Free at Last? September 26, 2006
Posted by earthlingconcerned in Richard Nixon.trackback
I haven’t written anything for a while, and for that, do apologize. I am working on something and it should hopefully see the light within the next day or two. But in the mean time, here’s a wee little breakdown about something I found humorous while reading The Fate of Africa: From the Hopes of Freedom to the Heart of Despair (Martin Meredith):
In 1957, Ghana became the first black African country to gain independence from the shackles of colonialism. This was the beginning of the eventual independence of the entire continent which since then had gone through growing pains that are barely improving today. Not wanting to enter into the discussion about the mistakes that have transpired since those early days of independence, I will like to bring you back to the hope and joy that were present early on.
After Britain pronounced the country’s independence on 6 March 1957, messages of congratulation came in from leaders around the world. Delegations arrived from fifty-six countries exuding warmth and goodwill. Britain sent the Duchess of Kent; the Chinese sent a general in a turquoise blue uniform; the Russians, a junior minister, with a fistful of invitations to Moscow and South Africa sent a delegation (albeit, an all white one). The United States made one of the largest gestures of respect by sending then Vice President Richard Nixon as a representative.
It was said that his enthusiasm was shown through his consistent handshaking, hugging local chiefs, holding babies while posing for photographs and so and such. At some point during all of this commotion, he slapped one man on the shoulder and asked him how it felt to be free. To which he replied, “I wouldn’t know, sir, I’m from Alabama.“
What a world it was, and still is.
A nice and insightful artcle and tells a lot about the history of African continent..
Pakcar
nice post.. simple and easy.. and informative…
thx
and one question.. how do u place text next to images?
Bravo, Gr8 post! *salutes author*
What a world it was, and still is.
The world is still the same it was when the first life form was formed. We just changed the facial features, inside its the still same old Hot headed core!
Freedom from oppression is a big topic of mine, though treaded on with a tad more humor. To know people are concerned is the most important thing. Check out my blog at, http://underdogs.wordpress.com
Ryan
I worry over this world , the lack of respect in all areas… freedom is a mind set … it is what it is to many different peoples of this earth. Freedom is only held in the mind if you allow it to be ..
caitrine
thx for the information…
Freedom …: I live in Africa, but I’m white. A white African. (Forefathers came to the Cape round the end of the 17th century and beginning of 18th). Freedom is very relative term: it can mean very little in Africa.
Living here, we grow up as Africans, and boy, are we worried about this continent. After being “free” for generally about 40 years, Africa has accomplished zilch. Tanzania has one factory — shoes. Zimbabwe, the shining star who used to feed the entire Africa south of the Sahara, is in ruins due to the despotic Robert Mugabe kicking white farmers off their highly productive farms and allowing blacks to “take over”. Many farmers were murdered, and they weren’t paid a cent. Now the farms lie fallow (Africans are no farmers) — no grains, no corn, no food — and Zim’s inflation rate stands at something ridiculous like 2,000%.
Africa is a basket case. It has nothing to do with the fact that Africans are generally black-skinned. It has everything to do with the African “mind-set”, which a Westerner will never fathom. It has to do with tribalism and an inability to plan, to have insight into, to show initiative. I can’t go into the Africa Disease here. Suffice it to say that the single diesel-engined boat on Lake Tanganyika which can carry passengers were brought there by the Germans in 1910.