In his recent post, Gabe Menezes wrote: Dear Mervyn,
I am deeply disturbed that you, having served under the Colonial regime, are still looking for acknowledgement from the very same people who lorded over you, for God's sake have you no pride in yourself?" The reply if I may say so, is patronising, the person is chuffed that you are still bowing to him! Can you envisage this stance by and Indian to the Colonisers? I'm afraid, I just cannot let his flippant comments go unchallenged. Firstly, may I say that I was NOT "looking for acknowledgement from the very people who lorded over you". Sir John Johnson, who happens to be a personal friend of mine, was sent the book, NOT by me, but our now highly acclaimed author(Selma) in recognition of his contribution towards the Oral history programme. Several Goans who also asked for the book received a FREE copy, as would have Gabe had he asked for one or turned up and queued in an orderly fashion at the recent book launch in Beckenham. To now try to criticise a book that has been highly acclaimed in many circles by Goans and non-Goans alike, smacks more of sour grapes. Contrary to what Gabe implies, I have NEVER bowed to anyone, be it in Kenya or here, and don't intend to either! By suggesting that I am pandering "to the people who lorded over you", is Gabe now degrading the thousands of Goan civil servants who worked for the administration? It is their valiant hearts which put food on the table for their families, built schools and the churches. Is he now disrespecting their contribution? I sometimes wonder what makes him proud as an East African Goan? Much though the "colonisers" come in for criticism, I wonder why some critics chose to come and live in the land of the self same colonisers?? Mervyn Maciel