Pan Africanism Essay

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Pan-Africanism: Cheikh Anta Diop, Julius K. Nyerere, and Dubois

Similar to the West, Africa proves to be a homeland of writers. Owing to the numerous literatures associated with the Africans, one can confirm that writing was part of the Africans, which is apparent in the dates of different literary works. As part of history, they wrote to preserve and educate the coming generations on what happened then. This was not only through writing, but also through other literary works such as poems, music, and other forms of art. Most of the African writers wrote out of experience, and the urge to let something known. In contrast to the modern way of African writing, which utilizes creativity as the main tool when writing; these legends utilized observation, evaluation, and experiences from others as a main contributor to their literary works.

The subjects, which majored in their writings varied according to the motive, or the experience at hand, which acted as the primary drive during their writing. This explains why some critics find African writers weird in a way. They wrote on subjects such as ethnicity, the potential of Africans, colonization, and cultural issues. However, the subjects also varied owing to the level of enlightenment the author had, in relation to the Western culture, or the evolving world. This does not necessarily suggest that the West was the main contributor, or instigator of numerous African writing, but one cannot ignore the fact that the West is a substantial contributor to numerous, modern and past African forms of writing.

In addition, patriotism was a major theme, which every writer portrayed, not towards their countries of origin, but to the entire African nations. Although some of them wrote on issues affecting their countries of origin, the same issues could be traced in almost every African nation. For instance, ethnicity is a major issue in numerous African nations, when a writer addressed the issue; one was doing so on behalf of all other African Nations facing the same challenge. The themes in their writings always affirm their Africanism because they had to mention Africa, as way of identifying with the African people.

A notable similarity among them is that African writers find the drive to write from things that happen in the entire continent of Africa. From the three African writers chosen for this study, they attest to this element. Nyerere feels that unity is a major aspect, which all African nations need to embrace (Nyerere 3). The author recognizes that Africa comprises diverse nations, recognizes the division existing in African nations, and puts across that unity will be the main thing that will bring together the diverse nations (Nyerere 4). On the other hand, Dubois, writes because he feels indebted towards the African states. Owing to his experience, in abroad, the racial profiling, Dubois feels that Africans are the source of the continued racial profiling of the blacks, or Negros (Dubois 664). This is a significant issue, which Africans are likely to face when in Europe countries.

Therefore, Dubois feels that if Africans stop entertaining products from abroad, it will be a step towards eliminating racial profiling (Dubois 666). Cheikh Anta Diop feels that the African language has been degraded, and he feels that westernization will erode the African culture, "we must remain radically opposed to any attempts of cultural assimilation… (Diop 12)." He suggests that the West should also embrace African language and teach it in their institutions, similarly to the way Africans have embraced Western languages (Diop 11). In addition, all the African writers chosen for this evaluation portray some degree of patriotism. This is evident on their literature, whereby they argue something for the benefit of Africa. They recognize the various flaws, which exist in the continent, but they still identify with Africa.

Notably, although Dubois was not born in Africa (Dubois 664), he actually suggests that he is loyal to Africa. This aspect is evident because he shows concern for Africans on the issue of racial profiling (Dubois 667). He feels that Africans should cut business with the European countries because Africans are the primary consumers of their goods, but they continue treating Africans based on race (Dubois 666). Julius K. Nyerere recognizes that African states are always fighting over issues that lack basis (Nyerere 2). However, he sees hope in the states through unity. As a patriot, he offers a way forward for the warring countries.

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He suggests that they should sort out their issues amicably and avoid judging each other's policy's as a step to achieve unity (Nyerere 7).

The outstanding difference among the chosen writers is their settings. The environment that leads to the development of their writing works differs greatly. Although Julius K. Nyerere, Dubois shares a common origin, Africa, while Cheikh Anta Diop is a France national, the events leading to the development of their writings is somehow different. An analysis of A United States of Africa suggests that it arises from a political setting. This is made evident by the political words, which dominate in the piece of writing, "…. For the convictions which drove present day African leaders into politics have their disadvantages; toleration is not a virtue which lives easily with emotional fervor (Nyerere 5)." Additionally, "…. many of us in East Africa believe that our best path to unity may be through a regional association (Nyerere 5)."

Finally, the other political statement is "…. And similarly, just as a minister does not interfere with the political support of a colleague, African leaders must accept the decisions of the people in the different national units, as regards their own leaders (Nyerere 5)." In Black Africa, the setting of the piece of writing is from a global perspective. He strongly believes that it is possible to put the African language on a global platform, he states "… even now we must start such work on a limited scale in order to show once and for all that it is indeed possible to raise an African language to the prestige of the European cultural languages (Diop 10)." He feels that Africans are downgraded and this he suggests, "… European languages will continue to be used, but that situation will turn Africa into a super-Switzerland (Diop 11)."

The Future of Africa has an economic setting; the author feels that the reason Africa is lagging behind on development is the continuous dependence of products from abroad. The dependence is the main reason for the continued racial profiling in many abroad nations, he states, "you are not helpless, you are the buyers and to continue existence of sellers of capital, these great nations, former world owners, must sell or face bankruptcy (Dubois 666)." Earlier on, the author had suggested that "…. Will you for temporary advantage for automobiles and Paris gowns spend your income in paying interest on borrowed funds; or will you sacrifice your present comfort…. To educate your children and develop your industries (Dubois 666)."

In A United States of Africa, I differ with Julius concerning the issue of "emotional unity," which the author suggests exists in all African states. This, he suggests makes African leaders share in the sorrows, or downfalls of their fellow African leaders (Nyerere 1), a point I strongly disagree with the author. This is because African leaders have only proved to be selfish when it comes to power. The leaders themselves are the root cause of the many issues, which the African people have to endure. A misfortune in one state of Africa, does not necessarily call for an African attention to the crisis; however, various leaders do make their opinions regarding the issue and suggests that the countries involved should "find ways" to remedy the situation. This does not align with Nyerere's point of "mutual concern." If the situation does actually affect all other African states, then they would move to solve the solution, practically.

He further argues, "The boundaries which divide African states are so nonsensical that without our sense of unity they would be a cause of friction (Nyerere 2)." The author is not arguing like a true African leader, else, he would recognize the magnitude of the "nonsensical boundaries." Africa is a developing continent, unlike the West. I use the West as an example because they have taken part in various forms of dreaded warfare. In Africa, owing to the rapid development, leaders are constantly finding ways to achieve "the most powerful leader," which will be in Africa. This is why some leaders are claiming that some portion of other countries belong to their country, which I perceive as an attempt to start a war, and the winning country takes the portion. Such issues are not nonsensical; they are issues with strong bases, which can stir up wars in African states.

In Black Africa the author suggests that "In all.....

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