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2/21/97:		 How valid is the attitude of many African Americans who voice a resistance to being associated with particular African countries on the basis of their belief that it was the African inhabitants of such countries who initially sold their ancestors into slavery?



Name: Ismael A. Evans
Email: ismael_evans@unicma3.lcs.state.ne.us
Response: I DO NOT think that many of these so-called "African-Americans" who do not want to identify with a particular group of African people because they think these Africans were in involved in the African-American slave have a valid nor sound argument. Even if a particular group of people on the continent of Africa were involved in the slave trade, these Africans DID NOT have a hand in constructing a social, legal, and cultural system that condoned, approved, and maintained the societal religious belief that treating a person without humanity BASED upon the color of his/her skin was a not only a God-given right but a God-given truth!!!


Name: Kenneth Leonard
Email: k8wra@juno.com
Response: Slavery existed on the African continent before it raised its ugly head in North America. When caucasians from North America landed in Africa looking for slaves, many of those sold were already slaves for various tribes. Others were dissidents of the local tribe who wouldn't abide by the laws of tyrannical chief and witch doctors. They sold their "troublemakers" and put their problems on the "dumb" whites; and tricked them out of their trade goods to boot. But slavery existed almost everywhere at some time or other. The Pyramids were built with slave labor. The Collusus of Rhodes, and most other structures of great historical interest were built with slave labor; just as the American economy was.


Name: TG
Email: TDK2@columbia.edu
Response: I do not feel that it is valid for other african americans to blame African countries for slave trade. Europeans have to take the full blame in my opinion since they new thier own true intentions for us once the deal was final. Slavery always exsisted in African culture, however it was not to the extent of the horriable ways that we would come to know. Blame has to be placed where it is due before the true healing process can begin. Recently I went to see Rosewood and felt a hurt that I had never experienced. This movie depicted blacks as free landowners struggling to survive just like many of us do today with racial inequailities and injustices. After seeing this movie ask your self the question again Are African countries who sold africans into slavery responsible for it's intent and ramification given our systems of beliefs about the world at that time


Name: Rodney D. Cunningham
Email: rcunningham@tiny.computing.csbsju.edu
Response: In reacting to this issue, it may be useful to ask if there is a difference in the way in which slavery was used. In other words, did Africans view slavery in the same context as non-Africans or Europeans? Some have suggested that an African perception of slavery was far more benevolent than that of Europeans. (Read Achebe's _Things Fall Apart_, for example.)
Furthermore, when people talk about their ancestors taking part of in the slave trade, I think that reflects a very casual look at history in that how can Black people determine, in a specific sense, who their ancestors were? For all you know, you could be the descendent of people that were sold, and not those that were selling...
It's convenient to lump all of Africa's people together because that makes for easy analysis. In doing so, however, what is ignored is the reality that the identities of Africa's various groups only took on their contemporary significance with the coming of colonialism.


Name: MB
Email: brownm0@hotmail.com
Response: It is very important that we learn our history. But the reason for learning about our ancestors is not to place judgement or to find out who to exclude. We need to learn so the we know what mistakes not to make. We have long since had to forgive the "American" (for lack of a better term) for "purchasing"our ancestors. We have so many bigger issues to conquer. I hope I have not offended anyone but I just try to look forward and change the things that I can. We can not just continue to place blame because it is not getting us anywhere.
MB


Name: Bishop
Email: manning8810@asunet.alasu.edu
Response: I agree with Charles. Speaking of slavery, check out Ephesians 6:5-9. Let me know what you think. Recognize and realize people..


Name: RussRunner
Email: RussRunner@aol.com
Response: I don't think you can hold it against the descendents of Africans who may have sold our ancestors into slavery. This was merely a form of trading in prisoners of war. In addition, I don't know that the African forebears who trafficked in slaves fully understood the European innovations applied to the peculiar institution.
RussRunner@aol.com


Name: Laura Lanier
Email:
Response: I live in a foreign country with a substantial amount of Africans because of my career. The fact is that the attitude of many Africans is one of unacceptance. This is because some of us were sold into slavery by different kingdoms. The attitude is that we are "losers" because we were slaves. It is a cultural thing in Africa. An attitude that will take a long time to go away.


