It is a fact that people of African descent, whether living in the mother continent or the diaspora, belongs to common ancestry. Therefore, they should unite for the common good. This is the cornerstone of Pan-Africanism.
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The widely used flag of Pan-Africanism. |
There are neither specific educational courses that train people to be Pan Africanists nor do there exist designated schools that nature or even realize the instincts of Pan Africanism in people.
For
such reasons, many may mistake this philosophy as only a professional one other
than a normal and natural way of living for people of African descent.
The fact that there are very admirable proponents and practitioners of Pan-Africanism in the present and history of Africa points out that its instincts can be realized, natured, and developed in individual minds.
In emulating race heroes who practiced
and led their lives from Pan-Africanism's point of view, every interested individual can
learn the art of Pan-Africanism.
Being born in the mother continent does not guarantee one to be a Pan African, and neither does being born outside the continent imply that you can never be a Pan African.
Why You Must Develop Instincts of Pan-Africanism
As a student
of Pan-Africanism, I believe that Africans from every walk of life must at
least learn or equip themselves with this philosophy that calls for unity among
people of common ancestry.
There are principles of
Pan-Africanism that must be mastered to grasp the idea of this
philosophy and even put it into practice. These principles are emancipatory and
are justified by the odyssey of African people ever since they came into
contact with the outside world hundreds or thousands of years ago.
African historians, race
heroes and heroines, and other concerned parties have pointed out that disunity
among African people paved the way for the invasion of the mother continent by various
adversaries and the enslavement of its people.
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Delegates in the Manchester Pan-African conference of 1945. |
To date, African
intellectuals still believe that the lack of Pan-Africanism instincts in our people
paves the way for the new millennium slavery that involves mental servitude, inferiority
complexes, and corrupt leadership.
The principles of Pan-Africanism are broad and extensive. They range from individual awareness to
continental unity. Before we can concentrate our focus on continental unity,
there exists a great deal in weeding out cobwebs that lie deep in African minds,
hindering the growth and realization of instincts of Pan-Africanism.
Racism against African
people is neither their fault nor their place to eliminate. If and when
racist nations decide to spearhead their segregation agenda on Africans, it is
due to their inadequate knowledge of human-to-human relationships and
coexistence.
Conversely, it is the
Africans’ fault if they let down their guard on the self-uplifting initiatives to
invite all sorts of ridicule and mediocrity that spearhead racial
discrimination against them such as wretchedness, miseducation, and
underdevelopment.
The following are some of the simple practices that can help develop the philosophy of Pan-Africanism in African people.
#1. Self-identity and Acceptance of African Culture
The first step towards
sovereignty is accepting yourself the way you are and not having to explain
further or apologize about it. Before other races or beholders can acknowledge
that black is beautiful, the beauty must be felt and
embraced by the self.
Additionally, to increase
your self-confidence, you must unapologetically accept your flaws, however bold
they might seem. Africans must keep their head high and work tirelessly to
improve their cultures to match the trends if they feel they are out of trend instead
of dropping them. No one can run away from their identity.
Lack of acceptance in
self and even in culture is witnessed when people of African descent disdain
their traditions, cultural practices, language, and arts by belittling, and rendering
them obsolete or sometimes labeling them demonic.
Some Africans display
their lack of self-acceptance and show off their colonized minds when they
bleach their skin, feel embarrassed to keep natural hair, and downplay
Africa’s arts such as music, literature, etc. All while trying to emulate and
force themselves on alien cultures.
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Different African hairstyles |
#2. Reading and Researching African History
There are several reasons
why history is recorded. There is a reason why even before the invention of
paper, our ancestors persevered their artifacts, wrote and curved on stones,
and passed down oral folklore. Among the numerous reasons why today's
history is recorded is for future reference.
Studying your history
provides knowledge of your race and its contribution to world civilization. When
you study what happened you are in a position to understand what is happening and correct where necessary.
Africa's history in a nutshell as presented by Chancellor Williams. |
Many Africans go through life ignorant of their history, and some have come to terms with (due lack to of knowledge of history) the notion that African people emerged from the jungles, enslaved by Arabs and Europeans, and then civilized by them.
Either by design or choice, they are ignorant of
Africa’s glorious past thereby lacking self-confidence in the race.
If knowledge is power, then knowledge of self-history is self-empowerment. When you are inspired by greatness, you will surely aspire to greatness.
Personally, I started acknowledging my African value by extensively reading and researching African history. In this new age of enlightenment, ignorance is no longer bliss.
