I couldn't help it but to share this passage from Chinua Achebe's new book titled The Education of a British-Protected Child. In this passage, Achebe discribed the sense of pride an average Nigerian possessed in the 60's. As he stated "Traveling as a Nigeria was exciting. People listen to us. Our money worth more than the dollar". He goes on to say, "When the driver of a bus in the British colony of Northern Rhodesia in 1961 asked what I was doing sitting in front of the bus, I told him nonchalantly that I was going to Victoria Falls". He continues, "In amazament he stooped lower and asked where I came from. I replied, even more casually, Nigeria, if you must know: and by the way, in Nigeria we sit where we like in the bus.'' To understand why the driver would question Achebe's sitting position on the bus is to understand the history of African America, the segregation in the 60's and Jim Crow law. We need to regain our sense of pride as Nigerians and Africans in the diaspora.
Kemi Seriki
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