The Cookout

Drakbluud said:

Any thoughts on Pan Africanism? It seems now is a good time to reignite that flame, so that it can be reborn and revitalized anew— imagine a strong Africa, much in the vein of the State of Israel, but this time, for US.

On a side note, isn’t Ambassador Arikana absolutely ravishing? In my humble opinion she’s like a goddess— just my type.

I realize Sa Ra Garvey is citing footage from the Butter-Biscuit Bowling Ball, but I’m dropping the link anyhow:

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I'm all for the Pan-African Movement... but from my personal experiences, it's always been one-sided (that "side" being Black Americans in favor of it)...

I used to be a staunch Pan Africanist, reading the likes of John Henrik Clarke, Cheikh Anta Diop, Ivan Van Sertima, etc. but the more I dived into Pan Africanism the more I viewed it as a one sided relationship. We just had an elder, Mutulu Shakur, transition who sacrificed his life trying to help liberate Zimbabwe. What has Zimbabwe given to us in return? Nothing. Same with all these other African nations.

The ones that want us to “return” only want us for our money and still deny us from the full citizen experience. It’s not a genuine relationship on their part while it was for us, we’ve shown more heart for them than they have shown for themselves. Now on to the present day, they’re trading their old colonial white masters for new Chinese masters, and that’s a shameful colonized mentality that we can’t get wrapped into.

Overall, I dont see Pan Africanism working until Africa extends a genuine offer to the descendants of those it sold.

As a collective, Pan Africanism doesn't work. I've seen it work personally on a one to one case by case basis. I mentioned a long while ago in another thread that I have spent time overseas and the group of brothers that we all became tight with for a minute were all from different spots. America, Canada, South Africa, other places. Mostly Americans, but it basically boiled down to 'on code' looking out for each other. However, generally, run of the mill, within and outside America? No.

There are times anywhere, any random place in America and out, brothers don't return the 'nod' that we all know culturally. Sisters get a pass to some extent depending on the situation. Culturally, you expect any black person to at least acknowledge eye contact wise if we are the only blacks in an all non black situation.

Without Pan-Africanism Black people in non-African countries will falter economically and eventually die off. There is no prosperous group of Black people in Europe, Asia, or the Americas and that should be a sign that there is no future without a strong Africa.

I think Africa is the last place it will start. I think its going to have to be a 'tail wagging the dog' thing with regards to Africa. If you are a black group in a predominantly white country, you are more on code as a whole than countries where we are in charge. We meaning black people.

Case in point. Blacks in England are the most pro Black after America. The Blacks in England are all from the Caribbean or Africa. The Barbadans, Trinidadians and Jamaicans in the UK are more on code their cousins in the West Indies, generally speaking. Same with the Ghanians and Nigerians in the UK than their cousins back in Africa.

When you aren't face to face with white supremacy its way harder to be on code fighting and politicking with your black brothers and sisters elsewhere.

The Caribbeans and Africans in America aren't as down as the ones in the UK because in the UK there are no other black buffer classes. They are the 'FBAs of the UK' so to speak. The bottom of the social hierarchy.

The one area that is a bit of a conundrum is Canada. They are similar to the UK in terms of their blacks (Caribbean and African) but we don't hear about them being as down as the UK blacks.

Anyway, I am firm believer that true Pan Africanism won't start till Blacks everywhere else sees the world's most powerful nation have to give FBAs reparations. And them seeing the money flipped by many into businesses, etc. The build up to reparations will change Blacks in America socially I believe as it gets nearer. All blacks, will be more on code no matter the lineage. That's my supposition and Africa, the Caribbean and Central and South American Blacks will fall in line at varying points after. Just like how the BLM/Floyd marches started in America and spread accordingly. More in some areas (UK) and lesser in some (Blacks in southern Europe).

RCNAL said:

I think Africa is the last place it will start. I think its going to have to be a 'tail wagging the dog' thing with regards to Africa. If you are a black group in a predominantly white country, you are more on code as a whole than countries where we are in charge. We meaning black people.

Case in point. Blacks in England are the most pro Black after America. The Blacks in England are all from the Caribbean or Africa. The Barbadans, Trinidadians and Jamaicans in the UK are more on code their cousins in the West Indies, generally speaking. Same with the Ghanians and Nigerians in the UK than their cousins back in Africa.

When you aren't face to face with white supremacy its way harder to be on code fighting and politicking with your black brothers and sisters elsewhere.

