African Americans and Africans - A Threat to European Imperialism.
Today is a special era to be alive. It is a time where through technology we are able to connect to people around the world in seconds with the click of a button. What does this mean for African Americans and Africans? Well, imagine 50-70 years ago, the average person did not have direct contact with people on other continents without being related to them by blood. This led many people around the world completely clueless of happenings abroad, being fed by media platforms rooted in white supremacy. Because of the media, both African Americans and African have been fed negative perceptions of each other prior to officially emerging here in the United States or abroad. This particular time in history is so special because we are able to reach beyond the stars and receive a view of the world that comes from individual platforms allowing people from around the world to not only see their country’s struggles; but its beauty, prosperity, and originality. This ability to finally see the truth is a game changer for this said to be radical generation.
Now, young African Americans can dispose of the notions their parents taught them; associating Africa only with disease, famine, poverty, and wilderness. Also, young Africans can dispose of the mindsets of their parents labeling African Americans as lazy, ungrateful, violent, and ignorant. Over the past 3-4 years, I’ve spent an enormous amount of time traveling the world trying to understand this concept of Pan-Africanism and how it can be used to solve both the problems of African Americans and Africans. Pan-Africanism is a term to describe the oneness and progression of the African race on the continent and abroad. Meaning, rather you were born in Africa, America, Haiti, Brazil, Columbia, or Cuba, if you are a child of Africa you are a part of a global African family seeking to improve the quality of life for your people worldwide. Through my traveling and studies I discovered a very important document that everyone who is African or a part of the African Diaspora should read.
The National Security Council issued a memorandum in 1978 entitled:
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
INTERDEPARTMENTAL GROUP
FOR AFRICA
STUDY RESPONSE TO PRESIDENTIAL SECURITY
REVIEW MEMORANDUM NSC-46
BLACK AFRICA AND THE
U.S. BLACK MOVEMENT
As you may notice in the title, it has been made clear that the United States considered the unity, co-inspiration, and collective sympathization of African American/African radical movements as a NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT. In other words, black people globally were and continue to fight white supremacy in different environments and circumstances. Yet only in our unity on a global scale were we the biggest threat.
Here’s an excerpt from the NSCM-46:
IV. BLACK AFRICA AND THE U.S. BLACK MOVEMENT
Apart from the above-mentioned factors adverse to U.S. strategic interests, the nationalist liberation movement in black Africa can act as a catalyst with far reaching effects on the American black community by stimulating its organizational consolidation and by inducing radical actions. Such a result would be likely as Zaire went the way of Angola and Mozambique.
An occurrence of the events of 1967-68 would do grievous harm to U.S. prestige, especially in view of the concern of the present Administration with human rights issues. Moreover, the Administration would have to take specific steps to stabilize the situation. Such steps might be misunderstood both inside and outside the United States.
In order to prevent such a trend and protect U.S. national security interests, it would appear essential to elaborate and carry out effective countermeasures.
1. Possibility of Joint Action By U.S. Black and African Nationalist Movement.
In elaborating U.S. policy toward black Africa, due weight must be given to the fact that there are 25 millions American blacks whose roots are African and who consciously or subconsciously sympathize with African nationalism.
The living conditions of the black population should also be taken into account. Immense advances in the field are accompanied by a long-lasting high rate of unemployment, especially among the youth and by poverty and dissatisfaction with government social welfare standards.
These factors taken together may provide a basis for joint actions of a concrete nature by the African nationalist movement and the U.S. black community. Basically, actions would take the form of demonstrations and public protests, but the likelihood of violence cannot be excluded. There would also be attempts to coordinate their political activity both locally and in international organizations.
Inside the United States these actions could include protest demonstrations against our policy toward South Africa accompanied by demand for boycotting corporations and banks which maintain links with that country; attempts to establish a permanent black lobby in Congress including activist leftist radical groups and black legislators; the reemergence of Pan-African ideals; resumption of protest marches recalling the days of Martin Luther King; renewal of the extremist idea national idea of establishing an "African Republic" on American soil. Finally, leftist radical elements of the black community could resume extremist actions in the style of the defunct Black Panther Party.
Internationally, damage could be done to the United States by coordinated activity of African states designed to condemn U.S. policy toward South Africa, and initiate discussions on the U.S. racial issue at the United Nations where the African representation constitutes a powerful bloc with about one third of all the votes.
A menace to U.S. economic interests, though not a critical one, could be posed by a boycott by Black African states against American companies which maintain contact with South Africa and Rhodesia. If the idea of economic assistance to black Americans shared by some African regimes could be realized by their placing orders in the United States mainly with companies owned by blacks, they could gain a limited influence on the U.S. black community.
In the above context, we must envisage the possibility, however remote, that black Americans interested in African affairs may refocus their attention on the Arab-Israeli conflict. Taking into account; the African descent of American blacks, it is reasonable to anticipate that their sympathies would lie with the Arabs who are closer to them in spirit and in some cases related to them by blood. Black involvement in lobbying to support the Arabs may lead to serious dissention between American black and Jews. The likelihood of extremist actions by either side is negligible, but the discord may bring about tension in the internal political climate of the United States.
This is perfect motivation and inspiration to young black people world wide. This is what drives me to continue traveling the world seeking knowledge and striving to connect with my fellow African brothers and sisters. This particular document is unique in its nature to have been written so detailed and intentional toward the dismantling of some of our most powerful movements and leaders. From Malcolm X, to Patrice Lumumba, from Martin Luther King jr., to The Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Nelson Mandela and many more; we come from a lineage of some of the strongest leaders that overcame unimaginable conditions to succeed. Today, we are the most educated, highest earning, culturally fluid, politically involved, innovative Africans to walk the earth.
Currently there is an influx of optimistic connecting among peoples of African descent world wide. There are children of Africa returning to the motherland to explore, invest, build, and connect with their African brothers and sisters. If we can continue to change the narrative and continue bonding and connecting, we may soon regain our positioning as a National Security Threat.
It will take us making an effort to travel and learn about each other's stories, triumphs, failures, innovations, and contributions only to truly appreciate each other and unravel our positioning in the global African struggle. Once we realize that our issues against white supremacy are inner-connected, I can only hope that our mindsets toward change and progression will be the same. This document is cringe worthy, but nothing more than a true testament of our power if we prioritize unity.
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