1st Opinion--What they Think

Posted by Oba Ernesto Pichardo on November 18, 1999 at 00:38:11:

Initial Overview of article's posted 1-6 by Oluwo Omotekun Ifa:

THe author presents material from various areas of Spain, Lagos, Havana. Limited data is presented on "Afrocentrism"identified as African American USA movement. The source for statistics is not mentioned. The writing style is common "subjective" reporting and seems to match that of a Cuban reporter, with good resources, a good understanding of the subject at hand (unusual for a reporter), and understands religious analysis very well. There is more than meets the eye's on these article's. This is a well educated presentation of contemporary religious issue's that have been building up and becoming more open going back to the visit (cuba) of the Ooni of Ile Ife in the 80's. This is what I call the "Ife-centric movement. It began setting its roots in Cuba around 1985, lead to the visit of the Ooni, and the short live establishment of the Babalawo organization called Ifa Ayer, Ifa Hoy, Ifa Mañana---a well intended organization that broke down due to governmental interest. Today, we have pockets of groups and recent organizations spreadout internationally that promote and support the Ife-centric agenda, including babalawo's in Cuba. The religious "claim to authenticity" mixed with socialist & comunist views---religious and political interests', are at time's hard to seperate. This is part of the new reality. Now I know that most of us do not what to bring politics to the forefront but it's here within a sector of our religious community.

I bring this up because in my overview, I find politics in the articles'as an underlining feature. I will quote the specific's later. In my next post, I'll begin to present my theory on these article's starting with what psychology call's the Cognitive Theory and how it's relevant supported by the material at hand.