africa a destitute orphan

Ohh, Obama, show us the way … beyond freedom…

Africa-a destitute orphan

Oh Obama! Thank you and congratulations. Here in Africa we are once more celebrating that a Black man has beaten a White man. For you, and to you, it was about winning the election to become a president. To the Africans, particularly in Africa it was Black versus White. And the fact that a black man has beaten white man is a matter of infinite triumph.
We salute you immensely. The radio commentators, those who are black, never stopped gloating the day after. Every comment, every song played, even every sport talk, had to include the triumph of the black man in the US. Yes, there is a big reason, apart from the black man versus the white man, why black Africans are so ecstatic. There is a dire shortage, or even an absence, of truly committed black leaders in Africa who could be regarded as genuine role models. African leaders have largely contested flawed elections and tough coups against fellow Africans. The last triumph against the white man was when a country became independent from the colonialists. Since then there have never been a white versus a black scenario in Africa on such a scale. The tribal wars, oppression of fellow blacks, poverty, and famine are, to say the truth, the accepted way of life not worth a nation in Africa. So, for a long time now, there has been no reason to celebrate in Africa, nothing to shout home about.
There is far too much conflict in Africa. There is far much hunger, famine, war, arrogance and the stolen opulence of some of the dodgy leaders. But there are no national, or for that matter, continental heroes. Heroes belong to certain factions. These heroes are lauded by those factions, those sections of the society, those nations. But they do not transcend boarders to positively influence others who are not of their clan.
Only one man was able to break such barriers. Nelson Mandela. But Mandela was a passing hero. He did not dwell long enough in the presidency to lead a nation. He was not involved hands on long enough to do it. It is his legacy we laud.
You are young. You have loads of decades of leadership ahead of you. But one other thing that makes you a wonderful African – American, a different breed of a black man, is that you grew up in a society of endless dreams. You grew up among people who always looked ahead into future. People who wanted to better the present for the prosperity of future generations. You are, at present, one of those who were educated to be a meaningful member of the United States of America, of the world. Who in Africa, has been raised in such expectations? There might be such individualist, but there in the dark corners of the vast Dark Continent lurk men with evil intentions, men who brandish long knives, machetes, arrogance, malice and death. Who, among those aspirant to become genuine leaders, would dare waste their life in futility?



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We all know that Africa is corrupt to the bone right to the walls of her womb. Why waste valuable time trying to fix it when life will pass you by and the other challenges of life are not fulfilled? There are simply no role models in Africa. So we see all these malicious things happening and we shrug our shoulder and thank the Lord that we are still alive. But Obama, you grew up in a different world. In your country, individuals strive to achieve their dreams, they battle for perfection, they jostle for excellence, they achieve prosperity, and then they roll up their sleeves to protect the gains of their motherland. They guard over their treasure and are hawkeyed over their civil liberties and their democracy.

Civil liberties and democracy in Africa? You bet! The characteristics of Africa are simple and well known: a machete, a gun, famine, poverty, apathy, arrogance and the absence of law and values. Street kids, hoboes, displaced people who live under bridges and in the open and in the bushes, people with no respect to life and values fit the characteristics of Africa. Destitute orphans with no ambition to fend for themselves but are quick borrow heroes. That is what Africa has become. Shows me a black achiever from outside my motherland and I will ululate and celebrate and declare a holiday in their honor. Formula racing is a non sport on Africa but Africans swear by Hamilton. They point to the pictures on the wall of the Williams’ sisters with glee. Woods, Ali, Luther King, Malcolm X. Pause.
Ask them about a local hero and they immediately look to a machente lying by. Ask them how the harvest will be and they show you a barren land. Ask their children if they regard their parents as models and they ask you what makes you think somebody would look up to their parents.

Obama, you used the Phrase “ a beacon of hope …We in Africa look up to you as you shine and make Africa the world a place of hope and optimism. Roll up your sleeves sir, the celebrations are over. Work. Do not work to prove a point that a black man can do it better, do it as humanly as possible. Do not be spiteful, do not seek revenge. That is not your personality. That is not the teachings of your people. Your people, and yourself, are for freedom, success, prosperity and peace, they along with you aspire for love, happiness and infinite optimism.

Ohh! Obama show us the way…beyond freedom.

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