大象传媒

As ever on World Have your Say we let listeners drive the agenda. We have some suggested topics tonight but if last night's show from Harlem is any indicator we could be veering into uncharted waters at any point . . . We'll try to keep up!

During that opening clip we just heard Mr Muttalibi in Iraq's ministry for dialogue and reconciliation saying that talks are actually happening between the Iraqi Gov and insurgent groups.

Sue Stevens is the manager of the Bagdad theatre, she鈥檚 welcomed us all in: 鈥淲e do movies, community events, book signing, lectures, music.鈥�

Early comments:

TedWhat鈥檚 the role for the US to play in nation building?

Fred

Speaking to insurgents. #1 That鈥檚 how the US was born. #2 The US has set the stage by being so violent that it inspires violence.

Oops . . .the line went down for a few seconds there. Our apologies to all.

Iraq: Is It Good To Talk?

Hassan has called in
Talking to insurgent is good news. They constitute a portion of the population.

Linda has called in
They tried it earlier. People are still dying. I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 gonna work this time. I鈥檒l believe it when I see it.

The lovely-named Scout is in the audience:
It may not work but it cannot hurt to try it.

Anonymous e-Mail:

So they know who and where the influential members are of these insurgencies? I think the problem is solved then. get to it armed forces.

Tina in Portland writes:

How does one talk to people who use children as decoys in a car bomb then save themselves and blow the children up? What possible common ground can any decent human being find with people who would do such a thing?.....

Ravin in London, UK writes:

Talking is the only way regardless of whether the insurgents use weapons or not. if you want to stop insurgency and create a safer iraq,safer Middle East region..dialouge is the most important thing, how can one expect to understand without talking to those who have grivieances. we need to talk to people otherwise we are failing the Iraqi people.dialogue is the only diplomacy. the reason the US wont talk is because companies like Blackwater and Halliburton are providing the insurgents with the arms. war makes money, for the few, but creates disparity for the others.

Crystal in Shaker Heights, Ohio

If the United States and the UK insist upon using bullets and bombs rather than diplomacy, even when the rest of the world comes out in opposition; with what right do they criticize others who use bullets and bombs rather than dialogue? At any point that we can come to a table rather than a battle field, we should.

Some texts from Africa . . .

Mohammed, Mon, Lib.

President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair are both dictators and making them to answer questions before the word tribunal will end the culture of impenalty.

OSI in Nigeria

I want you to talk about how multinational corps. like Haliburton set the agenda in U.S.A. using the media and politicians like G. Bush.

Bryce in Portland on the other side of the river

Without negotiation, what other options do we have? Kill every one who wont agree with you?

Steve, Virginia

Freedom fighters? How is it fighting for freedom by blowing up markets, busses, stores, police stations??? Is killing your neighbors fighting for freedom? What is it with the 大象传媒 audiences these days? They aren't even killing Americans, they're killing each other! Is that freedom fighting??????????????? Deliberately targetting civilians is TERRORISM. If you cannot see this, then you are willfully blind!

Mohammed in New York, US writes:

Great show, its great to see a forum where the people can speak their minds. I am really getting frustrated from hearing the reoccurring comments from your audience members that paint a simplistic and incorrect history of Iraq and Sunni-Shitte relations within Iraq. This is not a "1400 year battle" nor is Iraq's political culture any more inherently violent than any political culture under war. Not too long ago Sunni-Shitte relationships were hardly an issue in Iraq. 30 years ago Iraqi society was quite united and secular. Iraq's first Post-Monarchical President was even half Sunni and half Shitte and this was hardly an issue.

Grant in Portland, Oregon, US writes:

As Sam Harris points out in his best selling book "The End of Faith," there is just no talking to some people. I don't want to talk to Osama bin Laden. I want to capture him, give him a sex change operation and then send him back to live among the Taliban as a woman.

Aseel writes:

Peace in Iraq is acheived not only through dialogue with the Iraqi resistence but by the closing of the four huge airbases that the US is building in Iraq by the Pentagon, and the end of the behemoth US embassy -- the largest in the world-- consisting of 22 buildings on prime land to house 1000 employees.

Michael writes:

The history of the Iraq, is not a Peace full one. The solution, is in Learning what works. 1. Stop Killing the People of Iraq. 2. Yeild to the People of Iraq and what they want. 3. Give a Declaration to the World that we now will do nothing but help all people in Iraq. 4. Open the Nation to the World, and require the World to Accept the Rule of what will Be Done, in the Next steps to A Soultion. 5. In Short We the USA, are the Problem. 6. Yeild to the World's Voice, for Peace. Stop Attacking family and Friends.

