Our Vision toward a Reality

 In recent years several factors indicate that sub-Saharan African countries are having leadership crises. The citizenry is growing tired looking for a promising and better future, both politically and economically. It is no surprise that the yearnings for reform are growing wider every day, but we do so knowing that it will require an accountable and dedicated leadership to bring about the necessary reform Africa and her people so desperately need. The Africa Solidarity Council, Inc. believes that Africa’s condition today, vis-à-vis the rest of the world (political, economic, educational, and social), is pathetic. The Council recognizes that at least three ements are necessary in order to change this condition. The Council believes that we need: (1) strong leadership to develop strong leadership that is always cognizant of Africa’s place and position in the world, or lack thereof, that must be understanding of her and her peoples’ needs; (2) strong leadership that sees and accepts dialogue as a potent instrument for reaching a consensus- essential ingredient for realizing a common goal; and at the same time tuned in, at all times, to the aspirations and hopes of Africa and her people, (3) strong leadership that understands the role of government in setting the pace, creating necessary environment, providing guidance, creating and building institutions that make up an internal machinery that foster development, peace, and security. (4) strong and confident leadership that sees a rejuvenated and self-reliant Africa of today and tomorrow as the "big picture", the goal, while seeing its role today as but a little part that must be played today toward realizing this goal, and as such considers it as its bounding duty to build today or add to today, or improve upon today, while on the stage today, the eeconomic, social, and political infrastructure necessary for smooth transition of government and new leadership. Thus, this leadership becomes unselfis, for Africa’s sake, unafraid, unbought, in fact, devoted to playing its part and playing it well today so that one day, Africa will become a haven for herself and her people and help stop the exodus of her people escaping from persecution, internal strife, and hunger or even in search of the so-called better living - the comfortable nothingness.

WHAT IS THE AFRICA SOLIDARITY COUNCIL, (A.S.C.), INC.?

The A.S.C., Inc. is an organization unlike any other, devoted to a crusade of building trust, friendship, and understanding between African immigrants and non-immigrants out of Africa and between Africans at home. It is not a social or a fraternal organization. However, socialization, fraternization, and service are but essential oil that greases its hub. The Council is not a self-serving (or a critical bystander, always criticizing but offering no solutions of its own) mouthpiece, but an entity with views and purpose, believing that coalition, dialogue with friends and foes alike, and constructive criticisms of ourselves and our leadership, while maintaining open and friendly channels of communication, are but essential ingredients for today’s nation-building business. Our posture is that there should be the introduction of a process, if lacking, or addition to the process, if present, for the rebuilding of the nations of Africa that we, as Africans, must be about today so that tomorrow our posterity will be proud of us and thankful that we were here. This should be the ultimate goal for every African, leader or follower, and a rallying cry for us all. The Council is an organization open to all views from friends as well as non-friends, and willing at the end of a dialogue to reconcile our differences, but unflinching in our goal, in light of the larger interest we seek: service to the members of the African immigrant and non-immigrant community here in the U.S. and beyond, including Africans on the Continent; seek solidarity and friendship between African immigrants and non-immigrants here in the U.S. and beyond, including Africans on the Continent; and work for the economic and political upliftment of the nations of the Continent of Africa. The ultimate goal of all is the development of a new, vigorous, and engaging leadership to direct Africa’s future and the future of her people in the world scheme of things.

 WHY NOT ORIGINATE THIS IN AFRICA?

In Africa, communication with one another is difficult. Discourse is very formal (at the governmental level, at best) and impersonal. We see each other as strangers and measure one another by our limitations and differences rather than seeing our boundless qualities and similarities. Our colonial experience and years of reconditioning, nay, reprogramming, under that system have made strangers of us to each other with the result that we consciously or unconsciously emphasize our differences rather than seeking and reinforcing what we have in common. This environment becomes an equalizing force of sorts, where place and position are as fluid as they come and flow. Subsequently, our common destinies, hitherto unbeknownst to us, become as clear as the glass, and perhaps, we might work together after all. This is our hope.

AND WHY OUTSIDE OF AFRICA, SAY, HERE IN THE U.S.?

Here, Destiny has brought both the African immigrant and non-immigrant together probably for the sole purpose of forcing us to see and appreciate our similarities and at the same time see our shortcomings and the shortcomings of the continent in the areas of political, economic, educational, and social development. Being strangers here, we are forced by circumstance to identify with our similarities and what we see as our common interest better than when we were on the continent. Also, we can become simple and informal in our dealings with each other and communication is feasible. The problems facing us as a people can be more objectively discussed with a sort of detachment that allows us to realize how we, from the different nations of Africa, are burdened by the same political, educational, economic, and social ills. An opportunity exists for us to use this awareness of being the same people to create a unifying front to protect, educate, and foster the interest of the African immigrant and non-immigrat here in the United States and elsewhere, as well as the interest of our brothers and sisters on the Continent.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS MOVEMENT/CRUSADE?

