Skip to main content

Africa Disunited

By




I recall watching the world cup and later Africa’s Cup of Nation Tournaments some few years ago. I could not help but wonder. Something feels so deeply embedded in me that I actually feel some countries in Africa are not actually authentically African. Reason you ask? Skin color. 

Somehow, I could not identify with Algeria as Africa,s representative in the worlds Cup when all other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa got eliminated. I supported them, half heartedly and without as much hype. 

I simply had no choice. Sadly, this is not a problem with me alone. As we watched Algeria and Tunisia get beaten in the African equivalent of Worlds Cup by sub Saharan Africa countries with my friends, it was overwhelming joy. Later, comments made by the Tunisian federation echoed the same sentiments I have, rather confirmed. Perhaps it brought to us a feeling of pride for our kind (the darker skinned of Africa) or perhaps its a seed that was sown a long time ago by our fathers and forefathers. 

Or perhaps it even dates earlier than that. Western Historians have had a long-lasting theory that has refused to die as they continue even today to debate whether ancient Egyptians were black or Arab. You would think it would be of any importance what color they were. Perhaps it is important for Hollywood as they attempt to accurately portray the Ancient civilization. But apart from that, nothing more. 
The issue is nobody wants to own up the dark skin, for whatever reason and it would be so demeaning to realize one of the most intelligent and civilized society there ever was actually Black. After all those years and what we have been through together as Africans, somehow we still cannot seem to be at harmony. Because color comes in between us. I blame myself for upholding this way of thinking, but sure enough, my parents dint teach me that. I only learned the real status quo when I grew older and particularly wiser. 

The pressing matters urgently requiring resolve to address the differences are things like The Nile Treaties that robbed countries like Uganda Ethiopia and Kenya the right to use their own water,Persecution of Coptic Christians and Nubian s in Egypt and Libya, Superiority status the Arab Africans have bestowed on themselves and finally the naivety of the rest of us in dealing with these issues! I rest my case 


This article first appeared on our sister blog at theafroblogger.wordpress.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

10 Most Amazing Military Upsets by Native African Armies against European Colonists

By
When European colonists landed in Africa, it was all about one thing, grab as much territory as you could and make it yours, by any means necessary. Even before the Berlin Conference, most of African land was already divided among the European and conflicts between them and the natives of the land they had now made theirs were taking shape The violent collisions pitted the well-equipped, well organized and highly disciplined armies of the Europeans with the too often weak armies of people of the African continent. They were no match. More often than not, entire African armies were annihilated wholesomely and their people subdued almost as fast as the battles began. Famous Anglo-French write Hilaire Bellocr even confidently wrote that “Whatever happens, we have the Maxim gun, and they have not” Well, except that the Maxim gun sometimes failed terribly when it faced the unbridled determination, bravery and the sheer spirit of Africans.   Downright unexpected upsets sometime...
Post a Comment
Read more

10 More Wacky Origins of Names of African Countries

By
Knowledgere.blogspot.com       content 10 More Wacky Origins of Names of African Countries We have already featured the first ten origins of meaning of the first ten African countries alphabetically. Here are the next ten. The only two African countries mentioned in the bible coincidentally appear on our todays list! Comoros The name "Comoros" is derived from the Arabic kamar or kumr, meaning "moon," although this name was first applied by Arab geographers to Madagascar. It was adopted by French Colonialists to describe the Islands. Congo Its named after the 15 th century Kingdom of Kongo which thrived on both banks of the River Congo, extending into Modern day Congo, Congo DR, Angola and Zambia. Kongo is from a Bantu word meaning "http://dictionary.reference.comountains" (i.e., the river that flows from the mountains). Congo Democratic Republic Like for the Congo, Also formerly known as Zaire a traditional local n...
Post a Comment
Read more

Five Really Old African Towns still Existing

By
       Five Really Old African Towns still Existing   1.Old Lamu Town, Kenya Lamu oldest town is one of the oldest town in Africa where you can actually be able to see some of the original Swahili architecture and culture first hand and as almost as it existed almost 700 years ago. Built in coral stone and mangrove timber, the town is characterized by the simplicity of structural forms enriched by such features as inner courtyards, verandas, and elaborately carved wooden doors. Lamu has hosted major Muslim religious festivals since the 19th century, and has become a significant centre for the study of Islamic and Swahili cultures. 2.Alexandria, Egypt   Alexandria was founded by the Greek conqueror Alexander the Great, and derives its name from the same man. It became an important center of the Hellenistic civilization and remained the capital of He llenistic and Roman & Byzantine Eg...
Post a Comment
Read more