Tina in Portland writes:

How does one talk to people who use children as decoys in a car bomb then save themselves and blow the children up? What possible common ground can any decent human being find with people who would do such a thing?.....

Bryce in Portland writes:

When we hear how horrible things are and that we are the problem and all of the issues that were brought up yesterday, and nobody asks for help, it does more to turn people away than to bring people together.

Mark in Sanford, Michigan writes:

Resolution of the unrest in Iraq will not come from negotiations of the U.N. or the U.S. with insurgents. The only lasting peace will come if Iraqi Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds finally sit down and agree that stopping the violence between them is worthwhile and in their own best interest. If they can't collectively convince themselves of that, no intervening third parties can ever hope to have success.

Edwin in Zambia:

Saddam hanged for killing 148 in Dujail. Will bush hang for killing thousands of americans and millions of others?

J. S. In Liberia:

Where is the weapon of MASS DISTRUCTION BUSH talked about. He lied to the world. Impeachment is the way forward.

KENNY from Kenya

I'm the only one who has noticed this? Why is it that whenever U.S.A gets a republican Government,there are wars everywhere especially the muslim world....

David in kampala, Uganda

I have got a problem with western media including the 大象传媒 that they helped Bush in publicity stunts and have totally 4goten that e.g. the bbc scandals that saw a director resign, please wake up.

Opey in Nigeria:

Bush lied 2 the world,the blood of al war linked dead iraqi&american are on his hand.He will one day be charged.

Harlem

We've just listened to a montage of comments from last night's Harlem debate. The Portland audience's ears may well be stinging . . .

Marcy has called in from Detroit 鈥� she鈥檚 having a go at the WHYS for our 鈥渁udience selection鈥�. Ros is putting up a staunch defence.

Adrian is in the audience:

Yesterday鈥檚 show made my skin crawl: It saddened me. The gentrification issues I hear all the time.

e-Mails are flying in . . .

Joe in New York, US writes:

Talk or discussion is historically not the key to ending a civil war. According to a piece in the latest edition of Foreign Affairs, James Fearon, a prominent political scientist, estimates that in the last 50 years only 16% of civil wars have ended with a power sharing agreement while 75% have ended in a clear victory by one side. According to this view, talk without consideration of power is meaningless.

Aislinn in Salem, Oregon, US writes:

If we want to genuinely seek peace we must talk to everyone. I would talk to the devil himself if it meant bringing peace and saving lives. Just because we talk to terrorists doesn't mean that we agree with them or condone their actions.

Joseph in Ann Arbor, US writes:

Freedom Fighters & Insurgents aren't Terrorists. We need to be vigilant about the use of Orwellian double-speak. Grouping words like "terrorism, Islam, Iran, insurgent, axis-of-evil" is a bad habit that should not be tolerated. It should, instead, be avoided like the plague.

J. in Portland, US writes:

If most Americans want the US out of Iraq why is the US spending 1 billion to build a 104 acre embassy? (six times larger than the United Nations compound in New York and two-thirds the acreage of Washington's National Mall.) As well as 18 military bases, 4 of which are superbases. Why isnt the media broadcasting this to the public?

Eris writes:

April asked, "Why is race still an issue in America?" The question I often have is, "why are people so surprised that it is?" In a country founded on a hypocritical document guaranteeing rights to only the minority of people in the country and subsequent violence and degradation consistently practiced on a group of people- why wouldn't the after effects of such things not continue?

Tommy in Columbus, US writes:

I was appalled by the individual who affirmed his claim that there was African American genocide going on in the United States during yesterday's broadcast. Maybe he should do a little research on that word means or visit his brothers in Darfur to get a real idea of the implications of that word.

We鈥檝e got NY Oil on the line from NYC. He was co-host for last night鈥檚 show and it鈥檚 a pleasure to have him in the house.

NY Oil

I want to convey this to the people. The police a very quick to arrest young black males. Fingerpring them, put them in the system QUICKLY. There鈥檚 a culture of young black males feeling that the police are their enemy.

David in Tigard, Oregon writes:

I would just like to thank everyone here in Portland for acting more grown up and civil. Rather than a bunch of hostile individuals.

Anonymous writes:

There are black ppl here in portland and we go through the same things as those in harlem. We are more of a minority here. Im black and i know that race is still an issue globaly and that darker ppl get ran over used and abused. Would like to say more but im sending this from phone. Just please keep this point going. Black ppl stand up and be heard. Dont let others speak for and about you.

