In a message dated 7/16/01 12:34:11 PM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> . "I am really surprised to see some negative response from
> people whom I have admiration for, such as Sister Jabou; but despite the
> fact that we all strive to accomplish a common objective, sometimes fruitful
> friendly criticisms may not be that bad. But stretching the envelop beyond
> human decency is what others do, and consequently, those who often stretch
> the envelop in criticizing fellow contributors tend to completely distort
>

Ansumana,

I am glad that you recognize that fruitful friendly criticism is not that
bad. There would be no purpose in me trying to destroy ebou colley's
character, and if you call my comments negative, then I am also surprised at
you Ansumana.

On the contrary, i have said many times before that I admire ebou colley's
courage, and i have always encouraged him to relay his story. However, in the
same manner, If i see something that I consider negative in his writings, I
will point this out and only hope that it is appreciated and taken into
consideration, but, alas, the same "our gang" mentality has surfaced again
here.

People, right is always right, and wrong is wrong no matter how you add it up.

I do not think any one of us here can sincerely say that calling fellow
Gambians "nonentities" and referring to their neighbourhoods of origin as
nameless places is a positive thing that is to be taken as nothing. This was
not meant as a compliment by ebou colley, and yet, no one seems to see that
at all, whereas my comments to remind him that there are no Gambians who can
be labelled as such especially by someone who says they care for the nation,
is seen as negative. the nation is made up of individuals all of whom are
significant. The idea denotes an arrogance and a dismissal of people that is
not something to be expected from someone who says they are working on behalf
of the public good. How come no one else sees this?

This comment of mine should have been acknowledged by ebou, and life goes on,
and this would have told me that he is as fine a young man as I envisioned
him to be, and therefore someone who knows when he has made a "faus pas".
Instead, I see that it is being turned into another fruitless topic of
debate, and another indication of our inability to focus on the issues that
are of essence.

I am not a person that lacks confidence by any stretch of the imagination,
and my self worth is not measured by what others define me as. So I did not
write this message to ebou beecause I feel insulted in any way as an
individual. What I object to is his referral to people and their
neighbourhoods in such a condescending and dismisive manner, and I was
positively shocked.

Let us as Gambians learn to be honest with one another, otherwise we glib
over too many things that eventully lead us in circles. This is what I
believe and it is what I practice. If I feel something is wrong, no matter
who is involved, and no matter the circumstances, you can count on me to
point this out. This is the way things should be, otherwise, we will keep
coming up with the same equation every time.

We do not criticize because it is blown out of proportion and the emphasis
put on the wrong things everytime. One can always count on this like
clockwork.

Let us stop forming cliques  to the point where we  cease to be frank and
truthful  just because it is from a particular person or group. We need to be
truthful with each other no matter how we admire someone.

This sort of thing brings about nothing but more division when the very
people who practiice it insist that they are for progress, peace, justice and
unity.

This is the reason we cannot make much progress in our country and as a
people. We somehow do not see the importance of pointing out each other's
mistakes and shortcomings withou having it labelled into something personal
and negative, designed to destroy someone. That is the most ridiculous thing
I have ever heard, and frankly, I sometimes feel quite discouraged by our
sheer inability to separate things of essence and things that are just
negative poison that is of no benefit to us at all.

Sometimes, I feel like some of us are just knocking our heads against a brick
wall because most of us do not seem to be able to "see the forest because of
the trees" to borrow a phrase.

Finally, I want to say that this is the very reason we cannot coordinate our
efforts like sister Mariam Jobe was calling for in a post just today.
Factionsalways form, and the energy is spent gnawing at each other instead.

Jabou Joh

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