Currently, the world, more importantly, the United Nations is busy deliberating on how to avoid cataclysm in Ukraine. This is after bullish Russia decided to invade Ukraine. Russia took actions after Ukraine, its former territory under the defunct USSR showed signs of joining North Atlantic Treaty Organization that brings together the US and some European countries for the purpose of shielding themselves against any invasion, which can only come from Russia, and possibly China. These acquainted with the geopolitics and the superstructure of the world aren’t shocked at all. What’s shocking are the manner and speed Russia unexpectedly has acted.
Today, we aren’t talking about what’d be done to kerb the conflict. Many analysts have already done so. Instead, we’ll expose what we view as international conspiracy and racism against Africans. Social media’s overflowing with videos showing Ukrainian police or Poland border guards denying Africans the openings to flee the war in Ukraine simply because they are black. Despite the knowledge about such deplorable and horrible acts, neither the AU nor the UN decried this blatant racism and gross violation of human rights and Africans. None of them has shown any concerns about/for such innocuous people who are suffering simply because of the dyestuff of their skin.
Let’s face it openly and straightforwardly. What does this say about Africa and Africans?
First, the inference the racism above shows is that Africans themselves don’t care about/for each other. What’s wrong if at all, even beasts in the jungle do care, and sometimes, fight for each other? Refer to how Buffaloes fight off lions or gnus fight hyenas. Why’re Africans blasé when it comes to welfare of their brethren? Don’t they know that such slackness gives racists a carte blanche to keep on discriminating against Africans as a people and race as has been the international organisations and systems?
Those who remember how an African mom with her baby, among many appalling incidents in Ukraine, were denied access to a shelter intended for children and women simply because they weren’t white enough––––to be considered woman and child––––will agree with us that Africans, in this way, are part and parcel of discrimination against themselves considering how the AU and all African countries maintained silence as if what’s done is legit and normal.
Today, we aren’t talking about what’d be done to kerb the conflict. Many analysts have already done so. Instead, we’ll expose what we view as international conspiracy and racism against Africans. Social media’s overflowing with videos showing Ukrainian police or Poland border guards denying Africans the openings to flee the war in Ukraine simply because they are black. Despite the knowledge about such deplorable and horrible acts, neither the AU nor the UN decried this blatant racism and gross violation of human rights and Africans. None of them has shown any concerns about/for such innocuous people who are suffering simply because of the dyestuff of their skin.
Let’s face it openly and straightforwardly. What does this say about Africa and Africans?
First, the inference the racism above shows is that Africans themselves don’t care about/for each other. What’s wrong if at all, even beasts in the jungle do care, and sometimes, fight for each other? Refer to how Buffaloes fight off lions or gnus fight hyenas. Why’re Africans blasé when it comes to welfare of their brethren? Don’t they know that such slackness gives racists a carte blanche to keep on discriminating against Africans as a people and race as has been the international organisations and systems?
Those who remember how an African mom with her baby, among many appalling incidents in Ukraine, were denied access to a shelter intended for children and women simply because they weren’t white enough––––to be considered woman and child––––will agree with us that Africans, in this way, are part and parcel of discrimination against themselves considering how the AU and all African countries maintained silence as if what’s done is legit and normal.
Apart from discrimination in Ukraine, those in Africa can attest to how they’re conspirators in racism if they consider how they kind-hearted treat Asians, for example, who maltreat Africans while the same victims mistreating their brother and sister Africans though not all. Those who wonder why, can get the answer on how the said persons feature high almost in all mega corruption scandals in upper echelons of power in Africa where corrupt political officers trust and prefer to conspire with them to rob their countries. Isn’t this self-discrimination Africans commit against others?
I once wrote about the Jarawa, the Africans who live in the Andaman Island in India, and the way they’re treated like animals by Indian authorities. The AU has never bothered even to research and seek truth about such allegations. It’s never taken any action whatsoever. Also, refer to the recent accusations of slavery in the Maghreb where African Arabs still sell blacks to slavery. Similarly, the AU’s nowhere to be seen. But when former Libyan dictator Muamar Gaddafi’s killed, the AU’s the first to come forth and condemn.
