You are the Makers of History!
  • Home
  • More Historic Pictures!
  • Books
  • Hit Us Up
  • Blog
  • Coming Events
  • Videos
  • Donations

The New African Man

9/17/2015

3 Comments

 
Picture

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.

3 Comments
Betty Holladay link
9/17/2015 11:00:58 pm

Have at it! Good writing...good values...good African man.

Reply
Nabeeh Mustafa
9/18/2015 12:08:06 am

Well brother, I guess that answers so many of the questions that myself and others might have regarding Ajahmu Umi. Well spoken and you remain one of my heroes.....

Reply
Adrian Swanston
8/14/2020 01:46:15 am

Reading your sentiments of being an African man, I felt my soul was in an echo chamber. Every word you wrote is the mirror image of my being. How wonderful meeting those of similar sensibilities. Peace.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author

    I don't see disagreement as a negative because I understand that Frederick Douglass was correct when he said "there is no progress without struggle."  Our brains are muscles.  Just like any other muscle in our body if we don't stress it and push it, the brain will not improve.  Or, as a bumper sticker I saw once put it, "If you can't change your mind, how do you know it's there?"

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    June 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly