The recurring myth of a certain African unity

It has become a tradition in Africa and among its Diaspora to celebrate Pan-Africanism on 25 May, Africa Day. On this day, Africans across the world reaffirm the aspiration for unity that formed the basis for many of the struggles in the continent's recent history.
But is there much to celebrate this 25 May? Does Pan-Africanism carry the same meaning today as in colonial and immediate post-colonial times? It is clear that Pan-Africanism has been misdirected, and has become an ideology with symbolic rather than concrete objectives. The idea of Pan-Africanism should be revisited, with the aim of reorienting it towards service delivery, performance and efficient governance.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• African unity
• Africa
• Pan-Africanism
• post-colonial times
• Dr Paul-Simon Handy
• Polity
• Creamer Media

[Elaina238]

Imperialism, and colonization is a historical problem that has been allowed to fester. Intellectual traitors like the one in video pose a threat and undermine any threat to stop systematic opression in which blacks experience around the world. I am an African. The fact that people who looks like me experience planned inequality, genocide, and military agression to serve the needs of the European. That is what makes me an african although I am born in America

[Elaina238]

He must not know about the foundations of policy developed by U.S. planners the concept of the Grand Area regions strategically necessary for world control subordinated to the needs of the American economy. The role of the "Third World within the Grand Area was and still is to serve the needs of industrial (European) societies, George Kennan stated" the main threat to our interest is indigenous,

[Elaina238]

It appears he has been imperialised and implanted with a European brain. Africa is not free.

[NewMeNow2000]

@Aivohc Hello. I think that proves his point actually. Native African people dont hold the classical ideal of world wide Black unity because they are no longer colonized. They don't view race as having anything to do with being African. What he is saying is that blacks in the so-called diaspora are more than likely to hold this view and that is why Black/ Pan-African Unity is a myth.

[CoachDaKingMRP]

Only unity can end all of the disorder. Only unity can restore the history of the Black Men. Only unity can tell the true story so those of us in America can know where we come from. Only unity can prevent the future rape that is one the horizon. Pan Europeanism is good for the white men of Europe and relevent to them, why can Pan Africanism be relevent to us. No one else will do it because they dont care or want us to know. I mean hell they destroy the truth. They blew the nose off the sphinx!

[CoachDaKingMRP]

Where did they find this guy? Pan Africanism and African Unity is essential to the future of the Black Race inside and outside of Africa. In American you have MILLIONS of us who do not know our history or where we come from. You have ruined monuments to civilizations which existed before anyone else's. You had a page and pillaging of a continent and its owners. You have a planned reconquest. You have civil strife and genocide all across the Motherland. Unity is needed now more than ever.

[a46475]

In reality, the Pan-Africanist myth is the profound expression of a deep-seated African "lamentation", which makes it difficult for Africans to think about a post-post colonial time in which we cease to become mere objects fated by historical circumstance, and strive to become the agents and shapers of our destiny...

[a46475]

The intellectual constructions around race and artificial borders have not yet generated shared values around the continent after some fifty years of independence. That Africa's leaders are now discussing the creation of a continental government structure, despite our inability successfully to manage our local and village councils and other small-scale governments is telling.

[a46475]

Did you people listen to anything he said?

The glaring fact is that YOU ARE FREE whether you like it or not. Feigning bondage and oppression isn't a sufficient excuse for the state of Africa today. Like he said, what problem exactly is the United States of Africa supposedly going to solve? That's what you need to take a minute and think about.

[Aivohc]

I just did a survey on a random sample of black Americans, born between 1980 and 1993. 57.38% of the 61 respondents agreed that "rebuilding Africa is very important for the self-esteem of Black Americans." At the end of the day, all drama aside, most Black Americans love and identify with Africa. Furthermore, if more blacks became educated about African Heritage the percentage would be much higher. Black Love! Black Power! Black is Beautiful! Pan Africanism = Black African Pride!