The Caribbeans and Africans in America aren't as down as the ones in the UK because in the UK there are no other black buffer classes. They are the 'FBAs of the UK' so to speak. The bottom of the social hierarchy.

The one area that is a bit of a conundrum is Canada. They are similar to the UK in terms of their blacks (Caribbean and African) but we don't hear about them being as down as the UK blacks.

Anyway, I am firm believer that true Pan Africanism won't start till Blacks everywhere else sees the world's most powerful nation have to give FBAs reparations. And them seeing the money flipped by many into businesses, etc. The build up to reparations will change Blacks in America socially I believe as it gets nearer. All blacks, will be more on code no matter the lineage. That's my supposition and Africa, the Caribbean and Central and South American Blacks will fall in line at varying points after. Just like how the BLM/Floyd marches started in America and spread accordingly. More in some areas (UK) and lesser in some (Blacks in southern Europe).

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To me this sounds like a bunch of New Black Media hogwash that emphasizes American exceptionalism. We Black Americans are not more on code than any other group of Black people which is why when those brothas were shutting down those Korean haircare shops many Black women got mad and went in to shop.

We have organizations like the NAACP, N'COBRA, NAN, CBC, Urban League, and more that sole purpose is to compromise any progress of Black Americans. If we are truly the group that is going to turn the tide we need to be seeing it in action and not words.

The truth that many need to accept is that we are just like EVERY OTHER BLACK GROUP but we live in the richest country on the planet which makes us more economically prosperous than other Black groups based on sheer proximity but we are almost dead last in the USA.

If the USA collapses Black America will be no different than all these other Black groups we like to act as if we are better than. No electricity, no water, no food, etc. Niggas in Jackson still sitting around waiting for the White man to rescue them.

The Honorable said:

Without Pan-Africanism Black people in non-African countries will falter economically and eventually die off. There is no prosperous group of Black people in Europe, Asia, or the Americas and that should be a sign that there is no future without a strong Africa.

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Agreed, but they need us also. They want us there to stand & fight, but they need to stand with us & NOT FLEE! 💯

I know a few black Americans who either live in Africa or do business there. Just by definition you do business with those who you trust and are trustworthy.
I would say no matter where, either in America, the Caribbean, Africa, blacks in Canada, UK and Europe, you politic with those who are trustworthy and about black Empowerment. I stayed at an airbnb owned by a black Brit of Ghanaian ancestry when I visited there. I told him the only reason I'm using his airbnb is because he's Black and its black Owned. He could be a sell out or not, but at least he heard a non Ghanaian (I think my ancestry.com had a fair amount of Ashanti though...lol) Black person push B1.

Even they are coming along for the ride, at least the message is out there. I prefer to vet the Blacks I do business with that they are at least conscious/woke, whatever term we may use.

If we try to do business with as much as B1 as we can, no matter where they are from, its a good start. I think its possible to have Pan Africanism on a smaller scale. Develop circles and we refer each other to other B1s who have a business or skill we are looking for: lawyer, realtor, airbnb, whatever.

We do it now anyway. "I am looking for someone who can file some paralegal work" "Yo, I know this sister, cool sister, who is a former paralegal for one of them big law firms" and 'cool sister' is signaling for B1 or at least not a sell out.

Anyway, by and large, Pan Africanism as we have come to define it doesn't exist. It only happens on a one to one basis.

Lets not confuse fighting LBGTGQ being forced upon them politically by America and the west with being Pan Africanists. It does however present a possible ally.

What I would like to see is we start politicking with the best candidates to embrace Pan Africanism like Lumumba of South Africa. They wouldn't do it because they are boule` but I'd love to see him invited to give the commencement speech at an HBCU for example. Or to a reparations rally (after finding out if he's supportive). Or any other leader, influencer who is a rida. Let's engage those that are on code that are in the Caribbean, Africa as well as the UK. UK got a lot of ridaz. Ever since Tariq was banned the communication and connection hasn't been as strong. I hope someone fills that void.

One last thought (no promises...haha) but I think a way to kick off any Pan Africanism is probably going to have to be over business. You make money with someone it bonds you. So, if I had to suggest a country if anyone wants a suggestion is Rwanda. Yes, THAT Rwanda. Yes, the genocide Hutus and Tutus Rwanda. It s a very pro business country.

