What does Africa mean to me? Africa itself used to seem like a faraway land to me, just like the author alludes to in the poem "Heritage" by Countee Cullen. Living in the United States, although Africa is part of my heritage, I felt disconnected from the people of Africa and the homeland itself. The images I had in my head were that which were drawn from what I had seen on television and movies. Before coming to Morgan State University, I had never been exposed to the African diaspora, so being aware of the real African voyage and its people was relatively new to me.
However, because of my recent exposure, I now understand why the African history seems so far removed from the African Americans that reside in the United States. I believe the knowledge of Africa was purposely eliminated from our memory registers to further enable white control. That control has lasted through the Atlantic Slave Trade, the Jim Crow Era, and even into the 21st century with our nation now trying to minimize and drive out even our tumultuous treatment in America, let alone the wonders of Africa. Because of what I know now, Africa represents a land of beautiful misunderstood, and mistreated people. Africa is place where the birth of resiliency was born. These slaves had to be resilient in order to survive the passage to a foreign land, learn a foreign language, survive the most horrible and despicable treatment known to man, and still rise to one day run the country that enslaved them. In the poem, the author seems to compare Africa to the United States in a way that seems like we should stifle the knowledge of our homeland because if we let the Africa part of us rise up, it may disturb the orderly white life that America built for us. The African diaspora is a journey to finding truth, dispelling myths, and finding our inner connection with our culture and history. This is what I think of Africa.
Hello, I loved the video clip that was attached to your blog, gave great insight on Africa. I also agree with you with on how the knowledge of African is being eliminated. Now and days you hear very little about Africa. It should be acknowledged more.
Hey Willie!
I think what stood out to me within your piece was that you mentioned you’re honestly on your knowledge on African Diaspora. I think I also kind of relate to having minimal knowledge so that definitely stood with me. On the other hand I also think your perspective of our knowledge of our history, good and bad, being white controlled definitely needs to be addressed! Maybe we can hear more on that specific topic in further blogs.
Hearing from a relatively more mature perspective was interesting. I enjoyed the fact pieces that you included in here. It took a new sense to allow yourself to even bring up such necessities. I didn't consider Africans in leu of African Americans. I looked more towards the "full-bred" individuals born in African from the source. I enjoyed reading your work.
Hello Willie,
I enjoyed reading your blog as well and seeing your perspective on things. I really took interest when you mentioned how many African Americans are so out of touch with their African history. I feel as though it is important for us African Americans to take the time out and really learn more about our culture and the history as to where we come from. Many people do not take the time to really figure out or learn about their roots. Overall, I loved reading your blog and it was great reading how you were able to see much more of the African diaspora whilst being at Morgan. Thanks for sharing your post with us. -Treiné
Hi Willie.
Very interested thoughts, some of which I feel we all have thought or will at some point if we keep living! I am much older now myself and I can remember when I step foot on the campus of MSU and taking my first African Diaspora class with Dr. Fleetwood. That class changed my life and I am forever grateful for the experience. I see so much more now clearly including a poem like this. Our struggle is real and very vivid just like this poem, it lifts and carries us over the words so beautifully. We come from great people and a great place and our spirits long for this place of peace called Home! Go…