merchandise

[Louise McCance-Price]

Hi Shango

Thanks for your input.

Shango Oluwa wrote:

>Well, on this topic of merchandise...
>
>I would just like to break something down here for the list:
>
>'Ubuntu' is an African word, yes, but specifically it is a Nguni word
>from southern Africa - so, for instance, the word is not used in Sudan
>(although its equivalent exists - despite Arab colonialism's efforts to
>deny Africans their humanity in that region). Importantly, Cape Town, in
>South Africa has an excellent textile and clothing industry that will
>deliver the same quality fabric and screen-printing as that available
>via CafeExpress at vast cost-savings to buyers and with moral fibre...
>
>  
>
If you find a website that allows you to set up a shop online and 
printing is done in SA, that would be a great option to service Southern 
Africa. We are open to suggestions and appreciate our community assisting.

>Respect to the international community, but the use of a US enterprise
>(that also prints right-wing political merchandise for $$)
>
There is also Freedom of speech and Freedom of expression.
Ubuntu has no political affilliation. Cafepress is merely and outlet for 
people to purchase merchandise.
If you do not wish to use them, that is absolutely your freedom of 
choice. We are merely hosting a shop at Cafepress, not endorsing any of 
their other shops' merchandise, beliefs etc.

> to promote an OS labelled with "an ancient African word meaning 'humanity to others'"
>is unacceptable. I can suggest a socially responsible printer in Mark
>Shuttleworth's country to anyone responsible for merchandise - feel free
>to ask.
>  
>
We look forward to your supplying other options. Please do get in touch 
with me asap.
It will be useful to have portals on each continent, so the shipping 
cost of the merchandise can be reduced,
and hopefully the prices charged will be lower than what Cafepress 
requre as their base price.

>I am not looking to tussle politics here, I just want to point out what
>is at stake here. This is the Free and Open Source Software community,
>so let us keep that in mind. When, you, the UbuntuLinux team chose
>'ubuntu' you subscribed to an African value system that we African's
>will stand by and call you to honour.
>  
>
Yes, we are on the same page here = please let's not tussle politics here.

No matter what colour, political, religious or other belief, everyone is 
entitled to their own.
We are creating a distribution with a strong community that lives in all 
corners of the World.
What may be acceptable to someone in USA may not be acceptable to 
someone in RSA, Seychelles or Kenya.
Freedom of expression, choice, belief, religion and opinion is what is 
important.

Please do contact me with other merchandise portal options (like Kevin) 
and we will move forward on this now.

Many thanks
Lu

>CafeExpress - no
>Ubuntu 	    - yes
>
>
>Concerned,
>
>Shango Oluwa
>
>
>  
>