JDAVIS@WIDENER.BITNET (02/08/90)
Is it any wonder why S. Africa probably won't let Mandela out while Jesse
Jackson is there?
Jim_DavisACS_POLLOCK@UWRF.BITNET (02/11/90)
wondering about wonder. . . I wonder what Jim_Davis is thinking about re: Jesse Jackson in S Africa. Maybe i am naive, or something, but why would S Africa care about Jesse Jackson that much? It seems the knee-jerk reactionary bigots in this country pretty much have the Jesse watch. I think *not* letting Mandela out *because* of Jesse would be improbable because of the importance that would then be attached to Jesse. Who knows??? Maybe the S African leadership *does* care. It doesn't matter in the long run. The wall of racism will eventually fall. Or so the white minority population of the world should hope. When the powers of the earth are (more or less) distributed equally, and native peoples are able to control their own resources, the present and recently past "masters" had better have set up some sort of good karma so that whites aren't treated like the whites have treated them. That, of course, is a gross oversimplification. There are presently many people of all races working for world peace. Imagine a world with out secret wars over secret objectives trying to be kept secret from the masses. Imagine a place where some arcane bit of knowledge isn't held over the heads of a populace, out of reach, out of sight, and out of mind. S Africa is filled with people who want freedom. Freedom from the tyrany of inequality, injustice, insensitivity. Americans, on the average, have it pretty good. We can express our heartfelt ideas on a net such as this and have no fear we will have a knock at our door ten seconds after we send the message. Americans also have it rough. The analogy of the oak tree which stands out in the open being much stronger than the protected oak in the forest comes to mind. Americans can be inured to the continuing ridiculousness seen nightly on the news. More blood, more death, more crime, more misunderstanding, more lies, more truth. How many people do you know who have said a version of "Who gives a damn anymore? I don't." There isn't time for that outlook. These folks tend to congregate, and like the trees in the woods, can be blown over by unforseen winds, unforseen lies, and instead of standing so others may stand, help others fall and create more destruction. I wasn't on this net during the pres elections, and i wonder if anyone made note of how many issues Jesse Jackson brought up, when the other candidates were either slinging mud or pushing the party line. And how many of those issues were coopted into Bush's and Dukakis's and the rest's platforms. Drugs, education, and headstart for sure. Any thoughts??? -rob- "standing on the moon, i've got some cobwebs on my shoes. . ."
paquette@KEAN.UCS.MUN.CA (02/12/90)
Nelson Mandela was released today!!! I watched his speech live via CBC Newsworld. in one sense the struggle there is just beginning. Democracy and freedom for all involves at the least power sharing and the concept of universal franchise. the next few days will make interesting viewing. Jocelyn
34LMLFQ@CMUVM.BITNET (Chris Curtis) (02/13/90)
>Nelson Mandela was released today!!! >...the next few days will make interesting viewing. >Jocelyn I felt the same way when he was released. I have the headlines from the Sunday paper tacked up on my wall. Indeed, the next few days will make interesting viewing, especially since one of Mandela's close associates (sorry, don't have the paper here) said Mandela may very well end up in jail again in several days. Apparently, the courageous ANC leader plans to protest apartheid laws immediately by refusing to obey them, which may land him in custody once again. Just thought you might be interested. -Chris God, I hope we don't have to sing "Free Nelson Mandela" again.