[New-imc] Re: Re: Atlas IMC

[valentine V eben]

Hello Massinissa! I'll reply and forward your email to new-imc. Please do remember to copy 
new-imc at lists.indymedia.org
 all email on this topic. New-imc is the working group that helps new imcs to get through the process of becoming an imc, thus it is absolute necessary that all those in the list get the communication about imc-atlas.

Next is that indymedia is a network of VOLUNTEERS, who often times are involved with a dozen of other projects. Thus at times it happens that people are too busy to afford the time to deal with request or other indymedia stuff. And at times mails take a while before they are responed to. I hope you will understand and not take this for lack of interest in imc-Atlas.

About the list you asked for; list-work like new-imc are working groups and again like I said everyone is a volunteer and at times it could happen that mails take a while to be answered.

With referenc to the difficulties of bandwith and other technical dificulties, it is worth pointing-out that indymedia is more than JUST writing articles and publishing articles on the internet.
It is about non-hierachy organising of media production. Thus you remember the link I sent to you in a previous mail about formal consensus. 
The question is not if the people have the possibility to use the internet or not. It is if there is a group of people organised in a non-hierachy way ready to produce information about the local struggles, first for local, then for international consumption. Thus the website of an indymedia collective is just one of the many media tools that a local group can use. There are some indymedias that do print(hardcopy of news) and others do radio(pirate and free non-commercial radio). And yet these are all suppose to be the out come of a non-hierachy collective deciding on what is practical and applicably for their community first then for the for the international community.

About the issue of patronizing behavoir I think I understand what you are talking about. I'm also an African; Ambazonia( Ex-British Southern Cameroons) though now leaving in Germany. It is a fact that one faces such attitudes more often than one wishes to. Not trying to be apologetic, the fact is alot of thing play a role in this; society, media and typical racist consensus that is a fundamental pillar of western civilisation. Yet we'll be pretending if we do not realise that such attitudes also exist in our opprressed Africa. Those that try to fight those attitued in Africa come under the fire of the oppresive regimes just like those that try to fight those attitudes here as well come under attack by the so-called civilised regimes here as well. While staying conscious of this ills we should not let them make us prejudiced as well in our approach to life. In indymedia, activists are concious of this ills in society(so-called civilised society in particular). Thus it is not onl
y included in the documents you find in newimc.indymedia.org, but every time it is brought up like an issue in any of the indymedia network mailing list people try to discuss it with seriousness and sincerity.

Hope I answered all your concerns. If not please fill free to ask again. And do not forget to copy 
new-imc at lists.indymedia.org.
Solidarity 
Sphinx




--------- Forwarded Message ---------

DATE: Fri, 05 Dec 2003 14:03:47
From: "Crystal Clear Opine" <opine at usa.com>
To: vally_x at mailcity.com
Cc: 

Hi Sphynx and thanks for your prompt reply, I appreciate it.

I read your answer with interest and realize that I failed to answer
one of your questions regarding the Atlas. I had the answer prepared
of course just didn't put down. I was also surprised that you choose
English to answer from Germany instead of German, but that works for
better in fact.

Now, let me answer the the Atlas Question.

Well the region known as 'North Africa' to the rest of the world is
the ATLAS to North Africans. I am North African. Part of IndyMedia's
mission is "to give the voice to the people themselves", instead of
speaking...EXPRESSING... for them. So I thought it as I feel it, more
real, genuine and authentic to stick with the real term. Another good
reason is the fact that this REGIONAL designation crosses borders, and
as you probably know, free speech is repremended throughout the region
at various degrees from one country to another. Atlas can be a common
place for a common cause. As progress takes place in one or the other
country, a more country-specific IMC can be set up using that country's
name. On the long run, Atlas can be used to focus on common issues or on
the North African-Union entity since the federation project exist on
paper but is extremely slow to realize. I suppose that you know where
the term Atlas comes from, etc.

Regarding the understanding of the protocoles, etc. and the formation of
the group, indeed the group exists as individuals who are comitted, active,
and productive, except that their efforts for issues closer to them have
no specific-platform, or IMC. I believe that a German-American for example
can be totally engaged in his locality in America and serve as an ambassador
to issues between the two countries and people. If Germany was a country of
repression, then our imaginary German-American is best suited to echoe the
German(of Germany) voice, as he understands it better, and can serve as a
relay to repressed Germans. Of course, this is an illustration since Germany
today is one of the most open countries in the world. 
I hope this helps you better understand my approach.

Also, I too your mail for an answer from the 'lists processing group' - It is there
where I filed the application, and I still have not received neither the URL nor the
password. I am beginning to think that my application simply didn't 'generate interest'.
I hope that I am wrong. Now, if helping Africa means directing Africa, then we have nothing
in common. I believe however that it is not the case, and that's what sets apart indymedia
from the rest of the rest of the media.

Also the link below, assumes the existance of a list and an administrator for the list. I
have submitted such a list and yet to get a confirmation. Who is the "big-brother" who 
grants these privileges? - I have gone to these sites, filed applications, etc. and it's
how you found my email address obviously. I have received an AUTO-REPLY mail teling me that
my application is being reviewed, and it has been 2 weeks. I take it "Algeria or North Africa" creates the same attitude with your mailing-list Managers as it does with the FBI !
Caution, suspicion, and all of that raddish ! I invest lots of time editing and helping others construct their 'pieces, articles, build computers, solve technical problems...' all for free. I have STOPPED DOING THAT FOR a week, and I can already see the poor content on
local indymedia I help.

Anyway, I have visited and filled the form more than once, and the GOD who answers them is on
vacation. The only thing I haven't done is HACK them.

To be honest, it seems that this entire thing is interested in North Africa to SELF-CRITICIZE, fill the the streets to protest, etc. I DON'T THINK SO !

I want you to know that I appreciate your interest and advice very much, and share with you
honestly my doubts about this "indy" thing. If Africa is seen only as the OBJECT to use for
the rest of the world to act against their own governments, etc., I can predict to you that
failure is inevitable. I have met a guy from Congo who is already conviced of that after his
experience of "Euro-American" big-brotherhood !

I hope you're well.

Massinissa.


____________________________________________________________
Get advanced SPAM filtering on Webmail or POP Mail ... Get Lycos Mail!
http://login.mail.lycos.com/r/referral?aid=27005