Black Americans & African Citizenship?
The African Union is proposing to give full citizenship to Black Americans in 2008. The concept has been under discussion for the past 4 years. The proposal was again discussed last year in Abuja at the 7th Leon H. Sullivan Summit and so far 12 countries have agreed to participate including Nigeria.
Hope Masters, daughter of the late Reverend Leon H. Sullivan [a US civil rights campaigner who struggled to get black Americans to share their wealth and experience with Africa] whom the Summit is named after, said: “Just as the people of different races in America have a place they call home, I believe we should just have a place we call our ancestral home.”
Masters insisted that key challenges included determining the specific ancestral homelands of black Americans as so many were left without even a basic knowledge of their place of origins or native languages.
The Leon H Sullivan Summit was attended by a number of prominent African American business leaders with the aim of encouraging Black investment in Africa. It was attended by leaders such as Andrew Young who was instrumental in creating Obasanjo’s library – BL – “loads of $$$$$$$$$$”
Can you imagine the discussion. Andrew Young who handed in his civil rights badge in exchange for coporate slime ball, liar and to quote Dixon “whore” (dont like the word but in this context and meaning it works “A person considered as having compromised principles for personal gain”.) Andy the slime ball sees $$$$$$ loads o money: – Nigeria prime target to advise on how to be steal US style rushes over to Aso Rock with this great idea. Seggs laps it up and whoopie 50 million naira in donations on the first day! Guess who is there? Yes Chevron. Chevron & Texaco. Apparently the library has now received billions in donations from local and foreign investors in Nigeria. (supposedly the whole affair is under investigation but so far nothing has materialised) Remembering that these deals are always two way affairs. Mr sell out Andrew Young now represents Nigeria’s interests in the US – and here he is with Mr VP – caption suggestions welcome
From what I have read the scheme was the idea of the Black American business community along with Obasanjo and some other African leaders so it is not necessarily about reconciliation and recognition of our ancestors who were stolen from their land and brutalised by the trans Atlantic slave trade but about $$$$$$$$$$. Nonetheless $$$ and cynicism aside I fully support the idea of giving Black Americans citizenship from an African country of their choice. But if Black Americans are to be offered dual citizenship then so too must Black British, Caribbeans, Haitians and all the Black descendants of slavery in Central and South America be included in the scheme – noting that the majority of Black descendants outside the US, UK and the Caribbean are the poorest of the poor, the dispossessed peoples . Are governments such as Nigeria and Tanzania going to give them citizenship too or is the scheme just for wealthy and middle class Black Americans.
Links: Petition: Support Dual Citizenship for African Americans in Africa
Tags: Africa; Black Americans
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I think I have mixed feelings about this. What’s the point giving free citizenship to African-Americans when there’s still tension between both sides resulting from not understanding each other enough.
On the other hand, this could eventually be the key to bringing us together. Who knows?
Azuka@ Yes i have been thinking about this all morning for lots of reasons. For example only the richer members of the Diaspora could take advantage of the citizenship should they choose to move to Africa – then again why would a Haitian or Peruvian Black person want to move to Tanzania? I think the scheme was set up to circumvent richer Black Americans from having to obtain work permits/visas to live in parts of Africa should they wish to work or set up businesses etc. i am sure i will have some more thoughts on this one
I think that the AU, on the way to a Pan-African government should allow all diasporic peoples of Africa to be citizens of the AU and NOT to any specific state in Africa. Enough of the micronationalism. In fact I think that every African should be given citizenship to the AU which would trump any national citizenship.
Africans in America will most likely be unable to trace their ancestry to any specicic country or ethnic group. Even if we bypass the amount of european genes in many African-Americans, the fact that we have been “intermixing” with each other regardless of country of origins for the past 500+ years, clearly means that any of us would be claiming citizenship to multiple places (most likely, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal,Benin, Togo, Angola). Therefore Continental citizenship makes the most sense for us as well as the entire body of Africans. Death to micronationalism and “tribalism”.
Maybe all of us “Black” Americans should get the new DNA test to determine which country our African ancestors hailed from to determine which country we should get dual citizenship in.
This just seems like a bunch of African-Americans romanticizing Africa! I think it would be great if Black Americans invested in Africa but they should really start with investing in Black communities in America! The ghettos here could use the influx of money from these supposed wealthy African-Americans!
Kym@ Yes start with your own back yard but this is about $$$$$ and then that would be too easy and as you say they dont get to fulfil their “romanticism about Africa. One thing is for sure African Americans in Africa sure do live well but some of them do good work too. Check the Sister Love NGO projects – they work in the US and here in SA – thats the kind of investments I would prefer to see rather than more capitalist ventures for create even more millionaires.
Sounds like a good idea to me! Do we get to vote? My people are from “all-over Africa” so we could cause a lot a trouble at the polls and with issues like tribalism, property ownership and stuff. Where do I sign up? Can I run for President?
BRE@ well i guess if you get citizenship you can do like the rest of us! Yea First Black American president!
I agree that the best thing would be a AU citizenship for African-Americans which would allow any individual to travel and settle within any African country at will.