Venus in Detroit, US writes:

I think the division is more of a class issue than racism. For example-- The dilapidated buildings of impoverished urban schools, (where most minorities attend), do not compare to those of white suburbia. The fact that minorities have been oppressed for so long within this cycle of poverty hampers our progression; especially when those in power are unwilling to devote the time and funds to rebuilding poorer areas. Racism could certainly be a part of this. How is this class able to rise past poverty when even the basic equality (education) is absent? There's no easy answer鈥�

Steve writes:

Stop whining about victimhood, for the LOVE OF GOD!

Rebecca in Portland, US writes:

Oregon is a very racist community. We do not like to look at ourselves that way, but it is an ugly truth. I am a white woman and have lived here in the NE part of town for 29 years. There are limited opportunities in jobs, education and development for people of color in Portland. I do understand the anger and pain of people of color around America. We have not come as far as we'd like to believe.

Patrick writes:

I understand why the participants yesterday were so vocal. These issues are rarely addressed by the American media, and for many of the participants this was the first opportunity they'd ever had to express their frustrations. Am I the only one in America who finds it ironic that we need a media outlet from *another* country to address our own racial issues?

Cara in Washington DC, US writes:

i appreciate and agree all the issues that people mentioned yesterday, but i think there is a huge problem when people do not listen to questions asked or talk over each other. i was very excited to listen to yesterdays show, but i had to turn it off because people were to talking over eachother and it was too frustrating to listen to. how can you expect people to listen to the issue you want to discuss if you in turn do not listen to what people have to say?

Steve in US writes:

Anyone can pick themselves up by their bootstraps. Anyone can get student loans and go to university. African Americans have special treatment with affirmative action and they can get scholarships, or take out loans like everyone else does. Nobody is stopping them from going to university, which can lead to higher paying jobs, which can enable them to buy their homes. Stop this victimhood tripe.

Scott in Portland, US writes:

Yesterdays program was a representation of the anger African Americans can't seem to get rid of. There are many areas all over the country including Portland that are becoming gentrified it has nothing to do with race. The argument is really tired, there are so many bigger issues in the world to worry about. I am certain statistically there are probably as many African Americans who are also racist and statistically African Americans are bigots - because they are homophobic. What about the genocide of Rwanda and continuous slaughter of Africans now in Africa by Africans?

Anon

I am an enrolled member of Klamath Tribes of SE Oregon. I am also half white. The United States government passed law that TERMINATED the existence of our tribe. We have since been reinstated and are now federally recognized. The point is this- race is still a prevalent issue in the United Stated. People of color (whether you can see it on their skin or not) need to not be distracted by the conversation of who has it worse in the country and who is more opressed. We need to not ignore it either.

Rebecca in Portland, US writes:

We cannot forget how our country was founded. A group of people came to this country that was already occupied and systematically destroyed the culture of those people to make room for their own. Our country has a history of it, a process of which hasn't ever been fixed.

Noah writes:

Having lived in Portland (Off Killingsworth) and New York (LIC) Blacks have it tougher in Portland.

Leland in Indiana, US writes:

The Police Force (not individual officers) in the US are the enemy not just of African Americans, but of all middle and lower class people. They are a tool for protecting the rich, and especially their money.

Laurie writes:

I'm really glad that guy mentioned that it's not exactly whether the school is all black; it's whether it's an economically disadvantaged place or not. Not having money is the biggest sin, and makes you a outsider: even more than being fat! Funny thing is, both money and adipose tissue are forms of energy storage, but no one ridicules a person who is morbidly, tragically wealthy. In my opinion, they are both unhealthy for a person.

Sean writes:

It sounds like a complaining fest. 1. Everyone must look at someone they do not know, and then ask for a hug. 2. Sacrifice yourself for those that aren't as lucky (Pulled into a fortunate life) 3. If you think you are not one of the lucky one's, you must still follow # 1 and 2. 4. Act in your community. Build a community. Stop TV and act on something local. 5. You have time somewhere. Stop being lazy. 6. Do not ask for help until you are helping yourself. 7. After this radio show, don't just go home. Do something.

Grace writes:

I grew up in predominantly black culture in Pine Bluff Arkansas which was called "Little Detroit". Ultimately moved to the Washington D.C area before moving here to Portland Oregon. I have found that Portland is extremely ignorant of their own involvement in racism, although they tout themselves as being very tolerant and liberal. Portlanders tend to not have access to a dialogue or understanding of what those folks in Harlem are experiencing and therefore are ignorant to issues of race going on in their own community From gentrification issues to its own violence and racial profiling of people of color in our own community. I believe it stems from not having been exposed to people of color.

