Mask of Oba

Dear friends, colleagues, brothers and sisters: On February 17, 2011 Sotheby’s may auction off the Mask of Oba to the highest bidder.  I write you in the hope that you and your organization can help persuade Sotheby’s not to auction off the heritage artifacts which are in dispute due to their colonial acquisition. I am convinced that Sotheby’s is a respectable company, and they might reconsider if enough people object to this sale. Visit this page for a detailed explanation. Contact detail for SOTHEBY'S is as follows: http://www.sothebys.com Phone: 212-606-7000 UK: +44 (0) 20 7293 5000/+44 (0)20 7293 6000 Email: Matthew Weigman | Matthew.Weigman@sothebys.com Mitzi Mina | Mitzi.Mina@sothebys.com More than this particular issue, I see a great window of opportunity for native Africans and the African Diaspora to forge a parallel between reparations and restitution. We can work together to meet our mutual societal challenges. While the problems of Africans and "blacks" are not identical they share a similar historical experience. On numerous occasions, many of us have tried to discuss this experience in different ways.  In short, these types of problems cannot be solved in our individual silos. My appeal to you as a stakeholder is that you help build connections that focus on our common challenges. These emerge in interdisciplinary studies and related student associations throughout academia, as well as across the spectrum of African and black focused organizations. We are currently compiling a guide for African programs worldwide. We plan to inform other organizations and associations about all African related programs and activities in order to increase efficiency and collaborative opportunities This is a request for any entity, whether an academic, public or private institution. Please complete and return the attached form to list your African affairs related programs and activities in the database of the African Programs Worldwide Guide. Any additional material regarding your company or institution will make your profile more complete and up to date. And in advance, we thank you for your cooperation.   Remember to contact Sotheby’s and send us your information and various areas of expertise as an African issues stakeholder. We will keep you posted on relevant collaborative opportunities. Best regards, Wale Idris

African Views

646-226-0262

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