The forgotten place
Thursday, 15 March 2007 | 714 readers so far
Americans of African descent often forget just how easy they have it. Just ask someone who is actually an African. That continent is the forgotten place, mostly ignored most of the time by most people who don’t happen to be in Africa.
It’s also the world’s biggest humanitarian tragedy, and has been much longer than I have been alive.
“The attackers came to our home. They hit my husband and my son - I cried a lot and one of them rushed at me and tore my skirt. They raped me in front of my husband and children,” said Benedicte, who was raped by rebels in Bouake in 2002.
The report alleges that those responsible include the New Forces rebels, the militias who support President Laurent Gbagbo, and members of the security forces who are loyal to President Gbagbo.
Count your blessings, Americans.
1 March 16th, 2007 at 4:50 am
Dale says:
Trevor,
I think you err in comparing black Americans to Africans. When you say “Americans of African descent often forget just how easy they have it. Just ask someone who is actually an African.” you are associating by race and not by nationality. I can tell you clearly that black Americans are not Africans.
Would you say the same: “Americans of Jewish descent often forget how easy they have it. Just ask someone who is actually Jewish?” How about the Puerto Ricans or the Mexicans? Or the French, English, Italians, and Germans?
To imply that any relationship exists between the black culture of the US and African cultures is beyond comprehension. I have not observed any racial overtones in your writings over the past 2 years and I don’t think you were being
racist in your comments but others might interpret it that way. Perhaps a clarification might help.
2 March 16th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Trevor says:
The “comparison” between people who refer to themselves as “African-Americans” and actual Africans was wholly sarcastic and meant to poke fun at the idiocy of political correctness.
To clarify, I am not racist. Nor do I think define myself based on my ethnicity, and I am suspicious of those who have an unhealthy focus on their racial heritage. The post was intended to point out that on the whole, “African-Americans” are blessed compared to actual Africans. Perspective colors every decision we make and every though we formulate.
3 March 17th, 2007 at 3:45 am
Dale says:
Ah, I missed the sarcasm. Sorry for not being attuned. With respect,
4 March 17th, 2007 at 11:55 am
the will to exist says:
Discuss! [IMG ] | Email This Post [IMG ] | Print This Post [IMG ] | Permalink [IMG ] | 3 comments