USA Africa Dialogue Series - Fwd: Negative Postings on USA African Forum

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Bola Dauda <boladauda@hotmail.com>
Date: April 6, 2015 at 5:43:07 AM CDT
To: Toyin Falola <toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu>
Subject: Negative Postings on USA African Forum

My Dear TF,
 
Please help me paste this on the Forum
 

Dear Chidi,

I would like to say there is a wide world of difference between a "gatekeeper mentality" and a moderator making a request for decorum! I detest any form of mentality that deprives anyone the use of discretion or common sense. So if Prof Falola had not used his discretion I would be with you in detestation of gatekeeper mentality. But in this matter, and in his plea I think he has not behaved as anyone without a common sense!

You have all the rights in the world to "detest all forms of gatekeepers' mentality" but to consider Prof Toyin Falola's request as "unilaterally declaring other people's post here, negative or positive is one of such [gatekeeper mentality]" seems to me totally out of order.

Samuel has drawn on the authority of intellectual disciplines of sociology and anthropology to support the principle that all human associations operate on rules and norms of behavior. But if you don't appreciate the job of gatekeeping or you don't recognize the dignity of labor, it may interest you to note that armed robbers have codes of conduct for their members, and I know prostitutes too have their codes. And having been a taxi driver for over seven years I also know garage boys and touts have rules guiding those of us who are taxi drivers. I knew the rule for prostitutes because I once considered being one. I couldn't follow the rules for armed robbers, so I couldn't be an armed robber.

Please, note that while you are free to detest gatekeeping mentality, by all means, whatever you do, please don't in any way bring down this Forum to a level we cannot read to our grandchildren, nor insult Professor Toyin Falola by implying he is a dictator that is unilaterally overruling with a gatekeeper's mentality!

Many thanks.

 

Bola Imodoye Dauda