Message-ID: <970611154340_440945556@emout06.mail.aol.com> Date: Wed, 11 Jun 1997 15:44:07 -0400 From: mailto:EUNSteve@AOL.COM Subject: Re: average American's perception of the US role in the 1st To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
This is a message to Qforce and to all those here who write of the sins and evils of American culture, and of the evils and sins of all the white people of the world.<< That has always been the driving force of the white European from the dawn of time; when the white European heard of the wealth of the "east" he began successive waves of conquest for thousands of years against the non-white nations. >>
In the face of this reading of history (there are, of course, competing readings) is there anything constructive that can be done at this time that does not involve confession of sin on the part of the US, the immediate change of our consuming lifestyle, and the immediate transfer of dollars and resources to, say, Africa?
Or should we Americans just continue to forget about transferring knowledge and technology to Africa, and console ourselves with the comforting notion that the Africans don't really want our technology, or our knowledge, but want contrition, apologies, and reparations? (None of which will be forthcoming.)
Here is an example of what I mean:
If any or all African nations with Internet access--however limited-- were interested, we could very quickly set up distance learning relations that would allow us to move technical, vocational, and scientific instruction--complete with US credits and degrees if they were wanted--to those individuals and businesses that wanted them, that were interested in that transfernce that might help to speed up the building of the workforces of Africa.
This DEVEL-L forum might become a vehicle for helping to speed up such a transfer of skill and competence.
There might even be a willingness to submit to some tongue-lashing about the motives for such a relationship, and the inevitable charges of more cultural imperialism.
If, however, Africans decide it is better to curse the darkness than light such little candles, this transfer of knowledge will not take place.
Steve Eskow
Dr. Steve Eskow, President The Electronic University Network