Date: Wed, 3 Apr 1996 10:20:37 +0100
To: revs@csf.colorado.edu
From: slein@e1m147.mpibpc.gwdg.de (Stephan Leineweber)
Subject: collective responsibility!

To all on REVS net:

 I forwarded the article "SLAVE TRADE IN THE SUDAN" primarily because I was
shocked and disgusted at the fact, that slavery is obviously still reality in
our days. It was my urge to discuss this information with other participants
of the list, hoping for comments.
The text clippings I cited, blaming black leaderships both in America and
Africa for beeing unable to deal appropriately with that issue of course
appeared provoking. I admit, that this was my intention, although the author's
opinion is partially not identical to my own.

 I think that Rodney Coates is right to point out deficiencies of other
(white) communities and their leaderships regarding to (white) problems as
the current Bosnia conflict, IRA bombing in Ireland, or the genocide of the
jewish and other minorities by former nazi Germany.

 Nevertheless, racist, ethnic or religous violence is neither a black nor a
white problem. It should be a matter of all human rights activists from all
races, creeds, and nationalities. In the case of Sudan the descendants of the slavery-maltreated might be the most competent. I would also appreciate
opinions of muslim representatives.

 In early February Rodney uttered depressed words on this network about a
lethargic emotional state of many Blacks in the U.S. in his "bLACK hISTORY
bLUES". He bemoaned their bleary consciousness in celebrating commemorations
during the February, the 'Black History Month'. And he criticized his white
colleagues and the mass media for worrying about black issues in a hypocritical
manner.

 Each nation or ethnic group bears its very own history. We all should
endeavor seriously to inquire into the coherencies of their historical
incidents.

 I'm becoming aware, that it's a fortune for those, who live in a relative
wealthy democratic societiy, who have the possibility to live an unhurried life,
to have also the great facilities to gather multiple information. They should
at last recognize their damned joint responsibility towards those facing
unbearable conditions in many dictatorial countries, in which survival is the
only hard fact for the people there !


 Stephan L.