Africa: The Creative Colony
In recent years I have picked up on how most of the world continues to take money and a plethora of resources from Africa for next to nothing then come right back and infiltrate, take over and destroy existing African owned companies in every industry possible. And if certain foreign governments get wind of any nation- or in some cases individuals too - trying to break free from their death grip in ways that could indeed alter the chain of power they have become accustomed to then they will unleash every weapon in their arsenal (from mass global media to bribed politicians to grenades) to bring a stop it. What I then realized is I should not be surprised as this is what has been happening for centuries. Most of the world might as well still see Africa as it’s colony. The power’s that be would never ever admit to this but as time moves on more people are beginning to see past the bullshit and are beginning to do their part in breaking through the barriers. As I myself pay more attention to the African creative industries, this rant mainly from that perspective and was triggered by how I see this occuring in fashion, music, entertainment, etc. One thing I’m surprised Africans still let the world get away with and profit from is how they take inspiration from any and everywhere on the continent then end up twisting and diluting it to then feed it back to us all while still overlooking us. They take our art, people, fashion, etc and give the bare minimum back. For instance almost every globally recognized black celebrity or artist now chimes on about how inspired they are by Africa every chance they get and use this inspiration to create whatever it is they create but what do they actually do for Africans. Some might argue that this gives Africa “exposure” and they are “indirectly opening doors” for African creatives to “make it” worldwide now. I used to agree with that but from what I’ve seen the whole purpose of that is to serve as a distraction because I don’t see this practice benefiting African creatives in general as much as it could, aside from the one or 2 token Africans. Another thing is how the rest of the world rarely even hears about an African creative anything unless they don’t actually live in Africa. And honestly, until maybe the beginning of this decade we didn’t hear that much about each other either. It’s always “London-based Congolese singer” or “New York-based South African born actress” as if to subliminally say that “You as an African will not be approved of, verified as a talented individual or deemed worthy of success unless you leave Africa”. The effects of this subliminal message delivered via various avenues constantly being drilled in our minds for so long are still evident. Why else do you think so many African creatives hop on the first flight out of here? Or even more in depth; why do you think creative industries across the continent seem to be run in a way to make African creatives feel so desperate and hopeless that them leaving Africa seems to be the only way they can realize their dreams? It can all be traced back to the same root cause: The world does not respect Africa. Instead the powers that be seemingly work around the clock to create the façade of respecting us, especially now that issues of racial and cultural diversity and representation have gained more worldwide attention. A few token Africans bubble up in each industry every 4 years or so and suddenly get all this attention and opportunities that make it seem as if there is real change in how the powers that be across the board operate but really there isn’t. Coincidentally this is always timed to take full effect just as society starts asking questions about African representation. When whichever global fashion/philosophical/music/etc trend somehow related to or inspired by Africa that they have noticed gaining momentum for some time is about to reach it’s peak . [no trend in any industry whatsoever just pops up sporadically. There is a build up and with a mix of targeted guessing and monitoring when, how and why certain things are gaining momentum people out there can predict them]. I know there are people out there who could misinterpret what I’m pointing out so to clarify: In no way am I calling for some kind of global segregation. Being inspired by each other’s cultures is a beautiful thing and results in so many innovative ideas and creations across the globe and that it should never stop. What I am of sick of seeing is the lack of respect. Africans aren’t even respected enough to work with directly instead everyone from bloggers to singers to fashion designers to film makers cherry pick what they want to use from anywhere on the continent and run with it. Maybe if the world did respect Africa enough to work with Africans there’d be fewer cases of cultural appropriation and misrepresentation they’d have to sweep under the rug. Furthermore, rarely does the money and the greater benefits work in an African’s favour. If you trace it back, it benefits some American or European conglomerate more. But there is a hope in the form of a new age being ushered in. Until recent years, it was as if Africa was waiting to be respected but thankfully that’s slowly changing. Gradually more Africans are beginning to demand it. A growing rate of the millennial African generation is refusing to follow in the footsteps of many before us and accept crumbs when we have diamonds. This is the generation demanding respect. This is the generation that sees Africa’s full potential and is working towards realizing it in whichever capacity one is able to and I’m glad. Slowly, Africa is beginning to take care of ourselves and develop our own and soon the world will be forced to respect us.