Drakbluud said:

Any thoughts on Pan Africanism? It seems now is a good time to reignite that flame, so that it can be reborn and revitalized anew— imagine a strong Africa, much in the vein of the State of Israel, but this time, for US.

On a side note, isn’t Ambassador Arikana absolutely ravishing? In my humble opinion she’s like

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There is a proportional, if not direct relationship between what happens there (Africa) and what happens globally ... When various countries overcame their colonizers, I'm sure brothers and sisters heard the word and used the knowledge for implementation here - to whatever degree they used it ... when Ruto and others over there telling their truth, Kagame over there telling the US off ... There has to be some small residual effect reverberated in the diaspora ...

There is a common view, underscoring need for Unity ... Ie, they see Africa as a place to be exploited ... They wanted to kill them off so they could take their resources for themselves ... That view, imo, is what is projected on other black ppl all over the world ... Same issues, seen as less than, wanna take your resources (physical labor, money, etc) to enrich themselves, experiment with black bodies , intentionally give you AIDS or other diseases to kill you off ... Same thing. ... Of course, every nation has it's different circumstances, triumphs and impediments, but ...we need Africa more than we realize ...

.. the colonizer doesn't want the unity ...why? Things that make you go "hmmm " ... 🤔 ... Imagine the two of three richest black economies coming together ? ... It would be over for them ...

Malcom had it right ...Africa can push our issues, and we can help them ... Rn, I think they are trying to get away from China .... Also, the former ambassador has been pushing the Pan-African agenda to unite economically and buy resources there instead of making China and other nations rich ... We stay out of Africa.. Meanwhile, some of the Chinese go there to get rich , with 4-5x investment, if they get in the right industry) ...

... ADDI – African Diaspora Development Institute – Africa Is Calling Her Children Home if you want to hear more about the the organization started by the former Ambassador Arikana that organizations efforts on that front..

.... Not to mention, doesn't the African Union have a 6th Region ? (We could have been involved, but media did a number on us, as always) .. the 6th region is the region specifically set aside for the diaspora ... Imo, it would be quite an event to have an African head of state to, while they are on their truth telling spree to bring up police brutality, racism in the US in a bigger way than they have been ....

I think they have extended an opening (as mentioned, business and investment seems to be the preferred way, but I'm sure it can turn into a one hand washes the other type situation) ... Not only that, as US influence starts to sunset , the importance of Africa will naturally rise (there's already a jockeying sort of situation going on there - Africa has to keep its eyes open) ...

My point is, we shouldn't act as if we are in a silo ... When Black Americans become an economic powerhouse and retake our rightful place, we need to have trade partners at the ready ... Of course, some there still have their tribal way, just like here - off code.

Im a bit of a recluse, but I tend not to focus on those types ... We would have never gotten this far as a ppl if some of the ancestors focused on the off code ...

This is a great discussion and one of the reasons I came on this site. I can't get this kind of convo in my day to day.

That said, the whole black diaspora is at different mindsets as a collective. If I had to guess from what I have seen and whatnot, blacks in America and the UK are about black empowerment the most with South African brothers up there as well. Top 3 countries right there.

I've always thought we blacks who live in America, and I'm including all, are closest to achieving it and that once the diaspora and Africa sees it getting done in America, others will come along. American black culture is the most powerful culture globally. I've seen it first hand. It's followed more than literally any other people's culture, especially by Gen Zers.

Reparations happens in America with the most powerful country that everyone kisses ass pays it, it could (or should) trigger black empowerment and more pan Africanism globally.

I also caution against this "we are more exceptional" than other blacks from FBAs as its basically doing what tethers (off code foreign Blacks) are doing. I've heard Nigerians, Jamaicans, Ethiopians and others say similar stuff and it gets rightfully shot down by FBAs and other on code Blacks which I would like to think I am part of.

American blacks (with an American passport) are traveling abroad more than at anytime in history. Only blacks in the military traveled overseas in numbers before. Now its common. With more travel, more opportunities to link with cool blacks around the globe.

I think Pan Africanism as we know it was bound to fail in the pass because we all grew up apart from each other (America, Europe, Africa, Caribbean). Now with the internet and affordable air fare, its far more of a reality.

I've said in another thread, I've had great experiences with the diaspora and was part of a group overseas that was diverse and it was a fantastic experience, still tight and communicate. I've also had some very bad experiences, the scammer types.

So, I think we should fight for our collective rights in America and be open to any on code Black and ostracize off code Blacks as what is generally happening now and increasing.