#3. Revering African Race Heroes and Heroines
There are several race heroes and heroines who set straight the path so that you and I can be recognized. Several ancestors suffered and died so that you and I can live today.
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Founding Fathers of the Organization of African Union. |
Therefore, there is no excuse for not knowing these heroes and heroines,
studying their biographies, and contributions to the emancipation of African
people.
There is no excuse for leading an ignorant life when several great men and women bled and died for our emancipation.
In your pursuit of knowledge about African emancipation, don’t
miss on your list the following great men; Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah,
Harriet Tubman, Haile Selassie, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Bantu Biko, etc.
In addition to race heroes and heroines who lead the struggles on the battlefields, other race heroes led the struggle intellectually.
In your pursuit of
knowledge on Pan Africanism, don’t miss to read from the following authors; Dr.
John H. Clarke, Chancellor Williams, Dr. Ben, Cheikh Anta Diop, Booker T
Washington, Frantz Fanon, Dr. Cress Welsings, Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, etc.
#4. Supporting Black Initiative
There is no better act of
patriotism than supporting one of your own. Many black entrepreneurs and artists
are pushed out of the market due to European dominance of the market sometimes even
within their locale. Therefore, many are forced to give up their initiative
rendering useless their creativity and talents
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As an aspiring Pan-Africanist, make it a habit to purchase, support, and promote Africa to
build Africa. We have witnessed instances where African people especially the bourgeoisie
spend lavishly on foreign products while ignoring those from their own.
Their excuse and perhaps a glimpse of reality to it is that they seek and value quality. If your worry is quality then what are you doing about it?
Opting for a foreign-furnished and
finished product does not solve the “quality,” issue, it only plunges Africa
into foreign dependency.
#5. Teaching and Sharing Black History Knowledge
The majority of African adults and youths who showcase ignorance of African history do so because they were never taught black history while growing up.
Many have endeavored to do
their research but still remain acutely ignorant because knowledge of
history is subtly colonized.
Therefore, as a Pan
Africanist, whether young or old, you must fully educate yourself on your
history and thoroughly conduct your research. Once you have grasped enough
knowledge, you must make it your initiative to share the knowledge and teach
those who thirst for and need this knowledge, especially the young generation.
In this age of the internet,
sharing knowledge is easier than ever imagined. In the age of social media, there is no excuse for not obtaining this or that information. You are as
guilty as you are useless if you sit on an important piece of information that
could constructively impact other people.
#6. Protect and Conserve the Environment
It is a fact that nature is part and parcel of African people. Africa being the cradle of mankind, its people are and should be more connected to nature than they think.
There is a
reason why our ancestors worshiped in natural formations such as shrines,
mountains, forests, or lakes. Such places are believed to be dwelling places of
the gods.
The word Pan Africanism itself is believed to originate from three words; People, Animals, and Nature (PAN.) Therefore, as a Pan-Africanist you are responsible for taking care of nature for the benefit of people and animals. Environmental conservation is your responsibility by default and there is no hallway compromise to that.
You must stop wasting
water resources. You must reuse, recycle, and transform the waste you generate.
You must adopt sustainable living methods and try as hard to reduce your
reliance on non-renewable energy resources.
Causes of Climate Change |
When all is gone, it is
nature that we turn to and depend on to provide for people and animals.
Therefore, every Pan-Africanist must make it his or her initiative to conserve
the environment.
#7. Sound Leadership of African States
Africa’s leadership is the tip of the spear in the battle for upholding the independence of its people. Those privileged to be in leadership positions must think and conduct their activities in a Pan-African pole of excellence.
Sound leadership of African
states is the only solution to the wretchedness, exploitation,
underdevelopment, and miseducation of African people.
Whether in the mother
continent or diaspora, inadequate and corrupt leadership of African states is
the Trojan Horse often utilized by economic, political, and military exploiters
to thrust their dominance over Africans.
Additionally, leaders who
make the mistake of incorporating lip service politics into Pan-Africanism
ideology are doing more harm than good. In Pan-Africanism, actions must match
the principle of the philosophy.
Leaders who mismanage and
squander Africa’s resources are no more or less than the foreign adversaries
who take great pleasure in undermining Africa’s interests.
Parting Shot
Pan-Africanism is not a
professionalism neither is it for the chosen few. The philosophy of Pan-Africanism
should be a way of life for every person of African descent.
Every African who wishes
to see or set forth necessary change in Africa must adopt this principle, internalize,
and practice it in their day-to-day activities.
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