Ha ha, I do look like as if I am trying to save Africa, don't I?!

I have followed the debate pushed by the Nigerian writer Iweala Uzodinma's article 'Stop Trying to Save Africa. It has been commented on various blogs and even the Danish Sunday paper Politiken translated it and put in on page 2.

The article and the writer pissed me off big time, and in between whatever I have to do in a country where I have been put off a plane with no luggage, I have been trying to formulate a comment.

The man is right. Who wants to be patronised by young American students, or others with a conscience which needs to be cleared? Who wants to be felt sorry for when what you really need is support which treats you as an equal? Who wants to adopt another way of living in return for funds? Who wants to see his tribe, nation and continent displayed as powerless and fucked-up (when you know you make the exception?)

I know I don't!

But come on! - Iweala's argumentation is threadbare and his arrogance makes him speak on behalf of all Africans. Categorising them all in one go, as well as he does with the whole group of ex-pats trying to save Africa. No doubt that a change of the Western way of saving Africa is necessary. No doubt that a lot of ex-pats, whatever reason they are in Africa for, can be a pain in the ass (I know some). But I also know a few Ugandans who would never put their feet in West Nile and Kampala youth who would never date a 'Northener' because of tradition and the history - and the image! The stereotypes and lack of information thrive within Uganda, Africa and among Africans. It is only the Africans who are well off who can afford rejecting support to Africa. They cannot speak for the rest.

I have given up the project for today. It makes me too angry. In stead I went through my photo albums and stumbled on the one photo above and realised; Ha ha, I do look like as if I am trying to save Africa, don't I?!

Here I am captured with Michael 'Dunno' Dume, a Sudanese Kuku, refugee from Kajo Keji. Michael got lost as a child from his family during the war in Sudan. A Swedish humanitarian worker found him, helped him and gave him the additional name 'Dunno', because that is what he apparently kept answering when asked for his name.  Michael was later united with his family in Uganda where I met him in August 2005 in Oliji Refugee Settlement where he is still working as a operational manager for Mungula Resource Centre.

Comments

[DeTamble]

Well said Pernille. The 27th Comrade, I agree, Trade Not Aid!

[Graham]

Excellent comment

[TL]

You do look pretty earnest in that picture.

[P]

Hm, 27th, you are not exactly advertising your best qualities here. Where does this anger come from??

Honestly, I am no different from the rest of them, but I am happy that I might have contributed to you thinking that not all ex-pats are bad...
;-) P

[The 27th Comrade]

It is good to see there are many others pounding on the drum.

Fuck the West and all the `aid'. There'd be no need for aid if it weren't for the evil exploitation of the same West.

And the article speaks for every African - we are tired, all of us! Anything else is better than being treated like brainless poodles that are brain-washed into believing the White Man is necessary before any problems can be solved. We are so fed up, and I am glad this article is spreading far and wide. We don't want aid. Let's do trade. But, of course, nobody is going to do that, because it makes us their equals.

Kill them all! :o)
Except, of course, Pernille. :oD