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Paul Theroux on African Aid |
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Editor's Introduction In a December 15, 2005, op-ed piece in the New York Times, author and former Peace Corps teacher Paul Theroux criticized rock star Bono for his efforts to raise money for Africa as "destructive and misleading." Theroux does distinguish between "small-scale, closely watched efforts" where every dollar is accounted for, along with "humanitarian aid, disaster relief, AIDS education, or affordable drugs" and the "more money" mentality of "prestige projects, volunteer labor and debt relief." He notes that despite the input of millions of aid dollars, most of Africa is worse off today than it was 40 years ago due to bad governance and kleptocratic administrations. He makes the only slightly veiled suggestion that Bono and other celebrities should stay at home, in Bono's case in Ireland where "after centuries of wishing themselves onto other countries, the Irish found that education, rational government, people staying put, and simple diligence could turn Ireland from an economic basket case into a prosperous nation." Following are letters from three TEAAers, Eugene Marschall, David Newbury, and Dudley Sims, who felt moved to comment on the article. Eugene Marschall: Unfortunately there is a lot of truth in what Paul Theroux says; also he is one of the heroes / heroines who actually went out to Africa (as we did) to try and do something on the spot (and give up part of our lives) rather than just grandstand with words and gestures (which are cheap) and quickly return afterwards to the comforts of the First World. Also he is right that Malawi, a special basket case which could be a potentially rich country, is now on the brink of starvation, partly because the emergency food reserves were sold by corrupt government officials and partly because politicians continue to squabble while many are dying and these politicians look after their interests first rather than those of the country . However, one could point out that there are a large number of committed and honest people in Africa (and outside) who try and keep things going. Tanzania would be a good example of a country with little corruption, with a democratic government and dedicated teachers (among others). Also that it is easy to be cynical and destructive and more difficult to look at the positive aspects of what is happening in Africa. In the end most of us cannot affect the big picture and cannot change the world drastically (as we maybe thought when we were in our 20's), but we can make small changes which with God's help will eventually produce bigger changes. Think of the parable of the mustard seed for those of us who know or remember our Sunday School teaching! Ultimately we perhaps have to recognise that some (complex) problems have no solutions, or at least no simple solutions in our own lifetimes. It is painful for the large community of ex-teachers (like TEAA people) and other workers (like Paul Theroux) who note that Africa has not progressed much in the last 40 years, whereas countries like South Korea, Chile, Singapore and Mauritius, which had a similar per capita income to Kenya in 1958 , are now self-sustaining developed countries. Perhaps the message to Theroux would be "while your analysis has a lot of truth, what in your opinion has gone wrong,"and above all, "what has to be done to improve matters in the next 40 years to ensure that it does not happen again?" That is, ask Theroux to move from criticism (which is easy) and try to draw some lessons from the past and do some positive thinking. As TEA ex-teachers in Africa (like Paul Theroux) who continue in a very specific and productive way to help African schools, we really have the moral high ground to ask Paul Theroux to be more positive. David Newbury I agree with many of disappointments that Theroux listed for Malawi: who amongst us isn't disappointed with the sad trajectory of Africa and the outrageous tribulations imposed on its people over the last forty years? However, as Eugene Marschall notes, words are easy. For all his well-documented rich experience in Malawi, Theroux did not stick it out in Africa; instead, he's an observant tourist and a very accomplished writer. His works often raise the awareness of a world of increasingly dramatic inequalities, yet Theroux's admirable skills don't substitute for someone immersed in the ground level experience, in all its complexity. In a sense, he is doing more or less what he accuses Bono of doing: he is using his visibility in one field, as a celebrity, to publicize conditions in another field. The problem with his article, as I saw it, was that Theroux was trying to set up an exclusive (but artificial) opposition: EITHER one addresses issues of global debt and international trade tariffs (Bono), OR one addresses issues of internal probity and corruption (Theroux). However, in an interconnected world these two dimensions are often related: local corruption thrives just as well in situations where global relations encourage it as in situations outside direct external influence. And certainly the West has a great deal to answer for in this, both in rigidifying strategic alliances and in promoting postcolonial economic allies. But that, after all, is what Bono is trying to point out. Reducing the effects of exploitative global structures would indeed make a difference. On the other hand, Theroux is also right: that policies of liberalization and debt relief will mean nothing in themselves without addressing local inequalities and power structures. However, despite Theroux's misgivings there is this to say for Bono: that he is highlighting the issues and bringing pressure to bear on western governments to rethink their commitments. So one element of Bono's activism that Theroux might adopt is just that: Bono's activism. Theroux should do more than just writing about it, drawing on his personal involvement forty years ago -- and a few entertaining travel experiences since. For starters, he could write more of the people of Africa and their struggles. He could write more of the corruption not at a moral level, but at an empirical level, exposing it. He could draw attention to those many thousands of people that Eugene Marschall reminds us of: those good people who are courageously fighting on the ground. They need our support in real ways. But they are forgotten as much by Theroux as by Bono. In short, Theroux has a place in this struggle for humanity in Africa. But that place, it seems to me, is not primarily in attacking Bono. In doing so, he lends himself to the same criticism as a "safe celebrity" as that he levels against Bono. Dudley Sims At my age and the time I have left on this earth, I cannot bathe in the negativism of Mr. Theroux, no matter how true his statements may be. We have to go ahead and use our minds to fund the projects that make the best sense. We are on the right track using projects that can help people help themselves. It is as simple as that, no rocket science needed here. Let's keep doing what we are doing and not be discouraged by the nay sayers. A pox on the house of the likes of people like Mr. Theroux. |