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Misconceptions of Black Women

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Introduction:

The lingering aftermaths of slavery have made it hard for an average person from the West to view black people the same way regarding societal misconceptions. This is mostly indicting for black women in the West. Most of the time, black women in society have had to stand firm for themselves in a society that has made them seem like second-class citizens despite being shipped several thousand miles from their homes in Africa. 

Let us examine why it’s hard for people of the West to see black women for the vital qualities they possess, rather than tying them down to a negative stereotype. 

Strength and Beauty of an Average Black Woman in the West: 

Due to the disadvantages of being colored, black women have had to be defensive about their stance as citizens in the West. This naturally gave them a bold and firm stance in society. This is not to say that every black woman wants to dominate. It only indicates their willingness to stand up to societal challenges and take care of their families and loved ones. An average black woman is hardworking and ever-ready to surmount the challenges presented by society. 

They achieve these milestones knowing fully well that opportunities are hard to come by for women of color. That is the strength of a black woman in the West. An average black woman is beautiful and elegant in all she does. She commands reverence wherever she enters because there is nothing as beautiful as black. This is why the primary aura of a black woman is perceived to be that of beauty and strength with relevance in everything they do. 

The African Reference: 

The misconception of black women in Africa has been chiefly that of a societal culture that women are the weaker sex. Women in Africa have had to struggle to bridge the gap that culture has created regarding how they’re treated. The culture in some parts of Africa believes that a woman’s primary role is domestic duties and getting married to a man when the time is right. In trying to overturn these challenges, women are often tagged stubborn and arrogant. This is often not true. 

Due to these cultural challenges, men are often considered the breadwinners of most families, while women have to submit to them in every way. Breaking the barrier of cultural stereotypes is why most women are misunderstood in Africa. 

Regarding the West: 

Black women in the West are often expressive with their feelings. In an environment set up to keep them at a disadvantage, black women have learned to be defensive and protective of everything concerning them. The term “Angry Black Woman” has been used now and then when black women try to push back at the injustice of Western society. This misconception has eaten deep into the West that even some black communities have started buying into it. 

Another misconception is the sexuality of black women in the West. Beautiful black women in society are not afraid to express their sexuality and that they’re beautiful and should be admired and desired. This does not in any way mean that they are sexually promiscuous.

 A survey made by 435 undergraduates from a Northeastern university in the US showed that black women are more likely to be single mothers than their white counterparts. This indicated the level of stereotype about black women in Western society, a very worrying trend. 

In Parting Thoughts:

It has to be said the common perception about why black women have negative stereotypes anywhere globally has to do with cultural trends and dynamism. There only difference between the African and Western situations is that while black women in the West have to battle a society that doesn’t view them as entirely part of their society; black women in Africa fight for the right to be recognized as significant role players in the same way men are. 

In summary, black women deserve to be seen for what they are; strong, beautiful, and resilient enough to overcome societal challenges.

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Pathway to the Homeland

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It is the dream of every African in the diaspora to be given the right and privileges just like citizens in other countries. So far, Ghana is the first country that willingly accepted Africans in the diaspora and was given the right to freedom.

Decades ago, when the United Nations stripped Africans of their integrity and honour, it subdued to unending toil and anguish. Africans embarked on a journey of no return far away from their homelands. 

Envision

• That United Nations saw them as first-class citizens. That they help Africans in the diaspora trace back their roots by conducting DNA tests. Getting accepted by their families in a place they call home- finally free from racism and discrimination.

• That the United Nations protect their human rights and respect for the diasporas. And this development be officially approved and remembered as a sign of freedom for all Africans in the diaspora

• Also, that African diasporas be given equal right to abode; just like in Ghana where all diasporas are given a temporal pass or permitted, the right to settle in Ghana. They provide a connection between the government and the diasporas to facilitate developing and investing in the country. Currently, Africans in diaspora only operate on a temporal pass, residency/work permit until both Association (Ghana Caribbean and African-American Association) says otherwise.

• That a day comes when returnees (African diaspora) feel at home. They are brothers and sisters and should be treated as such. They should be given the “right to abode” in any African country because ” they share a common interest,”… according to the director of research at Ghana interior ministry, Samuel Amankwah.

• That someday the United Nations will collaborate with other African countries to raise funds for the diaspora that give better lives: creating jobs, building facilities, and health care centers for regular treatments and checkups.

