AFRICAN WHEN IT'S CONVENIENT
The recent surge of African pride in mainstream media is evident. Everyone displays their dashikis flamboyantly for social media. African print and raw Shea butter are widely sought after, seems like its the cool thing to be African right now.
Many of us have a relationship of convenience with Africa. When things are good there's a wave of Pan-Africanist waving the flag. But when things turns sour we're quick to shed our African identity. A good example is the 2014 Ebola epidemic. I witnessed so many people who proudly wore their Ankh's and Cleopatra tattoos turn their heads the other way. Now that the Ebola stigma has subsided they've returned once again with new African print hats and shoes claiming African pride. This always leaves me perplexed. When a non-African person talks about rural parts of Africa, the huts, the bon-fires and the traditional dances our first defense is 'No! we have skyscrapers too' or 'only the uneducated people talk with clicks' as if our kin who are not as 'Westernized' as us are not worthy of appreciation or praise, as if they were not at the very least our human equals.
Many of us have a relationship of convenience with Africa. When things are good there's a wave of Pan-Africanist waving the flag. But when things turns sour we're quick to shed our African identity. A good example is the 2014 Ebola epidemic. I witnessed so many people who proudly wore their Ankh's and Cleopatra tattoos turn their heads the other way. Now that the Ebola stigma has subsided they've returned once again with new African print hats and shoes claiming African pride. This always leaves me perplexed. When a non-African person talks about rural parts of Africa, the huts, the bon-fires and the traditional dances our first defense is 'No! we have skyscrapers too' or 'only the uneducated people talk with clicks' as if our kin who are not as 'Westernized' as us are not worthy of appreciation or praise, as if they were not at the very least our human equals.
Africa is just as diverse as any other continent maybe even more than any other. Just as there's an Africa with magnificent beaches, incredible night-life and the most exceptional cuisine, there is also an Africa of cracked heels, power-outages and barren land. All of these images of Africa are just as true and just as worthy of respect, none greater than the other.
If you take pride in our wild-life and attire, you must also take pride in our short-comings and the continuous battle we experience in making our continent a better place. Our story is one like no other. There's no other continent like Africa, none as beautiful and colorful, none that possesses such an enduring spirit.
There's a popular tale that even at the worst points of the Liberian civil war, people still hosted and attended parties. Not that this is something to be proud of, but it shows that the ability of Africans to remain joyful in moments of grief is a deep rooted coping mechanism.
In spite of mass poverty, corrupt leaders and the highest illiteracy rates, the African spirit is an honorable one. There's simply no room for hot and cold African patriots who only show allegiance in the good times.
Ask yourself , If African print was not the current trend and if the natural hair movement was not as influential as it is today, would I still be as proud of my African heritage ?
I'd really like to hear feedback from you. I await your responses.
As always, with love ZIYA💋
You took the words right out of my mouth. I truly believe that African culture is now a trend and people has failed to realize Africa have way more to offer than shea butter.
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