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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1978)
nigerian works to dispel 'bush man' stereotype by mary fastenau Some people believe Africans come "from the bush" where they do nothing but live in trees, speak in an unintelligible manner and go on safaris. The African man who fits the stereo type does jiot exist, according to Patrick Anyikwa, 30-year-old president of the Nigerian Students Association. Anyikwa, who is working on his master's degree in political science, dispels any preconceptions about the ignorance of the African. He said he intends to take his know ledge beck to Nigeria and work in the diplomatic field. He said he intends to leave his options open because Nigeria is changing, and he is not certain where he will fit in. Anyikwa returned to Nigeria during Christmas vacation after having left in the spring of 1975. He admitted it was not the same country he left behind. 'Things are moving faster," he said, "Because of oil, there is money and every one is trying to catch up with develop ment." He said the government is changing from a military to a civilian regime, so there is a high degree of interest in the government. The attitude used to be "who cares as long as I eat," Anyikwa said, but that has changed. People are aware of the world situation and want to get involved, he said. One of the changes he mentioned was the move toward compulsory education which may become a reality by 1980. He said there are 250 dialects in Nigeria, so one purpose of education would be to teach English, Nigeria's official language. Anyikwa said there are problems be cause Nigeria is trying to accomplish in 10 years what it has taken the United States 200 years to accomplish. He said he thinks the current U.S. in terest in Africa is caused primarily by the idea that the Russians are moving in. a fricans are afraid of communism, Anyikwa said, but he admits that if they can not get help from the western countr ies, they will accept communism. Anyikwa said he fears communism be cause once it takes hold, it is difficult to overcome. But, he said, it would be diffi cult for communism to exist because of the upbringing and social attitudes of African countries. He said the difference between the American attitudes and his own have made some phases of adjustment difficult. As an example, he said in Nigeria, "your neighbor is your nearest friend." Anyikwa said neighbors usually know everything about each other and helped each otK4 when necessary. In contrast, he said he lived in one apartment building where he did not see the person who lived next to him for six months, and his only contact with his current neighbors is when he needs to move his car. Anyikwa said he thinks many people think Africans are flamboyant, but in reality they never attempt to force them selves on anyone. "We are always willing to open our arms," he said, "but we will weigh the possibilities of being accepted and if there is little chance we will not commit our selves." Most Nigerians know a lot about the United States, he said. They are appre hensive because they know prejudice exists, do not want to push themselves "for fear of being hurt." He said there also is a language problem, not because Nigerians do not understand English, but because they are afraid they will be rejected because they have an accent. Many Americans do not speak English well, Anyikwa said, but they do not have to fear rejection. He said sometimes the university appears to be choosing sides, with all the foreign students on one side and the re mainder of the university of the other. What the majority of foreign students want, according to Anyikwa, is to be accepted or rejected on an individual basis. He said often it is necessary for a foreign student to begin a conversation, and within minutes the person will look at his watch and make the excuse of another appointment. When this happens, Anyikwa said, people feel they are being rejected on the basis of where they come from, not on who they are. There also are feelings of rejection in regard to clubs and organizations. Anyikwa said this is an area where there could be a special effort made to include foreign students. india, serene and peaceful country by rex Henderson Sugnyan Suneetha typifies what he described as the Indian demeanor. He sat quietly during his interview while he talked in a soft tone. In that same tone, he said, India is a "serene and peace ful" place and its people are "very mild. It's hard for us to get upset." That may be the reason the Indians are one of the least visible minorities on campus. The Indians' calmness is "one of our assets," said Suneetha, president of the India Association and repre sentative of 55 campus Indians. "It's why we can blend into American society." Suneetha has lived in the United States for the past three years, first as a graduate student in electrical engin eering at Oklahoma State University, now at UNL. Suneetha said 99 percent of the Indians here are gradu ate students. There is little need to send Indian under graduates to the United States, he said, since India has a good, comprehensive undergraduate education system. The United States has treated him well, Suneetha said. He has found little racism directed against him, he said. His only complaints, are the weather, (It changes too fast, and it's too cold) and the pace of American life. "Here life is fast paced. You run and run, but mostly in circles, getting nothing done." The pace of American life sometimes makes him home sick for the peace of India, he said, but not homesick enough to puM him back. He still is undecided about returning. America's prosperity and job opportunities are attractive, he said. It's a choice between conveniences and money or peace of mind." As an electrical engineer, a westernized Indian, and a Christian, Suneetha represents some of the changes in Indian society. He said that although the Indians are slow to change, the country is modernizing. The caste system, (as a Christian Suneetha is outside of that system) is slowly disappearing. In the cities, he said, no one cares. In the small towns it persists, but is becom ing less important. He said he believes that India's chronic famines have ended. The "green revolution" has come to the country, he said, noting that for the past two years India has exported grain. The country's remaining problem is the burgeoning population. It would be ideal to educate the masses, he said, and teach them birth control methods. But, Suneetha said, that would take too long. The alternative is the controversial sterilization program in India and a legal limit on family size. Suneetha said the Indians in America arc completely free of political pressure from home that is applied to other campus minorities. He said that individual freedom and democracy are "the only system for our people." Despite the poverty of the country, he said he expects freedom and democracy to continue. f '"'is' i ' i 41 . 7 Suneetha said he did not see the "emergency powers" used by former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to suppress opposition as a necessarily bad thing. "It depends who is at the top," he said. The powers could be abused, he said, but also could be used for the good of the country. He expects that India will continue to steer a neutral course between the American and Soviet superpowers and maintain its position as a leader of the third world. Alliance with either world create too much domestic friction, he said. Photo by Tim Ford Sugnyan Suneetha said the United States has treat ed him well, his only complaint was the cold weather and the fast pace of American life. monday, may 1, 1978 fathom page 7