In Africa, these distinctions will magnify. Creating a surreal world where an elite minority will treat other with indifferent. Sometimes stereotype can explain things If it was easy as black and white. However, things are seldom black or white.
STEREOTYPES
The usual stereotype can't explain Africa's ethnic differences; most folk's look dark to me, but they're differences; differences that go back for centuries. The Sierra Leoneans asked me often, "are you Nigerian," "American" or "Hausa," those usually came up. Chief Morsay defined Biko and me as "white." He told us that we are foreigners just like people with white skin. His index finger was rubbing the top of his hand for emphasis. When Afro-Americans do this in a conversation, we know that it's an obstacle akin to "Whites Only." "You're not Africans," he said. In Africa, it matters where you come from, or from what side of the river; in the case of the Congo's Bushong and the Lele ethnic group; what side of the river makes a difference socially politically and financially.
But none of that was on my mind. I was excited to go to Africa. Relating to my grandmother's Afrocentric beliefs; I wanted to see for myself the grandeur of the continent that launched civilization and everything that makes us beautiful: The melanin, the curves, rhythm, the food. A list of defense mechanism, my self-esteem used to combat the constant influx of American racist propaganda, where everything is about color, and black is the shade that faints all colors.
RACISM
Consequently, racism is the lens through which most Afro-Americans view the world. It's not a distorting lens; for the most part, the lens is accurate; although limiting. Focusing only on the one view. In a world where human beings find myriad of ways to segregate one another, racism makes this division possible.
It is clear that the Belgians of King Leopold II acted in the most racist, inhuman way towards the people of the Congo. But ultimately Mobutu Sese Seko of the Ngbandi ethnic group arrested Patrice Lumumba of the Tetela ethnic group. I don't think that ethnicity was the cause for Mobutu Sese Seko transgression towards Lumumba. Thomas Sankara and Blaise Compaoré, both are from the Mossi ethnic group of Burkina Faso. But just like King Leopold II, greed was the reason for Mobutu's treachery towards Patrice Lumumba and the destruction of countless Congolese lives. Compaoré did the same in Burkina Faso securing privileges for a ruling minority; keeping power at the expense of Thomas Sankara and the people of Burkina Faso. Using corruption, expropriation even foreign assistance to maintain power. With no state to answer to, these men were no different than King Leopold II in the inhumane treatment of their countrymen. Medicine Sports Medicine School Mind Body Spirit Obesity Medicine Modern Accessories medicare clinic oto insurance mobile insurance school fitness smart health cancer treatment amazing health electronic creation health and medicare business creation properties insurance mental health health life health ways body fitness healthy food health child baby health beauty health Health Treatment Supplements Healthy Food populer tourism Guide Traveler financial business Forex trading trading financial health food health and fitness insurance financial creation business summer holiday holiday travel acupuncture therapy healthy life health nutrition dental care health women health marketing business retail marketing insurance credit financial marketing business management accounting financial health industry culinary trip restaurant business marketing real estate traveling agent properties insurance beauty garden green house
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