As the year wears out, the gale strength of the yuletide is strongly felt in every corner of the nation. Not even the smallest village where people get to wear fine clothes once a year is spared this phenomenon. This is also a perfect time for Ghanaians living abroad and other nationals to touch base with their folks home. Osu is fast growing into a cosmopolitan city with its famous Oxford Street serving the purpose of New York’s Manhattan. With unending pubs, restaurants, clubs among others, it is certainly a must-go place for all these visitors from far and near.
Kris is an American citizen born and raised in the city of Detroit. The Michigan State University graduate doesn’t hide his Spanish descent. These give the young African American a complex identity. Kris couldn’t be left off the Xmas trip to the former Gold Coast. His smart and observant character was enough for him to make a lot out of his two week stay in GH. On the shoreline of the famous La pleasure Beach, he carefully observed a GH ‘business’ Rastafarian in a hearty chat with a white lady. Kris wouldn’t hesitate to voice out on this global phenomenon which the West seems not ready to deal with.
Yes! It is a global phenomenon with its ugly head finding its foot in every corner of the universe. The so called western and advanced countries will always remain chief suspects of this canker. One wonders if they could ever delete it from their scholarly dictionaries. This evil, Racism can be defined as the belief that people of different races have different qualities and abilities, and that some races are inherently superior or inferior. Kris like several other activist keeps dreaming of a day when its foundation could no longer hold, hence its complete collapse.
‘‘I am one person who is never comfortable with the whole idea or issue of this global evil called racism. I have always wondered how it really came about who how the idea developed. It is very criminal to human existence- it is never right for anyone to go ahead and so another less of a human being. This is not just right and also fair. I think every one needs to help so this thing is cast out of the world. It is very crazy!’’. These were the seductive tone words that came out of his mouth in a very passionate but dramatic manner.
His belongs to the school of thought that strongly condemns this evil and will never compromise playing the level game. Several people keep factoring in the level of racism among individual nations but this Kris thinks is not the issue. He was quick to disagree with the opinion that racism is on the subtle level when it comes to the United States of America. To him, it is a mere illusion aimed at diverting attention from this evil which truly exists. Such a thing paints a picture of hiding behind a shade scenario.
‘‘It is very difficult for me to understand those who claim racism is on a subtle level in the states. I think it is another way of saying racism is good. I don’t know how you seem to understand this statement. Anyway I think it is very inappropriate for anyone to say such a think. I think everyone should face the fact and be honest. Blacks form about 13% of the American population but you have blacks forming over 80% of the population in the counties prisons, and what can be said of this. The justice system is even racist. A drunken white guy steals a car from MSU and in the process kills an old man. He is sentenced to less than a decade in jail. Another black student does almost the same without killing anyone but rather injuring one student. He received over two decades of prison sentence. Can we call this just, so what is this called?’’
Kris doesn’t just feel bitter about this evil because everyone is marching against it, but rather due to his own experiences. And experience they say is always the best teacher. ‘‘I had my colleagues at G.E refer to me as a negga for several times and this influenced my decision to resign from the company. You go into a shop and you don’t get service because you are blacks. That is the stereotype and blacks are seen not to be wealthy. I think it must not be accepted. Just imagine an Indian American asking a newly matriculated African student how he felt the first time he wore clothes after coming to the states.’’
Martin King Luther’s dream could have come to pass with a black man from Kenya as the president of the United States of America. But the question is if he can eradicate racism even with a reform of the justice system. With this evil, is the United States justified in imposing its so called democracy on other nations even when its black minority remain marginalized. As their motto goes, in God we trust, we expect them to do what is of God. May the same God bless black president Obama and Kris as he’s landed a new job with the ministry of Defence!
By Chris Koney
chriskoney@gmail.com
Racism is an evil on its own and when the time is due for the blacks to shine even more than the star,the whole world will see the importance of the blacks.
ReplyDeleteBlacks need to start utilizing their resources to the benefit of themselves and stop depending on the practitioners of racism.
whether black or white, we are all made by the same God. The only difference is the body color which is due to the geographical location of each race.
Who knows Obama would be brought to a lime light like this? God better bless the Blacks.
I am happy we still have some loud black voices like yours...calling on the black masses to know who the are...tnx Chris.
ReplyDeletei think an issue such as this is very problematic and should be dealt with in a very tactful manner... i feel the effort to 'eradicate' the idea(racism) begins with conscious individual attempts to do away with this perception.
ReplyDeletethat said, the tone in ur article is very, very racist in itself... from the choice of language, to the writer's tone to even the photograph chosen to complement the piece... the title "Can the West love and appreciate the Black race", i feel, is defeatist. from this, you infer that u are willing to submit the validity of ur identity or race to someone else's affection and acceptance... so in the attempt to drive home the idea and compel allegiance, a romantic photograph which epitomizes (somewhat) the concept is picked... in modern discources where deconstruction and post-structuralism have made influential inroads, the hitherto linear relationship between the sign and signified is bereft and so alternative questions and/or enquiries must be asked to produce a nu way of perceiving and confronting the issue...
some people are racist cuz they are ignorant, others are because they decidedly make that choice to perceive people of other races as inferior...
A person's race is sacred and must never be violated... A person's life is sacred too but don't people get killed everyday? i am not endorsing it in anyway but i think how we address the idea of racism is the problem and not the perception-- perceptions change... iub
There is racism from black to white also - don't forget that!
ReplyDelete