Courage is central to our

dignity and it is also central to nation-building

Immigrant and non-immigrant Africans come from large, diverse, and complex continent. While on the continent, we knew little of each other. We saw each other as mere strangers sojourning from one country to the other in search of life=s bounties. Now, Providence has brought us together here in the U.S. and we still know very little of each other. In fact, we conduct our activities while here in this country still as sojourners and total strangers to one another. At a time when society is reminded of the time-honored African adage that says Ait takes a village to raise a child@, it seems the immigrant and non-immigrant African in the U.S. has adopted a new slogan: Aeach to his or her own and none for all.@ Consequently, we conspicuously shy away from engaging on matters of the day as they affect Africans and Africa. Or at best, we speak ineffectively with multiple voices on such matters. Unless we are suffering from collective amnesia, there is no denying of the fact that we find ourselves, day in day out, immersed in gross inequities because of political and institutionalized indifference, lack of sensitivity, and certain mind sets.

But let=s face it, a common thread runs through Africa and its people. If you don=t believe this, I suggest you review our history and you will discover that the Mende people transcend the African countries of Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Liberia. You will also discover that the Yoruba people can be found in Nigeria, Togo, and Benin. And as you continue to thumb through the pages of history you will note that the Malinkes are all over Africa. Must we, therefore, allow mere nomenclature to dictate to, say, a Yoruba person from Nigeria to dissociate himself of herself from the brother or sister from Benin or Togo simply because they hail from different geographical entities? The spirit of pan-Africanism that has been demonstrated in the past forty years must be replicated here in the U.S. if the immigrant and non-immigrant Africans living in the U.S. are brought together by Destiny and we can only advance our interest (politically, economically, culturally, and socially) when we become organized and become active participants in aspects of the life of the community in which we live. Thishas been the experience of other immigrants and non-immigrants from other parts of the world and the African immigrants and non-immigrants cannot afford to continue to do otherwise.

The outcome of our passivity is our being marginalized because, in a society that ascribes political relevevance to a constituency and constituency-building, we do not possess clout that only unity, through effective organization, brings. Or we speak ineffectively with multiple voices, at best, such that we are not considered serious discussants of the issues that affect the community in which we live and work. We are, therefore, left out of any discussions or efforts aimed at seeking solutions to society=s problems or sharing in her bounty, even when we, and our children, are as affected as any other member of the society. Because of this seemingly lack of serious lack of serious engagement on our part in society=s issues or even in issues that affect the African immigrant and non-immigrant community proper, others are invited to the table to speak on our behalf and/or represent our interests. The unfortunate thing about it is that we do not share any cultural or ethnic commonalities with such persons except, perhaps, a visit to Africa that may not have involved deep interaction with the natives and/or similarity gained through natural attributes. Such persons are profoundly unaware of what fulfills an African, immigrant, non-immigrant or native.

Oftentimes we find ourselves agreeing with a concept but are unwilling or unprepared to bring the concept to existence. In such a situation, we are in effect saying, AI agree with the concept you propound but I don=t want to get involved because to get involved is to become exposed and that may inflict some uncomfortable conditions that I may not be prepared to deal with on my own and alone.@ Thus, like the proverbial ostrich, we bury our heads in the sand not realizing that everything else, from our neck to our toes, is starkly and unprotectedly exposed. And we are till on our own and alone! Therefore, we will need all of us to cover all of us while our respective heads are high and erect. This pathetic attitude about ourselves indicates something else that is profoundly absent in our development as a people. This quality that is lacking is what the existential philosophers call Athe courage to be.@

Courage is central to our dignity and it is also central to nation-building. Courage is something that everyone possesses but seldom uses or demonstrates. Usually we think of courage as a quality only revealed in dire situations, such as when our lives or the lives of our loved ones are threatened or in desperation or pain. But there is another king of courage. It is the everyday courage to be an African and act African when there is no compelling reason to do so. It is the courage to resist tribalism and sectionalism and the division they bring. It is the courage of an elected official or leader (elected or not) to stand up for his or her people. It is the courage to be your brother=s or your sister=s keeper. Above all, it is the courage to be true to oneself, to have and cherish the love of, and duty to, country, continent, and race. But very importantly, it is the courage to know what side you are on and fight for it.

Every generation will be tested for its courage. For one generation it may be active commitment to the eradication of tribalism and sectionalism and the divisive sentiments they conjure. For another it may be the promotion of the dignity of the black man and woman. Our forebears chose to commit their lives and efforts in the courage to fight foreign domination and rid us of colonialism. We must today, decide what our own goals should be, what our courage should stand and fight for. In the words of the late Patrice Lumumba, an indomitable son of Africa, first Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo, AWe are Africans and wish to remain so. We have our philosophy, our customs, our traditions which are as noble as those of other nations. To abandon them merely to embrace those of other peoples would be to depersonalize ourselves. Our objectives, . . . must be to unite and build our nation [continent] through mutual understanding.@ That statement was made to a European journalist who visited him while he was in detention. He held his head high while facing death and still spoke eloquently about us. What a courage!

# And We Can Only Advance Our Cause When We Unite

Therefore, it is obligatory that we change this unhealthy and unhelpful condition. In order to do this, we must come together for in unity lies strength. And as we come together, let us develop mutual respect for one another, maintain cohesion and cooperation in the process, and most important, develop a higher tolerance level for each other=s natural and acquired idiosyncracies. Let us rise from the throes of mental illiteracy, apathy, and self-hate. Let us learn to become comfortable with our own identity and be proud of our heritage. Let the African seek ultimate freedom from his mental slavery that his goodness brought upon himself and his foolishness has perpetuated knowing that we, both man, woman, and child can become, in the words of Mazi Mbonu Ojike, another indomitable son of Africa, Aa community too stable to be unproductive, to dynamic to be static, to dignified to be unimpressive, and too African to be Western. Thus, I made a solemn plea for us to come together. If we will do this, we will have at our disposal the immeasurable strength and apabilities our diversity will bring. If we will do this, we will be on the side of Africa today and tomorrow. Let us therefore come forth and match with the conscience that conjures commitment heavily laden with creative attitude to rid Africa of the politics of ethnicity. As we match, let us be ready to do battle for the sacred, vital issues of life; ready to do battle for the principles of justice, goodwill, and brotherhood. And ready to do battle for a new and invigorating Africa. Let us do what other groups do: be cohesive and viable and help make a difference at home. Thank you.

UNITEUNITE

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