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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 23:25:53
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Kondorong,
“Pandora’s Box”
How do we regulate this gigantic leap? The article is discussing the ambivalence we are faced with at this juncture.
Your experience regarding your sisters talking to each other, instantly, instead of sending someone in-between clearly indicates that something has happened to our notion of distance (time and space).
I met a drum group from Kabakama recently, and their leader was very happy to be able to talk to clients all over the country, instantly. Which enables them to plan better, which in turn means more money in their pockets (time is money).
The Pandora’s Box of communication has opened and it can’t be closed. It calls for watchfulness, mindfulness and discussion until we are able to reach a stabilizing point
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2008 : 22:37:51
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I must rejoin to this debate and say kudos to everyone for weighing in on our social revolution. While it is indeed positive for us to be able to debate issues from our own desk across the globe, I think there is much more to the debates.
We have been presented with abundance of opportunities for us to reshape our destiny as a people. There are serious issues that affect our society and unless we start to put our brains together, we will fail our generation dismally.
There is always a positive and a negative to every issue, but we Gambians seem to strive more on the negatives than the positives. What do I mean? Anytime someone among us raises concerns about some issues affecting us, people take it personal and beat it to death. On the contrary, when progressive ideas and actions are being proposed, people see it as self promotion or effort to rise above others.
We as a people cannot seem to rise above personal issues and get a grip of collective responsibility and action for our own sake. The core of our society and basis for compassion is being systematically destroyed by a leader and more importantly those sucking every drop of blood from his weakness and exploiting what rightfully belongs to us.
We must begin to address these issues by using our God given intellect and resources to not only talk about the issues but DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
I repeat myself again, at no time in history have we been presented with such an opportunity to change our society and how people think. We must begin with our own mind set. Take responsibility for every action we take and look at the bigger picture - The Gambia.
At no time in our history, do we have so many political, scientific and socially educated elites than we have now. At no time do we have so many people willing to participate in the governing affairs of our nation. I can go on and on..
So the question is are we going to do something about it now or sit around keyboards and see our nation systematically slip into ruins? I know anytime one calls for action, people slowly but surely fade away in fear of taking responsibilities. No one will address our problems for us, we must begin to do exactly that instead of reading divisive and negative in everything one of us writes.
Hope this rejoinder will not close this topic as it did in previous discussions. What say you? |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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Cherno B Jallow
USA
6 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2008 : 02:06:26
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Kayjatta, I was meaning to get back to you, but the constraints of time and energy didn’t allow me.
You wrote: “The notion that one person can think that he has the right to tell others what they should and shouldn’t do, especially in a matter like this is very disturbing to…” I agree with you that it is not anybody’s right to tell others what they should do or shouldn’t do. And permit my interjecting that as a creature of the commentariat, it is my duty to tell you how I feel about the under-currents of society. I should give you, my esteemed reader, clear-cut, precise-to-the-hilt viewpoints about the issues of the day. I need to be straightforward. No fence-sitting. My readers are entitled to my opinions but yet again, they are also at liberty to disagree with them. And that’s the beauty of it all – having a divergence of viewpoints and as a corollary, a waterfront of ideas and enlarged understandings.
If I were in the reporting business, I would be wrong to give you my viewpoints, for news and opinions don’t mix; they are at variance. Sometimes, when you read some of the stories on the Gambian websites, you find it difficult to distinguish between actual news and the writer’s own views. The veteran Gambian journalist DA Jawo alluded to that recently. As a reporter, it is my duty to give you two sides of the story, to provide you with enough information on both sides of the issue to enable you formulate your own opinions. You stated: “I sympathize with Mrs. Jallow, but not because her “dirty linens were laid bare as you contend, but because she is (based on the report) betrayed by her husband who was and is a Gambian public official.”
Betrayed? I am not sure I would like to risk that arbitrary conclusion since the story is one dimensional; we don’t have all the facts. We have only heard from the wife and presumably her family members. Sarjo Jallow’s side of the story is still unknown. Don’t get me wrong. I am not defending Sarjo; we are just trying to enlarge the dialogue and come to some understanding.
