Who Are The Real Africans?

By Sicebise Msengana

Pic: 3dprint.com

"What kind of world do we live in when the views of the oppressed are
expressed at the convenience of their oppressors?" - Owen 'Alik Shahadah

Simply put, Africa is the natural place or fatherland of Africans and their descendants in the Diaspora. The skin colour, history, culture, and climate are specific adaptations to living in Africa. Africa is the most richest place on the planet and everyone knows that. Yet, Africans are the poorest of the poor. For centuries foreign invaders looted the continent, while brutally oppressing the natives. Even missionaries left their wayward homelands to "save" the "cannibals and savages." They justified their actions by merely pointing out the so-called inferiority of Africans put forward by Darwin's theory. Darwin’s book, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, Or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life (1859), laid the groundwork for their worldviews. They each applied the principle of ‘survival of the fittest’ to their situation.


Fast forward to the present, "everybody is from Africa." Indeed, genetic and fossil evidence suggests all modern human beings originated from Africa between 200, 000 and 60, 000 years ago.

"Black, or Blackness, tells you how you look without telling you who you are, whereas Africa, or Africana, relates you to land, history, and culture." - J. H. Clarke

Many "race" theories have been developed over the years and each theory serves a political and economic agenda. Take for instance, the word Black that is used to describe the peoples of the African continent, it collapses when examined by logic and science. Firstly, not every African is "black" and not every "black" person is an African. There are many aborigines found around the world. They look black but are genetically different from Africans. Secondly, there are so many light-skinned native Africans. Thirdly, some ethnic groups in Africa share “Caucasoid” similarities. For example, Ethiopians and Hutsi have thin noses and lips.  Therefore, it is very difficult to keep a clear head and not get angry when the definition of who is African or not has been entirely defined by politicians and oppressors.

The superficial "Rainbow Nation" founded  on the negotiations led by Nelson Mandela and the ANC, clearly failed to secure the interests of the African majority, but protected White wealth. Many of these leaders preached, "Turn-the-cheek" gospel in a bid to appease both groups.

"The only revolution based on loving your enemy is the Negro revolution. ... Revolution is bloody, revolution is hostile, revolution knows no compromise, revolution overturns and destroys everything that gets in its way. And you, sitting around here like a knot on the wall, saying, "I'm going to love these folks no matter how much they hate me." No, you need a revolution. Whoever heard of a revolution where they lock arms, singing "We Shall Overcome"? You don't do that in a revolution" - Malcom X

Africa is the only place in the world where linguistic accommodation is given to foreigners (minorities), and purely for economic reasons. "Africaness" is like a garment that is worn only to suit the interests of the colonial tourists. A less publicised fact is that White people living in Africa used to call themselves Europeans during the colonial and apartheid times, but after the fall of those racist, oppressive systems they identified themselves as Africans. Only in South Africa where Indians and Chinese are classified as "Blacks" in order to meet the requirements of the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). The African identity is being used to exploit the continent of its resources -- a clever tactic to lay a legitimate claim to Africa and it's resources.

Ironically, the same people who called themselves "Africans" live very exclusive lifestyles -- mostly marry, socialise, and do business with people of their own skin colour. Why should the notion of what defines an African be defined by Europeans or Asians? Being African cannot be defined by outsiders, but only by Africans themselves. Just as who is Jewish is defined by the Jews or who is Indians is defined by Indians themselves.

"Africa means something. This tag has a meaning, a penalty and a
responsibility." -Chinua Achebe

Everyone wants to be an African for the benefits but no one wants to share the burden of being African. Outsiders want our culture, not our struggle. African pride doesn't equal to hate, supremacy and exclusion. The definition of Africaness must be done by Africans and the Diaspora who have the interests of Africa in heart -- knowledgeable and sensitive to its people and culture.
With this in mind, Africans must take a lead in the discussion of African identity.