Sandra Neish
Jack Manhattan
Harvey Wallbanger
More and more we are hearing horror stories from African countries regarding conflict, slavery, child soldiers, blood diamonds, famine, AIDS and genocide. Yet Africa has consistently remained the red headed step-child of the world. Admittedly, the U.S. and other Western nations do give billions in aid to Africa. This is not enough. We have to do more than throw money at the problems and hope that they go away.
This is not to say that all countries on the African Continent are hotbeds of strife. However, the fact remains that Africa has huge issues. Most of these are self created, by people who still have tribal mentalities. And, despite the post-colonial status of these nations, the West still has a colonial mentality towards Africa. Not, perhaps, the overt racism of the past, but still a mindset that discounts these nations.
The attitudes of many leaders in Africa have very socially conservative views (“Kill the Gays” Bill in Uganda, female circumcision, et cetera) and the people do as well. This prevents open dialogue with others because to be so far right (or left) leave no room for compromise. Western leaders need to, frankly, lead, and aid these democracies to become strong, so that they can in turn lead the dictatorships and demagogues towards the democratic ideals the West says it values and yet does not foster.
It is sad that such a great continent, with such resources and history cannot escape the post-colonial era and join the West. We, in the West need to begin leading by example. We don’t burn down opponents homes, kill rivals, torture or maim to get our way outside a fully democratic, free, open electoral system, and independent judiciary that holds all accountable, not just the poor or those with the right connections.
Let us become what we know we can be, and be much, much more active in helping Africa with more than money and platitudes.