Camilla writes:

I don't understand why any American would expect our goverment to listen to us. In the last two national elections, more than 75 percent of the registered voters voted against George Bush (less than 25 percent voted for Kerry, more than 50 percent didn't vote). More than 75 percent voted against John Kerry (same reasoning). Yet we "elected" a government. Why were either of these elections legal when less than half the registered, eligible citizens chose not to cast a vote? We are being governed by that one-in-every-five kid on the playground who talked loudest and pushed hardest -- the bully. Not known for listening to the rest of us. If you want a responsive government, get that other 52 percent of voters to the polls. If they have to convince all of us that they are right, maybe we will get a government that knows how to negotiate.

Barry in Detroit, US writes:

Frantz Fanon, Algerian psychologist and revolutionary, once wrote, "we are not the slaves of the slavery that dehumanized our ancestors." That is to say, it is not our skin color but our actions that determine the content of our character. MLK said similar when he hoped that his children would be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Thus, as long as people are opposed to white supremacy and empire, it shouldn't matter what color their skin is. If they are not opposed to those things, and instead collaborate with them鈥ell, those people we can and should judge by their actions.

Lisa writes:

I have the greatest sympathy for African Americans, but they need to realize that they are not unique in their suffering. The history of my church includes more than 100 years of being driven from cities across the country to finally end up in Utah. A brief study of world history and current events indicates that anyone who is "different" is subject to persecution. This is a global problem that needs group action.

Tommy writes:

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THOSE WHO SUGGEST THAT THE UNITED STATES MEDIA IS RUBBISH (EXCEPT FOR BILL O'REILY AND STEPHEN COLBERT) I was appalled by the individual who affirmed his claim that there was African American genocide going on in the United States during yesterday's broadcast. Maybe he should do a little research on that word means or visit his brothers in Darfur to get a real idea of the implications of that word. GENTRIFICATION IS ONE THING, GENOCIDE IS SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

Cara in Washington DC, US writes:

i appreciate and agree all the issues that people mentioned yesterday, but i think there is a huge problem when people do not listen to questions asked or talk over each other. i was very excited to listen to yesterdays show, but i had to turn it off because people were to talking over eachother and it was too frustrating to listen to. how can you expect people to listen to the issue you want to discuss if you in turn do not listen to what people have to say?

Steve in US writes:

Anyone can pick themselves up by their bootstraps. Anyone can get student loans and go to university. African Americans have special treatment with affirmative action and they can get scholarships, or take out loans like everyone else does. Nobody is stopping them from going to university, which can lead to higher paying jobs, which can enable them to buy their homes. Stop this victimhood tripe.

Scott in Portland, US writes:

Yesterdays program was a representation of the anger African Americans can't seem to get rid of. There are many areas all over the country including Portland that are becoming gentrified it has nothing to do with race. The argument is really tired, there are so many bigger issues in the world to worry about. I am certain statistically there are probably as many African Americans who are also racist and statistically African Americans are bigots - because they are homophobic. What about the genocide of Rwanda and continuous slaughter of Africans now in Africa by Africans?

I am an enrolled member of Klamath Tribes of SE Oregon. I am also half white. The United States government passed law that TERMINATED the existence of our tribe. We have since been reinstated and are now federally recognized. The point is this- race is still a prevalent issue in the United Stated. People of color (whether you can see it on their skin or not) need to not be distracted by the conversation of who has it worse in the country and who is more opressed. We need to not ignore it either.

Rebecca in Portland, US writes:

We cannot forget how our country was founded. A group of people came to this country that was already occupied and systematically destroyed the culture of those people to make room for their own. Our country has a history of it, a process of which hasn't ever been fixed.

Noah writes:

Having lived in Portland (Off Killingsworth) and New York (LIC) Blacks have it tougher in Portland.

Leland in Indiana, US writes:

The Police Force (not individual officers) in the US are the enemy not just of African Americans, but of all middle and lower class people. They are a tool for protecting the rich, and especially their money.

Laurie writes:

I'm really glad that guy mentioned that it's not exactly whether the school is all black; it's whether it's an economically disadvantaged place or not. Not having money is the biggest sin, and makes you a outsider: even more than being fat! Funny thing is, both money and adipose tissue are forms of energy storage, but no one ridicules a person who is morbidly, tragically wealthy. In my opinion, they are both unhealthy for a person.