Name: Brian D. Scott
Email: bscotatl@tiger.avana.net
Response: I'd have to align myself with those that subscribe to the school of the past is the past and the present is the present. I agree that the actions are not forgivable, but given the circumstances and trying to make subjective judgements with no available information (i.e. discussion with actual people that lived then) would be without merit. We should move on - there are more problems that exist NOW that we need to expend our collective energies on.


Name: Christopher Kess
Email: cakess@osprey.smcm.edu
Response: i agree with some of the other commenters. from what i've learned, the slavery practiced in africa was far different from that slavery that came to be practiced in america. the ancestors must not have known what they were selling the people into.
next, from what i've learned, many political boundaries in africa are the results of colonial powers "dividing" the territories that they desired to control. i doubt that one can say that africans within the borders of one present day country may have sold others to europeans.
the slave trade was operated by europeans. yes some africans cooperated, but the slave trade itself was controlled by europeans... we shouldn't waste too much time and energy blaming africans because the continent itself was conquered by the same powers that traded slaves. if i am in error, please correct me.
respectfully
christopher kess


Name: Kerra
Email: Netdeva@aol.com
Response: Western Literature has always described Africa as the mysterious "Other". Language affects culture and despite valiant efforts made during the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement, we still see Africa and its citizens as "Other". In their eyes, we see the most forgotten parts of ourselves. To cut off our relationship with them for an atrocity that we seem to forgive the descendants of slave masters for is ludicrous. We must unite as people of a common cultural heritage.


Name: Fal Diabate
Email: fal_diabate@ccm.ut.intel.com
Response: I would like to give my modeste opinion on this discusion. Fisrt of all I am an African by birth. It could be true that some Africans were involved in the slave trade. After all you have bad apples in every race, or ethinic group. What I don't believe is that some African families did INTENTIONALLY give their sons and daughters away for some material gain. One of the reasons I'm taking that position is that I have never seen a African (born and raised on the African continent) give away his/her child for adoption (let alone selling that child).
Africans born in the USA (and in the diaspora)who dissociate themselves from African cultures because of some alleged involvement of their ancestors in the slave trade should double check the source of that info. They should ask themselves "do I trust the messenger?" The answer to that question should say it all.
Those Africans (born on the Continent or in the diaspora) can distance themselves from Africa and and its cultures for whatever reason their choose to believe. However, the validity of that attitude is questionable. Despite the derogative way, some white people want to portray the continent and its people, the truth is that Africans are great people with integrity and values.
Our confused brothers and sisters who dislike Africa and its cultures should realize that perhaps the respect other races should have for the "black race", and the socio-economique independance of black people around the world have a direct hidden link with the development of Africa. ...it's some' to think about.


Name: Helen Evans
Email: hevans@s-cwis.unomaha.edu
Response: I do not agree or buy into the disassociation of African-Americans to Africans based on the misinformation presented in the question. History records that not only were the number of Africans to sell their people at a minimum, but more times than mentioned, these African leaders were threatened into taking these positions. As a result, many of these leaders were then sold into slavery themselves.


Name: Shravia D. Jackson
Email: jacksons@aurora.ncat.edu
Response: I do not feel that denying a particular group will change the past. What's done is done. However, we should try to understand why our ancestors sold each other. One reason was because they were under the impression that whites had the same type of slavery system that they (the ancestors) had - being merely a method of dealing with P.O.W's. I honestly believe that if our ancestors had any indication of how horrible and destructive that the white system of slavery was, they never would have sold each other to whites. In light of this, we should forgive our ancestors for their misconceptions.


Name:
Email: clwade2@vt.edu
Response: Based on an experience of witnessing my uncle pass from liver cancer I have formulated this opinion; I watched him go from a large 200 pound man to a 120 pound bedside, totally dependent, suffering human being. I fell very strongly, and am passionate about mecy killing, provided their are no other alternatives. I realize we don't have the right to condemn life, but I cannot believe God would allow someone to suffer unmentionable pain if death was inevitable. Therefore, offering someone the right to die with dignity is very humane and spiritually sound. Dr. K, if he is actually assisting these individuals from their pain and suffering, is doing many elderly citizens a tremendous favor. Again, this is provided there are no other alternatives but death.


Name: valerie
Email:
Response: when are black people going to get on with life in the here and now and stop taking up so much time blaming the white man for all his ills past and present? GET A LIFE!


