They say that nature abhors vacuum”
The statement for the most part is true. If something is not right, things will happen over time, to make things right. If evil doers persist in doing evil, they will at some point be confronted. Should it matter who confronts evil doers if innocent victims’ brethren do nothing?
One is amazed that there are Africans who are quick to criticize actions by non-Africans that seek to make life better in the short-term if not in the long-term for innocent and helpless victims even when they, Africans, have been aware of and have ignored the said victims and their suffering. Should saving victims not have priority over the arrogance and vanity of elitist African ideologues who choose to talk and not walk?
What is wrong with “conquest and heroism” that saves life and relieves suffering? What is the alternative? I dare to say words and no deeds? The Lord’s Resistance Army and Kony have plagued communities in and around Uganda for decades now. The so-called White Savior Industrialists seeing that African elites are prepared to let this plague continue indefinitely which it has already, chose to do something concrete to help to end it. What do we have? Criticisms from career African critics of international humanitarian actions. Is it being suggested that nothing be done until African Savior Industrialist decide to intervene. You may want to ask the innocents suffering victims.
oa
From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Ikhide
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 4:48 PM
To: USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com; Ederi@yahoogroups.com
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Teju Cole on "The White Savior Industrial Complex"
"One song we hear too often is the one in which Africa serves as a backdrop for white fantasies of conquest and heroism. From the colonial project to Out of Africa to The Constant Gardener and Kony 2012, Africa has provided a space onto which white egos can conveniently be projected. It is a liberated space in which the usual rules do not apply: a nobody from America or Europe can go to Africa and become a godlike savior or, at the very least, have his or her emotional needs satisfied. Many have done it under the banner of "making a difference." To state this obvious and well-attested truth does not make me a racist or a Mau Mau. It does give me away as an "educated middle-class African," and I plead guilty as charged. (It is also worth noting that there are other educated middle-class Africans who see this matter differently from me. That is what people, educated and otherwise, do: they assess information and sometimes disagree with each other.)"
- Teju Cole in The Atlantic Mobile, March 21, 2012
Thoughtful fairly nuanced piece; the condescending title does the burden of his essay a disservice. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it but I couldn't disagree more with the essay's articulated priorities.
- Ikhide
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