To me, the perceived difference isn’t the problem or the issue, but instead that we have to define a difference in the first place in order to make other ppl understand that there are indeed a few cultural differences between societies for various reasons.
Ignoring everything else, for those criticising Hash’ approach I would like to explain that we (bridge bloggers, mediators, promoters, etc.) are looking for a way to make “Africa” attractive to the rest of the world. Hence the felt need to explain “what works in Africa…”. Because there are still a lot of “Westeners” who don’t spend a single minute thinking about other cultures – but at the same time like to cash in on them. Dito “Africans” who ignore other cultures & customs.
(~ Naija mafia spoiling it for everyone else on the continent)
(~ level of innovation in Africa vs. Asia vs. Europe vs. US)
Are the people who want to chop down trees in Oregon Westerners? Is Sarah Palin of “drill baby drill” fame a westerner”?
The more things change the more they stay the same. Sad. Something to expect in 1930 but 2010? Something to expect from Karen Blixen, and yet we are back again at this juncture. (http://www.mg.co.za/article/2006-05-31-a-letter-to-baroness-blixen-out-of-africa).
Are the people of the state of Louisiana who support offshore drilling (http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_state_surveys/louisiana/louisiana_voters_strongly_support_offshore_drilling_deepwater_drilling) Westerners?
The sad part there are Africans with artistic/aesthetic talent, who by nature of the ihub project are putting their economic futures in your hands.
@Ann
Per your comment “Perhaps when issuing visas to an African country we should require classes in Sociology, History, Economics and International Development!”
I get what you are saying, but Hash “grew up” in Africa. I have met 9 year old white kids who would be shocked at this statement.
If this statement were made here in the United States, supporters and funding agencies would be withdrawing support from ihub by now, well most of the big ones would.
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s practical uses; for shade, or how much it can be sold for.
...would have sparked the same outrage and discussion about how Africans are stereotyped as superstitious, mystical, at-one-with-nature and ultimately primitive, and how Westerners are opportunistic, capitalistic and ultimately greedy.
Lesson of the day: Generalizations help no-one, and hurt everyone.
(no matter who makes them @Josiah).]]>An African sees a tree and loves it for it’s aesthetic beauty.
A Westerner sees a tree and loves it for it’s practical uses; for shade, or how much it can be sold for.
…would have sparked the same outrage and discussion about how Africans are stereotyped as superstitious, mystical, at-one-with-nature and ultimately primitive, and how Westerners are opportunistic, capitalistic and ultimately greedy.
Lesson of the day: Generalizations help no-one, and hurt everyone.
(no matter who makes them @Josiah).
]]>“As an African I see a tree, first and foremost, as a source of oxygen for my existence. Westerners do not cherish trees for their aesthetic beauty–rich people do irrespective of whether they are Western, Chinese or African. But someone struggling to survive (irrespective of where he or she is a Westerner) would look upon a tree as a source of wood, shade or income. It isn’t cultures that really divide the world, its economic”
For what it is worth, I would like to extend a hand of congratulation and thanks. The argument I was stubbornly in 10 to 15 paragraphs trying to make, you made it in one simple, yet persuasive paragraph. Yours is a clear and direct mind.
Mavinga
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