Like I stated in the article, which was purely my own opinion, the marital crisis between the two individuals wasn’t newsworthy. As an editor, I would have killed the story and would have only carried it as news if there were other aspects to the marital crisis, say, spousal abuse or something of a similar variation. That will be news whether it is about Sarjo Jallow, the public official or Sarjo Jallow, the private individual. But greater significance will be attached to the fact that Sarjo is a public official, and a man who is embroiled in domestic violence and later found guilty by a court of law, will be unfit for public office, because risks are he will be abusive with and in power. This is where the watchdog role of the press comes in. But that is only feasible if the government in power is accountable and is concerned about ethics particularly on matters of public service. And that is also feasible if the medium that broke the story is deemed to be credible and dependable. But since we are talking about The Gambia, we are no way nearer to such rational frameworks of governance and institutionalism.
So the story on the marital crisis, just by itself, doesn’t rise to the threshold of news. It is just gossip. Instead of learning anything newsy about this couple’s marital crisis, we only became, in the words of Shaka on this forum, “sad voyeurs”. How many men, or to be more precise, Gambian husbands, have “betrayed” their wives or the first for a second? This is nothing new whether it is about Sarjo Jallow the public official or the private individual. It will be new and newsworthy if the divorce has a direct bearing on his duties and responsibilities as a public official.
Thank you for your time. It has been an interesting exchange.
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2008 : 07:31:47
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Okay Mr. Jallow let me have the last say  ; you are probably right that it is often hard to distinguish between actual news and the writer's own opinion, in many of our online newspapers. However, that is beside my point. I am not defending the qualifications or the integrity of these reporters.I have my own dissatisfactions with some of the online papers. In fact in my first response, I did say that it might be legitimate to raise ethical questions about some of our reporters...The basic thrust of my argument has to do with Sarjo (a man I used to admire a lot)the public official whose every aspect of life (whether it breaks the law or not) is rightfully news-worthy. When a private person leaves one spouse for another, it may not be news at all; but when a public figure does the same it becomes news. There are several examples of this both in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. Let me pick on the French President as an example (I love the French).
True, if you were an editor you may not consider this report at issue here as news- worthy, but some other editor might consider it a minor news item and publish it, yet another editor might even elevate it to a front page status. That is partly why it is good to have a variety of sources of news.
"Betrayed?"; I said based on the Freedom Newspaper's report. But if you look at the rationale behind the "public figure doctrine", it appears conclusive that Sarjo Jallow's silence is his own choice. It is much easier for him to clear the air than it would be for a private person.
Dbaldeh, your response is a good one. However, you have left us in a suspense. Could you be more specific? What action are you calling for? What do you want us to do specifically? |
Edited by - kayjatta on 26 Apr 2008 12:16:37 |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2008 : 00:27:43
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kayjatta, thanks for a civil and respectful debate with Cherno. No doubt this demonstrates the kind of people and level headedness you both demonstrate. It is ok to agree to disagree. You both have valid points and backed them with substance.
I knew my response will leave many people in suspense and that is why I said, I hope my contribution will not be the closing chapter on this debate or keep people away as it had before.
The actions am calling for are simple and practical. Lets celebrate our similarites and embrace our differences. Let us not strive on the negatives but rather rally behind our strength and work towards a better Gambia.
There is atleast over half a million {500,000} Gambians outside most of whom are online. Many of these Gambians are very successful in their own way. Well educated, enterpreneurial and some have extremely influential positions across the globe. Why then can't we form strong Charitable, social and political organizations to help the socio economic development in the Gambia? Why are we always complaining about the government did this and that but we in turn don't do anything to convince the people that there is an alternative to relying on government.
Don't get me wrong my brother, I know there are individual people who are engage in such projects helping our people, but by and large most of us are just sitting aside and developing ourselves and may be our families.
We should break that barrier that start to form these organizations. A more practical example I can give can be a strong Gambian organization say in the US, UK, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Canada just to mention a few. These organizations can mobilize resources, initiate healthcare projects, educational institutions, social grassroot projects that our people can use to improve their socio-economic conditions.
