Letters Readers’ views
Mustafa Abdel Jalil has become the new leader of Libya, thanks to the UN and NATO
against resource-rich African states. Big powers, as they are fondly called,
simply hide behind international organi- sations like the UN, where Africa does not have a strong voice, especially in the Security Council, to lay hands on desired resources by any means necessary – even militarily! Resolution 1973 and the mandate it gave
African identity crisis Awula Serwah (“African Identity Crisis”, NA, Aug-Sept) and Akua Djanie (“Move Over Naomi”, Aug-Sept) raise very similar issues: the absolute necessity for Africans at home and in the diaspora to rid themselves of the myths of European superiority, in all their many forms. So may I suggest that all should learn
about the history of Africa prior to the devastations of the slave trade and coloni- alism? Tat in Africa, even if it is necessary for English/French to be the language used in schools, it is the “native” language that should be spoken at home. Tat the histories of all the many peo-
ples who were forced into those European- created countries should be collected and taught. Tat in Africa male politicians and
those in “middle-class jobs” should stop wearing European suits and ties! Tat those living in England should de-
mand that when the schools teach the “slave trade” (now on the national curriculum), the course must begin with the history of Africa prior to the arrival of the Europeans. As for Malcolm X being bisexual (Leslie Goffe: “Was Malcolm X Really Bisexual?”, Aug-Sept), when you are on the streets you do what seems necessary to make enough money to survive. As for Manning Marable’s ridiculous
concept of Malcolm “reinventing” himself, don’t we all reinvent ourselves? Aren’t our analyses of the world, our concerns, our politics, influenced by what we read and the ever-changing world we inhabit? Please read my book, Malcolm X: Visits Abroad, published earlier this year.
Marika Sherwood London, UK
4 | October 2011 | New African
Even in the coffin… Identity crisis in the UK? What about in America? Which is the most grave? Te most tragic? We have so much work to do. For example, a long acquaintance of mine died five years ago. His final request? “I do not wish to be buried by [a special funeral service company] because they made my oldest sister look ‘too dark’ in the coffin.” His request was granted even though that rejected company had serviced his family for generations. Another example: an old West Indian
grandmother, whose skin was the darkest colour you have ever seen, was granted her final request to have a blonde wig on her head in her coffin at her funeral so that she would “look her best”. Tis is very, very sad. It shows how much we Africans have been brainwashed and have suffered great psychological trauma in the white man’s enslavement and continued oppression. I think of my African grandmother and
grandfather and have such heartbreak- ing pain and tears. I am so thankful they could not have imagined such rejection by their own flesh and blood. How can we change such abominations? Theresa Warner
Orlando, Florida, USA
Can we trust the UN? Your August/September cover story, “Can We Trust the UN?”, is very interesting and it comes at a time when conscious Africans are questioning the UN’s integrity in Côte d’Ivoire and its Resolution 1973, which gave NATO the mandate to “protect the people of Libya”. Te UN role in Libya is an example of
double standards at best and at worst it is a new mode of Western imperialism
to Nato to “protect the Libyan people” makes me wonder why such a step has not been taken to protect “the people of Soma- lia and Congo”, who have suffered enough lawlessness and tyranny respectively. Yet the UN remains mute or has done
very little to restore authority in Somalia, or DRCongo, a country whose mineral resources are frequently looted by multina- tional companies. Te contradiction of the UN position in solving Africa’s problems is a stark warning clearly written on the wall for our leaders and conscious Africans to start demanding the reformation of the Security Council now, before it’s too late and more damage is done. How on earth can Africa, with 54 sov-
ereign states and a population of one bil- lion or so, not have a permanent seat on the Security Council? It should be right now or never! If we fail to take this radical stand, our
states will continue to face targeted regime change, which will put our resources even more at the mercy of the regime change sponsors. Te ball is in our court! Samboujang Touray
Serre Kunda, The Gambia
Wake up Africa! Reflecting on the question, “Can We Trust the UN?”, I am puzzled at the intensity of the Western manipulations in Africa. Was the UN set up to back the West or to be neutral? Sanctions could not shake Libya, but as the saying goes: “If persuasion fails, force must be applied.” So now force has won! It was Bob Marley who asked: “How long shall they kill our prophets while we stand aside and look?” Africa has been in a slumber for far too long. We need to wake up!
Barima Asare-Bediako Johannesburg, South Africa
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