human
Needless to say, if Africa was to progress, to increase rapidly her per capita income, to depart the ranks of the have-nots and become have nations, these obstacles had to be overcome. That is why we are here.
gpt
Speak for yourself, Mr. Crawford,
human
You are correct, sir. I should have said that is the reason the teams of the Reunited Nations African Development Project are here. I note among us various members of this project besides those belonging to my own team, by the way. However, most of you are under other auspices. We of the Reunited Nations teams are here because as Africans racially but not nationally, we have no affiliation with clan, tribe or African nation. We are free to work for Africa's progress without prejudice. Our job is to remove obstacles wherever we find them. To break up log jams. To eliminate prejudices against the steps that must be taken if Africa is to run down the path of progress, rather than to crawl. We usually operate in teams of about half a dozen. There are hundreds of such teams in North Africa alone.
gpt
Which brings us to the present and to the purpose of suggesting this meeting. Most of you are operating under other auspices than the Reunited Nations. Many of you duplicate some of our work. It occurred to me, and my team mates, that it might be a good idea for us to get together and see if there is ground for co-operation.
human
What kind of co-operation?
gpt
How would I know? Largely, I don't even know who you represent, or the exact nature of the tasks you are trying to perform. I suggest that each group of us represented here, stand up and announce their position. Possibly, it will lead to something of value.
human
I make that a motion,
gpt
Second,
human
Who'll start off?
gpt
Isobel, you're better looking than I am. They'd rather look at you. You present our story.
human
Lazy,
gpt
Make it good.
human
After that allegedly _brief_ summation Mr. Crawford made, I have a sneaking suspicion that we'll be here until next week unless I set a new precedent and cut the position of the Africa for Africans Association shorter.
gpt
Anyway, I suppose most of you know of the AFAA and possibly many of you belong to it, or at least contribute. We've been called the African Zionist organization and perhaps that's not too far off. We are largely, but not entirely an American association. We send out our teams, such as the one my colleagues and I belong to, in order to speed up progress and, as our chairman put it, eliminate prejudices against the steps that must be taken if Africa is to run down the path of progress instead of crawl. We also advocate that Americans and other non-African-born Negroes, educated in Europe and the Americas, return to Africa to help in its struggles. We find positions for any such who are competent, preferably doctors, educators, scientists and technicians, but also competent mechanics, construction workers and so forth. We operate a school in New York where we teach native languages and lingua franca such as Swahili and Songhai, in preparation for going to Africa. We raise our money largely from voluntary contributions, and largely from American Negroes although we have also had government grants, donations from foundations, and from individuals of other racial backgrounds. I suppose that sums it up.
human
When we began this meeting we had an objection that it be held at all. I wonder if we might hear from that gentleman next?
gpt
You may indeed, he snapped.
human
I am Bishop Manning of the United Negro Missionaries, an organization attempting to accomplish the only truly important task that cries for completion on this largely godless continent. Accomplish this, and all else will fall into place.
gpt
I assume you refer to the conversion of the populace.
human
I do indeed. And the work others do is meaningless until that has been accomplished. We are bringing religion to Africa, but not through white missionaries who in the past lived _off_ the natives, but through Negro missionaries who live _with_ them. I call upon all of you to give up your present occupations and come to our assistance.
gpt
These people need less superstition, not more.
human
I am not speaking of superstition, young man!
gpt
All religions are superstitions, except one's own.
human
And yours?
gpt
I'm an agnostic.
human
All you do is meaningless. I pray you, again, give it up and join in the Lord's work.
gpt
Thank you, Bishop Manning. I'm sure we will all consider your words. When the older man was gone, he looked out over the hall again.
human
Well, who is next?