- Sep 7, 2009
- 2,706
- 1,031
Hey brotha Full s[eed,
I think it is brilliant that you first approach the leaders of the various groups. They are the ones who already have the trust and loyalty of their respective groups so if you gain their cooperation you already have the cooperation of those who follow them. Also it is important that these leaders don't see our efforts to help as a threat to their position of authority. If we don't keep this in mind then we are no different from colonists and will deserve to be treated as such.
For decades we have been implored to give money to help the poor starving children in Africa and India. Thirty or forty years later the children are still starving and the people in need of perpetual help. Why? Becasue they were never taught to help themselves.
That is incredibly insightful. I have seen the same issue pop up when someone tries to organize churches to accomplish something within the Black community. If the church leadership sees anything as a threat to their authourity or that might cause his members to join another church, that leader either will not participate or will even sabotage the effort.
Not only do we need to implement the "teach a man to fish" principle, we need to understand the dynamics that come into play when in fighting prevents fishing altogether. Right now, they can't focus on fishing. They have to focus on security and concern over rather they will be attacked by an enemy. There is no effort being placed on developing modern infrastructure or seeking excellence, they have to focus on basic day to day survival.
The thing that concerns me most about us, is that threads like this get so very little input or feedback. It seems that if there is no drama or controversy involved there's not much participation. Personally, I see liberia as a valid option for those interested in repatriation if a plan such as this where to be implemented to stop the in fighting and develop the infrastructure, national autonomy, economy, and stability. These things will have to be established in any nation that's established under principles of Black Nationalism anyway. I personally don't consider myself a Black Nationalist, but I do strongly believe that we should do what we can to help our brothers and sisters in Liberia who are US...they have the exact same history as us as decendents of African Slaves held captive in America. The only difference is that they went, we stayed. If our "outside looking in" insight can help as well as any resources we might be able to bring to the table to support a recovery, we should be willing to do that.
I think some might be more interested in healing ourselves and our neighborhoods before we are in a position to help our brothers and sisters in Liberia. That is certainly a valid point. We need a comprehensive plan to deal with our own porblems here in America and for the moment, there isn't one. We have to tackle these issues rather than sit around complaining about them and infighting and other counter-productive actions.