Colonialism and Imperialism 1

As different as Nigerians are from South Africans, we still share some patterns of experience as people who have been oppressed by colonialism and imperialism. My body and my mind are in the U.S., but my soul and spirit will always be connected to Africa. As I keep abreast of the economic upheaval and political unrest on the continent, I become restless and frustrated, knowing somehow that these problems have a strong link to the historical activities of colonialism and its voracious offspring: neo-colonialism and imperialism. Working on the Sharing Cultures Project team keeps the African struggle at the forefront of my mind. The pain of South Africa’s past troubles has been deeper and more intense than most other African countries. Watching the South African people rise, run, and begin to fly has inspired me to have hope for the rest of the continent.

Presently, I wear two of those popular plastic bands that signify support for a cause – a yellow one and a green one. These bands are bright and conspicuous so people often ask me about them, which is, of course, one of the purposes of the bands. Interestingly, people ask mostly about the yellow band because they know it is the symbol of support for cancer research. As I explain why I support that drive, I hope that they ask about the green band too. They hardly ever do. The inscription on the green band reads, “Not on my watch. Save Darfur.” It is an important cause that reflects the peoples’ struggle in the Sudan but also symbolizes the struggle across the continent. I wish more people wore the green band, or at least cared about it, but the reality is that Africa always seems to be in the distant background of Western minds while other world concerns enjoy a front seat. So, I have come to understand that passing along and promoting the knowledge of Africa falls to the few who truly care about it. My Sharing Cultures Project experience helps to keep this initiative fresh and urgent in my mind.