Africa, what to do?

jkellmd · 03-22-2006

As an offshoot of the raging debate on Racoon's thread regarding slavery, I would like to ask the members what they think the future holds for the majority of african nations.

Rampant HIV, widespread political instability, outdated and destructive farming practices and environmental deterioration seem to spell unavoidable disaster in the not-too-distant future, it seems. I hear over and over again that farming practices have to change first; however, political stability seems to trump the issue. Food aid isn't a viable answer in the medium or long term (even if it could get to those who need it), and farming education is progressing at too glacial a rate to match erosion and overpopulation.

We have seen nationbuilding fail on a large stage in Iraq and Afganistan - it seems that democracy is not for everyone. If people cannot appoint, and keep in power, leaders with at least a few of their best interests in mind, there is no hope in ever improving their standard of living, educational system or agriculture.

On the bright side, africans are not the ones creating a new hybrid influenza every year by living, working, eating, sleeping and defacating alongside their pigs, chickens, goats, ducks, geese, dogs, cats and monkeys. Perhaps a topic for another thread...

Racoon · 03-22-2006

Thats a Heavy thread topic JKellMD...
But I prefer IT a spiraling downward racial BS mess.

*Solutions to Problems* seems to me to be much more constructive than the *Blame the Problems* on someone variety...

JKell made a great point about Political Stability.
I seems to recall that Much of the Aid we send to Africa does not even Go to those who it is sent to and need it the most!

Rather the Militias and Warlords and their Chronies...

That would really help out the situation!!!
But those in power will be/ARE Ruthless to maintain it.

Most of the World has its own Big Problems too, and it is enough just to try and deal with their own...
But When Yugoslavia got into some of these same types of Bloodsheds, the UN and US stepped in...
Not in Rwanda

Or other African countries.

HIV?AIDS is another terrible scourage.
The only solution is Education, condoms, and affordable medicine.

Theres so much more to say. Boerseun made a great point somewhere earlier about developing and implementing better farming techniques.

Tourism could Bring in more $$$ and Euros, if Stability issues were improved. That would really give people some Motivation.

I heard China is Investing BIG TIME in Africa now, because the rest of the world tends to stay away???

jkellmd · 03-22-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racoon

Tourism could Bring in more $$$ and Euros, if Stability issues were improved. That would really give people some Motivation.

Agreed. The bright spots are nations like Kenya, with ecotourism industries bringing in foriegn money (not aid), and protecting ecological resources at the same time. Economics improving the world - makes me go ahhhhhhhhh.

Racoon · 03-22-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkellmd

Agreed. The bright spots are nations like Kenya, with ecotourism industries bringing in foriegn money (not aid), and protecting ecological resources at the same time. Economics improving the world - makes me go ahhhhhhhhh.

Yes
There are some success stories, about poachers who quit and switched from Killing animals, to Protecting them because they were now worth more in Ecotourism Money.

I think more Solar Energy implementation would also really improve standard of livings for Africans...while being clean and renewable and cheap after initial investments.

J.B · 03-23-2006

Why not leave them alone in their own primitive habit as nature has wanted and provided for them?

Why is the only way people like yourselves can except blacks as your equals is to try to bring them to the standard of (white) civilization?

Blacks naturaly want to revert back to their primitive ways, why do humans try to change that?

Why do so many whites treat blacks like animals? When a dog misbehaves, we don't blame the dog -- we blame the owner for improper training.

In Africa, when blacks behave badly, colonialism, imperialism, apartheid, globalization or multi-nationalism is blamed for not bringing up blacks properly. Liberals saw South Africa's apartheid and other human-rights abuses as unjust because blacks were suffering at the hands of whites. They hold whites accountable to civilized standards of behavior. Blacks are not held to civilized standards of behavior. From the liberal's point of view, it might even be racist to expect blacks to adhere to civilized standards of behavior.

Here is a BLACK MAN'S opinion on the problems of Africa:
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/col...iams010902.asp

Racoon · 03-23-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.B

Why is the only way people like yourselves can except blacks as your equals is to try to bring them to the standard of (white) civilization?

Because I have some very Intelligent, cool, and nice friends that are Black, and they have taught me alot!

And some of them are Richer than I am.

I had stereotypical feelings before. I grew up in White Suburbia.
I don't love ALL Blacks, and there are neighborhoods I avoid. I have also had some enemies that were Black.

But as I have gotten a little older and wiser, I realized why Blacks have such a hard-ass time in this country and others.

Black people ARE human. Just like me, and just like you. With feelings, intellectual capacity, and goals and ambition.

I am ashamed of the Slavery and its practices in U.S. history. (although I didn't perpetrate any of them)

When I lived in Venezuela, my Best friend was another Exchange student from Jamaica. My best friend from my old job at UPS is Black.
There ARE some Black people I don't like!
and there are some I would NOT trust!
But you don't throw out the Baby with the Bath water!!

Make some Black friends, and see if your attitude changes a bit...

TheFaithfulStone · 03-23-2006

Quote:

Here is a BLACK MAN'S opinion on the problems of Africa:
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/col...iams010902.asp

You KEEP freakin' posting that. STOP.

Although I'm glad to see you've changed your trolling tactics from "racist forum troll" to "relativist anti-progress forum troll." You're white sheet is still showing though, what with the dog analogy and the "primitive" dropping.

Africa is not the US. But it's not that different either. It's not like Africans are these weird aliens who you have nothing in common with. They're people, and as such they ask the same question all people ask. "Who is like me and who isn't? Who deserves life, freedom, etc, and who doesn't?"

Historically speaking, cities are a bad idea in Africa. Disease like Malaria, which was not a serious problem until the modern age, are only exacerbated by urban living. Small groups are the way to go in any tropical climate.

Fixing Africa will take a commitment to humanity that the United States simply does not have, or at least, not that I've ever seen. We're too spoiled, too rich, and too disaffected.

Readings:

The Poisonwood Bible By Barbara Kingsolver

Watchings:

Guns, Germs, and Steel By Jared Diamond

TFS