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Runaway V.P. Looks Down on
Women in Braiding Shops
By: Lassana Y. Bamba, Jr.
28 November, 2011
 Few
days ago, Mr. Abraham Turay, a one-time Vice President of
our dear Minnesota Mandingo Association who unceremoniously
deserted his post to seek greener economic pastures in
Liberia, made some careless and disparaging remarks against
our hardworking community leaders, especially our
illustrious President, Hon. Mohamed Enzah Dorley. In his
mindless tirade, Mr. Turay accused President Dorley of,
among other things, being incompetent, and being popular
only “in hair braiding salons, but not popular in bringing
people together.” The leadership of the Minnesota Mandingo
Association (M.M.A) officially and categorically condemns
these divisive and shortsighted comments from a man who is
at best a complete non-participant in the affairs of the
community.
We would like to inform the community and the larger
society, that unlike Mr. Abraham Turay, the leadership of
the Minnesota Mandingo Association (M.M.A.) does realize
that our women are the strength of our families, and we will
never look down upon them simply because they work in
braiding shops. These women, whom Mr. Turay has chosen to
insult, are hardworking and honest providers for their
various households and as an organization, we are very proud
to be associated with them.
Without doubts, President Dorley is honored to be popular in
the braiding shops! Mr. Turay should continue to ride his
high horse; President Dorley and the entire M.M.A.
leadership will always stand by our women no matter whether
they work in offices or in hair braiding shops. It is
important to mention that these hair braiding mothers,
wives, and sisters are the ones who contribute their time
and financial resources to all programs our community hosts.
For example, these were the women who mustered courage and
went all-out in the cold to overwhelmingly elect Hon.
Bangalee Trawally to the Board of Directors of the
Organization of Liberians in Minnesota. We will continue to
stand by them and protect them any day! So, Mr. Turay,
continue to live your high flying life, and work in the best
offices in the land, but remember to appreciate the efforts
of our hair braiding sisters one of whom is your very own
wife.
As much as this leadership respects Mr. Turay’s right to
free speech, he must realize that such rights have
limitations. If and when those limitations are crossed as in
this case, we respond in the strongest possible terms to
disabuse the public’s mind of misinformation,
disinformation, and innuendos. In that respect, we like to
remind Mr. Turay of the following:
First, when the administration in which you served your
abbreviated and unproductive vice presidential term was
elected, the Ishmael Komara-led administration of which
Mohamed Dorley was Vice President left you with one thousand
dollars to operate. When your so-called “best
administration” left office, you presented to this
leadership five hundred dollars. What competence!!!
Second, the Service to Community Award program you are
referring to as a fiasco was intended to honor those who
have sacrificed for this community morally and financially.
While money was not our primary objective for organizing
this program, we are proud to let you know that we still
managed to generate nearly eight hundred dollars from gate
intake, and our women again showed their strengths by
collecting gate intakes on behalf of MMA. If that is the
definition of “fiasco” in your dictionary, then so be it.
Third, Mr. Turay, how dare you criticized the Dorley-led
administration for failing to maintain MMA website? MMA
website was a pace-setter for other Mandingo organizations
across the U.S.; if you actually understand or know the
history of MMA website, then cherry picking would not have
been your best option of shifting blame on this leadership.
This is a clear hint that you are completely blinded to the
reality on ground. Even in the face of many obstacles thrown
our way, the website is still there and viable.
Finally, and most importantly, Mr. Turay, please reacquaint
yourself with the community before you attempt to open your
mouth next time. Stay with us a few months at a time without
fleeing to Africa, attend community meetings and functions,
understand the community dynamics, and respect our women
folks. I challenge you to tell the reading public how many
meetings you have attended since this leadership came to
office. May Allah be with us all and reward our women for
their support to this community.
We hope this is not too much to ask.
Lassana Y. Bamba, Jr.
Secretary General
Minnesota Mandingo Association
United States of America
"PROPERLY ENGAGE YOUR MIND BEFORE
YOU PUT YOUR FINGERS IN GEAR"
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