I would not mind going to Africa at least once in my life, but I thought that Africa no longer considers black Americans as hers anymore because we are mixed. I don’t want to go and get beaten up by my Senegalese or South African brothers or sisters as soon as I step off the plane just because I have some European or American genes in me. If I am wrong, contact me and prove me wrong.
I have researched this subject for tens years as a personal pursuit to heal the ancestral ghost in my blood. I believe most of the utter confusion that comes out of the African american community stems from there lack of inbracing and listening to the ghost in our blood. I have recently filed documents in court claiming my ancestral organic jurisidiction to be linked through DNA to the Kru tribe of West Africa. I believe any african american or other brother or sister from any where in the diaspora should make a legal claim first as evidence of there committment to reconnecting to there ancestral homeland. Keep up the great work and add me to the process. It is unfortunate that we do not understand that true eco-nomics come from only land ownership not worthless federal reserve notes sitting in a strangers bank.
Years ago, my husband and I, African Americans from Midwest U.S.A., fought fiercely, to free Black South Africans from the oppression of apartheid. Because our brothers and sisters were suffering, we could not tolerate such cruelty. We were Pan-Africanists then, and now. The historical links we share with Africans are strong. We support dual citizenry for African Americans. It’s a logical way to reconnect the cords of Unity for empowering Africa. Our son is in Nigeria to establish a Children’s Village to house, feed and train the 11+ million anticipated orphans, an estimated count by 2010. We will continue to contribute, as will many other well-intentioned, qualified African Americans, to advance Africa. We also worked to reduce the Debt owed to the IMF. We are not asking for recognition, but only dual citizenship to broaden the scope of opportunity to bless Mother Africa.
Hello.
I don’t think this simply about the use or abuse of black wealth or corporate investors. This is not just an individual opinion; but speaks to provididng options and allowing for individual choice. Whether we are romanticizing about Africa or not; this can be the light in darkness for all African peoples who were displaced by slavery. Dual citizenship allows access to resources. Today it may seem like a vision only worth pursuing for the black person with money. Historically, money provides resources. It may be that this more fortunate population needs to start first. Someone must make it possible for others to follow by helping to create the trend and an economy that can support black westerners wishing to return. It can only be a positive to give someone a sense of belonging and an opportunity to live where their ancestors lived. It doesn’t matter which country they may chose. Every African country has something to gain and to give. It is the anwser to the lack of world wide self pride for the survivors of slavery that is reason enough. It will signify a great change in history for the black man and woman.
We all have earned citizenship into the African diaspora simply by surviving over 400 years of slavery and white imperialistic oppression. This healing process must start somewhere. All it takes is one person, one family and a generation at a time to rediscover who we really are and empower a township or nation. We are a people with a rich history and everyone should have the choice to live in their homeland again. Life is about a journey and mabey some of us would like to journey home!
Massai,I agree with you.They are so many Blacks in the Diaspora who are so qualified, but unrepresented in many areas of their societies and this has led many of them becoming restless and disillusioned, and having contempt for the lack of full opportunities in their societies.
In these times of globalization, where boundaries are fluid, many wouldn’t mind embracing a worldwide Black agenda towards empowering Africa as a center of full economic development.One of the big roadblock is that African nations are not united enough.If African nations within the OAU had followed the way of the European Union, these matters would have more resonance to be discussed at their meetings.
I have a problem with the lack of unity within Africa.North Africa with the Arabs and Islam still have too much power in calling too much of the shots. African statesmen have not been forthright in maintaining a pro African stance within the OAU. This stance should be devoid of religion and pro African. Foolish tribalism is still ringing strongly in Africa, when the outside world is uniting in different areas.
I do not see an African identity in my brothers and sisters from the continent. I still see Africans trying to mimic Westerns as if is the way to go. Anyone who has traveled to Europe, can notice right away the strong European identity that the people have. Sometimes in the African Diaspora, in a romantic way, we feel more African than Africans at home. I personally have always believed that I live in a cosmic Africa, having born and raised in Latin America. Wherever there is an area where people of African descent reside, Africa is present.
If African nations had followed the way of the European Union,African citizenship could be easily granted to many of us living in the Diaspora. It is really not going to be in the interest of elite controlled Africa with its Arab Islamic lackeys to open up the African doors to Africans in the Diaspora. I believe it is in their interest to see Africa divided, begging and pauperized. There has to be a movement in Africa to clean up house first before the Africans abroad can return, or else we are much better off in our new homelands.
I am a African American. Yes.. i think the motivation is about money. But lets look at the larger scope. As a divided people all over the world.. this is the first step toward unifying black people every where.. I think it should not be limited to my people but all that are of African ancestry. Why is it so hard for black people to unify.. even if it is about money.. White nations around the world do not have that problem. I am for anything that will bring us together. We are all black people. We are all brothers.. yes with different cultural backgrounds.. but brothers non the less.. we suffer from poverty, HIV, and discrimination by the hands of western countries.. A great African American educator once said that if we are told that we suppose to get on the back of the bus because we are educated that black people are suppose to that.. we will do it every time.. and if there is not door for which we will board.. we will make one because our education demands that we do it.. my point is that we have been educated in such a way to push away anything that will bring us together… White people have formed the European union… they are not fighting to separate them selves. Fight to unite!!!!