• And also that the United Nations implement a mandatory course for Africans in the diaspora. To lecture them on the cultural practice of various countries before relocating or resettling. 

• That someday Africans in various countries will be given citizenship, especially those who want to relocate. Citizenship should be granted in countries where they (Africans in Diaspora) can easily blend in with their culture in one way or another. 

For example, diasporan Brazilians would do rather well in Angola or Cape Verde since Portuguese is the common language among theree countries, while diasporan francophones and Haitians would feel most comfortable in Ivory Coast or Cameroon, not to mention African North-Americans and Caribbean diasporans who would be more likely than not do well in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia or the Gambia since the English language is prevalent in these countries, and let us not forget our Spanish speaking diasporan brothers and sisters in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Columbia who share a common language with the African country Republic of Equatorial Guinea, get the picture?

• I see the United Nations giving all Africans citizenship in their country of birth. This will give them the right to come back anytime they please to see their loved ones.

• That the United Nations works hand in hand with other African countries to set up an agency that will handle the affairs of all diasporas relocating to Africa.

Final Thought

Africans in the diaspora can play a considerable role when relocated to Africa. They are the perfect tool for innovations and development in the continent. If the United Nations drop the perception they have of Africans and come to terms with the fact that they deserve more than what has been dished out to them so far, the world would be a better place.

The first step to help the diaspora will be creating social entrepreneurship investment in the country, such as institutions, industries, companies in Africa. It will create jobs for Africans in the diaspora relocating to Africa, thereby boosting the African economy.

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The Importance of Black People Marrying Between Themselves

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Marriage is a very sacred bond that its sanctity should be preserved, especially to people of culture. That isn’t always the case with most people living in the West. Growing up in Africa, we’ve always been told that a man should work hard to ensure that he takes care of and controls his family in a way that will promote togetherness and oneness.  

Growing in an African family unit means that a man will take care of his family and make decisions directly affecting them. This belief has been imbibed into Africans before the slave trade and even up until now. 

But black people in the West are not as inclined to get married as their white counterparts. 

Let us examine why it’s so important that black people marry within their black community rather than pursuing interests within other communities. 

Culture is Key 

Black people always believed in the jumping the broom tradition when getting married. The broom is, first of all, waved over their heads to ward off evil spirits. Then, later on, both the bride and the groom will jump over the broom, symbolizing that they are ready to enter into their new lives as a family while the wife is ready to take on her husband’s courtyard as her new home. 

Everything about marriage rites is traditional for a black man, and they are symbolic. 

This is why black folks in the West that know their history attach much importance to encouraging their offspring to marry within the community so that their spouses will imbibe traditional African values in their children. This is not to say that white people do not believe in marriage. The only difference is in the cultural value attached to it. 

Familiarity of Family Values 

For black people who know their history, being in a family is all about tradition and the cultural practice of man being the breadwinner, and that takes care of his family. 

This also means that a black man will get to run his family with the manner and discipline reminiscent of the black community. Therefore, well informed black families fear that intermarrying can alter that tradition, and their children will stop following that usual way of life. 

Discipline and respect are always crucial for any black child that grows up within the black community. That same tradition has continued to be passed down to generations after generations of black children. Intermarriage might not eliminate that, but it will surely diminish it. This is why the black family unit is so vital to an average black man. 

Matching Behavioral Patterns

When in a family, knowing how to behave, act and conduct is critical to any black family. There are certain behaviors that they may exhibit that an average native white man may not understand. For instance, a white man may not understand why African families insist that a husband is not just marrying a wife for himself alone but his whole family. That sense of togetherness may seem foreign for anyone outside the black community. 

Blacks who appreciate their history, in every part of the globe, continue to prefer marriages within themselves to not persuade outside spouses to buy into their behavioral patterns without experiencing a culture shock. Maintaining the black family unit is a matter of continuity rather than nepotism or racism for an average black family. 

Why Are Black Men More Inclined to Marry Non-Black Women?

