Why should we really care?

[Gert M Bosman]

Why do you think that ANYBODY should care about education and gender equality in Africa? I saw a number of posts, but could not find answers to the question. Perhaps care to share your thoughts on this?

Before looking for answers, should we not build a case to do so?

[yvonne kahema]

Am African from Kenya, and i think people should care about education and gender equality in africa ,because upto today a few africans believe that a girl child is not supposed to go to school!! instead they get married at a very tender age! also there is so much poverty in my country its hard to afford education although thanks to my government there is free education but you see children still dnt get to go to school because they cant afford books,pencils,uniforms or lunch. also the schools are too far from their homes so they cant go that far. You see now why i think somebody should care about education in africa?! am proud to be Kenyan, i love my country, but i think we have a problem.... education is the key to our future if we cant have it then we dont have a future!!!

[Gert M Bosman]

Hi Yvonne,
Thanks for your response. However, I am still not certain why we should care about Africa. I am gong to be very hard and "uncaring" in the next paragraph to bring a point accross. To play a bit of 'devils advocate' I would like this paragraph to stimulate thought in order to move towards a real reason why we should care about Africa.

Why should we care about other people who support cultures, beliefs, traditions and norms that landed then in difficulty? Why should we care about masses that rely on our goodwill to survive. Why should we care about people not taking charge of their own situations? I have seen a great many African based people who believe that they are entitled to things they do not work for, I have seen a great many people in Africa who sit around doing nothing for themselves and just rely on aid from others. ...and then have the odacity to CLAIM support?

There is also a developing mindset that every donor dollar spend on food in Africa, INCREASES the suffering of the next generation because the next generation becomes more dependant on donations and learn less to work and care for themselves.

A very harsh question: "Why would the world be worse off if there were no people in Africa?" or "What should the people of Africa do to be of value to the world, to be worthy of support?"

If we can find an answer to this, then we will be able to answer the question "Why should we care about Africa"

If is insufficient to say that we should care about africa because its people are suffering. What benefit would there be for people to care about Africa?

A general perception, shared by many is that Africa is a lost case. Get into Africa and you find corruption, entitlement and arrogance. The more educated, the more corrupt and arrogant.

Should we not focus on building value in Africa that contributes to other people on the planet? Should we not stop asking "What can we do for Africa" but rather starts asking "What can Africa do for the planet?"

Once we can identify the value that Africa holds for the world, then we can start finding ways and means for Africans to unlock that potential and become an equal partner in the planet's life, rather than just a pity case to support?

Sorry about the harsh comments made above.... It is done with the purpose of finding the reason WHY we should care about Africa. What is the benefit that people from African could bring to the world?

[Robert Bashaw]

Hi Gert,

Whenever I look at a problem or issue I typically do not look at the "what can that person or group do for the greater society" (or "for me") before deeming it "worthy" of my support. It may surprise you, but the pain and suffering in Africa is caused by much more complex geographical & historical factors than simply corruption and lack of will......and the bottom line is that there are millions of real people that must live with the situation on a daily basis. I doubt that they are concerned about proving to anyone that they are deserving of help....they are just living day-to-day to survive (when visiting a village in Ethiopia I hardly find a common thread of arrogance, corruption, and entitlement - quite the opposite). Please don't assert that the traditions, beliefs, and culture are the main problems; because that is intellectually lazy. While you look at this topic from a macro level (which should be analyzed) there are also many micro level layers that need to be considered. There are obviously many theories as to why Africa is in such a terrible state and even more theories as to what best to do about the situation. Obviously the end result would be an Africa that can be more of a global player and contributer to society but to get there we need to come up with creative strategies to help a disadvantaged people - not merely play "devil's advocate" and evaluate whether Africa "deserves" our help. That type of arrogance will not solve anything. I could say that the world would no worse off should there be no people in South Africa and that the country continues to be fueled by holier than thou whites that continue an "unofficial" apartheid environment, while complaining about the work ethic, traditions and culture of the blacks in the country and whining about the emerging youth culture in Johannesburg ....but that wouldn't stop me from attempting to generate solutions to a crisis should one arise in that region. If government is corrupt then we need to tackle that issue - not hesitate while the people are continuing to be adversely effected. If some people feel "entitled" then we need to deal with that issue directly, as there are millions that do not feel entitled but are simply trying to survive. If there are still pockets of discrimination and racist attitudes from white minorities in areas like South Africa then we need to deal with that issue as well.

Why do you believe that we should care about Africa, Gert?

Best Regards,

Brian

[Gert M Bosman]

Hi Robert,
Thanks for your thoughts. I agree with your comments that there are much more complex and historical factors that contribute to the state Africa is currently in. Compiling such a list might be great exercise to identify WHY Africa is in its current state. It also might be used to identify WHO is to blame for it. ... and once we know WHY, and WHO is to blame, what would we do? Should we punish them? I am sure the great majority of those "to blame" aree dead and gone.

My BELIEF is that there is a very good reason that we all should care about Africa. However, I have just not found the reason yet... WHY SHOULD WE CARE?. ... somewhere is an answer, but what is it. It is great to identify means and methods HOW to care, but WHY? To state that "Africa could become a more global player and contribute to society", is perhaps a good statement, but what does the rest of the world require from Africa to contribute? Is it its rich mineral and natural resources? (Aren't we the exploiting?) Is it the beauty, wild life and scenary of Africa? Is it the contributions of its people? ...what contributions would you like to receive from Africa?

It is only once we can formulate the WHY, that it will act as a cohesive motivator to create or find, and then implement solutions.

I appreciate your comments greatly, but unfortunately still could not find a "why" in your response....even after reading is a few times over the course of a few days to think about it.