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London Olympics 2012: The Olympics start a conversation about what makes one African
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One of the biggest debates that continues to make the rounds in African circles is the question about what makes one an African. The Kenyan team had Jason Dunford carrying the flag and it created a firestorm of debate.
So Jamati readers, what makes an African an African. As we watch the Olympics, we see several people representing European countries–some are even represented by Africans who have taken on the citizenship of those countries. Do they become less African?
And what of the Africans of Caucasian and Asian descent? Are they less African because their ancestry is not originally from Africa? At what point does one qualify to be considered a native of the place they are born and raised? One generation later? Two?
There are many Africans of a ‘different’ persuasion (read ‘not black African’), that are proud to call themselves African and represent their different countries. At the end of the day, our strength will always be in our diversity. Thoughts?
While you are thinking, you can visit Jason Dunford’s website and learn more about who he is.
3 Responses to “London Olympics 2012: The Olympics start a conversation about what makes one African”
Jemma Nyagah says:
July 29th, 2012 at 7:58 am
Colour can change in three generations, look at Obama or me;
My children’s Grandfather is a “black” African, the other a “white” African, ( my Father in law, and father respectively).
I married a point five, bi racial man put crudely, he is half white half black.
Plus my white genes.
= three “white” Africans, our children.
These children, our children can trace their heritage back as far as you’d like, one of them has big dreams of representing Kenya at swimming; if you said he shouldn’t cause he is white you’d be so very wrong. It took three generations for a colour change thats it.
Colour changes so very fast it should be irrelevant.
Jemma Nyagah says:
July 29th, 2012 at 8:17 am
Further are my children who know no other home that this Africa not allowed to call it home? There are black Americans and white Americans though I think even this terminology of labeling upon colour wrong; however surely there can be white Africans and black Africans? I was born in the Uk but came to Africa at three days old, my father being chief pilot East African airways. There is no other place I feel as soothed, by the morning air, the light the style it is my Mother continent. But many times I have been told or it has implied I cannot be African, yet in Europe I am not European they say, and I am left not belonging to anywhere. Please it is enough do not put this on future generations of children. They grow up as I did to fall in love with this land just as you have, yet you are allowed to belong and they are not. This almost heartbreaking let me tell you imagine if someone took away your Africa? The only continent which creates such love that the French coined a phrase La Mal d’Afrique or ancient Latin “malum africanum” the bug or love of Africa. Those old times are over leaving those with nothing but love and pride yet we must walk ghost like ( PARDON THE PUN )afraid of the next but how can you be African…
Shirlene Alusa-Brown says:
July 29th, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Thanks for your candid views Jemma. This conversation will help move all of us toward a more unified Africa.
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