As time passed, the inclination of the black man to marry within the black community has started to wane, and many more black men have begun courting the idea of marrying outside the community. This trend started gradually but has recently become a frequent occurrence in the West. The reasons behind these can only be said to be one of those that we will explain below:

  • The impression that black women are vindictive and uncouth: Many times, some black men have thought that black women are unreasonable and unnecessarily strong-headed. This has been a demonization agenda that black women have been suffering that discourages young black men from marrying within the black community.  
  • Another reason is that most young men nowadays feel like marrying non-blacks will make them more accepted by the West. Often, this tactic has worked for some, and this has encouraged even more black men to pursue love interests and marriages outside the community. 
  • There are instances that young black men in career modes choose to marry outside their social status to get promotions at work. They see this as a means of battling systemic racism. Unfortunately, this is influenced heavily by the West. 
  • Other factors may be socially and politically influenced because we’ve seen cases where blacks marry outside the black community to climb the social class in the society. This is sad but, unfortunately, true. 

Ulterior Motives Behind Non-Black Women Marrying Black Men 

The spike in the preference for black men for marriages in some white circles has left people wondering whether there is an ulterior motive by the white person, which may or may not be true since there are cases where mixed marriages between blacks and non-blacks have gone on to be successful. Therefore, to fully understand why some white ladies prefer black men, it is wise to observe what they deem worthy in them before deciding to settle down with them.  

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Why The West Sells Lies About Africa

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The Hidden Truth About African Civilization

From their early days, young Africans learn false information about their origin and ancestry from schools. A history was carefully thought out, planned, written down, and incorporated into the entire educational system in different parts of the world to give a false perception of Africa and what it stands for.

This history has passed from generation to generation, and many Africans, both at home and in the diaspora, have grown to see Africa with the eyes the white man wants them to see it. As a way of partly addressing this issue, this article will reveal some of the lies fed to Africans and the truth that they do not want you to know.

What Led to African Colonization

Within the 15th and 16th centuries, Rome was the dominating power in the Western world known today as Europe. To show their superiority, they subdued and ill-treated surrounding European countries and referred to them as Barbarians. The dehumanizing way of life which the Romans subjected these countries to made them look for ways to survive.

Queens, kings, and leaders of European nations suffering from starvation, inadequate natural resources, and even dying from diseases started to seek solutions and means of survival. It was on this occasion that they sent off mercenaries, who they refer to as explorers. They included Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, David Livingston, Ferdinand Magellan, Mungo Park, Niccolo de Conti, to mention but a few. These men, referred to as the founders of certain places in Africa, were sent to exploit the African nation.

To establish their superiority, they borrowed the practice of the Romans and meted out similar inhuman treatments on Africans. Some of them, like Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, in a bid to prove their superiority described Africans as people who are underdeveloped, devoid of morality, religion, and political Constitution. A look at the culture and way of life of the African people from an unbiased perspective would reveal that his statement is untrue.

These men successfully colonized Africa by first colonizing the minds of some of the people and then selling their culture, beliefs, and way of life to Africans. They equated humanity to being

More on the lies that the west is selling the diaspora may be viewed here.

More on the truth of how europe became successful may be viewed here.

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Jobs In Africa For The Diaspora

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NATURAL RESOURCES IN AFRICA AND HOW APPLICATION IN CREATING REVENUES 

Africa by nature is endowed with so many natural resources that, if tapped carefully, can make it one of the wealthiest continents in the world. The continent has many countries that have tons of untapped natural resources waiting to be discovered. From crude oil to natural gas to Uranium, the limits that Africa has reached when it comes to natural resources are monumental. But like every other gold mine, this has to be appropriately managed to create wealth for Africa.  

HOW TO CREATE WEALTH THROUGH NATURAL RESOURCES FOR AFRICA

As mentioned earlier, having natural resources is not a problem for Africa. The real issue comes from converting that rich untapped gold mine into something unique and create wealth for Africa as a whole. 

Research has shown that job opportunities in Africa have centred around Animal Husbandry, Logistics, Food Processing, and Renewable Energy. The problem remains that most Africans are not using these sectors to create better output and revenue. To maximize production in these areas, diaspora Africans would have to consider aiding those areas through an effective process.

 Some of the ways to maximize revenues for Africa through Natural resources include: 

Good and Effective Leadership 

The leadership structure of most African countries has continued to deteriorate in recent times; it has affected the ability of most African countries to reach the potential that they solely deserve. For natural resources to be duly converted into riches, leaders should lead at the front with good decisions that will manage them without corruption. African countries such as Nigeria and Congo have continued to suffer the long after-effects of lousy leadership. 

