Especially this... >but the idea of going "back/somewhere/anywhere/ancestral >homeland" to "help" "them" or the "land" is pretty >condescending. it is no different than the white man going >to africa/asia/americas and saying, we the >"enlightened/advanced/civilized/educated" are here to >help/educate/civilize you because you yourself cannot do it.
This.... >the color of your skin makes no difference. the priviledge >that you have of being born/raised/educated in the first >world, having basic amenities, state repression (although >vastly different), etc etc. (YES, even if u colored and >broke)
And this... >>- ONE PERSONAL IDEA I have had for a project is to get all >those white missionary/student/save the world organizations >to give STOP GOING TO AFRICA and instead GIVE THEIR money to >local organizations that already do the same work. (EX: >spending $6000 in travel and other expenses to build a >school building that would cost $2000 for local workers to >build AND PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT) THAT TYPE OF SHIT IS MORE >ABOUT FEELING GOOD BOUT YOURSELF and being able to say I >WENT TO AFRICA...and all other condescending, patronizing, >racist shit that they always say....
This last point most of all, I know too many people who talk about either going to or just getting back from "3rd World" missions talking about how it gave them (or will give them) a sense of real accomplishment...they're doing it for themselves as much as anything else, otherwise why not help out locally and donate abroad?