Will the legacy of our generation be a series of broken promises?
Nelson Mandela
Mama’s talk today highlighted a number of ways African women had become to their detriment. From their relationship with each other to the role mothers and mothers-in-law now played, which is usually seen as negative. I was surprised to learn how negative mother-in- laws were seen as that had not been my expectation as we in the West see African families in a more positive way.
When she spoke of the challenge of the “feminine, that up to now, we have never had women solving the problems of women or humanity.” And how this disconnection came about it was a sad awakening for many.
The lack of a female messiah was another observation raised, as well as a call for women who could help to address the needs of women to the Kings, Queens and First Ladies of Africa. A continent where few women seemed to rule. She asked why? Why did we think we should not and why were we not capable? She correctly highlighted that men have been making the decisions for the continent and it was clear that the outcomes were poor. She saw this as women becoming cowards, because here they were blaming men for everything but not standing up and demanding their right to do something about it. Taking control of their destiny required their action not someone’s approval. And failure to take action would mean that eventually women’s lives would get worse not better.
She tied this to the lack of women identified as Messiahs and the need for women to become messiahs. Why did we accept that only men could be a messiah? Why did we mimic other races in everything except success, and look at the outcomes. As she cataloged our bad behavior as women she asked the question, “With the beginning of a Renaissance: Was it our choice to make new history or repeat history.”
I want to thank Mama for her message today on the courage lacking in our women today. It’s an observation I have also made in my years as an activist. When I would go before the School Board or community groups to speak about our failing schools and children I would tell community members that being a woman, a mother, someone who carried a child 9 months in the belly, suckled and raised that child, who else should speak on behalf of our children? Who else should be upset when a police officer who did not know your child, abused or killed them? I found it very frustrating how Black women in the USA were the only women who were expected to not feel for their children, themselves or their communities. So I spoke up.
When I hear you speak on the observations I myself have made as to the state of our affairs it makes my blood boil. And I heard your request and want you to know, sign me up. For you are correct when you say. “who but women should speak on women’s behalf?” Who should call our sisters out, and model the behavior needed while empowering women to be the change they wish to see in their lives? That has always been my motto. I AM the change I wish to see.
In 2013 I did my Master’s Thesis on Maternal Mortality in Africa (“DISCRIMINATION TO DEATH” Exploring the Issue of Maternal Mortality in Africa). It was part of my research as I looked at so many factors (The MDGs) impacting African life which the world did not seem to care about.
My passion for Africa was born a long time ago my children say, but for me it became crystal clear when I attended a Global Poverty Forum in Denver, Colorado in 2008 and heard one of the speakers proclaim “that in the year 2050, the average income for the US would be $90,000, the average income for China and India would be $45,000 and the average income in Africa would be $1,800. And that Africa had the richest resources in the world.” Immediately I questioned, how could that be, that forty two years from now the world’s expectation for Africa would be so low? How could it be that the richest continents inhabitants could still be so poor? Who was using the resources and what was causing this delay in Africa’s development?
There began a quest for me to understand more about this continent called Africa, one whose portrayal always links the mind to images of corrupt leaders, strongman dictators, military coups, civil war, HIV/AIDS, malaria, disease, starvation, malnutrition, dying children, lack of infrastructure, foreign debt and genocide. Yet Africa has the richest resources in the world, so why weren’t they being used to benefit her people?
Even as I documented so many challenges I had to focus on one item for my thesis and so I chose Maternal Mortality In Africa, because the numbers were so outrageous (US 11/100,000 live birth- white /33/100,000 Black and in Africa many places over 500 -900/100,000 even as some of the things impacting us now our ancestors had already conquered hundreds of years before. Like C- sections.) It was clear to me no one cared about Black women dying in Africa, similar to the response in the US, where the death rate was minuscule compared to Africa, but still disproportionate.
And it broke my heart that Nelson Mandela in 2002 asked “will the legacy of our generation be a series of broken promises?” and that from then they had already predicted Africa would not meet its Millenium Development Goals by 2015, with 13 years to go. I am here to say YES, that is Africa’s legacy, “A whole series of broken promises” “ organized chaos” and incompetent and disingenuous leadership. And we should be ashamed to have allowed it to get so bad.
My presentation on why we need an African Development Plan looks at these critical issues, health, education, infrastructure etc. and lays out some of the things needed to unite our people around common causes concerning us. Even designing something we labeled as a Kingdom Project as short term solutions to restoring Kingdom relevance on the continent.
I know your frustration for I have created and sent my work to fools claiming they were interested in development of our people and most of them were men, happy with their big titles and positions who were accomplishing nothing. It has been a frustrating journey, so I am happy to meet you and Baba. Your passion is my own and your effort is similar to mine except yours is spiritual and I had not included that in my calculations even as I would say “this is a spiritual war we are fighting.” It took this last year training under Rev Kwame to understand what that truly meant. Its as if my mouth would speak hoping my ears would hear. Thank God it’s hearing now.
I am here to sign up for your classes and efforts and help create the plan of action. I agree we need to say and do more and I don’t lack courage. It is a joy to finally meet some people of true courage and big hearts. Who have lived experience, not just book knowledge.
Your summary of the situation was very sad. The mechanization of sex, children, lovers, lack of desire for each other, replacement of humanity with toys and robots. How far we have sunk these last few decades as others have risen and our population of consumers are enamored with all of this foolishness, to our detriment.
So thank you Mama for once again being a breath of fresh air. Do not cry anymore for some of us are here to help you. We heard your cry and we do plan to do something about it.
Love you Mama, I hear your heart.
Your daughter,
Cecile
Visit Mama Cecile’s website, here’s the original version.
