The New African Man

I'm an African man.  That's my identity, thank you.  I know some of you guys prefer to just say you are a man.  That's very idealistic, but not very realistic.  Our nationhood (being African) is the first thing everyone sees when they see us so for me, ignoring that, or pretending it isn't an issue is at best a fantasy and at worst, extremely dangerous.  I'm an African man.  Not american.  Not black.  African.  That's my history, my culture, and my future, period.  My future as an African is tied to the future of the African continent.  Whether I want that to be the case or not.  Whether I like it or not.  Whether I want to change it or not, it's the reality.  Unlike some, I not only accept that, I embrace it wholeheartedly. I love Africa.  Let me repeat myself.  I love Africa.  Africa is primary to me and I will work for her my entire life.  

I'm an African man who fights daily to destroy patriarchy within myself and within society.  It's a struggle, but it has to be my priority. I have to check myself and other men.  I have to place myself in uncomfortable positions which I do all the time.  And, just like Africans get upset with Europeans when they respond to our reactions about being oppressed with self interest, I have to challenge my brothers and men comrades who want women to respond to patriarchy with gentleness.  They can respond whichever way they see fit and I promise not to take it personal.  

I'm an African man who supports the struggles of all oppressed people.  I support the struggle of the Indigenous people of the Western Hemisphere.  The Palestinians.  The Irish.  The struggles of people who are gay and transgender.  And, don't waste your time telling this African man that my support for those struggles somehow diminishes my strength as an African man.  I understand that strength is defined by being willing to stand up for something because it's right, despite the consequences.  Anyone can stand up for what's popular.  Anyone can represent something they know everyone around them already agrees with.  It's takes a truly courageous person to stand up for what's right.  I'm not a woman.  I'm not gay.  I'm not transgender, but I'm a human being so since I've experienced oppression my entire life, I'm very sensitive to it and I have an intense hatred for oppression of any kind, against anyone.  I hate the fact I'm programmed to perpetuate oppression.  And, I'm committed to standing up and fighting back against oppression of any kind against any people.  And, it's very difficult for me to understand why any African would have a hard time seeing that.  We have spent the last 500 years civilizing this country with our collective and humanist culture.  I don't understand why some of us are determined to take on the intolerant attitudes and behaviors of the people who oppress us.  I think the strongest man is the one who doesn't shy away from being criticized.  Being attacked.  I'm attacked all the time and I will stand with it because I'm an African man.  

I'm an African man.  I am a revolutionary who refuses to see the problems and solutions within the context of the capitalist system.  I am also an African man who isn't afraid to recognize that socialism is a great pathway towards solving many of the problems we face.  I'm an African man who isn't bedazzled by revolutionary rhetoric.  I know socialist revolution alone won't solve most of our problems e.g. white supremacy and patriarchy.  A social revolution is needed and I must continue to immerse myself in it.

I'm an African man.  I may not be the African man you want me to be. I am trying to redefine what being an African and what being a man means.  The redefinition doesn't include patriarchy or an american focus.  I'm an African man.  If I make you mad, I'll listen and evaluate to determine if there's something in my behavior I need to change.  And, I'll work on changing.  If the issue is not adverse and is positive, I'll ramp up the behavior, even if it infuriates you.  

I'm an African man.  The new African man.  I'm not perfect, but I'm determined.  Get used to me.  There's more of us in the future.