SUNTOUMANA: April 2013

By Suntou Touray (comments by other Gambians on facebook)
Citizens of foreign lands. My Friday rant...It get on my nerves hearing Gambians boasting on radio and forums of being American citizens, Swedish citizen, French citizen, British citizen...Yes, we may hold foreign passports and have rights there.. But in the real sense of the word, you're first and foremost a Gambian Citizen. It is that land that defines you, where your umbilical cord is buried. The inferiority complex should end. Every Jews in America, France, Germany, England, Sweden are citizens of those countries, but they are more proud of being an Israel citizen than American or British. If we make our country progressive, we wouldn't be hiding our real Citizenship, by boasting with countries we only reside out of comfort. Let's be real. We are Gambian citizens residing in America and Europe. How can you fight for a country whilst boasting of being a Citizen of another country? Happy Friday, May Allah make it easy for us to pray.

"Yes, it's sickening but justified too. At this time, who would want to be boastful about our citizenry? If one looks at it from the context of national pride, sure you are right but when the nation eats its young, maim its elders and injustices everywhere, it's befitting to surmise that human instincts will guide people to where "freedom" is..
Nowadays is even prideful to declare citizen of Senegal than Gambia because of one man.. To even justify my point. What happened after people at death row where executed? Two American- Gambian citizens were freed by Jesse Jackson not because of anything but because they are "Americans".. Where are the rest of "patriotic" Gambians without any other geographical bearings? Languishing in jail by their own government... " Pa Modou Jobe
I remember going home during one of my school breaks and everywhere I go they keep saying "Yen wa America yii" this "Yen waa America yii" that. I was like, are you guys kidding me, I went to that country for further education and now all of a sudden I belong there.

Our collective lack of pride in anything Gambian is slowing our development as a country and people. There is nothing wrong with people taking up citizenship of other countries, just don't insult your origin." Abdoulie Barry
I remember going home during one of my school breaks and everywhere I go they keep saying "Yen wa America yii" this "Yen waa America yii" that. I was like, are you guys kidding me, I went to that country for further education and now all of a sudden I belong there.
Our collective lack of pride in anything Gambian is slowing our development as a country and people. There is nothing wrong with people taking up citizenship of other countries, just don't insult your origin." Abdoulie Barry
Our collective lack of pride in anything Gambian is slowing our development as a country and people. There is nothing wrong with people taking up citizenship of other countries, just don't insult your origin." Abdoulie Barry
I now believe that most of these Imams never believed a word they were preaching before. They never believed in what they stood for... Jammeh just ousted them for who they really are. And that goes for most in our society...You will only make sacrifices and stand/fight for something you truly believe in.....be it from a political; moral; cultural, religious etc standpoint..
Nothing pains me more than American born/ raised Gambian kids not being able to speak/understand our local dialects. It is the parents responsibility to ensure that these kids know who they are and where they're from...but if the parents themselves do not value certain aspects of themselves,, they are not going to impart that knowledge and ensure that it's instilled in their children and their grandkids ..Simple as that.
All these bits and pieces.. Suntou's examples...Abdoulie's examples speak to a lack of pride in ourselves and our culture/traditions...so it becomes very easy to assimilate into or adapt someone else's ..

So, it is absolutely no surprise that when a model poses semi-nude for all to see, some will deem that as "following one's dream" which in itself is a Western concept. Follow your dreams they say... Lol .... before the yama fye crew comes for the attack, I’m not saying I’m right...just my humble thoughts.....Maybe I’m the one who needs to get with the times ...

Anyway, Gambian bi dafa muna roy so as long as the West deems something as "normal" we jump on that bandwagon without giving it some thought ..
Nothing pains me more than American born/ raised Gambian kids not being able to speak/understand our local dialects. It is the parents responsibility to ensure that these kids know who they are and where they're from...but if the parents themselves do not value certain aspects of themselves,, they are not going to impart that knowledge and ensure that it's instilled in their children and their grandkids ..Simple as that.
All these bits and pieces.. Suntou's examples...Abdoulie's examples speak to a lack of pride in ourselves and our culture/traditions...so it becomes very easy to assimilate into or adapt someone else's ..
So, it is absolutely no surprise that when a model poses semi-nude for all to see, some will deem that as "following one's dream" which in itself is a Western concept. Follow your dreams they say... Lol .... before the yama fye crew comes for the attack, I’m not saying I’m right...just my humble thoughts.....Maybe I’m the one who needs to get with the times ...

Anyway, Gambian bi dafa muna roy so as long as the West deems something as "normal" we jump on that bandwagon without giving it some thought ..
So, it is absolutely no surprise that when a model poses semi-nude for all to see, some will deem that as "following one's dream" which in itself is a Western concept. Follow your dreams they say... Lol .... before the yama fye crew comes for the attack, I’m not saying I’m right...just my humble thoughts.....Maybe I’m the one who needs to get with the times ...
Anyway, Gambian bi dafa muna roy so as long as the West deems something as "normal" we jump on that bandwagon without giving it some thought ..
Anyway, Gambian bi dafa muna roy so as long as the West deems something as "normal" we jump on that bandwagon without giving it some thought ..
There are things/values that make one distinctively what one is..i.e being Wollof/ Mandinka ..Koring..Quewel..Gambian, American etc..
For me, some of those values were instilled/imparted by my grandmothers, aunts, uncles, parents, as did their ancestors before them. These are some of the things that give me a sense of self/ identity that everything is filtered through. I have friends who were born and bred in the West and thus their sense of selves are different because their very value system imparted to them by family or society/media is different.
It is thus of importance to me that I retain some of those values that were passed down from generation to generation no matter where in the world I maybe and impart them to any children that i may have in the future, god willing. ..This includes but is not limited to my native language.

