I think, though, that there is a need to distinguish between the book preview by Achebe and the book proper.
Reading a book being a more or less demanding task, Achebe has done the world the favour of abstracting aspects of it in an essay. As a writer and scholar, I expect he would realize that such an excerpt needs to give a window into what he considers most significant about what he has to say about these issues 40 years after the war ended. Thus, the essay stands on its own as an example of social intervention by means of a carefully chosen and politically explosive text, an effect it demonstrates abundantly.
Even after reading the book, the politics of Achebe's essay preview remains germane as a point of discourse in strategies of self positioning and publicity for one's ideas.
Biafran leaders were very good at selling a story of victimization, but I get the impression they were poor at the practical realities of overall political and military strategy.
Along similar lines, I suspect Achebe has scored another own goal, like the Biafran leaders did in strategic contexts, and I will explain why later.
Having stated that, we need to engage with the essay, where Achebe does not simply provide bullet points but clearly states and justifies his views.
After we have read the book, then we can also critique it.
Meanwhile, I am finding it enriching reading the rich debates on Nigerian centred listerves on the essay and partly on the book.
If people's thinking is ethnically shaped, and so? How will they transcend their ethnic conditioning without articulating those perspectives flowing from it and have those perspectives challenged?
Kingsley Nnaguaba, not sure of the correct spelling, beat his chest to argue that Biafrans/Igbos committed no war crimes. I provided a brief list. He then concluded that we all need to acknowledge crimes on both sides and achieve redress. I have just read Obi Nwakanma making the same boast and I have asked him to confirm he is serious so I can assist him with the information. We can then move beyond this culture of making Biafra into a holy enterprise devoid of the contradictions of human enterprises.
A contributor on this list once responded to my argument that the claim of anti-Igbo genocide in the name of plans to kill all Igbos is difficult to sustain by providing other conceptions of genocide which he is convinced are relevant to the Biafran story. Other contributors debated various ways of interpreting genocide as different from war crimes. With such information, one is better positioned to examine the issues.
There might never be a time when, beceause we know enough, we shall all agree on the war in its totality. So waiting till all the information is in is a self defeating enterprise.
thanks
toyin
toyin
On Mon, Oct 8, 2012 at 5:38 AM, Tade Akin Aina <tadeakinaina@yahoo.com> wrote:
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 iPadCan 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.
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