Dear Editor,

How can we come together to address health issues, improve business and trade relations, establish greater educational foundations and build new narratives for people of African descent?

When we consider current medical research, it is limited. For example, women of African descent are 40 per cent more likely to have breast cancer than white women, and it’s usually reported as much more aggressive, and yet most research studies only have 1 per cent black women represented. Certainly among us ‘Global Africa’, we have enough doctors, medical practitioners and universities to address this issue.

When we think of business and trade we need the will to push beyond the borders that have been set for us. Historically and structurally, it has often been the practice for African nations to trade with Europe and America than with their neighbouring African countries — a result of colonial legacy.

For the Caribbean and other diasporic regions there could be greater opportunities for business and trade, with less cost, if there were more direct shipping routes and air travel to and from Africa.

When it comes to education, Nigerian immigrants are recognised as one of the most educated groups in the US. Generally, immigrants from Africa have higher rates of college education than other groups. Eighty per cent Caribbean immigrants hold college degrees, with Jamaican immigrants showing high participation in management, business, and science occupations. So we have the potential, if we came together, to change the paradigm in the area of education.

The creative — with which people of African descent are so gifted — should play a greater role in helping us to change the narrative for Global Africa using its various forms, visual and performing art, in song, dance, poetry, drama, etc.

A well known Jamaican poet laureate made the comment that when he arrived in Jamaica at age 9 in the 70s from Africa he was teased by both classmates and teachers alike. He said one of the major factors that was a catalyst to create the openness of the Jamaican society to Africa was the music that began to be played that were pro-Africa. Indeed the arts can play a role in shifting our mindsets in how we see ourselves and each other and what we are able to achieve. We must be deliberate in utilising the potential of the arts across the globe for our upliftment.

On December 17, 2024 the UN declared another decade for people of African descent. Let us make the most of this moment in history, capitalising on all the opportunities together to transform the lives of people of African descent, wherever they are living.

Bruce Fletcher

bruceaf_100@yahoo.com