02May2024
I watched a film by Basil Davidson titled "Africa - (Episode 1) Different But Equal" by Basil Davidson and it made me think about Africa and care about Africa’s history because studying African history and politics gives us a deeper understanding of world history and especially of current events. The main points being made by Basil Davidson was how Africans were perceived in ancient times and modern times and how that perception impacts how racism started and still exists today. He also pointed out how whites and blacks were almost equal if you held them up side by side until the Atlantic Slave Trade. That period suddenly switched the mentality of people and then blacks were deemed inferior to their white counterparts. What struck me the most about the film was how in the beginning there was a mutual respect between Africans and Europeans. It was very interesting to hear that Africans were not as they are mainly portrayed in history as ignorant, savages. He explained that Africans had a unique culture that involved art and technology. He really challenged the stereotypes that we are made to assume are truths about early Africa. He effectively dispelled the argument that Africa was home to underdeveloped and uncivilized human beings. He argued that throughout the years Africans have made great accomplishments, and uses that to contrast the popular belief that Africans were inferior.
The profits the United States reaped from the trans-Atlantic slave trade jumpstarted our industrial revolution and laid the economic foundations of this nation. African history intertwines with the history of other cultures. Africa has been incorrectly portrayed for many years and the history as we know it was made up mostly of European non-truths because they did not understand them. It is important for everyone to know the truth and to care about an entire nation of people that were incorrectly thought of an inferior when really they were equal in thought and intelligence. Below is a short Ted Talk by Basil Davidson. It is about the history of the African writing system. Check it out, it is interesting.
Hey Willie,
Davidson's episode sounds very interesting I hope to watch it soon thanks to you. It makes a lot of sense that the misrepresentation of Africa would contribute to racism. They viewed Africans as animals and enslaved them and these ideals don't simply go away because of laws especially if they aren't enforced heavily.
You gave us so many important points in your blog which I found interesting. I agree with you on the topic of racism that you spoke about. In this day and time its sad that we are dealing with racism. I personally think that it will never go away.