Be More Black Than White.
I think not knowing when, where and how to apply the ideas of Americans and Europeans can be harmful to Africans in diverse ways. First example; in Ghana - just ‘knocking’ (traditional form of engagement) and a traditional wedding will suffice for a man and woman to be together as married couples. But after spending so much strength, time and money to perform the traditional ceremony, most couples burden themselves again to organize a ‘white wedding’ when they don't even have the resources. Second example; again in Ghana, we prefer to speak English more with our children more than our local dialects with the notion that they will be fluent in the ‘Queen’s language’. Indeed it will, but that will also make them bad speakers, writers and readers of our languages.
I don't intend to make western cultures look bad, but I say adapting so much of other people's way of life can make us lose our identity as Africans and as humans. Let's be more of us than others.
Very true bro and it can also make westerns look down on us which they are already doing.
ReplyDeleteYeah bro.
DeleteApt to say the least
ReplyDeleteBaba, I see u. :)
DeleteGood write up. I agree with the fact that we need to preserve our identity and put value on what we have and who we are.. That being said, let's not forget that the world does not evolve just around us. There is more to be seen and learned and paying attention to content is key. We can't ignorantly swallow everything that is fed us. We are the problem and change will start from us. From the family setting to the Govt system.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful comment there, Spice. I pray we could understand the lyrics of Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song' especially "...emancipate yourself from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds' and act on it.
DeleteFirst, an issue with the your title "Be More Black Than White''. Who told you you're 'Black', and that the other complexion is white? Is it an accident that the colour black is associated with evil and all that's bad, while the colour white denotes all that's pure and holy? But we've accepted that label. Your blog title accepts that label. I'm not an Africanist in the sense of accepting everything African just for Africa sake. I'd like to take a more pragmatic approach. Today we live in a more global society almost without boundaries. I accept whatever is good irrespective of its origin and reject anything that's useless irrespective of it's origin. Today in Africa there's so much that many people still cling on to in the name of African tradition that's absolutely useless and rubbish. I don't like to give myself any label, black or white, African or non-African. For me what's important is what's pragmatic and what's not.
ReplyDeleteHey bro. I love your submission. To begin, I think the matter of colours and their meanings are subjective. As per my title, the colour black represents the people of Africa.
DeleteI agree not very African cultural practice is good just as some cultures from the West. My point is, no matter what we do, we will/must be identified with a certain group from a particular part of the world. And the way think and do our things is what will show. Neglecting our way of life completely or being more of some other's I believe creates problems if the majority of the society don't accept it. Perhaps, my subsequent blogs will expound my main ideas.
I believe the world is a global village, and both sides learn from each other.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Ivy. Learning is acquiring knowledge, which they say is also power. With power you can make things happen. Apostle Paul's 'spirits filled' message to our fellow men in Corinthians (see 1 Corinthians 6:12) shows us that we have the right to do anything but not everything is beneficial. Some of these things we learn from others side won't help at all as Africans. Mind you, some westerners learn from us and use it against us.
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