The African Thing

Chatting with folks from Wayne Moses Mailing list an Issue touched me in an interesting way. I thought I would share it. We were discussing tourism in Guyana and the topic went to the inevitable in Guyana, Race.

Here is my reply:

In college, I went through my phases of Pro Africanism. I was myself a Rasta sympathizer and only went 1 step before growing dreads. (I had to cut the thing for National Service). Coming to the US and meeting Africans as well as the plethora of nationalities in New York, I began to open my perspective on how this interpersonal relationship thing worked. At the time there was some heightened racial issues that kept whites and blacks together but the NY subway was the equilizer. The high powered executive and the messenger rode in the same car. Blacks, whites, hispanics, everyone rode the same car. Yes, they didn't speak to each other. In fact, in typical NY style, everyone was in their own cocoon. However, let something happen and everything changes. Everyone becomes human. The white man would give up his seat to the pregnant black woman. The black man would give up his seat to the elderly white woman. I remember one time that someone was right in front of me when I was about to get off the train and missed their step and their leg went between the platform and the car. I pulled her up and someone got out of their seat to help me seat her. She was white I was black, a fact I didn't think about until I was asked about it at work. Bottom line, it didn't matter.

More and more we are reminded that we are members of the human race. It really is about what we bring to the table and not what we want from it. Our experiences as members from whatever ethnic group we come from is what we bring, its what we have to share. Look at the Rastas. They're supposed to be about Mother Africa etc yet some of their most ardent supporters are those who love their music. I was a bit taken aback when my kids asked if Bob Marley is alive. His music has made him so eternal. Singing about Africa, he struck a chord to everyone who struggled whether they're from Africa or not. Reggae music is played all over the world. Everyone in their own way contributes to humanity.

we shouldn't keep looking at the past. Looking at the past should be a marker of how far we've come and for this we should be greatful. Yes, our Colonial masters did our forefathers in but as history has shown, I can assure you that we won't be where we are today. The thing is, we are here. Yes my forefathers came from Africa in terrible conditions. They've stripped me from that culture so that now I can only say I'm of African descent. I am not culturally African. I wasn't born there. I don't speak any African language. What I do know is that I sympathize with all Africans and their plight. Having African blood makes it personal, a little more personal when I see injustice meted out on them. My colonial past will not hinder me from working towards my goals and will not be an excuse for me to hold back. Yes, it has made things tougher as certain perceptions remain. As history shows, however, injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. Today its for me, tommorow its for you. Working as one we can begin to make a change and to be more into the human race so that anyone's plight is our plight. With this, I identify with the plight of all sufferers and celebrate with all who are successful, whether they be African, European, Asian or whatever.