The Black African Conundrum

The Black African Conundrum

The Bright and Green Continent

The Black/White racial labels are misleading at most and derogatory at worst. For instance, the word ‘White’ is associated with virtues like purity and holiness. In contrast, the word ‘Black’ is associated with vices like blackmail and black magic. Other phrases associated with the word ‘black’ are black-sheep, black-market and blacklisted. In reality, no one is ‘Black’ or ‘White’ in the true sense of the word black or white. People are a hue of brown colors.

For that reason, Arabs of North Africa are not labeled as ‘Blacks’. Neither are they ‘proudly African’. Similarly, ‘Whites’ permanently residing in Africa cannot be called ‘Blacks’ and they are also unwilling to called Africans. There are Africans who are light in complexion and calling them ‘Blacks’ is a misnomer. The ‘Blacks’ in America are correctly referred to ‘African-Americans’. Indians and Chinese are not ‘Reds’ or ‘Yellows’. They are collectively referred to as Asians.

We have Maoris of New Zealand and Aborigines of Australia. There are Russians and British people of Europe (the so-called ‘Whites’). The point is, its politically correct to label people according to their place of birth rather than their skin complexion. Classifying people or labeling them according to their skin complexion is one of the root causes of racial prejudice and racial intolerance. The negative connotations associated with the ‘Black’ label also instill feelings of inferiority among some Africans. Hence we have sporadic bouts of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

African women goes to extreme lengths to mimic the ‘White’ standard of beauty. They buy lotion creams to enlighten their skins. They stretch or bleach their hair. Some wear artificial hair like wigs or human hair extensions. All this is done with the ultimate objective of appearing like a ‘White’ woman. Those with the money goes for plastic surgery like the late super-star Michael Jackson. The average ‘Black’ African has a very low self-esteem which emanates from the ‘Black’ label.

Most African parents prefer to give their children English, French or Portuguese names. This is mainly because the former colonizers are still revered by most Africans. The official language of communication is still English, French or Portuguese in most African countries. The colonial language is still the dominant language of teaching and learning. Court proceedings, formal meetings and political rallies are predominantly done in the colonial language.

Major religions in Africa also originated from Europe or Asia. Hence we have the Dutch and Roman Catholic churches. Another vexatious issue of the average ‘Black’ African is on social lifestyle. Newly-wed couples are confounded on whether to have a ‘white wedding’ or ‘traditional wedding’ or both. African traditions and cultures are generally despised as being primitive. The African attire is proudly adorned by people in West and North Africa.

In short, Africans must desist being called ‘Blacks’. They must start emulating their cultures and traditions. Most importantly, the colonial language must be expunged from all learning institutions, business meetings, political rallies or court proceedings. Such changes will not only redress the identity crisis strangling African development, but will go a long way in instilling pride in being African, not being black.

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