only then can our "intellectual's
thinking naturally focus on our concerns.

 Jabou Joh
  >>

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