tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520188492111298191.post8235627970676388635..comments2023-08-10T09:55:28.557-04:00Comments on Out and About Africa: Saving Souls in LiberiaBrandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187993135004187931noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520188492111298191.post-29836407677658756342009-05-07T08:48:00.000-04:002009-05-07T08:48:00.000-04:00Those are the elements I question too Brandie. I'v...Those are the elements I question too Brandie. I've spent a semester in an African Cultures class @ NYU. This class has had a major impact on me, and I haven't looked back. I keep peeling back the layers. <br /><br />I use to do all these late night tweets about it heehee. I've acquired an amazing reading list as a result of this class, if you're interested shoot me an e-mail. <br /><br /><br />Best.DShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15807581637115189268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520188492111298191.post-79561133791882975432009-05-06T23:04:00.000-04:002009-05-06T23:04:00.000-04:00I definitely agree with you that scores of Liberia...I definitely agree with you that scores of Liberians can attribute their success to time spent at schools built and run by missionaries. My mom and all my aunts all attended one religious school or another. <br />I think it's a fascinating topic. Some missionaries (esp. depending on the country in Africa) were much better than others and like you said, provided a strong education that allowed so many Liberians to attend successful universities both at home and abroad. <br />At the same time, I always question what elements of an indigenous culture or traditions are lost when someone is trying to convince you that something else is "better" than what you and all your ancestors before have been practicing. I think it must be a very difficult thing to experience for both parties.<br />In addition, it seems that history is always told by those that were converted so it's interesting to imagine what the other side....Brandiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187993135004187931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520188492111298191.post-17714339528436755492009-05-06T21:47:00.000-04:002009-05-06T21:47:00.000-04:00My father-- and scores of now very successful rela...My father-- and scores of now very successful relatives and family members-- attribute their success to the time they spent at St. John's Episcopal High School, an educational enclave nestled on a hill in the idyllic fishing village of Robertsport. <br /><br />The school was run by a married couple-- some missionaries from Virginia. Father and Mrs. Robinson. Their names are readily recognized by Liberians the world over.<br /><br />Father Robinson died a few years ago and was buried in Liberia; hundreds attended his funeral. Mrs. Robinson (whom my father credits with catalyzing his love and aptitude for music-- he went on to earn degrees in the field) is in the States for a few months (I caught up with her in Liberia in March) before she heads back to Robertsport, where she intends to live out the rest of her days.<br /><br />As I child I heard about the Robinsons. And as I child I was skeptical. But as the years go by, and as layers of this story are peeled away, I begin-- but only begin-- to understand. Although the reality is, I never will.Style Noirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08936540504029049333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520188492111298191.post-27870413712540078042009-05-06T07:25:00.000-04:002009-05-06T07:25:00.000-04:00Thanks - It was super interesting. Talk about "wha...Thanks - It was super interesting. Talk about "what goes around comes around!"Brandiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187993135004187931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520188492111298191.post-1637865191999062412009-05-06T02:12:00.000-04:002009-05-06T02:12:00.000-04:00Recently there was an article in the NY Times Maga...Recently there was an article in the NY Times Magazine about this, but it was about the "African" who are missionaries in America now. Take a read, I found it interesting. <br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/magazine/12churches-t.htmlDShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15807581637115189268noreply@blogger.com