Global/Africa: Does 'Race and Racism in Africa' need further discussion?

Information technology has made the sharing and accessibility of information easier and faster. This is evident in the ever-increasing daily online news publications. However, many subjects such as 'Racism' are still controversial and difficult to articulate. The question is, does the topic of racism need further discussion?

The African Studies Centre at the University of Pennsylvania seems to think it does. The Association for Concerned Africa Scholars (ACSA) is calling for papers on 'Race and Racism in Africa', with particular focus on the impact of imperial legacies on present times.

Jesse Benjamin, editor of the ACSA bulletin in Pennsylvania, says that the recent crisis in Darfur has ''resurrected a racial language against Black Africans as the victims''. Furthermore, Benjamin states that the crisis illustrates and reveals the following points:

1.Presently in post-colonial Africa, race and racism are still a cause of many social tensions;

2.Racial categorization constructed in colonial times to divide people into camps along race lines are still ongoing,

3.Slavery and colonial terminology is still in use in much of the continent.

Benjamin says that she hopes the papers will explain why some Africans continue to deny their African identity. When asked of their roots, many still refer to their non -African and Arab descent.

South Africa, the Western Cape in particular, has had its share of allegations of racism in the media. The ACSA papers would in fact be instrumental in understanding these race related-problems. Recent reports over the mayoral spokesperson calling 'coloured' people lazy sparked controversy. More significantly, has been an acrimonious debate about racism in the judiciary.

Although the ACSA papers' deadline was on 23 October 2005, more discussion and deliberation needs to continue on this sensitive topic or else Africans will willingly be a product of colonial constructs for a long time to come.

Jesse Benjamin is a bulletin editor of ACSA and more details on the papers can be obtained from http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Current_Events/acasbull1005.html.

Further information on issues referred to in this article can be found at: http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Politics/0,,2-7-12_1821840,00....

* Posted by Mandlakazi Moetsoledi, Fahamu student intern.

* Please send comments to [email protected]