Sean writes:

It sounds like a complaining fest. 1. Everyone must look at someone they do not know, and then ask for a hug. 2. Sacrifice yourself for those that aren't as lucky (Pulled into a fortunate life) 3. If you think you are not one of the lucky one's, you must still follow # 1 and 2. 4. Act in your community. Build a community. Stop TV and act on something local. 5. You have time somewhere. Stop being lazy. 6. Do not ask for help until you are helping yourself. 7. After this radio show, don't just go home. Do something.

Grace writes:

I grew up in predominantly black culture in Pine Bluff Arkansas which was called "Little Detroit". Ultimately moved to the Washington D.C area before moving here to Portland Oregon. I have found that Portland is extremely ignorant of their own involvement in racism, although they tout themselves as being very tolerant and liberal. Portlanders tend to not have access to a dialogue or understanding of what those folks in Harlem are experiencing and therefore are ignorant to issues of race going on in their own community From gentrification issues to its own violence and racial profiling of people of color in our own community. I believe it stems from not having been exposed to people of color.

Don writes:

I am an ignorant white-man, but I have to agree with NY(?) saying that people outside his community do not understand or have a vested interest in what difficulties his community faces. I would not want people who don't understand my problems, or have a vested interest in them, to be trying to solve them. What do the African-American communities do to condemn "black-on-black" crime and what do they do to try and help "outsiders" (such as myself) understand their problems so that I feel like I have a stake in their being solved?

Lisa writes:

I have the greatest sympathy for African Americans, but they need to realize that they are not unique in their suffering. The history of my church includes more than 100 years of being driven from cities across the country to finally end up in Utah. A brief study of world history and current events indicates that anyone who is "different" is subject to persecution. This is a global problem that needs group action.

Tommy writes:

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THOSE WHO SUGGEST THAT THE UNITED STATES MEDIA IS RUBBISH (EXCEPT FOR BILL O'REILY AND STEPHEN COLBERT) I was appalled by the individual who affirmed his claim that there was African American genocide going on in the United States during yesterday's broadcast. Maybe he should do a little research on that word means or visit his brothers in Darfur to get a real idea of the implications of that word. GENTRIFICATION IS ONE THING, GENOCIDE IS SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

Ali in Nigeria writes:

Americans are too much for what is call a racial differecce, a word forgotten since the 19th century. Then why is BUSH wasting his time doing what he is not asked for while those that vote him into the office are dying of myraid of issues. Please my dear Americans will you help us ask for his resignation!

Paul in Barcelona, Spain writes:

The very fact that you are discussing racism and getting hot under the collar doing so just goes to prove that racism is such a big issue in your country. Before going off to sort out other societies around the world and imposing American Values on them why don't you sort out your own problems at home.

Anonymous writes:

concerning the issue of racism, I just want to tell you that we don't have to confine it only between blacks and whites. I mean, we have to know that there is even racism among the whites in terms of colour, ethincity, relgion...origion of citezenship and the like.

Haresh in Clearwater, Florida, US writes:

Everyone has to have an asset base to succeed in any capitalist economy, in this day and age a good education is enough of an asset to thrive. Here in St. Pete we have two black communities; those with university plates on BOTH their $30K cars in front of their $250K homes and those with vanity plates on their $60K cars in front of their $40K shacks. Education and investment is the only way for any minority group to emancipate themselves!!! Look at the minority group in this country originating from Asia and the Far East........super successful people who impress upon their young the importance of education and investment.

Paul Newon, Liberia

Today's programme of WHYS reminds me of the movie 'Crash' probably the reloaded version.

Chinwe from NIGERIA:

African American should rise & fight against the injustice & discrimination which they have suffered right from the day of slavery.

ANON from Benin:

I'm white and they make sure to point it out at every moment.

ANON

The major problem is that our black kids are not graduating high school

Adrian from Zimbabwe:

Much as the Zimbabwean government has its own weaknesses, Britain, the US and the European Union continue to view events in Zimbabwe through racist spectacles.

It's World Water Day - Did you know?

Unyime from Lagos, Nigeria,

Portable water scarcity is a real problem in Africa. World Bank funding of water projects in Africa has been a huge fraud.

Emmanuel in Nigeria

The taps have been dry in Onitsha Anambra state, Nigeria for the past five years; one of the results of President Obasanjo's victimization.

Mohamed In Nairobi:

Water is a very scarse here in Africa.It is used as a political tool by tyrant leaders.

ANON from Sierra Leone:

One thing i have to say is that we should not even celebrate World Waters Day because we Africans are suffering,