Like those in the west, you may have a different viewpoint or a different sense of self/value but that doesn't nullify mine or make it "off." I'm not imposing my values on anyone but I am allowed to make a point as I see fit. And I made the assertion that if one doesn't have a strong sense of who one is, you're bound to easily adopt:/adapt /assimilate into somebody else's sense of self. For instance, Jewish communities do not easily assimilate into dominant cultures, but the same cannot be said of most other communities...Of course, we say all this with the understanding that nothing is ever 100% absolute.; sense of self, value system..etc

To use a point as an example, not having the right to talk about someone's kids is a western concept/.. My American friends will node in agreement because it is their value system that shaped that notion but from what I've been taught/passed down from my Mothers/Aunts/ grandmothers, I not only have the right to talk about other people's kids in this scenario, I can go as far as giving them a piece of my mind.

On that same token, when I was a little kid and would unknowingly spread my legs during some kind of activity.. some adult would make me close my legs and adjust myself properly saying "jegane du toge née ." Etc... These and many others have come to shape my value system.
As i mentioned earlier, some people in the West are guided by different values hence the reason why nudity may not a big deal to them...and some others have adapted this mode of thinking (assimilation ) and have come to accept this as ok. I'm not one of those people.
There are things/values that make one distinctively what one is..i.e being Wollof/ Mandinka ..Koring..Quewel..Gambian, American etc..
For me, some of those values were instilled/imparted by my grandmothers, aunts, uncles, parents, as did their ancestors before them. These are some of the things that give me a sense of self/ identity that everything is filtered through. I have friends who were born and bred in the West and thus their sense of selves are different because their very value system imparted to them by family or society/media is different.
It is thus of importance to me that I retain some of those values that were passed down from generation to generation no matter where in the world I maybe and impart them to any children that i may have in the future, god willing. ..This includes but is not limited to my native language.
Like those in the west, you may have a different viewpoint or a different sense of self/value but that doesn't nullify mine or make it "off." I'm not imposing my values on anyone but I am allowed to make a point as I see fit. And I made the assertion that if one doesn't have a strong sense of who one is, you're bound to easily adopt:/adapt /assimilate into somebody else's sense of self. For instance, Jewish communities do not easily assimilate into dominant cultures, but the same cannot be said of most other communities...Of course, we say all this with the understanding that nothing is ever 100% absolute.; sense of self, value system..etc

To use a point as an example, not having the right to talk about someone's kids is a western concept/.. My American friends will node in agreement because it is their value system that shaped that notion but from what I've been taught/passed down from my Mothers/Aunts/ grandmothers, I not only have the right to talk about other people's kids in this scenario, I can go as far as giving them a piece of my mind.

On that same token, when I was a little kid and would unknowingly spread my legs during some kind of activity.. some adult would make me close my legs and adjust myself properly saying "jegane du toge née ." Etc... These and many others have come to shape my value system.
As i mentioned earlier, some people in the West are guided by different values hence the reason why nudity may not a big deal to them...and some others have adapted this mode of thinking (assimilation ) and have come to accept this as ok. I'm not one of those people.
Like those in the west, you may have a different viewpoint or a different sense of self/value but that doesn't nullify mine or make it "off." I'm not imposing my values on anyone but I am allowed to make a point as I see fit. And I made the assertion that if one doesn't have a strong sense of who one is, you're bound to easily adopt:/adapt /assimilate into somebody else's sense of self. For instance, Jewish communities do not easily assimilate into dominant cultures, but the same cannot be said of most other communities...Of course, we say all this with the understanding that nothing is ever 100% absolute.; sense of self, value system..etc
To use a point as an example, not having the right to talk about someone's kids is a western concept/.. My American friends will node in agreement because it is their value system that shaped that notion but from what I've been taught/passed down from my Mothers/Aunts/ grandmothers, I not only have the right to talk about other people's kids in this scenario, I can go as far as giving them a piece of my mind.

