Ken,
I couldn't have said it better myself. Fingers crossed that we choose "miracle" and start getting used to discussing across differences in a civil manner. The journey ahead is still very long and the issues abound.
Chichi
Chiedo Nwankwor
PhD Candidate
University of Delaware
Department of Political Science and International Relations
347 Smith Hall
Newark, DE 19716
Phone:302-450-8112
Fax: 302-831-4452
University of Delaware
Department of Political Science and International Relations
347 Smith Hall
Newark, DE 19716
Phone:302-450-8112
Fax: 302-831-4452
On Wed, Aug 28, 2013 at 8:21 AM, kenneth harrow <harrow@msu.edu> wrote:
isn't there a larger point here besides a class based analysis? the real issue that i see, at least as a relative outsider, is that the exchanges degenerated into vituperative attacks that often amounted to accusations of untruthfulness or ignorance rather than enlightened exchanges.
the problem is how to get past that. at one point there was a plea to simply define genocide, and then use the defn to clarify whether there was genocide in biafra. what the discussion showed is that when people embrace passionate positions in opposition to each other, definitions/pleas to consult history/appeals to reason/ etc etc really are not a solution whatsoever.
in french there is an expression, tout le monde a ses raisons. meaning, everyone has their ways of seeing, everyone has their right on their side, everyone has their reason for seeing or doing what they do. clearly, everyone has their history, their definitions, their memories, their experiences, their truths.
how do two opposing truths talk to each other? that is the challenge. the hammer did not say, stop talking about these issues: it said, we have to elevate the discussion, to get beyond simply attacking each other.
either we abandon that challenge, which would be a shame
or we find a way to discuss across difference, which would be a miracle.
which will it be???
ken
On 8/28/13 3:48 AM, Christy Laniyan wrote:
An infrequent contributor but an avid follower of dialogue, I am grateful to Prof. Falola for this hammer. I agree that we should move on to more helpful and productive dialogue on how class interests can be advanced especially to redress the so glaring socio-economic imbalances in Nigeria.--
As the young people will say, I hope this is GBAM, on these two issues.
Christiana Eka-Ete Laniyan,MBA
Director/Managing Consultant
SPOLAN Consulting Nigeria Ltd.
Phone: (+234)-809-537- 9770;0803-774-0627 and 803 615 4627
From: Laolu Akande <akandeoj@yahoo.com>
To: "usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com" <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Cc: "usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com" <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 9:22 PM
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re: Moderator's hammer
--Hammers are never comfortable!
And while at it, it is certainly, another worthwhile intervention. It is clear, enough has been said on both issues at least the way they are presently configured.
But will these issues, come up again, albeit in a new guise? You can bet they will!
'Laolu Akande
I am not comfortable with this hammer. I would not have minded if the hammer is intended for all posts that did not adhere to the rules of decent public discourse. In any case, it is the moderator's prerogative to wield hammers. Shon sir! Am loyal sir!--
CAO.
On Tuesday, 27 August 2013 15:01:04 UTC+1, Toyin Falola wrote:Dear Members:
I now want to use the hammer on two issues, that is, if you send stuff on them, I wont post unless you shift the debate to a more elevating one.
- Igbo-Yoruba palaver. While I recognize the problems, not peculiar to Nigeria, but to all plural societies, my own take is that we, as scholars, should rise above them and use our knowledge to seek solutions, to recognize class interest as far more overriding, and to give dignity to the poor who suffer the consequences. Making utterances that can instigate rabble rousers in Onitsha to kill an innocent Yoruba market woman or to stone an Igbo textile dealer in Akure is utterly irresponsible. Poverty knows no Igbo or Yoruba. Let the leaders manage their states and local governments very well, and some of these issues will disappear. Let Nigeria manages itself very well and creates a diversified economy where all will put food on the table and you will not be talking about the differences between Oloruntoyin and Chukwutoyin as if they mean different things. If you have policy opinions, go ahead, but no nonsense talk that denies peace to us and innocent people. Let us not cut bridges if we cannot build them, and let us not destroy the minds of the next generation. There is no such thing as one "tribe" is wrong and one "tribe" is right in complicated wars and political conflicts. Any historian who tells you that Gowon is right and Ojukwu is wrong or Ojukwu is right and Gowon is wrong is a mediocre. Both tend to be wrong and right, as historical facts reveal, and as ethnicities and their leaders interpret (usually misinterpret) their actions, words, and calculations. We need to promote civic institutions and the culture of respect.
- Lavonda-Amatoritsero publishing differences: both want to contribute, and they can do so in their respective areas of strength.
Thank you.TF
Toyin FalolaDepartment of HistoryThe University of Texas at Austin104 Inner Campus DriveAustin, TX 78712-0220USA512 475 7224512 475 7222 (fax)
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-- kenneth w. harrow faculty excellence advocate distinguished professor of english michigan state university department of english 619 red cedar road room C-614 wells hall east lansing, mi 48824 ph. 517 803 8839 harrow@msu.edu--
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