{"product_id":"2940012946270","title":"A Peace of Africa","description":"Since I first went to Africa in 1964 to teach Rwandan refugees in Tanzania, I have been concerned about peace in the region. After the excitement of independence, matters turned for the worst in the African Great Lakes region with the genocide in Rwanda, the twelve year civil war in Burundi, continued fighting in eastern Congo, the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda, and the 1992,1997, and 2007 election violence in Kenya.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is not only about my experiences since 1964, but more importantly what I have learned over these decades. How can this area become more peaceful? What can the international community do to help resolve the issues? \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis area of Africa is beautiful, with many resources, excellent soil and rainfall in many areas, and an energetic population. Why have there been fighting and wars rather than development as promoted by non-government organizations? What are the solutions to this state of affairs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecently there seems to be some economic progress, but another war can upset the situation again. This region, where Swahili is the common language. is interconnected. Consequently the book does not focus solely on any one country because events in one country usually influence the surrounding countries. I show why the resort to \"ancient tribal hatred\" commonly promoted in the Western media explains nothing as it covers up what is really going on. I indicate why tribalism is a mirage that covers much more than it explains. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI offer observations about the customs and cultures of this area, frequently giving aspects that are often overlooked or ignored by other writers. I explain issues as family life, paternalism and how women cope with it, polygamy, bride price, abortion, homosexuality, and infanticide. I discuss the seeming poverty of the region and how average African deal with this -- why they are so happy even if not materially well off. I challenge many of the stereotypes of Africa promoted by the Western media and explain the needs of NGO's to promote these stereotypes for their own fund raising purposes. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI explain, as best as possible, how Rwandans could have participated in the genocide, why raping women (and men) is an effective method of war in the region, and the role of corruption -- usually with Western involvement -- in the lack of economic progress in the region.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith the Quaker perspective that there is that of God in everyone, the book explores trauma healing and reconciliation between deadly enemies -- concepts that many Westerners do not think possible. I show how effective the programs I have been involved with in bringing a restored humanness to communities that have experience dreadful times. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book is written for the average person who is interested in Africa. The reader should come away with new insights on the situation in the region. It is a good introduction for those who will be visiting or moving to the region.","brand":"David Zarembka","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47069638721776,"sku":"2940012946270","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940012946270_p0.jpg?v=1763574685","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940012946270","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}