On that same token, when I was a little kid and would unknowingly spread my legs during some kind of activity.. some adult would make me close my legs and adjust myself properly saying "jegane du toge née ." Etc... These and many others have come to shape my value system.
As i mentioned earlier, some people in the West are guided by different values hence the reason why nudity may not a big deal to them...and some others have adapted this mode of thinking (assimilation ) and have come to accept this as ok. I'm not one of those people.
To use a point as an example, not having the right to talk about someone's kids is a western concept/.. My American friends will node in agreement because it is their value system that shaped that notion but from what I've been taught/passed down from my Mothers/Aunts/ grandmothers, I not only have the right to talk about other people's kids in this scenario, I can go as far as giving them a piece of my mind.
On that same token, when I was a little kid and would unknowingly spread my legs during some kind of activity.. some adult would make me close my legs and adjust myself properly saying "jegane du toge née ." Etc... These and many others have come to shape my value system.
As i mentioned earlier, some people in the West are guided by different values hence the reason why nudity may not a big deal to them...and some others have adapted this mode of thinking (assimilation ) and have come to accept this as ok. I'm not one of those people.
On that same token, when I was a little kid and would unknowingly spread my legs during some kind of activity.. some adult would make me close my legs and adjust myself properly saying "jegane du toge née ." Etc... These and many others have come to shape my value system.
As i mentioned earlier, some people in the West are guided by different values hence the reason why nudity may not a big deal to them...and some others have adapted this mode of thinking (assimilation ) and have come to accept this as ok. I'm not one of those people.
Thanks for the topic Suntou Touray" Fatou Sagnia

"True Pa Modou, however defending the rights of others start from pride in what one is and how much it means to you. Americans started to love themselves and what they are collectively when they realise freedom for all is the key to making people wanting to die for the country. Let us start by being proud of who we and where we are from. It is a long road, but we will get there. Thanks" Suntou

"I beg to differ on this one. Gambians lack of pride in anything Gambian has been ongoing forever. Gambians love everything else but their own. How did the phrases "kii daffa local" (used when trying to show how unsophisticated a person is), "yoww dor wa fii" (used to refer to a person that is considered classy/sophisticated/better) come into existence? Why is it that when one visits the Gambia now one thinks they are in a foreign country because our social/family values are so eroded it don't feel the same? Prostitution, drug & alcohol abuse is so rampant because everybody wants to "westernize".

As a people, I don't think we've ever been really prideful of who we are and what we stand for as a country/culture. We sure are quick to put our traditions by the wayside when something new/shiny comes along. Most of our customs and traditions are dying a slow and painful death as a result.

I’ll stand by my argument that it PAINS me to see Gambian kids not speaking/understanding their language as it pertains to the broader topic of being prideful. i think having a sense of identity goes way beyond just wearing a waramba; etc which is too simplistic a view for such complexities.

Actually, I can't resist sharing this random fact; I learnt during an Arabic course in college that "bint" meant son/ daughter of... So, Fatima bint Rasululah as most may know means Fatima, daughter of the prophet. It just made me wonder why some Imam/religious elder didn't speak up when they noticed the name trend of Binta/bintu's in the community ..like listen up peeps..lets think/talk abt this for a second..?? I could write a whole book on this topic but let me stop before I put you all to sleep." Fatou Sagnia

"When its all said and done whether you like it or not being here after sometime, whether you notice it or not... you are not 100% Gambia mentally and will never be 100% American.. Only God knows what we are. All we can do is try. No culture is perfect, lets take the best in both worlds and life goes on. let me add this is something Abdoulie Barry told me about 4 years ago." Mprez Jaa

Suntou's final remarks
Fatou Sagnia and Mprez made lots of sense. The global village is now a battle as one Black American scholar puts it, but not that of guns and knives. The battle of the minds. The Gambian mindset is not immune to influence and/or subliminal cajoling. What is relevant is, nothing stays the same. However, throwing the baby with bath water is catastrophic. What we understood as culture and traditions changes, but it shouldn't be for the worst...After acquiring knowledge one is bound to lean towards improving things as they are. Are we as Gambian educated men and women attempting to move our cultures and heritage forward or have we succumbed. America and Europe cultivated their identities, we came smoothly use it and go to sleep. After some time, we will forget who we are and shall never be what they are. Where do we stand? Analyse the problem of U.K black on black killing, not to talk, the menace that is black on black mass murder in U.S....When we are neither here nor there, we lose self-respect and will never value each other.

Few years ago, Gambians were so wicked to each other in parts of England, some will run away from certain Cities because fellow Gambians are reporting each other to U.K immigration. I thought this menace is over, only a week ago, A Gambian confide in me that, the town is he's living, he hide away from Gambians because some are reporting others for not having papers....Imagine that. without self-respect and pride in one's community of people, you will not hesitate to cause havoc...Let us see the subject as self-analysis. Now take a second look at the Asian community, they open doors and allow more in. And they largely remain true to themselves, leading to settling more comfortably than Gambians (Africans).
Finally, to acquire U.K citizenship now, you must pass a U.K British citizenship test. If you don't pass that test, you don't become a British citizen, This test entails you learn British culture and history. Because they want people to assimilate and understand the host country. In Germany, in as much as they give you there national passport, you're always reminded by immigration officers that, "we can take this passport away from you at time you commit certain crimes"...The U.K actually nullify citizenship after involvement in serious crimes. In U.S the case of the preacher who was killed in Yemen, a U.S citizen, Anuwa Al-awlacki is perfect example. Let us not get carried away with U.S, British, French or Swedish passports. We are Gambians first.

Thanks to all who shared their ideas. Thanks

SUNTOUMANA

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Monday, 1 April 2013

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