wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Comments

• [1] AWM from UWS January 31, 2008 - 10:53AM

  The tension in Kenya is more of an economic phenomenon than the western media is reporting. The rage is based on the socio-economic inequalities based on one group having political advantage over another. The Luo and others feel that they were cheated out of the opportunity to enhance their economic situation through democratic process.

  The inaction of Kibaki and Odinga is disgraceful but the slowness of political reconciliation between the two is due tot the fact that the conflict involves the poor killing the poor in the slums.

  
  
• [2] Regan from brooklyn January 31, 2008 - 10:54AM

  Another African country consumed by tribal/violence. Rwanda, Congo, Somalia, Sudan and now Kenya--how can the world possibly help this continent? When the chaos stops in one country it only resurfaces in another. Why is that? Why can't they ever control their own countries? What a mess...again.

  
  
• [3] AWM from UWS January 31, 2008 - 11:03AM

  Regan,

  Africa is a continent of 53 countries. It is a continent that has had more than enough of the world's "help." It is also a contintent you don't know anything about. Please, expand your knowledge before you toss around ignorant comments. If you knew anything you would be able to answer you own question.

  
  
• [4] Regan from brooklyn January 31, 2008 - 11:11AM

  I think my comment sounded rhetorical and insincere when I didn't mean it to be. I actually want to know how the world can help. I don't hold a phd in African Studies, but I am also not ignorant of the role of the world's in Africa' past. I don't think that means you can blame the West every time political or ethnic tension results in the brutality we are seeing in Kenya. My comments didn't come from a place of ignorance, but from a place of frustration.

  
  
• [5] megan from Park Slope January 31, 2008 - 11:33AM

  While it's convenient to blame the west or globalization or global warming for that matter whenever there is another example of black on black crimes against humanity -- it's becoming very tired.

  What's interesting and sad is all those people in NY who are so indigent and angry about everything from wearing fur to how horrible fundamentalists and Catholics are don't shout a peep when blacks are murdering blacks in Africa -- guess they haven't figured out how to blame it on America or capitalism yet.

  
  
• [6] AWM from UWS January 31, 2008 - 11:33AM

  Regan,

  Your frustration is completely warranted. There is no excuse for the constant and relentless brutality that occurs in many African countries. And you can’t blame the west every time a conflict occurs. However, you must understand its role. The world has treated Africa as a strategic quadrant on a board game and not as a place they would like to see thrive. This attitude has led to the constant financial and political support of “leaders” who care more about their personal appearance and grooming than the welfare of their own people.

  These “leaders” come from a lineage of people who were initially chosen by a colonial power to rule over others.

  These “leaders” use the poverty of the masses to maintain control over them. When the poor feel as if they have an opportunity to change their position in society through violence they do so with ferocity that mirrors the dehumanization that was used for generations to keep them down. And if they happen to get a chance to vote, to change the direction of their lives, and that change is snatched away from them… profound disappointment, pent up rage, violence.

  True economic opportunity and an entirely new political mindset are what Africa needs.

  The question should be how we achieve this.

  
  
• [7] AWM from UWS January 31, 2008 - 11:41AM

  Megan,

  What's "sad" is your ignorance, insecurity and paranoia. But it isn't at all "interesting"

  
  
• [8] megan from Park Slope January 31, 2008 - 11:53AM

  Dear AWM,

  You are "ignorant" about me....so instead of name calling please stick to a more civil and polite discussion of the issue and refrain from personal attacks.

  When Kenyans are murdering each other on a daily basis and teenagers are burning churches down, murdering the senior citizens inside, in part, because they're being egged on by Rawanda like radio hate, we unfortunately

  have much bigger problems than you're bullying me on this comment board.

  thanks,

  Megan

  
  
• [9] AWM from UWS January 31, 2008 - 12:15PM

  I'm sorry Megan,

  Your comment was ignorant, so I assumed you were as well. Many of our biggest problems exist and are made worse by people who can’t focus on the actual problem without personal bias.

  Correct me if I’m wrong, but your comment was meant to redirect the blame from America to the murderers in Kenya. Who is blaming the America for Kenya’s problems?

  Who is defending the violence?

  And what do Kenya’s problems have to do with “all those people in NY who are so indigent and angry about everything from wearing fur to how horrible fundamentalists and Catholics are don't shout a peep when blacks are murdering blacks in Africa”

  What does this have to do with anything?

  You obviously have an axe to grind and can’t contribute to a discussion without that fact rearing its ugly head.

  
  
• [10] roberto from nyc January 31, 2008 - 03:08PM

  I repeat a comment I made on this subject previously...Democracy in Africa..you must be joking! Stop the naive liberal platitudes. Of 54 nations on the continent only two [S.Africa and Botswana] have had democratic [fair] elections over the last 50 years. - A continent carved up by the Colonialists into primarily illogical borders rife with despotism, racism, tribalism,corruption and kleptocracy.

  There will sooner be peace in the middle east before a government in Africa peacefully hands over power after defeat in an 'election'.!