Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970612092359.08d75788@mail.telecom.net.et> Date: Thu, 12 Jun 1997 09:52:55 +0300 From: Dawit Angelo <mailto:dangelo@TELECOM.NET.ET> Subject: Re: average American's perception of the US role in the 1st To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
Selam Dr. Eskow,At 03:44 PM 6/11/97 -0400, you wrote: [...] >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.)
May I surprise you Dr., by brining to your attention that the average aid recipient in my part of the world worries less about the knowledge and technology transfer than we think. This is not because he fails to to appriciate them. Rather, it is because the full redress of the injustice already done to him and the harm already inflicted upon him means so much to him than the aid package containing knowledge that is indiffrent to his values and traditions, the ''freeware'' technology that he can manage by himself provided he gets back what is rightfully his or the expertise to teach him how to use his own technology. Also, he worries less because he has his own ''ancient'' knowledge and technological base to get along. It always amazes me why it escapes our comprehension that the present (< four centuries old ) reality is only a minuscule in the face of the entire long history of human existence. The same fate has visited all of us at one time or another.
If one can only lay claim on what he has EARNED and what is rightfully his at present, what is wrong with ''contrition, apologies and reparation'' so long as the story behind the present wealth is not clean? Why should we think it is unachievable? Is that a fact, Dr.? Remember the greens? Only a decade ago, they were so few and as ''redicules'' as those who argue otherwise may appear today. Beside, the common man has time and again brought down governments, MNCs, tyrannies etc. Why underestimate the power of the common man against injustice especially at a time when he seems to be more empowered by the technology that you commend? Some would argue that addressing the issue head long, ASAP and with courage is invariably vital to both parties.
>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
You sure have come accross the WB AVU- African virtual University initiative which is being increasingly ''tounge-lashed'' as yet another WB ill designed to just take away African university teaching jobs to the west. It has merit simply because the funds earmarked for the initiative, can simply help African Universities to take off because what they lack is actually the fund to pay for not educators.
>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?
Please read ''the US'' above as ''the west'' and
HOW ABOUT PAYING BACK IN FULL? :-D
After all modern historical knwoledge can easily help trace what went where and to whom and the acturaial sciences can effortlessly assess the damage and determine the reparation due.
bye for now yours in discourse Dawit +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >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
>