When we are engage in such projects like building health centers, technical training institution, computer training centers, road projects, and other means of access to facilities, such a government like Jammeh's will not be able to control the minds and freedom of choice of service for our people.
On the other hand, the government builts roads, hospitals, schools and supply people with food stuff and then they turn around and tell the people look what we have done. Despite the fact that they are using tax payers money to build such facilities they still takes the entire credit and dictate the lives of the people.
So if Gambians want to change the mind set of our people or be able to turn the people against the human rights violation by the government, we ought to give them alternatives. We ought to show them that we just don't talk leaving in Europe or America in a better life, but we are willing to share our fortunes with them.
In a nutshell this is what I was alluding to when I call for action. We don't have to wait until election times to talk and do something about the daily bread and butter issues affecting our people. I know this is a lofty goal but one step at a time can make a world of difference in years to come.
What do you think? |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2008 : 08:53:59
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Thanks Dbaldeh for your intelligent and centrist approach as always. I just happened to have some concerns about CBJ's post; however, he did raise some important issues about ethics and professionalism that are worth continous discussion.
I agree with you that Gambians in the diaspora should be more active in funding and implementing development activities back home. In fact I have just currently joined a group of Gambians interested in this kind of endeavor. I pray that it becomes successful.
Having said that,however, I think any long term development in the Gambia will have to come within the Gambia, not from the diaspora. Gambian complacency towards government, and development must change urgently; and the biggest contribution the diaspora can make in this effort is not by tossing dollars and pound sterlings at a largely unwilling (and perhaps unready) population, but by the sound ideas we offer with regards to her extrication from the predicament she is faced with.As Gambians, we must take our government to task. Gambians need to understand that, Jammeh did not have anything when he came to the State House in 1994. Therefore, if he is rich today to the point that even his grand kids will not know about poverty as he claimed,they are the ones who made him rich. They need to insist that he and his government put their tax money to good use, recognize their rights, and respect their freedoms...
Thanks for your take... |
Edited by - kayjatta on 28 Apr 2008 09:08:38 |
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2008 : 02:03:53
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| Dbaldeh , I am in total agreement with what you just posted. Indeed we do need to get together and find solutions to some of our peoples problems and contribute as good sons and daughters of our land to development projects independent of government. My concern is that at times one gets such good ideas but you find that others less willing; join the group only in other to subvert the good course. This can be seriously damaging and it takes very hard and resilient leadership roles by the members to hold the group together. I am a member of a group of such individuals in the UK but we did encounter such problems as people trying to divide us or bringing up such agenda which at best could be described as counter productive or divisive. Just take a look at some peoples attitude on the bantaba as an example. Whilst other try to build up a structure there are some who try to bring it crashing down. Some think they love The Gambia more than others but I think that is a very serious error . We talk about the woes of our society not because we hate the mother land but because we hate to see it in its current state, which I think is our own way of showing our love . For some it is better to be mute or uncritical as doing otherwise is unpatriotic and a sign of hatred for Mother Gambia |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2008 : 09:51:33
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Kaanibaa and Kay, thanks for the acknowledgement of the actions we all know we need to take. I commend you for being a part of a group that strives towards a better Gambia. It is truly a practical aspect of patriotism.
I do agree with you all that while some sacrifice everything at their disposal to better the community and Gambia, others are bend on distracting the willing from doing what they can to help those in need.
However, no matter what form the distraction come we should be mentally ready to stay focus on the fundamentals. I strongly believe that sometimes the number does not matter but the level of commitment and passion is what drives us into success.
I have been part of a large Gambian community who are engaged in such an endeavor for over seven years but it has pretty much been the same people doing the same work over and over. Because of our passion and desire to reach out we send atleast two containers a year full of Medical equipment to various hospitals in the Gambia. At times only two or three people will load a 40" container to Banjul.
Am sure many other communities are engaged in similar engagements but we need to expand the call to sacrifice and make people understand that our own families may be better of but our next door neighbors who we owe some obligation for a collective good upbringing need our help.
