Helping Africa: Where Are the African Champions?
July 19th, 2007 | Published in Activism, Advocacy, Africa, Human Rights, Media, Nigeria | 7 Comments
This is what is causing Sokari (Black Looks) some grief:
A Unicef-sponsored advertisement in Germany which one of her readers call - “well meaning but insulting and paternalistic activism“. The ad features some mud-faced white kids posting as out-of-school African kids - German kids appealing for solidarity with their contemporaries in Africa.
But while some foreigners are trying hard to reach out and champion the cause of Africans in need, it appears Africans with the muscle to amplify and augment those messages, or at least change the direction of such, or present a more “Africanized touch”, are least concerned!
While I can relate to Sokari’s case, for me, this is my belly ache:
The often misplaced priorities of Nigerian society shakers as exemplified by the ThisDay Concerts.
The pictures shows the Nduka Obaigbena, the proprietor of ThisDay Newspapers (the middle potbellied man with the toothy grin in the picture) - one of the largest circulating dailies in Nigeria - posing with John Legend (L) and Rihanna (R) during the last week’s (July 15, 2007) ThisDay Musical concert in Lagos. The event was the sequel to the 2006 edition which featured several American Hip hop stars.
Could the ThisDay concert be used to speak to some of the societal ills in the Nigerian and African communities? Absolutely.
The global Save Earth Concerts did just that some weeks ago. But, when ThisDay had the opportunity to direct the spotlight on some social issues, it flipped the “off” switch instead.
While one can relate to the pains of seeing the pitiful and often slanted portrayal of Africa and its people in western media, it is even more painful when the likes of Nduka/ThisDay and other enabled Africans repeatedly fail to step up to the plate.
July 19th, 2007 at 4:48 am (#)
[…] Zac Efron Link to Article rihanna Helping Africa: Where Are the African Champions? » Posted at Grandiose Parlor on Thursday, July 19, 2007 Helping Africa: Where Are the African Champions? July 19th, 2007 by Imnakoya [ unicef_black_face.jpg]This is what is causing Sokari (Black Looks) … (L) and Rihanna (R) during the last week’s (July 15, 2007) ThisDay Musical concert in Lagos. The event View Entire Article » […]
July 19th, 2007 at 6:55 am (#)
While I appreciate both sides of the argument, but I always ask the same questions. 1. Where are the African Champions? 2. Are we better or worse off with the help we are getting at the moment? 3. I know aid isn’t and wouldn’t be the long term solution, but until we are able to hold our leaders accountable, and demand good governance, aid will at least prolong the lives of so many folks who would otherwise be dead!
July 19th, 2007 at 7:00 am (#)
The lack of interest amongst the younger generation is palpable.
July 19th, 2007 at 8:45 am (#)
I applaud you in pressing for more social consciousness on the part of African youth and young African entertainers. Nonetheless, I also applaud African musicians and entertainers for doing a very good job at what they do best and being on the cutting edge of many musical and artistic trends. As you no doubt are aware, not all great entertainers are active in the right social movements or on the right side of the movements of their day. Elvis Presley and Madonna are both examples who managed to “convert” to social consciousness late in their careers.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:46 am (#)
WHERE ARE THE AFRICAN CHAMPIONS? LOOK NO FURTHER FOR YOU AND I AND THE GENERATION WE RAISE IN THE NAME OF OUR CHILDREN ARE THE CHAMPIONS. THE QUESTION NOW IS WHAT ARE WE AFRICAN CHAMPIONS DOING COLLECTIVELY, APART FROM DISAGREEING ON ISSUES MOST OF THE TIME? I STAND TO BE CHALLENGED ON THIS.
July 21st, 2007 at 9:52 pm (#)
[…] Related post: Helping Africa: Where Are the African Champions? […]
August 11th, 2007 at 2:01 am (#)
Africa needs a change in attitude. We can’t keep waiting for people outside to solve our problems.