OPINION: Racism and race: Complex words with far reaching meaning
Before I left the African continent – issues of race hardly bothered me. Yes, in East Africa we have lurking tensions with the Asian community. Idi Amin’s retribution in early 1970s when he kicked Asians out of Uganda is historical. In Tanzania, we were lucky Mwalimu Nyerere never allowed such extremities. Still it was, and is, still a reality.
Yet for all the undertones and hidden innuendos none of the “racist” tensions would match what I encountered out of the continent. Arriving in London in mid 1980’s in conversation with blacks I found the words “blacks” and “whites” – very significant. I heard of previous upheavals such as the 1981 Brixton riots. I was told of evil times when the phrase “Irish, dogs and blacks keep out!” was normal. Over the years, having travelled across different continents and facing racism 100% head on...I still do not personally dwell on the matter. I think being born in Africa where matters of race are never a priority- unless you are from the Southern tip, makes us feel different. Take the issue of police being racist.
As a black driver you are bound to be stopped anywhere along the Diaspora. I was stopped various times, in South America.
The most acute was when I parked my vehicle to urinate in north Rio de Janeiro. It was around 3 am, and the men in uniform had guns ready to shoot.
“Keep your arms up!”
I did.
“Where are you going? What are you doing here? “
I told them I had just dropped a friend; was heading back home, after a gig.
“Do you know this place?”
I named the location.
“No, are you aware of the activities around here? “
They informed me it was a notorious drug dealing zone. Since I do not do drugs I was relaxed and spoke casually. Made them relax too. Ended with a humorous request to play a Bob Marley tune, after searching my car and only finding music instruments. Few days’ later Brazilian friends told me I would have been shot if I had argued and exhibited a negative attitude.
That sums it.
It is always about attitude towards policemen. Treat them professionally and you are fine. Whenever I tell this story to my black friends born in the Diaspora they shrug and say - brother you do not understand racism. I also shrug and maintain- how come I have confronted police many times and never had issues? It is like school days. Students who talked back to teachers got whacked. If a teacher is asking you a question why are you being confrontational? Teachers are just doing their jobs.
Of course we have to be aware my experience does not belittle racism in so many places on earth, or racist, bigoted, bent coppers!
And it is this very same theme which has lately, propelled complex thoughts regarding famous Irish- Hollywood actor, Liam Neeson. He recently confessed that when he was young he fantasised killing a black man after his female white friend had been raped by who?
An unidentified black male.
The story has caused profound discussions- even after the 66 year old film legend admitted this was the past and he is not a racist. Some of the comments by Diaspora born blacks are interesting. One said she did not want to hear Neeson’s private thoughts on racism (of years ago). I look at it and think. How many whites would self confess?
The problem is bigger and complex than Mr Neeson. Serious atrocities were caused by the white race centuries ago. Some of the harshest genocide includes extermination of Aborigines in Australia and Native Americans (then called “Red Indians”) plus the monstrous Trans Atlantic slave trade. The scars of these atrocities are still around.
Meanwhile...
Africa’s riches are still being stripped.
Take Congo DRC. It has been reported 6 million people died in last 20 years- due to the extraction of its mineral resources: especially cobalt and coltan- both used for our phones and electronic gadgets.
Coltan is very rare and 60% of it - found in Congo DRC. Within this financial thirst by Western companies, 48 women are raped every hour, according to a 2011 American Health study- the atrocities committed by soldiers- and mercenaries alike- make Congo DRC one of the most toxic spots on our planet.
Now. This nightmare has been ongoing from 1884 when European nations carved the continent like a slaughtered cow. The murder of Patrice Lumumba in 1961 was climax and since then past the despot Mobutu and beyond, we see the white money men reaping, ripping, guzzling and sucking Congo. That is racism via economics. The one that gets people killed, leaders assassinated, and scattered.
Meantime...
Admitting that you were angry when your female friend was raped and you contemplated revenge is human fragility rather than the fundamental problem.
