A nation’s myths are powerful motivators, but myth cannot replace fact. We have some fictional heroes and celebrations and some say if it makes poor people happy, why not? But can we face facts and still celebrate Emancipation? Is a familiar lie better than truth? Can we build on trumped-up ancestors and celebrations? It did not work for us in the 20th century, will it work in the 21st? Europe’s myths helped them but most are vague pre-history. We can’t mythologise events and people when facts are known to the contrary. Be creative with Nanny, but our Emancipation is well documented and was a victory for the British. They put right their ancestors’ wrongdoing; put things back the way they were – almost! So, let’s praise our ancestors who fought to gain freedom though they lost, and salute British MPs who struggled 30 years for an Emancipation Act – they won.

This is no 4th of July for us. You return my body to my control after using it for generations and I celebrate? A thief returns my wallet and I praise him? Our Emancipation was not our work, just as my car is not my creation – am I bothered? No. Use it and move on. Our leaders think we will not be inspired if we know the truth but we are not inspired now. On August 6 we will also tell the world how we bravely fought for Independence and how well we have done in 49 years. Puhleease! I am no spoilsport, but these celebrations use about one per cent of our production days. How does this help us to prosper? We need to take a close look at all our national icons in case, in their haste to get control of the purse, our leaders failed to do or overlooked things which are the root of present problems. Look at our gruesome crimes, abysmal illiteracy, loveless relations, mindless tribal behaviour, endemic selfishness. What causes them? How can people so blessed behave so badly? So much so we are struggling and poor while our comrades in the region have advanced? Why is our new nation most likely to make it 50 years ago now a criminal, druggie layabout? Why is the most conscious country in the early 20th century now the most materialistic, cruel, excuse-making nation in the region? We were the cradle of philosophy, resources, unity, Pan-Africanism; conscience of the world, admired and revered. Today we are an economic and moral pariah and we don’t care a damn! Still, we do talk well! We are slaves to cruel, selfish materialism. Emancipation? What Emancipation?

Africa is dying

In the Horn of Africa – Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti – some 5 million people starve and thousands die daily. The UN says it needs US$2.5b to feed them. We say we need charity, can’t afford to give others. I disagree! We got a lot and we should give to needy nations as we are able. Some tithe in church, volunteer, donate, but few see beyond their own group. Africa is needy, but we extend no charity to them. Why? Marcus Garvey would. The human race comes in a limited colour palette and it seems black people everywhere are poor, even here where we run things. Is this fate? Accident? The world was wracked by man-made and natural disasters – volcano, plague, earthquake, war, holocaust, famine, tsunami, nuclear, finance – but no place retains the impacts as Africa. Famine, plague and war lived in Europe and Asia – they prosper. America is self-sufficient. Japan is quake-ridden, but creates ways to ameliorate impacts – they prosper. Africa creates no such self-defence. Disasters in the Caribbean are never as tragic, as life in America’s footprint saves us. From 1957 to 1962 when we got Independence some 35 million Chinese died in famine – yet they prosper. Disaster by itself does not stop a nation from prospering. The will to work or orders to work are unquenched by disaster -work is the key. Big African famines began in Egypt, devastated the Mahgreb and Sahel as far as Timbuktu. Outside European and Arab records only archaeology can reveal a disaster history of black Africa. It endures regular debilitation; no lasting peace, stability and no sustainable prosperity. We have none either, but a few sea containers of food solve our problem, not Africa’s. Malaria, population, dictators, tse-tse fly, tribal massacres, lack of water, sanitation and food continue to plague this rich continent. Its dramatic, variable biodiversity made it a crucible of creation. But nature is not kind; it has dark pages but the fittest survive. Will Africa always be unstable and need help? Maybe. We are taught that life gets better; not for all of us, it seems. Will the poor be here forever? Africa’s restless natural forces makes it a “work in progress”. South America is earth’s lungs, Africa its creative stew – feral, dark, dangerous, but once in a while new light emerges. Thankfully, it elicits caring from a sometimes selfish America and Europe and it survives!

Do we really care?

Over decades we see photos of Africa’s kids dying by the thousands – Ethiopia, Uganda, Biafra. We have not pulled our weight in philanthropy, neither to our neighbours or Africa. Our culture vultures feed on her; our GG is asleep and Parliament is mired in politics and can’t even debate a resolution on Africa. Some serious issues do not resonate with voters, but why has Cabinet formed no charity for Africa? No appeal, no bank account, no collection tins? Our churches are rich; pastors are rich; big buildings, risqué imported evangelists are the fashion. Our universities are neutered – take no stand. Our singers and entertainers feed on Africa’s cachet but give nothing back. Their hearts are far from Africa – Anancy, opportunist, charlatan! On TV we see many who walked for days to get food; each day a few kids died – no water and none strong enough to carry them or bury them – thank God for vultures! We sing Africa, locks Africa, talk Africa, wear Africa to make money but we do nothing for her lost and dying kids. Ananda alert seems a luxury, our politics a farce and our mango season manna from heaven. They have no such bounty. We don’t know suffering. We pay lip service but we don’t care. We take, we do not give. Many selfishly believe we can’t give until all our needs are met. We give locally but we need our own small aid agency to channel experts and help to small EC nations and poor African countries as we are able. We are blessed but mean. Give!

Does our media care?

The largest poverty initiative in London is by a newspaper from donations it solicits. Yes, media can be corrupt and conscious. Images of Africa’s hunger are in UK media daily. Ours do little to highlight the desperation in East Africa. No media telethon? No serious journalism? We romanticise Africa but “back to Africa” is dead! We just gawk at photos of dead and dying kids. The Rastaman, Garveyite, Pan-Africanist set no example, they leave that to the white man. We have no conscious national leaders…how we miss Michael Manley and Bob Marley! The world misses them too. We are not “white-minded” either as white people lead in helping Africa. We talk the talk very well. May conscious youth rise up and restore our failing nation! Our media can do more.

Do white nations care?

Damn right they do! They give refuge, asylum – the recent Nonvegian neo-Nazi massacre is the price some pay – and allow Africans to have a life. London raised the value of billions of our dollars in three days for Somalia. We get foreign aid for 50 years and other nations take our restless people, but we give nothing and take no one. Europe has appeals and donates to Africa. Kids with tins, boxes in shops, adverts; tax rebates to donors; no visible affinity to Africa, yet so conscious. Why? Charity? Mother Africa in their DNA? Reparations? Remittances? Self-interest? Whatever it is, God bless them! Why are we so cavalier at Africa’s trials? We do not have a lot, but why not do some fund-raising? Do we really care about anyone but ourselves? Prove it! Stay conscious, my friend!

Query

In Mexico 1968 Dick Fosbury of the USA won gold in the high jump with his new method. Before the “Fosbury flop” athletes leapt over the bar one leg first. Where is he now?

Dr Franklin Johnston is an international project manager with Teape-Johnston Consultants currently on assignment in the UK.

franklinjohnston@hotmail.com