I once wrote about the Jarawa, the Africans who live in the Andaman Island in India, and the way they’re treated like animals by Indian authorities. The AU has never bothered even to research and seek truth about such allegations. It’s never taken any action whatsoever. Also, refer to the recent accusations of slavery in the Maghreb where African Arabs still sell blacks to slavery. Similarly, the AU’s nowhere to be seen. But when former Libyan dictator Muamar Gaddafi’s killed, the AU’s the first to come forth and condemn.
There have been some accusations of deaths and tortures for African house helps in the Gulf and other Arab countries. As usual, Africa never heard it, thus, has done nothing. Refer to how Israel has been discriminating against its black Jews or Falasha it took from Ethiopia and the AU is silent. Even if these guys were duped into denying that they’re Africans but Jews, we don’t need to punish them or repeat the same crime their dupers are committing. As usual, the AU has never adequately addressed the above scandals nor individual African countries where victims come from. What’s this if not condoning racism against ourselves as Africans?
Secondly, racism in Ukraine shows that even the international community doesn’t care about/for Africans simply because they aren’t white enough to be valued. To know this, just imagine. What’d have been the reaction of the international community had whites been mal/treated the same as Africans are treated in Ukraine in Africa or by Africans. The West duped us into internalising self-discrimination historically. When it introduced Christianity, it taught us to discriminate ourselves. It started slowly and methodically after we abandoned our beliefs, culture, names and the ways of life. Islam followed.
Thirdly, racism in Ukraine speaks to how Africans are heedless of who they’re not to mention devaluing ourselves. Why’s it possible to ignore such criminality against the entire race that’s been ongoing for many years since slavery and colonisation? Currently, some African countries are busy condemning Russia, which’s a good thing to do. Again, charity begins at home. How do they get the audacity to condemn Russia and the chutzpah to condone discrimination against their brothers and sisters? What’s wrong with us? Failure to know and appreciate who we’re, we’re going to suffer even more.
Now what’d we do? There are many steps we need to take as a people.
Secondly, racism in Ukraine shows that even the international community doesn’t care about/for Africans simply because they aren’t white enough to be valued. To know this, just imagine. What’d have been the reaction of the international community had whites been mal/treated the same as Africans are treated in Ukraine in Africa or by Africans. The West duped us into internalising self-discrimination historically. When it introduced Christianity, it taught us to discriminate ourselves. It started slowly and methodically after we abandoned our beliefs, culture, names and the ways of life. Islam followed.
Thirdly, racism in Ukraine speaks to how Africans are heedless of who they’re not to mention devaluing ourselves. Why’s it possible to ignore such criminality against the entire race that’s been ongoing for many years since slavery and colonisation? Currently, some African countries are busy condemning Russia, which’s a good thing to do. Again, charity begins at home. How do they get the audacity to condemn Russia and the chutzpah to condone discrimination against their brothers and sisters? What’s wrong with us? Failure to know and appreciate who we’re, we’re going to suffer even more.
Now what’d we do? There are many steps we need to take as a people.
First of all, we need to value ourselves and care about/for each other. Like other races that discriminate against us do, when one or any of theirs is discriminated against or jeopardised, they stand together with him/her to maintain and show their significance and worth.
Secondly, Africa and Africans need to hit back to whoever discriminate any of them. For example, after the war ends in Ukraine, Africans should not go to study there even if it is for free or scholarships provided by the Ukraine government. Thirdly, Africans should unite their countries and form one country that’ll be able to give them a voice internationally not to mention establish the services they seek abroad.
In sum, there’s neither an angel nor uncle that’ll fight for our dignity as Africans and people. We’re responsible for ourselves. If we love ourselves and each other, others will love us. If we respect and value ourselves, others will. But shall we remain negligent and stroppy as we currently are, we’re going to suffer even more. It is as possible and simple as that.
In sum, there’s neither an angel nor uncle that’ll fight for our dignity as Africans and people. We’re responsible for ourselves. If we love ourselves and each other, others will love us. If we respect and value ourselves, others will. But shall we remain negligent and stroppy as we currently are, we’re going to suffer even more. It is as possible and simple as that.
Source: African Executive Magazine tomorrow.
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