USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re: Moderator's hammer

Dear Members:

I now want to use the hammer on two issues, that is, if you send stuff on them, I wont post unless you shift the debate to a more elevating one.

1. Igbo-Yoruba palaver. While I recognize the problems, not peculiar to Nigeria, but to all plural societies, my own take is that we, as scholars, should rise above them and use our knowledge to seek solutions, to recognize class interest as far more overriding, and to give dignity to the poor who suffer the consequences. Making utterances that can instigate rabble rousers in Onitsha to kill an innocent Yoruba market woman or to stone an Igbo textile dealer in Akure is utterly irresponsible.  Poverty knows no Igbo or Yoruba. Let the leaders manage their states and local governments very well, and some of these issues will disappear. Let Nigeria manages itself very well and creates a diversified economy where all will put food on the table and you will not be talking about the differences between Oloruntoyin and Chukwutoyin as if they mean different things. If you have policy opinions, go ahead, but no nonsense talk that denies peace to us and innocent people. Let us not cut bridges if we cannot build them, and let us not destroy the minds of the next generation. There is no such thing as one "tribe" is wrong and one "tribe" is right in complicated wars and political conflicts. Any historian who tells you that Gowon is right and Ojukwu is wrong or Ojukwu is right and Gowon is wrong is a mediocre. Both tend to be wrong and right, as historical facts reveal, and as ethnicities and their leaders interpret (usually misinterpret) their actions, words, and calculations. We need to promote civic institutions and the culture of respect.
2. Lavonda-Amatoritsero publishing differences: both want to contribute, and they can do so in their respective areas of strength. 

Thank you.

TF

Toyin Falola

Department of History

The University of Texas at Austin

104 Inner Campus Drive

Austin, TX 78712-0220

USA

512 475 7224

512 475 7222 (fax)

http://www.toyinfalola.com 

http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa  

http://groups.google.com/group/yorubaaffairs 

http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue