History Of African Colonization

Power of Black Consciousness in 2011

(RNAP) Whatever your mind or your mind and soul, it is an expression of your consciousness. Your mindset should be governed on how you feel, family, community, race, tradition, history, humanity, values ​​and principles, and overall quality of your life in the context your ability and quantitative ability to support yourself and loved ones. Fifty years ago, back in the 1960's, in particular for Black Americans, there was an emerging, self-determined Black consciousness movement that first affirmed the humanity of Black people in America, Africa, the Caribbean and throughout the Pan African world. It is timely, I believe, to ask the question today: "What is the state of Black consciousness of African Americans in 2011?"

Another fundamental purpose of the evolution of the Black consciousness movement was to expose the falsehood, myth and destructive stereotypes of white supremacy, both in its historical and contemporary institutionalized forms. Of course, the Black consciousness movement in the 1960's also had its antecedents in the Pan African movements for Black solidarity, liberation, self-determination, freedom, justice, and equality during the previous 500 years of the systematic slavery, colonization and oppression of African people throughout the world.Any study of the history of black literature, our writings and words over the last six centuries shows the central theme of love and passion of black people for liberation, freedom and universal justice, not only for all persons of African descent, but also for everyone in the diversity of God's creation.

The purpose and intent of this column is simple: African Americans can not afford to be idle spectators while others in America have a clear agenda for power, money, prosperity and the empowerment, both politically and economically. In other words, we need to be re-awaken to the importance of having a Black consciousness and perspective about all that we do and desire. The truth is we should not be upset with other ethnic and racial groups when they express and organize around their own self interests. The problem is when we as a people appear to be hesitant or reluctant to state clearly and strategically an agenda for the empowerment of the Black community. Each generation of Black people in America and throughout the world must rise to the occasion unapologetically to state our priorities, issues and interests.

The first place to reject the persistent poverty that continues to engulf millions of African Americans is in our own consciousness. Yes, that's right, we have to reject and combat the poverty mentality that exists is too many of our own minds. The fact that poverty persists in the African American community even amidst the current economic recovery across the nation is problematic. But we should not be narrowly convinced by the forces of our oppression that our situation is hopeless and beyond redemption. Our situation can and will change for the better, but it will require much more to raise the consciousness of African Americans with a stronger spiritual fortitude together with an irrepressible sense of self-determination and Black consciousness.

Impact and Consequences of Slavery and Colonialism in Africa

Africa has an unfair and unfortunate side to her long history. Though in ancient times her people were culturally, religiously and economically on par with people from other continents, her current state of affairs is far worse than her European, Asian and American counter parts. Her travails started at the beginning of the mercantilist period. Slavery was especially devastating because it decimated her population, made her vulnerable to colonization, destroyed her chances of modernization and brought political fragmentation. According to historians Paul Lovejoy and Samir Amin, African slavery was terribly negative for Africa because it is responsible for transforming Africa into a dependent continent which it is till this day.

Lovejoy’s primary basis for judging African slavery to be extremely unfavorable for Africa is the magnitude of the number of slaves traded which reached up to twenty one million persons (Lovejoy 387). Due to this suction of manpower, African communities averaged a loss of up to 120,000 people per year (Lovejoy 388). The sex ratio of captured male slaves to female slaves was always higher reducing chances of population growth. Hence the consequence of the slave trade was the decimation of Africa’s population and manpower. The population loss weighed heavily on the local communities because they couldn’t farm or trade as successfully as before reducing them to poverty, which to this day has not been alleviated. Lovejoy’s second basis judging African slavery to be adverse says capturing slaves mainly from one region in West Africa upset the internal balance and dynamics of local regions and changed the African political scenario forever. Lovejoy and Amin agree that the devastating effect of the slave trade of particular ethnicities such as the Gbe, Congo etc destabilized the local kingdoms because whole communities were wiped out. Amin’s primary basis states, the wiping out of communities eliminated the traditional boundaries of African kingdoms. A consequence of this was the creation of a power vacuum which allowed the European colonial powers to divide and rule the weak and fragmented African states and societies. Another interesting point Amin raises is the connection between slavery and Islam. Since Islam banned slavery within its brotherhood, many non-aristocratic locals converted to Islam to avoid slavery, which undermined the traditional power structure of African societies. Amin also says African slavery destroyed the traditional non slave trade routes that had been long established for the livelihood of communities. Slavery not only decimated the population, it destroyed communities, forced people to change their religious customs drastically, and destroyed their livelihood. Slavery had transformed Africa, though it appeared otherwise.

The Virginian history of African colonization

The history of African cities south of the Sahara, from the origins to colonization

Social Science Resources in the Electronic Age: World history

A History of the Colonization of Africa by Alien Races

A history of the colonization of Africa by alien races