America’s Destiny in Africa’s Future
James DuganFor one of my first posts of the New Year, I though I would start out small, ease myself into 2010 by discussing Africa. Since Christmas Eve, Africa has been in the news multiple times for horrific acts and poignant political issues of terrorism, violence and social unrest. I can not help but feel that Africa and America are uniquely and intricately connected not only by our past, but for the future of our survival. So it is with sensitivity and practicality that I approach one of the seven largest entities in the world in an attempt to make sense of recent events.
The names of Darfur and Chad have longed provoked sadness when I open newspapers or click on links. Somalia pirates’ brazenness has once again taken to the seas at the end of 2009. The violence to the Togo soccer team seems like senseless massacre reaffirming to the world the lack of civilized society that inhabits this colossal continent. There is no place else in the world, not even China, that is so misunderstood and cloaked in despair and chaos. But nothing grabbed my focus as when a prince of Nigeria tried to blow up a plane in Detroit on the eve of a Christian holiday.
Nigeria has been one of the places that Americans feel that Africa has grown closer to a western society by sharing the same values of democracy and free enterprise. The strife that inhabits this western African nation was taught to me in one of the powerful works of literature in the 20th century Things Fall Apart . Chinua Achebe’s work was ground breaking for its insight into the patriarchal system of tradition societies and the disintegration of that order by English and Christian colonization. The main character struggles to retain this power and order while his Ibo people, his family and his future is enclosed and eventually transformed into a dependent of English society. Violence was part of African society to maintain leadership, but it wasn’t until colonization was that inherent human trait used for survival. In a candid interview, Chinua Achebe: African Man of Letters, Achebe discussed his classic novel and the character of the Nigerian people. The bitterness that underlies the work and Nigeria today stems from hopelessness that the youth feel over their future. For a prince of the state to sacrifice himself to harm western society and then stay stoic in his appearance brought to mind the novel and the rich history of frustration this nation has towards the west.
In a keenly written article The Nigerian Bomber and the Obama Administration, the point is made clear that terror in the Middle East and Afghanistan may be minor next to what poverty and capitalism’s exploitation has created in Africa. The Obama administration has foreseen these conclusions and Clinton has already been to the continent to promote trade and add visible support. If this massive nation of separate states grows more restless against the West and America, and becomes a harbinger of terrorism and fanatic Islamic leaders, the war on terror will last many administrations and cost a number we can’t even calculate in lives and taxes. If a relative Western style African nation breeds hatred of America in its leader’s children, then the shift of future enemies and violence may have already begun.
What has created this breeding ground for anti-western feelings is discussed in Things Fall Apart and every history class that studies colonization and African slavery. After hundred of years of Christian ideology being dispensed by missionaries promising relief through patience and prayer, Islam’s call to action through faith and work to rise from Western chains may be taking hold through the middle and south of Africa. George Obama wrote in a recent Newsweek of the poverty in the ghetto that challenges the ancestral home of President Obama. Being Obama's brother is a poignant look at the challenges of the President’s half brother who struggles in the ghetto of Kenya thousands of miles away from Nigeria. Though the distance is great, the anger and frustration is evident that none of the western world is listening. With the ancient tribal leadership modes and customs lost to songs and history, the people will seek understanding not in the land but in the nations and religions that provide sustenance. As the past five hundred years of colonization has left Africa without a future, the future of the massive continent’s populace and states will be determined by who provide them the best future for living. The ways of the saviors that Africa is looking for will be their ways and their enemies will be the same.
From recent events, America and the West are losing Africa and the hope of establishing democracy and free trade as part of the infrastructure of this important growth opportunity for capitalism in the world. President Obama must move quickly to stabilize Africa with ostentatious financial backing to insure that poverty and anger will not grow into a breeding ground for jihad.
Africa is a place where America can grow. We have had connections to the continent for hundreds of years. We have a reason to help nations prosper because of past injustices and future safety. We have a President who has a strong African heritage who can help rebuild and heal some of the severe problems that plague this country. We should open trade and schools through the continent. We should offer tax incentives for American businesses to operate and promote the newest technology on this continent. China is not the only place that may benefit from our lifestyle. Africa is and will be a place that is open to our ways of life, seems to desire our values and will reshape our world view if we invest our future with this continent.
Reader Comments (3)
I'm glad you talk about Africa in terms of hope. Africa still lives in the wake of colonial upheavals and the nonsensical interventions of the superpowers during the Cold War. When one reads Raisin in the Sun, one sees the character of Asagai as an attractive, wise influence for the ambitious young African-American. Malcolm X believed in the post-colonial era that Africa would teach America to be more democratic. Nigeria's flawed elections and Kenya's own killings in response to their own election show the naivete of such ideas from the 60's.
But America would feel more sincere outrage if such outrages in the democratic process happened in Western Europe, yet we persist in seeing Africa as an alien place - tribal, violent and unknowable, much to our own disadvantage. Meanwhile, nations like China continue to invest in African nations like Sudan that foment their own genocidal ethnic conflicts. I'm glad you talk about the possibilities that remain if we recognize our cultural and historical connections to the nations of Africa. Creating greater economic opportunities that lead to better health care for women, running water, and schools can go a long way to preventing the nations of Africa from becoming a psychological breeding ground for terrorism.
I too see a need for America to reach out to Africa, if for no other reason than to protect itself from a future breeding ground for Islamic fundamentalist. My only problem with your post is it didn't offer any tangible suggestions of reform. Do we simply continue to provide financial and medical aid? Should Obama promote JFK's Peace Corp. in an effort to galvanize the dying service group? What is eventual goal of this movement, besides the humanitarian benefit? We all know that the US will never function merely as philanthropic country; there must be some monetary reward.
There was a great piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer today, http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20100117_The_sermon.html, concerning MLK's forgotten message concerning the ills of capitalism. King felt like the ideas of American capitalism, which is rooted in an acquisition of objects is the breeding ground for hatred and racism and that this system need to be reformed before anything would actually be achieved. After his civil reform achievements, King started preaching the need for actual economic reform by encouraging the creation of jobs and greater access to education, which he felt were the gateway to genuine reform.
Is there a way to create a truly altruistic capitalism? This is what Bill Gates and his wife have been trying to accomplish for some time, but as rich and influential as they may be, they are can not truly accomplish anything because the problems are too large. You are right that the US needs to be proactive in addressing so many of these concerns, but where do they start? Any suggestions?
I was bereft to leave the post how I did, but as journalists are meant to report the news, and bloggers are meant to contemplate the implications, I think it is the public that must decide how they can deal with the problem. As a democracy, a stronger concern for the doings in Africa should be on our agenda.
The Peace corp is an excellent start. The government should start a branch of the service that is dedicated to the humanitarian service here and abroad. The money presented by government back loans and grants should stipulate that universities set up a Peace Corp and that active participation becomes a requirement to attaining financial packages. Students should serve the combination of 30 credit hours over their time in college or slightly after similar to military ROTC. I choose the colleges because of the emphasis of our future leaders in the work place and society, but it doesn't have to stop there. School after high school is necessary and the POTC (Peace Officer Training Corp) is a way to create patriotism, provide compensation for tax grants, and make our universities more active in the local and global community.
Many schools have a community service obligation. I would just like to see this extended from the parochial view. If this program is enacted, prejudice and racism will be attacked by personal experience and care. It is time for American colleges and students to take an active role in their world, and the government does not have to spend a dime over than what they are providing.
This is my idea and thanks for asking. Any more ideas?