THE EDITOR, Sir:
LORD GIFFORD'S assessment of Africa - in his article 'Africa - myths and realities' - is uplifting and objective. It is a fair and clear description of Africa's condition and is right on the money! It was indeed heartening to read a realistic and objective description of Africa coming from a Caucasian Englishman.
Many persons, including myself, who have visited Africa have long asked ourselves - why are only the very worst of Africa always highlighted? Is this due to extreme myopic approach, or a deliberate slant to debilitate people of African ancestry? Many black people in the African Diaspora are rather uncomfortable to identify with Africa, the birthplace of humanity, mainly because of what they hear and see through people who wear blinders. A picture is worth a thousand words!
By excluding Africans from the scope of things such as the recent 'so called' International Poverty Elimination Concert, sends a negative and implicit message, especially to young people: it indicates that Africans are children whose REDEMPTION relies solely on white people. Africa needs and deserves assistance but they must be included. Their destiny lies in their hands.
We can only help people to improve their lives by including them in the process. To exclude them and do it alone is a benchmark for the perpetuating DEPENDENCY!
In my humble opinion, it would certainly be a great 'public and educational service if you could reprint Lord Gifford's article. Kudos to him.
I am, etc.,
Dr. F. L. SPENCER-STRACHAN
lufran@mail.infochan.com