Name:
Email: jackrm109@aol.com
Response: The concern is valid as long as a person feels some level of trauma and/or rejection. We, as a nation, consider it valid for white southerners' to feel loss and grieve over the demise of the Confederacy. Southern literature is consumed with this loss. Likewise, loss of identity in another segment of the American population reflects the American "spirit" within the Afro-American.


Name: Tremel
Email: c6techcon@vicenza.af.mil
Response: If a man steals things and sells them to feed his children or to save his life, can we not understand his reasoning? He must do these things to survive. The white slave holders went to Africa to conquer, and that is what they did.
Were the African peoples speaking English, and dealing with the slave holders on an equal level? No, they were surviving the best way they knew how. Besides, who knows if they Africans did the selling, may that is just another of the white man's lies. Did the Indians sell their land? No they were tricked when possible, cheated at every opportunity, and finally when none of this worked they were starved, purposely diseased of just killed in mass. Learn your history folks! It repeats itself. The history books are written by white men and it only tells us what they want to know. If you doubt that go to the library and check out some older history books and compare them with recently published ones. It is their story, nor HIS-story! Black people bond together and make tomorrow better, leave then ill will of the past behind.PLEASE, please, please love and lift up one another. If you don't know about KWANZAA, you need to.


Name: Sister Nia
Email:
Response: Slave -Trading African Ancestors? Why not Hateful Greedy Murderous Pale People !!! How about the White, Blond Haired, Blue Eyed Demon ?
I believe that our inability to love and respect our homeland and our people is a direct result of U. S. slavery. White men took everything of value from our ancestors including our brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles.
We must not forget that the White man came to Africa with the intention of destroying it and stealing all of the continents wealth. . .be it gold, gems, or humans. Why are we, as a people, always ready to blame someone else instead of focusing and placing blame on its rightful owner?
For Black Americans to place blame on our African ancestors for selling us to the White man is not a wise thing. Do you really think there was much choice in the matter? Do you believe that our African brothers and sisters could have said NO? Please!!! The White Man was there to do a job and he did a DAMN good job, too.
White Americans took the most skilled and talented Africans and brought them to this country to build what they could not build themselves. Our African Ancestors had no choice in the matter.
You can believe what The White Man says if you want...why would he want to mislead you !!


Name: Frances Murphy
Email: FrankieLou@aol.com
Response: Good question but far too many of us have forgotten this fact. Is it valid? yes and no. I'm looking forward to the comments from the people who really know the score on this one.


Name: Urso Wieske
Email: UWieske@tref.nl
Response: The fact that we (present day) think of Africa in this manner has nothing to do with ("in the past") African tribes selling out their own people. Those people responsible for these actions don't live anymore. There has been many generations passed. The central issue here is: We all came from Africa. and NOT:
We came from Africa where THEN (at tat moment) there were people selling us (<-- not even us but our ancestors) out.


Name: JOEL
Email: moffat.masuku@swipnet.se
Response: Hi I would like to say that I am a Zimbabwean who`s fore-fathers are from South Africa, and my forefathers never sold anyone so I think that this attitude is not justified at all my ancestors couldnt even spell the word slave not all Africans are guilty of the slave thing lets all get together as black people and try to improve our lives invest in Africa lets support each other and cut out all this division stuff.
www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/4103/momat.html


Name: shabazz
Email: habibah@swbell.net
Response: we can't reject both sides to the past those who were wrong and those familes who have lost children rejecting a country is to reject the reality of life and the the familes who may be there waiting to find their lost borthers and sisters


Name: Jesse Morris
Email: jessee@surfnetinc.com
Response: The only person that can be blamed for the punitive system of slavery in America is the American White Slaveholder. The other countries had no imput in the practice of slavery in THIS COUNTRY. Blame those at fault not our african brothers.


Name: Randy Bettis
Email: Iceman.neca.com
Response: I like to know why as a people we always buy into our true enemies line.Whites use this to confuse you judgement with regards to what is going on now in this country.We have a glorious future to write before us because as surely as we lead man into the bipedal age we and only we are now called upon to usher the world out the dark dank resess of thier cave dweller mine into the age of enlightment,PLEASE!