We need to be realistic, there is a lot of work to be done in Africa in terms of an African identity.Look at the foolish tribalism now in Kenya with the elections. As much as I love my brothers and sisters in Africa, as a daughter of of the Americas, I am scared stiff and cold of the constant tribal divisions. How on earth would we in the Diaspora be accepted by our continental African brothers and sisters with our different faces languages and cultures. I am Afro latina,could my people really have a haven in Africa, if Africans cannot even get along?The question may yield a very sad response.
I’m a 36yr old Black male in america who has for his whole life been seeking home. I’m very interested to see how this develops. Is gonna be a lot talk and no action or is something truly blessed gonna come of all this?
Im a African -American who lives in Florida. I too want to someday in my future go back to Africa to see for myself. I think we as African and African descent need to have something of value thats our own. The reason why we have the rise of crime and devistation in African-American communities is based on the fact that we dont belong here.This is not our place. We can go to Africa and build the same buildings and society that we built here in the Americas. I have a vision of doing just that. It can be done. You see the media is telling us that we cant have the same luxuries and comforts of America in Africa. Listen my Black people we can. We created these luxuries and comforts. Everything White America is enjoying is off the sweat and strength of us. Theres so much mystery in the world because H.I.S.T.O.R.Y. is just that -his story. We need to establish relationships with our brothers around the globe. From the carribeans, to Australia, to Europe, the Americas, you name it.
I dont say this to be a racists but to stop this disaster we need to go back and build what is ours.
Andre, I totally agree with you however, as Africans in the diaspora, wanting to “go back to africa” we must rid ourselves of the idea that we need to Americanize Africa. If that is the focus then the point is lost. Many Africans express their frustrations with African Americans who want to go back to their roots….but not really! I believe that if/when Africans in the diaspora choose to return they should focus on becoming part of host culture as opposed to forcing our culture onto them.
Examine the relationship of the African American decendants of Liberia and native people, it saddens me.
An interesting read on this is:
Lose Your Mother: A Journey Along the Atlantic Slave Route by Saidiya Hartman
If the Jewish people were able to return to their native land what makes it impossible for Africans?.
If the Jewish state of Isreal were able to turn the ruins of their God- given homeland into one the most prosperous Nation today,why shouldnt africans and Africans in Diaspora build a prosperous Africa?
It is only a matter of time.But happen it will.
The way I see it is very simple….Not a one of us know a thing of our TRUE history outside of the fact that our ancestors were brought to the Americas against their will…As an african american man in white america I welcome the chance to unite with my ancestiral past…instead of being so quick as to past judgement on rather we would, could or should have dual citizenship with the Africa…how about…GIVE IT A CHANCE…
This is a very interesting discussion which has crossed my mind quite a couple of times. However, most of Kenyan slaves hardly got to the United States. They must be the folks in Jamaica, Asia and those sides. Most of the folks in the US came from Central and West AFrica or google says…
I support the issue of giving them African citizenship then they can choose which country they would like to go to.
Shirohs last blog post..BLOG ACTION DAY
Shiroh & kmcd @ the interesting thing is that there are some 800,000 Africans who have never left the continent but who do not have citizenship from any country due to displacement from wars & famine, many in refugee camps. I would hope they too would be given citizenship. There are also millions of migrant workers whose status in their adopted countries are tenuous to say the least. These are far more pressing especially as many of those in these situations are the very poor and vulnerable.
i could like to comment on this topic it,s quite very difficult to give blak american citizenship in any africa country because themself they don,t regard themself as african
Why are Blacks so negative. There is not a problem of pursuing such interest because of money. How else can a nation grow with freedom and power if there is no money involved? You can’t make it in the world without money. If Africa want to recruit the richest, wisest, most intelligent black American then that is the right and wisest choice. You don’t begin with the brokedown ones. Let those who have the wits, money, and power lead the way. When the door becomes broader others can contribute. I think this should be given a chance. There will always be disagreements and friction. It happens within one own family, community, nation, and/or country. People are not perfect and we don’t live in a perfect. I am not afraid of conflict. For those who are interested should give it a chance, and those who are not interested should be left alon. Simple.
Can you imagine what could happen if the education, skill and expertise of African Americans, in fact, all peoples of African descent, were to wake up and recognize an opportunity to make Ghana the mecca of Africa. Imagine those who are retired or nearing retirement, went to Ghana and discovered that their USD went a lot further than in the USA. Plus, we could help build something great for our people, rather than White Europeans. Isn’t it time to give something back to our homeland? I, for one, have been unable to sleep since learning more about the open invitation for the Ghanain government. I have explored the Net for information about Ghana and thus far can find little to complain about. Why not entertain the idea of returning HOME and helping to build a new nation??? Beats sitting around waiting on the Grime Reaper to me anyway.
The US government will not allow such a program,this would strengthin Africa,another idea that was suggested was to release black men in US prisons to Africa just like the UK did in the 1700’s which form Australia,and help shape the US.