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June 13, 2007
Outrage to Action
Following posts at Afarensis and Northstate Science, I wrote a few words on the plight of the Hadza of northern Tanzania. Many others have also jumped in. I think Northstate Science has the best set of links. Well, the blogosphere is now moving from outrage to action.
I decided to go to the website for the US Embassy in Tanzania to see if they have a public position on the attempt to displace the Hadza. They don't. An Embassy will seldom react to a local issue without direction from Washington. Assistant Secretary Dr. Jendayi Frazer leads the Bureau of African Affairs and Barbara Yoder is the Country Officer in the Bureau of African Affairs for Tanzania and Uganda.
I decided to call Yoder. She indicated that she was unaware of the issue. She said that our conversation was the first she heard of it. As far as she knew, and she would know, there is no US Government position with regard to the possible displacement of the Hadza. She directed me to Joseph Sokoine, Political Counselor for Tanzania in the United States. He was aware of the issue and seeking a position from his government. He hoped that that position would be available within the next few days. He plans to make it public. Both Yoder and Sokoine where extremely polite and neither seemed at all defensive. But of course, those qualities are part of their job.
If you would like to talk to either of these individuals, they answer the own phone (at least they did when I called) but without identifying themselves, Barbara Yoder's number is 202 647-5924 and Joseph Sokoine's number is 202 884-1089. I got Yoder's number from the public State Department Phone Directory and Sokoine's number from Yoder. By the way, the final e in Joseph Sokoine's last name is pronounced and it sounded long when Yoder said it.
I also plan to send a letter similar to the one drafted by Chris O’Brien. I'll need to make a few changes because I lack the personal experience of Chris. Kambiz at Anthropology.net suggests we contact international agencies and provides a link. If you follow the various links, you will find several additional ideas on how to help.
Posted by Duane Smith at June 13, 2007 10:00 AM | Read more on Current Events |
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