Gerald Caplan on Obama

[Mr Ogochukwu Nweke]

Caplan's presentation relating to African history and the reason(s) why things have gone wrong in Africa are not only quite illuminating, but also gives credence to a lot of the suspicions that a lot of African youth have had of the West. It is not clear however, whether he is speaking of Obama as an American, as an African, or as an American president. Granted, it might be very difficult to separate Obama from his present office; and we are all trying so hard to see if we can, while hoping at the same time that he is not used to devastate Africa a little more because of the hope and pride we repose in him. Yet I must say that Caplan's position in disregarding certain truths in Obama's assertions are quite academic, and Western analysts must cease to reduce African issues to mere academic discussions-building theories out of very clear situations. Two things stand out very clearly from Obama's visit (and speech), namely; 1. The future of Africans depends on Africa- and to this extent, we must begin to hold our leaders accountable, fighting corruption and anyother thing that comes with it, including the intereference from and involvement of the West. 2. The future and lives we live in Africa as Africans will stem from the decisions that we make-we thus must begin to see ourselves as stakeholders, pursuing after the right kind of information and applying ourselves to them. We must not reduce Obama's speech to the level where it looks like he was saying that America will support Africa... It was much more than that (besides, Africans are becoming wiser-we don't need foriegn aid to become better people, and we don't need to become better people merely because we need foriegn aid. We are bigger than that). He woke the sleeping up, and reminded the awake that the destiny of Africa (whether in weeding out the wrong seeds and correcting misinformations of colonialism, or rebuilding our broken walls and bridges) is in the hands of Africa. Any other support must be seen from the perspective of contribution to global advancement... something Africa can do for anyother nation-even America. **************************************************** Ogochukwu Chidiebere Nweke The 42nd Generation International Ghana. +233 (0)-246-273-798 www.africantalks.wordpress.com www.singleyouth.blogspot.com African? Never stop thinking... A New Africa is Possible