Be a proud African who contributes to global development – Bubune Ashigbey

This essay was written by my daughter Bubune Ashigbey as a requirement for the Yale Young African Scholars programme. It makes for interesting reading.

To be African, as a prominent Nigerian poet once said, “to be a person proud and joyful to belong to a wonderful continent full of riches and prosperity”. But, a very prominent politician also said,” An African is a person who can’t even point to their hometown, knowing very well that it is found in a continent full of filth, corruption and backward movement in terms of progress”. But I actually really disagree with both of them. I believe in my own view.

Currently, Africa can be said to be a continent which is very rich in culture on the positive side. From festivals such as Homowo, Hogbetsotso and Chale Wote carnival, then our dances, food and so many more. Some might say it’s mostly our color, that is being black-skinned or as others will say, being ‘black’. But I think that that does not constitute a true African because some Africans such as Algerians, Tunisians, Egyptians and some South Africans are all not dark-skinned. Some are light-skinned or very fair. Being African actually deals with what is inside the African. That means her attitude, demeanor, the way of speaking(language) and more is what really makes up the African.

Everything has a good and a bad side, our culture has its pros and cons too. Unfortunately, our culture is sometimes judged by foreigners. They believe that parts of our culture, usually practices, rituals, and taboos are superstitious. This is usually the foundation of racism in total. Racism can be termed as the belief that peoples qualities are influenced by their race and that the members of their race are not as good as yours. Africans have really suffered from racism. In the past, racism used to be very harsh with colonization and slavery. But in the 21^st century, it seems to have decreased significantly, but sometimes, the internet does not help with outsiders taking advantage, making racist comments about Africans. But now things have changed and the African has stopped being submissive and now fights for her rights. Therefore, sometimes an African can be said to be one who is seen as superstitious, (believes in things which cannot be scientifically proven), in the 21^st century, fights for his rights when need be.

Language is now also a huge part of an African. In Africa, like some parts of Asia, each country has its own official language, usually adopted from their colonial masters. For example, Nigeria’s official language is English, Benin’s official language is French while Sao Tomé’s official language is Portuguese. But I feel like what really makes an African, is its ethnic language. In Ghana, some dominant ones are Akan, Ga, Ewe, Hausa and Dagaati, continentally, Swahili is a dominant language. I have had an experience with a dark-skinned, Zulu speaking woman in South Africa. That was the language spoken mostly at that part of South Africa. When I approached the woman and asked her if she could teach me the basic words and phrases in Zulu to aid in my communication with others in the town. She was ecstatic and eager to help. From her reaction, one could tell she was eager to help because she was proud of her language and wanted to share it with others. So a true African is proud to able to speak her African language.

So in summary, being African in this 21^st century is to be someone unique and diverse in their own special way, despite racism but is still optimistic and proud to belong to Africa.

bubune@ashigbey.com

This post has already been read 1300 times!