Gambia-L
This is a "Poem" from a disillusioned Gambian. It is a "Poem" of a Gambian
who is neutral to the affairs of the Gambia. A Gambian, who believes that,
this is the way the Gambia should remain. A Gambia who has no interest in
redressing the horrible misdeeds going on in his OWN country. A Gambian who
is now so complacent that he does not give a "heck" what is going on in his
country. This is a Gambian, who has lost faith in redeeming JUSTICE, PEACE
and PROGRESS for his OWN country.  A Gambian who has forgotten where he got
his basic education and up-bringing which gave him the chance now to fill
himself uplifted. This is one of the typical Gambians who the Gambia doesn't
need, for opportunism is one of the destructive elements that is destroying
the Gambia.
The deprivation of a humble and hard working people who are being rip-off
left, right and center has never been an instrument to exercise ones
intellectuality. The insensitivity of such a poem is not expected from a
GAMBIAN.

YOU ARE EITHER A GAMBIAN OR YOU ARE NOT.

4 the Gambia

Prince Coker

----- Original Message -----
From: "Basiru Ndow" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2000 9:14 PM
Subject: fwd: What independence?


> Lers,
>   Digest this piece, It was sent to list by Alpha Robinson in Feb of
> 1998.
>
 ==========================================================================
>
>
> Some reflections on independence day
>
> What Independence
> When after 33 years
> We are still battling with poverty
> Material poverty
> Spiritual poverty
> Poverty of will
> What Independence
> When after 35 years we own not our minds
> Our souls and our bodies
> What independence
> When the birth of a child
> Becomes a source of worry
> When the death of a family member
> Triggers cold trickles of rejoice
> When we rejoice instead of crying
> And cry instead of rejoicing
> What independence
> When after 35 years
> Masquerading is a prerequisite for survival
> When men and women no longer own their conscience
> When the educated become gagged maimed and sterile
> And intelligence amounts to opportunism
> When justice is murdered in cold blood
> While we sing dance and rejoice
> The same dances
> The same parades
> What independence
> When honesty truthfulness and integrity
> Become the enemy of a people
> When parents send their children to steal rape and kill
> What independence
> When young people have to leave their motherland
> Their beloved one
> Uprooted and already defeated
> In search of life
> When we fail to provide opportunities for our children
> To learn grow and live
> What independence
> When the cracks on farmers feet
> The marks of poverty on our clothes and skin
> Keep haunting us after 33 years
> When we mortgage our souls and future in international markets
> When we live on the crumbs
> Leftover by other nations
> When leaders still play God with the innocent
> When keeping our people ignorant
> Seems to be our greatest achievement
> What independence
> When egoism becomes self-righteous
> When the rich and the poor of today
> Stand at opposite end of the widening valley
> While the mixture of blood and tears of our very own
> Meanders into the common future of destitution
> What independence
> When clean potable water
> The most basic requirement of life
> Is a luxury to many
> When the best curable diseases
> Claim their daily quota on our children
> Well before they are born
> When parents can no longer be proud of their children
> And children can no longer be proud of their parents
> For being just and honest
> Seems to be a luxury denied by poverty and corruption
> What independence are we celebrating?
>
>
> By Alpha Robinson
> --- End Forwarded Message ---
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
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>
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