In a message dated 3/8/1999 2:12:06 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< So, where does this tendency to "other" leave us in terms to alliance and
coalition-building? >>
I am part of an African Caucus within an international system. This caucus is
made up of women of african descent from all over the world, peru to eritrea,
papua new guinea to brasil, Libya to South Africa, Holland to Australia,
Jamaica to Canada, Sudan to Burkina Faso, Madagascar to Cape Verde. We have
agreed that if we can not ally with each other, then we can ally with no one.
This sense of unity is really baffling to some , even our welcoming in of men
of African descent- but yet they find no problem with a sense of unifying with
them.
Our focus is Africa, and we speak all as African women - and we maintain
control of all activities of the caucus. We allow no platforms statements, no
issues that are not ours. We set our agendas, govern our discussions and
decide our actions. We maintain autonomy over our own issues.
It is amazing the level of arrogance, intervention, subversion and dismissal
we get from especially the groups of white women. Last year, angry because
they could not dictate our platform statements, a small group of white women
(of NGOs) tried to recruit several African women to have their own African
caucus which those white women could control. Sadly, the underestimated us. We
don't even have such opposition from men of african descent, they give us
strong support by comparison.
On other issues of course we can form coalitions, we do it all the time -
though we do not allow control on our issues or even on our voice within such
coalitions. It is kind of colonial - like France leading francophon nations on
issues of Africa, or in international issues over all, using the mass for
"numbers" to support its own voice.
I am constantly elevated by the experience of being with these women, the
unity and strength is something I would never EVER get from a NOW-type
gathering. As one of the youngest women in attendance, I am truly made by
these women. They form such an all encompassing presence in my life, in my
field of work and study, that the type of things I see on this list are made
amazingly weak. I don't discuss the issues, as in my response to susan, to
convert or convince or even validate or prove, but just to give voice.
And contrary to the belief of some, this group includes African women who have
"elite" degrees and years of career experience which they bring to our issues
- but NEVER have I ever seen any of these women not give all due respect to
the elder African women and men who speak from their experiences on our issues
but don't have the degrees, didn't take the courses that some of us did.
Nicole
