Omar,

Those who colonised us may have labelled us with derogatory labels to break
our spirits, but there is no doubt that we as Africans have always known who we
really are despite this sinister act. We know we are of Wollof, Jola or
Mandinka ethnicity with pride, and not as a consequence of those labels.
Consequently, whether we are wollof, Mandinka, Jola, Fula or of any other ethnic group,
we have never felt a need to wear our ethnicity on our shoulders or to go
about proclaiming it as the different ehtnic groups have interacted with each
other over the years, as neighbours, friends, compatriots and as we inter-married
amongst each other.
It is as you pointed out, with the advent of the equally sinister and
misguided amongst us that the issue of ethnicity has come to be used for the
advancement of personal agendas such as we have now in the present regime.
When we address this issue, we must use all the derogatory words that
emphasize it's ugliness without mincing words because only then can the reality of
it's potential harmful effects wake those who use it for personal gain as well
as those who fall victim to it.
The struggle to free our hearts, minds and bodies must necessarily address
all the methods used by those whose aim is to continue our subjugation in one
form or another, using various tactics, and therefore, none of that effort can
qualify as the upholding of derogatory labels or a diversion of energies that
can be spent elsewhere, but simply as part of all that needs to be addressed if
we are to put our house in order.
Indeed, may God save The Gambia from those who will use any and every method
for their own political gain and we cetainly have that in this current regime.

Jabou Joh

In a message dated 4/4/04 7:30:05 PM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> Sister Jabou,
> Great Britain  was made up of the English, the Scotish, the Welsh and Irish.
> These are called nations. When the British colonialist arrived on the banks
> of the river Gambia, they found there the Mandinka, the fulani, the wollof
> and Jola amongst others, but they were called tribes. It is fundamental for
> us to understand that in order to justify the establishment of an unjust and
> exploitative regime over our peoples, the colonialists had to use with
> regard them terms which paint deplorable pictures of them. In colonialist
> discourse, the terms tribe, ethnic and native, were always used  with
> derogative connotations. It is sad to note that many years after political
> independence, we still regard ourselves as belonging to tribe E or Y thereby
> embracing the colonialists' depiction of what we are.
> The colonialists used such narrow segmentations to divide  and rule us. In
> the post independence era also, selfish politicians use them for purposes of
> political self-perpetuation. For a people whose present circumstance is
> deplorable and the future blurred, the good old days mostly serve as a
> bastion of solace. This rekindles ancient glories and grandeurs, which
> provide succour for the frustrated mind. There is a deviation here which
> serves the purposes of failed politicians. The realities of the present are
> forgotten and ancient rivalries which have no bearings on our present
> predicament, take center stage. Our energies which should be used in
> creative work for development and advancement, are used instead in tearing
> us apart and advancing the interests of those who wish to establish a regime
> of manipulation over us.
> We should indeed discuss all forms of fragmented nationalism, especially
> when that is the crux of our detractor's strategy. Let me remind our Jola
> Brethren that we may feel the heat on us because Yaya Jammeh is one of
> us.But that is to say if we see ourselves in the deplorable state in which
> the colonialists wanted us to be seen. We indeed have certain things in
> common with him which we can never deny. That is why when he goes wrong, we
> should be the first to tell him that he has blundered. Matters that have to
> do with the Republic of the Gambia, have nothing to do with tribe. None of
> our peoples should benefit or be victimized because of matters that have
> more to do with their history than present realities.
> However, when a regime combines the characteristics of arrogance and
> ignorance, it fans sentiments that can tear the nation apart. GOD SAVE THE
> GAMBIA!
> Omar Joof.
>
>
>

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