Toyin,
The problem is not with this listserve and how it is discussing the questions and issues raised by Professor Achebe's book. It is with a narrow ethnic perspective around the Nigerian civil war and the Biafran question. Biafra lost the civil war so we have one formal united Nigeria. But what happened during that war? Are there issues of transitional justice? Actions that would have been considered war crimes or crimes against humanity? What attempts were made at reconciliation, justice and healing? Should we not get as many pictures of these moments in our history without the questioning of the literary credentials or integrity of Chinua Achebe ? These are my concerns. This book by Chinua Achebe is a serious effort and intervention and cannot be dismissed by reading just the introduction or the introductory essay. It requires a sustained engagement around facts and evidence by researchers and witnesses like Prof. Achebe. My worry is all the noise and heat by the array of politicians and commentators who do not have either the stamina or concentration to engage a ten page document and have now ascribed to themselves the role of critiquing what I know is the product of sustained and engaged effort by Prof Achebe. Yes, it is high time we debate and confront Biafra in Nigerian history, conscience and consciousness. It is time that we review the damage and hurt to our collective psyche and bring the experience and questions back to the open before all the key players pass away. We need their stories, accounts, rationalizations , interpretations and explanations. They are not the ones responding. Prof Achebe is one eye witness. He has told his story. Unfortunately Chief Awolowo is gone but there are others who know what is not yet in the public domain. Chinua Achebe has told his own side of the story. Let them speak, write or say their piece whichever way. Let us use this opportunity to further understand and interpret ourselves as a people. This is my point. It is a sensitive point, but it goes beyond Gowon's "no victor, no vanquished". It also can help us know how to address the Niger Delta question and the unfolding North Eastern and Far North (Boko Haram) question. It is good to discuss and debate but with a clear understanding of the goals of why we are doing it and what we want to achieve.
Sent from my iPad
Can we please be told what is immature in the discussion on this subject so far?
Why all this speaking in codes?
If you think anyone's approach is inadequate, explain why you think so.
There has been so little discussion of this subject on this group of scholars while the general Nigerian groups are chewing the issue to pieces.
Anybody who has anything to say should please say it and fearlessly.
toyinOn Mon, Oct 8, 2012 at 12:52 AM, Tade Akin Aina <tadeakinaina@yahoo.com> wrote:
Ibrahim my brother, I join Funmi in thanking you. We need a lot of light in this steamy moment where it is all heat and no light!This is Chinua Achebe's interpretation of a particularly important historical moment in Nigeria's history. It is his accountancy history and his contribution and intervention and I am glad it is generating so much debate and questioning but academics and intellectuals need to grow up and face this as an important intervention.
Sent from my iPadYou guys are really and truly shameless, I mean really shameless. Chinua
wrote a book-- I doubt if there is anything new in that book--on the war
and the crisis of the Nigerian state 1966-1970 and all you guys could do is
defend your ethnic godfather/turf.Why should Chinua's take on the crisis split the exchange between so-called
yorubas ans socalled igbos?This is graceful......quo vadis nigeria?????
Mr. Abdullah, all heat!Thank you for your perspective on the matter.Funmi Tofowomo--The art of living and impermanence.
--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
--
CompcrosComparative Cognitive Processes and Systems"Exploring Every Corner of the Cosmos in Search of Knowledge"
--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
No comments:
Post a Comment