Fundamentally, the purpose is to build unity between immigrant and non-immigrant Africans here in the United States, for starters, through friendship and service with the ultimate goal of collectively laying the foundation for the rebirth of a new leadership to lead and serve a new and invigorating Africa and her people. A new leadership for an enterprising people who look inwards to Africa for solutions to their needs, hopes, aspirations, and the fulfillment of their lives they only can define. Of equal importance, is the need to recreate the spirit of pan-Africanism and to use this spirit to create a higher tolerance level for, deeper patience with, and appreciation for, one another, understanding that we, as Africans, share common destiny.

WHO ARE THE LEADERS OF THIS CRUSADE?

They will be men and women from the African immigrant and non-immigrant community here in the United States or elsewhere, including Africans on the Continent. These are men and women who identify with certain philosophy and share common principles and vision for creating a new and viable Africa. Individuals who are guided by the courage of their conviction and their unselfish willingness to serve the African immigrant and non-immigrant here or elsewhere, including the African at home. These are men and women who cherish each other’s friendship, respect and trust each other and have an abiding love for, and a consuming dedication to, Africa and her people. If you think you belong, you probably do, then, come along.

HOW DOES A.S.C., INC. INTEND TO BUILD THIS MOVEMENT/CRUSADE?

By becoming a clearing house of sorts for providing services to the African immigrants and non-immigrants as a way of reaching out and building friendship and trust with one another, both here in this country and elsewhere, and ultimately extending this friendship and trust to our peoples on the continent. Friendship through volunteering and service.

 WHAT KIND OF SERVICES WILL A.S.C., INC. PROVIDE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE AFRICAN IMMIGRANT/NON-IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY HERE AND AND THROUGHOUT THE U.S.?

The A.S.C., Inc., as a nonprofit corporation, is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The objectives of the corporation are: (1) To establish and operate a community-based information, social, and a cultural center for educational, employment, cultural, and adjustment for African immigrants and non-immigrants in the Washington Metropolitan Area and throughout these United States, including students, civil servants (both in government and in private industry), and members of the diplomatic corps, and engage in research on matters affecting Africans in Africa and African immigrants and non-immigrants in the United States, or elsewhere in the world. (2) To provide crisis intervention counseling and/or service in the areas of legal matters, career objectives, employment training opportunities and placement; to encourage and promote, through public education, social and cultural exhibitions, the teaching and learning of African languages to our children, including the contributions of our ancestors to present day civilization; to assist African immigrants and non-immigrants who may be in need of social and health services, such as health insurance, and to work with other organizations and agencies to provide housing and housing assistance. (3) To conduct and sponsor studies and research on economic, social and other educational subjects, particularly, organizing and conducting seminars, community forums, debates, lectures, and similar activities, on leadership building and citizenship and the role of citizens in creating efficient and effective governance. (4) To encourage the development of keen interest in the issues that concern Africa and its people both at home and abroad. As part of achieving this, the A.S.C., Inc. will establish a liaison between itself and all the African embassies through which links can be connected to the various countries on the continent. (5) To promote friendship, cooperation, and improved relations between the varous African countries and their peoples, both at home and abroad, through their citizens, and to disseminate relevant information, conduct food drives, and seek donations that may assist in relieving poverty and hunger, and work to improve our education and the health of all Africans, at home and abroad. Most important, The Africa Solidarity Council will work tirelessly in promoting friendship ties among all Africans irrespective of creed or your preferred country of identification, and will work with any group that is truly concerned with the welfare and interest of Africans at home or abroad, and in the furtherance of this stated ideal.

WHY DOES THE A.S.C., INC. NEED ME OR MY HELP?

We believe that true friendship between two or more persons is neither imposed, derived, nor created from abstraction. Rather, it is a phenomenon that is cultivated, built, and constantly nurtured by the persons desirous of each other’s friendship. In order to become friends, individuals will get to know each other, share common interests, and finally develop a liking for one another that will permit both persons to appreciate and respect each other and in the process develop a higher tolerance level for each other’s natural or acquired idiosyncrasies because of the bond both share and have expressed. We also believe that the present state of our beloved Africa, vis-a-vis the rest of the world, is an issue of great concern to many which qualify as a concern of common interest to us all, and therefore, serves as a rallying point for this coveted friendship. We equally believe that work and school scheduling and other individual commitments regarding family responsibilities may not always permit this personal interaction. However, expression of goodwill and support, both in cash and in kind, and with your presence, whenever feasible, are viewed as wholesome manifestations of your intention to become a part of this friendship crusade. Equally important, we believe, is that cash donations will assist the A.S.C., Inc. in providing the services enumerated above to the African immigrant/non-immigrant community. We definitely want to cultivate friendship with you and we need your help and participation to do so.

Ambassador of Mauritius Encourages the A.S.C., Inc.

 October 28, 1998*A Newsletter of The Africa Solidarity Council, Inc.*Volume 1, Issue 3

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