Name: Charles A. Ray
Email: rayc@ndu.edu
Response: While it is true that many chiefs along the coast cooperated with slave traders, that was the past and was understandable (if not forgivable) given the times. Knowing who are you are, and where you come from is an important first step in feeling good about yourself. For far too long Africa and things African have been relegated to the ash heap of history. We African-Americans do not help to reverse this unfortunate trend when we refuse to acknowledge our roots. In any society or culture there have been and will be people who do things that hurt others in their efforts to look out for themselves (or their immediate kin group). This is a fact of life and human existence. Keep in mind that along with the slave traders of Africa were artists and artisans who have contributed richly to the history of the world - and for the most part have been denied credit for these contributions. Take pride in where you come from.


Name: Nnamdi Nzingha
Email:
Response: The only thing I can say is, regardless of the treatment a child receives from its mother, it can never divorce itself from her. A person may have adopted parents but only one set of biological parents. So, even if we were supposedly "sold" by our ancestors', that doesn't change the immutable fact that we are from one of the countries from the Motherland.


Name: K.COPELAND
Email: GLENKEN@AOL.COM
Response: It's more important to focus on "now" than "then". If we continue to focus on things we cannot change ( the past), we cannot go forward and correct ourselves, strengthen our communities. I think we should channel our energies toward the present problems facing our people. Lack of direction and goals will keep us in modern-day slavery. What is more important?


Name: Irv
Email: igandy@surfsouth
Response: Although some of our African ancestors willfully sold their brothers and sisters into bondage, they had no earthy idea what they were selling them into. In Africa in the 1600's and before, like the ancient Romans, Africans sold those they had conquered in battle into slavery. But, slaves were treated as human and many married into the tribe. And that is what they thought they were selling us into. Not the barbarism we experienced in North America.


Name:
Email: shannonb@gcc.dcc.state.nc.us
Response: I think that black people have the right to be angry about being sold into slavery, but be mad not only at the African slave traders, but also the white man who knew the full intent of his actions. I feel that some of the African traders had no idea of the horrifying treatment that their people would be put through for 400 hundred years. Traditionally, in some tribes Africans that lost wars would take slaves as part of their winnings, but these individuals were allowed to participate in the luxuries of the tribe and often times would be included in the tribe after servitude was over. We need to stop acting like white people have less of a role in this mass kidnapping. They have historically been murderers, robbers, kidnappers, rapists, and thieves. What else do you expect? They were put out of their own countries prisons because they were unacceptable human beings. I hope that black people will not forget their African roots because by doing so we have cut ourselves off from many traditions, inventions, and institutions that made us great. Now that we are here we need to do more research into the importance of our exsistance in this country. We need to start and support our own businesses and then there won't be a need to focus on anger so much.


Name: kristan
Email: kristeph@tiac.net
Response: We bear witness each day in Africa to the products of hatred. A look to the many warring factions and tribes is evidence enough that a strengthening of connections among the peoples of African descent is vital to the survival of our cultures. I can understand the resistance to the association but we must begin to recognize that that was a different time and that we are different people today.
Punishing our African brothers and sisters will only hurt us in the end.


Name: Jenny
Email: pi200549@udlapvms.pue.udlap.mx
Response: It is true that some Africans sold other Africans into Slavery. But let's face it, it was a European invasion. Simply.


Name: Rodwell
Email: rodwellsimon@platinum.com
Response: Unfortunately, the act of selling individuals into slavery was perpetrated by fellow africans. If one understands that bondage was a means of victory over a warring tribe, you can see how it was possible to perform such a heinous act. We now live in a world where such acts are abhored. I have no problem recognizing that my ancestors were sold to white slave traders by fellow Africans. This phenomenon speaks volumes to the generalization that is placed upon most Americans of slavery descent. Somehow, Africa has become one huge country, rather than a diverse continent, with many different histories and customs. Until all people of the world come to terms with the idea that Africa and Africans, now and in the past, had varying views, we "blacks" will continue to be lumped into general statements.


Name: Belita R. T. Franklin
Email: belita@pop.southeast.net
Response: I refer my people to read the works, and research of Dr. Jacob Adey Ajayi [University of Ibadan, Nigeria; Oxford University, London, UK]: [paraphrasing]: "...there exists no English translation for the African concept of slavery." Numerous slaves maintained their language, spiritual practices, name, etcetera. While in America, South America, Haiti and so on the practices were non-existant; branding, breeding, torture, and murder were the common practices. Albeit, to enslave one of God's own was, and is against His will and way, the greater atrocity, to include the present day enslavement of the African continent lies at the 'feet' of Europe [let's not forget their history of fuedalism, Manifest Destiny, Great Chain of Being, ...].