I am a Ghanaian–born in Ghana, but spent a good twenty-plus years in Brussels, Belgium tanhks to my Dad’s work as an int’l civil servant. Have been back home in Ghana since August 2004, when I started working in one of the leading NGOs on the continent (int’l trade/mining/etc..)…just a little background…I think TRAE raises some interesting points about BlackLooks. I do not seek to make this a witch-hunt, but I don’t get the impression that she is as respectful as she can be; I made an accusation about Global Voices some weeks back. She defended it. I explained–on her blog even, with an apology and clarification.She DID NOT bother to send a rejoinder or reminder. What, she better than me, or what just because the BBC has interviewed her before??? She’s living in Spain or something?? I donno. Whatever it is, my respect for her ALSO went down–as much as I appreciate the work she does for GV.In any event, as far as I am concerned, it was an error of judgement. As for this post, which I uncovered tanhks to Global Voices, I couldn’t believe that a Westerner could be SO conversant with Nigerian quirks lke that; was rather impressive.What did not impress me was the post. It DID sound condescending, and, frankly, I was annoyed. I am a West African after all, and working where I am, anad having been many times at the butt of Westerners taking the Michael, as the Brits would say, I was royally pissed.I can see that Jeremey’s view should definitely NOT be dissed, but neither do I think he should give himself too much carte blanche to operate what some might perceive as racisst comments for the sake of artistic license, as it were. Does cultural relativism come to anyone’s mind? I have never met Jeremy, and I don’t think I am coming to Nigeria any time soon, but I suspect — based from this post — that Jeremy might just harbour some furtive racist sentiments without being aware.He is obviously well-educated, and I hasten to say that I have not read ALL his posts, but let’s face it, if you are a Westerner living in a developing country, there are CERTAIN things you have to be cognisant of–and these things manifest themselves in what I like to think is respect for the indigens of those countries. That is not to say you don’t criticise, or even offer constructive criticism, but couch certain things in a way that WILL NOT rub those who have welcomed you into ther country the wrong way.I think it’s just common sense.Let me put it on record that if I had known about blogging all those years back in Brussels, I would have BLASTED to high-heaven the narrow-mindedness of the Belgians–not to mention their racism. However, I guess being a black man, whilst I might have been considered racist, I had many other people — even Europeans — who could have backed me up over the Belgian’s subtle racism.Regrettably, I chose to write them in college papers, instead.To the point, in Belgium, I was the under-dog, so I could complain freely. But when a Westerner is in the putative, or so-called, under-dog’s country, he just has to be a little more sensitive to his titles and his views!!!.I will never believe that racism is receding — you go to Russia as a black man and see! — but I think if we all made efforts where we create situations where the card is not pulled arbitrarily,the better for all of us!!
I am a Ghanaian–born in Ghana, but spent a good twenty-plus years in Brussels, Belgium tanhks to my Dad’s work as an int’l civil servant. Have been back home in Ghana since August 2004, when I started working in one of the leading NGOs on the continent (int’l trade/mining/etc..)…just a little background…I think TRAE raises some interesting points about BlackLooks. I do not seek to make this a witch-hunt, but I don’t get the impression that she is as respectful as she can be; I made an accusation about Global Voices some weeks back. She defended it. I explained–on her blog even, with an apology and clarification.She DID NOT bother to send a rejoinder or reminder. What, she better than me, or what just because the BBC has interviewed her before??? She’s living in Spain or something?? I donno. Whatever it is, my respect for her ALSO went down–as much as I appreciate the work she does for GV.In any event, as far as I am concerned, it was an error of judgement. As for this post, which I uncovered tanhks to Global Voices, I couldn’t believe that a Westerner could be SO conversant with Nigerian quirks lke that; was rather impressive.What did not impress me was the post. It DID sound condescending, and, frankly, I was annoyed. I am a West African after all, and working where I am, anad having been many times at the butt of Westerners taking the Michael, as the Brits would say, I was royally pissed.I can see that Jeremey’s view should definitely NOT be dissed, but neither do I think he should give himself too much carte blanche to operate what some might perceive as racisst comments for the sake of artistic license, as it were. Does cultural relativism come to anyone’s mind? I have never met Jeremy, and I don’t think I am coming to Nigeria any time soon, but I suspect — based from this post — that Jeremy might just harbour some furtive racist sentiments without being aware.He is obviously well-educated, and I hasten to say that I have not read ALL his posts, but let’s face it, if you are a Westerner living in a developing country, there are CERTAIN things you have to be cognisant of–and these things manifest themselves in what I like to think is respect for the indigens of those countries. That is not to say you don’t criticise, or even offer constructive criticism, but couch certain things in a way that WILL NOT rub those who have welcomed you into ther country the wrong way.I think it’s just common sense.Let me put it on record that if I had known about blogging all those years back in Brussels, I would have BLASTED to high-heaven the narrow-mindedness of the Belgians–not to mention their racism. However, I guess being a black man, whilst I might have been considered racist, I had many other people — even Europeans — who could have backed me up over the Belgian’s subtle racism.Regrettably, I chose to write them in college papers, instead.To the point, in Belgium, I was the under-dog, so I could complain freely. But when a Westerner is in the putative, or so-called, under-dog’s country, he just has to be a little more sensitive to his titles and his views!!!.I will never believe that racism is receding — you go to Russia as a black man and see! — but I think if we all made efforts where we create situations where the card is not pulled arbitrarily,the better for all of us!!
That’s a wise answer to a tricky qusetoin
Ideal for attractive summer time nights without doubt
I’d like to find out more? I’d want to find out some additional
information.
Hello first time to come to this forum, I like it very much!sdfsdf4545s5f4s4df