By Ralph Turman
My name is Ralph Turman and I live in the Northwest corner of the United States. My good friend The Publisher, originally from The Gambia, asked if I might be interested in writing apiece for this new publication The Gambia Times. I am both honored and excited to be invited to participate in this new project.
In order to educate myself about The Gambia I have spent considerable time researching its history and culture. Although our two nations lie an ocean apart, are vastly different in size, and the USA has existed some four times longer than The Gambia, we share much. Our relationship through our shared history has witnessed both the positive and the negative. What I came to realize through my research is that though the USA is much older and larger than The Gambia, we can learn much from your country.
In 1635 the first ship built in North America for the purpose of participating in the capture of Africans to be brought to the “New World” and sold as slaves was launched. For some two centuries the slave trade continued with North America taking part. The United States, founded in 1776, was the final destination for many of the slaves-to-be captured in the region of Africa which eventually became The Gambia and Senegal. To their credit many citizens of the United States became bitterly opposed to slavery and from 1861-1865 we engaged in a brutal civil war in which some 700,000 people died. The anti-slavery “North” won the war and slavery in The United States ended.
In the relatively short period of time since The Gambia attained full independence it has struggled mightily to establish a flourishing democracy. The path has been difficult with more than one coup attempted, government suppression of the press and efforts made to drive dissent underground. I hope my words will encourage Gambians to refuse to give up the battle! Today we in the USA share the same struggle. Our present government is essentially a sham supporter of the democratic dream. We have become a chaotic Oligarchy where the rich and powerful few rule the majority of Americans; the public good is not a concern of theirs and attempts to silence the press and muzzle dissent are ongoing. How did this situation come about? We, the citizens, let it happen. Do not allow that to happen in The Gambia too, again. Not especially after your recently heard-won and well-deserved victory over tyranny.
As I view today’s Gambian press I am overwhelmed by what I see. One newspaper’s motto shows it to be a warrior in the battle for “freedom and democracy.” It “champions different opinions, human rights and issues affecting democracy in The Gambia.” Another paper, in its motto, includes a truism that is no less than breathtaking in its symbolism and depth of meaning: “Know Yourselves, Know Your Country, and Know the World; Then you shall be the Architect of Your Own Destiny.”
As I said earlier, I am honored to be given the opportunity to present these few words for inclusion in the birthing of this new contribution to Gambian democracy. Would that America might pay attention as well.
About the Author:
Ralph Turman attended the University of Washington where he earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Anthropology and Geography. After graduation he spent 27 years as a public school science teacher. He is also a federally licensed airplane mechanic and trained paralegal. Following retirement he taught courses in Theoretical Futurism (speculation about the probable effects of the looming technology revolution) at the University of Washington’s Experimental College as well as in adult learning programs. For several years he ran a blog and moderated ideas groups but he’d quit teaching, blogging, and ideas-moderating to write a book. For recreation he still ride motorcycles and his pen name is The Ancient Rider.