Hello, Saul, as far as people not wanting to do anything about a situation,
unless it affects them, I think that you find that in a lot of places
besides The Gambia. Sometimes, and this is sad, it is easier not to do
anything, and to just let things happen, that is if they are not affecting
you.
I think that the people who would "stick out their neck" for someone
else are in the minority because, to be honest, it takes a special kind of
person to do that. Not everyone is willing to sacrifice their lives for
something that doesn't directly affect them.
I know that this isn't right, and to me, this is a dangerous way to go
for the people in The Gambia at this stage. Especially since, I think, that
if Jammeh is elected President, I am afraid that The Gambia will not be able
to survive it.
I don't think that The Gambia can take much more of this government as
it is.
I try not to say too much about what goes on politically in The Gambia
because I am not a Gambian, and I do not feel that it is my place to comment
on matters and things I, as a non-Gambian, know very little if anything
about. Plus, I don't want to give the impression that I, for some reason,
think I am better than, or know more than, someone else because I am an
American. So, I made the decision to just read the postings on the list,
and keep tabs on the situation.
I chose to comment on your post because I don't think that it is just
in The Gambia that you find a sense of apathy among people. And I can
understand your frustration in trying to combat that.
That is all I wanted to say. I hope that I made some sense.
Ginny
----- Original Message -----
From: "saul khan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2000 3:41 PM
Subject: Re: My Second Message to Gambians!!
> Astrid,
>
> This is a very interesting perspective on The Gambian story. I hope to
live
> to see the day when such a scenario becomes possible in The Gambia. That
day
> ought to be a jubilee in our nation, because we would have come full
circle.
> However, as painful as it is to admit, we as Gambians don't care enough
> about each other to risk our lives (for each other.) To the average
Gambian,
> it's "no problem" unless trouble hits home! But, as long as it's someone
> else's relative, it's not worth sticking one's neck out for.
>
> I'll give you an example. Just a few weeks ago, a so-called "nice/decent"
> and "educated" Gambian had the nerve to call me and give me "advice" about
> Gambian politics. This fool told me among other things, that I need to
stop
> criticizing this criminal govt because "they haven't done anything to you
> (me.") That I need to "concentrate on finding land back home, and
developing
> it for investment purposes." And that "what happens there happens
> everywhere... etc, ect."
>
> Normally, I would interrupt such crap, and roast the person, but I let
this
> fool finish his piece, and I calmly asked him if it would be ok for me to
> keep quiet when this govt arrests, and beat the crap out of HIS mom? Or
> torture HIS father? Or shoot down HIS brother? Or rape HIS sister? There
was
> absolute silence at his end, because he wasn't expecting that line of
> questioning. Needless to say, our conversation had a sudden heart attack.
He
> started apologizing. I said: "for what are you apologizing? I'm not
offended
> at all by your 'advice.' I just want to make sure I understand what you're
> saying." I repeated my questions again. I didn't get any answers. Typical
> Gambian attitude!
>
> How can any nation that produces such "educated" people progress? Fifteen
> little kids get mowed down by this criminal regime, but "they haven't done
> anything to me" because no blood relative of mine was killed! Can you
> imagine that type of mentality? And as sad as it is, this person is in the
> majority. It just makes me wanna cry. Now you can understand why some of
us
> get really upset. But don't worry, the next time around, I'll come as a
> Dane. There's just too much heart-ache in being Gambian...
>
> Saul.
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
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>
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