On the issue of change being effected on the ground by the people as Kay suggested, I cannot agree more, however we all know what the constrains are in terms of educational and other resources to help those willing to do better. Many of us are lucky to be able to travel back and forth and can certainly help facilitate such projects on the ground.
Once the people see that help is on the way then they don't have to rely on government for everything. Once they are able to earn a living independently, I guarantee that they will not subject themselves to such humiliation by the Jammeh regime. It is going to take time, but with resources and education people will be more willing to participate.
Finally, it is encouraging to hear that Kay, Kaanibaa and am sure others are doing everything possible to join such groups. Please encourage as many people as possible to participate. Let us spread the wisdom and never let go of our vision. This is a way forward...
Thanks |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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sankalanka
270 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2008 : 22:44:19
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Mr Baldeh,
I want to associate myself with most of the remarks you have made, with respect to Gambians in the diaspora organizing themselves and responding to the political, social and development challenges in our homeland.
What I have observed, reading the online Gambian newspapers and the contributions of people in the various discussion forums, is that there is a desire and a need to harness our productive capablities towards the search for better alternatives. The question therefore becomes, how are we going to do this?
It is true that even though we are far away from The Gambia, we are not completely divorced from her political and social realities, neither could we completely alienate ourselves from finding solutions to the problems that the country evolves. We are therefore inextricably bound to the country's realities; its problems and its solutions. Again the question becomes, what are we going to do about this?
Well, as has already been stated, there are people who are aware of their civic responsibilities which demand their participation in efforts to respond to the political and social challenges in the Gambia, and they are doing something about it.
And as you mention, people are involved with groups that engaged in the kinds of projects that help schools and hospitals in Gambia; and there are others who are involved with groups that attempt to impact positively the political realities in the Gambia.
However, the fundamental challenge to the Gambian diaspora, I believe, is how it could be able to organize itself so that it can impact positively the social and political realities in the Gambia. This should be the challenge that should exercise our minds. Some people are trying to do this on a small scale; but if it could be done involving the larger diasporan community, the better.
May be the first practical thing that could be done is develop a registry of all Gambians online who wants to participate in efforts to respond to the social,development and political challenges in the Gambia. This will give a tangible figure of the real names of real people, who can then begin to deliberate on how they can impact the challenges I have mentioned above. From their deliberations will emerge a structure, an objective and a framework to address the real problems and real issues.
There is an immense capacity and power in the totality of the Gambian Diaspora, such that if it is properly organize and its resources productively engaged, it could definitely be a force to be reckon with.
Rene |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2008 : 23:22:53
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Sankalanka, you cannot say it any better. You are definitely right that there exist a desire for Gambians to rally and do something about our socio-economic and political development in the Gambia. Almost every Gambian you speak to realize the need for us to better organize ourselves.
I am extremely encourage with our current generation's refusal to let go the idea that we can think for ourselves and address our own needs. There are constant efforts from individuals and groups in trying to coordinate some form of an organize group to form strong movements.
For example, currently there is a coordination plan well underway in the United States and North Americas to form a strong Gambian umbrella organization consisting of all Gambian organizations which will create a leadership that will oversee the coordination of various groups across the Americas.
This movement has a very strong endorsement for over twenty five associations and counting. I beleive such an organ if form in the U.S, Europe and other places will fill the vacuum that existed in our need to rally behind our nation.
As you alluded already such groups can go further and form strong political voting groups in our various states of resident. It is a fundamental fact that politicians recognize numbers and once they found out that there is a large voting bloc of Gambians resident some place, they will reach out to us and listen to us.
A great example of such powerful force is the Jewish voters in the United States. These folks are so politically and economically powerful that they literally dictate U.S foreign policy towards Israel.
Like them, we are begining to have the economic muscles and political force to be reckon with. When we recognize our power within our reach, there is nothing we cannot do to help advance the course of our nation.
For every single day, there is light coming closer towards the end of the tunnel. Great minds think alike and with persistence and great thinking, someday, some place our political and social problems will be greatly deminished. We have it in us and it is only a matter of will and leadership. "Yes we can" too. |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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