It was just yesterday when I happened to disagree with a classmate during a West Africa Drama and Poetry lecture over the relevance of Negritude Philosophies in the 21st century. I presented on Ivorian poet, Bernard Dadie's poem "Dry Your Tears, Africa" and David Diop's "Africa", two poems which actually glorifies Africa, glorifies the black continent and glorifies the black skin.
When Africa got tired of gross negligence that was geared towards its culture for a long historical time frame, her budding children manifested their feelings of this hatred artistically. At a time when Herlm Renaissance was taking toll of the American Continent, Negritude was born in Africa to carry out a very difficult mission.It was to make African people aware of their culture and instilling a sense of pride in them about their homeland. Diop, Senghor, Dadie, and others, took their Negritude philosophies in pieces of art and made it well. They talked of the African beauty, its loving people, its wind, forests, soil, waters, landscape, dances, order and sounds. This is the Africa whom, after years of servitude, after years of slavery and broken back, her children turns back to kiss, hug and embrace. It is the Africa that is ever there to welcome her children back after fruitless journeys. This is the black mother with black children who fought to gain their lost voice and dignity, whose children were taken away, told nothing of their origin, culture or history, but fed on that of others that would later confuse them even more. This is the black Africa where Negritude, was set to preach the Gospel of love for black skin, culture and history.
FRIEND: Peter Ouma, I fail to understand the relevance of the Negritude Philosophies, when actually same black people that the philosophies embraced have denounced its elements. Talk of the corrupt systems of governance staged by same black men; non-democratic states installed by same black leaders; ethnic wars and mass murders waged by same black Africans on their fellow blacks; poverty and illiteracy after 50 years of black leadership. Tell us if for sure we need this philosophy
I do agree with my friend. The last time I paid a visit at the American embassy, I knew things were running out of hands. Africans are running away from Africa, seeking refuge in oversea countries in the name of greener pastures and academic pursuits. The black continent has become a place to run away from. The beauty is gone; love has evaporated. But is it different in other countries outside Africa?
Getting back to the back colour, colour issues remain a hot debate to date and still, identity crisis hangs on our environment. Accepting your colour as either black, brown or white, was a key element in the Negritude philosophies. This same colour identity remains a crisis even in the 21st century, and so, Negritude Philosophy remains relevant today.
Black Africans run away from their blackness, they don't see beauty in it. But, where has this led them to? Look at the many lightening or skin toning cosmetics sent to Africa from oversea countries. Despite the health hazards attached to these cosmetics (and even tablets), many men and women of black colour, are visiting these cosmetics shops in a bid to assume white or light skin that belongs to the west. When Chinua Achebe, Amos Tutuola, Ngugi wa Thiongo, Sedar Senghor, Susan Kiguli, Micere Mugo, Okot p'Bitek and Mongo Betty reminds you of the dire consequences of running away from oneself, we think that is literature and is only applicable in the literature world. All who run away from themselves are prone to tragic endings. Africa is heading the crash point, if the Negritude Philosophy is not revived to talk of the love for this black skin again.
I won't talk about the white artificial hair, wigs and weaves that our women have resorted to, because it will only add salt to the already paining would. I would want to respond to my friend in the literature class that, yes, we need Negritude philosophies even more in the 21st century than before, in order to revive the continent.
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