allAfrica.com
16 June 2009
The writer Alexandra Fuller is best known in southern Africa for two books which portray with vivid and – for one who grew up in the same milieu – discomforting accuracy the sad, often sordid world of white Rhodesia.
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It is very unfortunate I personally and like many Zimbabweans I consider the subject matter as trash because of its inclination to racism. A lot of garbage similar to most articles you would get from our own local newspaper the Herald, which is full of hate.
Phiri is dead on correct, without exception. Id’ like to add another edge, from one who has been to (and have friends in) Wyoming, and much of the rest of the US, for that matter : I do not know if Alexandra Fuller has her statistics right, but a Single State in a Union of 50, and one of the least populated, is no where near indicative of an all inclusive ‘American Attitude’. As a matter of fact, I strongly suspect that anyone from Wyoming would find it insulting (!) to be thought of as an homogenise unit with the rest of the country in lifestyle or any other designation that you would care to add … and most of them would say the same, though never with anything more than a smile, for that what has made the United States the most powerful country is it’s diversity of people AND their lifestyles, and dialects, and religions ... and attitudes.
Ms. Fuller. I do hope you will again bring yourself & your talent to the U.S., but next time, spend time & travel & LEARN… you’ll be surprised.
STATE OF NEW YORK ï‚— DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
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As a Zimbabwean I find Alexandra Fuller's books interesting in understanding white minority settler community in Zimbabwe. Especially their atrocities against the black majority. The latest interview also is interesting. But, comparing Wyoming State, to the entire African continent, which is perhaps more than 1000 times bigger than a state of Wyoming is a bit stretching facts and the truth becomes a casualty. One billion people in Africa, can never be compared to one state of the USA.
I also doubt if the white settler community was prevalent in the rest of Africa, as it was in Southern Africa. I think anglo white writers over stretch their experience in Southern Africa to mean the whole continent of Africa. This seems non-stop. Any white anglo in Southern Africa, claims the continent is all the same. There is a bit of racism in this kind of thesis.
Next time Allen, try being more relevant and specific. Africa is an incredible big massive area with different races, languages, cultures etc One experience in one African country does not make one the expert on all countries of Africa. I would like to see some improvements on Allafrica.com. Africa this ...Africa that.....is becoming meaningless and tasteless!