Subject: Re: African values (Was: On interracial relationships, or anything)
Date: Tue, 3 Mar 1998 11:55:15 GMT

Roger Brown (brownro@erols.com) wrote:

: >Roger Brown (brownro@erols.com) wrote:
: >: What evidence does he have that such
: >: commonalities existed? Why haven't all the other African scholars
: >: arrived at the same conclusions as Chancellor Williams?

: >Well, the thing about a theory or an argument, is that for
: >it to be well posed it must also lay bare the ground on which
: >it may be proven false.

: It must also appeal to common sense, where this theory dreadfully
: fails.

Then show it.

: >Williams theory and argument are
: >well posed in this sense.  If you would deny Williams his
: >"shared common values" thesis, it is sufficient that you
: >produce examples of African peoples whose traditional
: >values are different in those asserted by Williams to be
: >common.  Just be sure to produce them in such numbers as
: >to make a difference.  As to "the right to land", I challenge
: >you to produce *one* example.

: The Zulus. There, I did it. Another gentleman has provided quite
: specific African examples of all the "isms" you said were not to be
: found in Africa. I refer you to the post of Taharqa1 on 2/26/98.

It does not appear on my server.  Perhaps you would be
kind of enough to quote the relevant parts.

: >As to Williams' evidence, he went all over Africa consulting
: >with griots and other keepers of tradition, records and
: >archives.  It took him 20 years.

: What records and archives exist, outside of oral tradition? Not very
: much, is there? Therefore, for Williams to be correct, one must
: *presume* the accuracy of the oral tradition in reflecting ancient
: happenings. One must also *assume* the objective disinterest of
: Williams in finding commonality. As is often the case, one finds
: exactly what one looks for. That other scholars have not echoed
: Williams' original work does not bode well for Williams, does it?
: Would this indicate a lack of objectivity on the part of Williams?

No.  But all of your purported need to presume and assume
surely indicate a lack of objectivity on your part.  Next time
you come across a Zulu, ask him what the words "Bonaabakulu
Abasekhemu" mean, and what it implies about a connection to
Kamit.  If you don't know any Zulu, look up a recent post of
mine under the subject "Faith, logic, religion, and science".

: >As to other scholars, which are the ones that deny there
: >are certain *core* traditional African values in common
: >throughout that continent.  Be clear: I want no more jejune
: >nonsense about 3000 different languages therefore there
: >is nothing in common.

: This from the man who gives me the Amish as an example of
: industrialized peoples! 3000 different languages means an inability
: for many to communicate with one another. Therefore, the likelihood of
: sharing a common set of values is about as likely as the common
: ability to communicate with one another. Not very likely, is it?

You obviously know little.

: >If you give me any more of that
: >insipid nonsense I will simply ignore you.

: Ignore away, if you desire, as it will not prevent me from rebutting
: your arguments. 

You will have to do better than you have been doing so far.

: - Roger

"The beginning of Wisdom
Is knowing who you are.
Draw near and listen."
	--Swahili Proverb

	 

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