A situation that Africa as a whole needs to change and fast to turn the continent’s fortunes around. 

Support More Technological Startups in Africa

For the longest time, African countries have continued to import most of their products from Europe and America and has halted their ability to use their natural resources for such innovations. Take Congo, for instance, a country that is rich in Diamonds. Still, its people are impoverished – a visual image of what happens when governments outsource production to other foreign countries outside Africa. 

For more natural resources to be appropriately used, technological startups that can mine and effectively use these resources should be created. Imagine how much an African giant like Nigeria will save in revenues if she can refine her crude oil rather than export them.  This is the kind of technological ingenuity that Africa needs at the moment. It will also create job opportunities for their educated youths. 

No nation provides good revenue without manufacturing its products. Africa as a continent should take a clue from the West in this field. 

Reduce Foreign Intervention

This may seem like the long after-effects of colonialism, but Africa has been reliant on Western influence for the longest time. It’s been a long since too much foreign interest in African affairs has continued to hurt the continent significantly. Most of this is caused by the clamour for their natural resources, and this pushes them to put mechanisms to exploit them while watching the African countries struggle and fight over the crumbs. 

Africa has developed enough to stand on her own if only they get influential leaders with her development and progress in mind. The time is now for Africa to take centre stage in the world, and this doesn’t include influence from foreign parties that cares very little about what happens to her. 

Support Education and Enlightenment of Young minds

The importance of education can never be overemphasized for Africans. Knowing what to do with any particular natural resource will only come naturally if more educated and enlightened youths are brought on board. This is why African countries must continue to fully motivate their youths to embrace the apparent benefits of education. 

Diaspora Africans and the Role they Can Play in the Ever-growing Logistics, Animal Husbandry, Food Processing, and Renewable Energy Sectors

Renewable Energy has been touted as the future of power generation in Africa since most African areas still lack access to light. Africa as a whole is a fertile ground that is good for cultivation. This has seen many African billionaires thriving in Agriculture, making it one of the biggest exports from the continent apart from oil. It is unfortunate that despite the abundant agricultural resources, Africa does not have efficient Food processing plants to process them. 

This is where Diaspora Africans can come in with their ingenuity and exposure from the West. Renewable Energy should be top of the list to create power that will light up remote areas with little to no access to power plants. Africa already has good sunlight for solar-powered electricity. This can be a perfect place to start because every good business requires an adequate power supply. 

The second area is to utilize the massive agricultural investments in Africa to create food processing plants that will provide affordable foods for Africans. It is appalling that in the 21st century, Africa still relies on companies in the West to get foods like beef, tomatoes, groundnut oil, and other food spices that are in abundance in most African farms. Countries like Nigeria have massive animal farms that they can use to process healthy foods that people can eat. The Nigerian situation only goes to prove the number of underutilized resources that are yet to be used. 

The logistics business is another area that Africans in the diaspora should help in establishing. As more people migrate to the big cities, ease of transportation of items is prioritized mostly. This is why the logistics business is prioritized. Unfortunately, logistic companies in existence are either regional or too centralized in one region. This is where African diasporas can come in. With a good knowledge of logistic networks as applicable in the West, Africa can have an excellent logistic network system that can connect through several cities in Africa.   

The establishment of these companies will create many job opportunities for young Africans and be a source through which the resource potential of Africa is manifested to the fullest. 

To Finish Off Briskly 

The passion for African development will continue to be the long-term goal of any African. This is why I believe that for Africa to turn its vast natural resources into riches, it must set effective management for its utilization. Click here for more information on working in Africa

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Advantanges And Disadvantages Of Diaspora Africans Moving Back To The Homeland

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The slave trade has taken a lot of things from Africans as a whole. The loss of generations of capable young men and women created a huge gap that will take light years before Africa can recover. This is a loss that even the migration of diaspora Africans back home cannot replace. But it is important to note that this will be a perfect step in the right direction where it to happen. 

Let us, therefore, examine the advantages and disadvantages that come with Diaspora Africans moving back home. 

THE PROS:

They Will Feel More Welcomed 

Like it or not, the West has continued to be plagued by discrimination cases of people of color. However, the opposite will be the case when these people of African descent return home. They will be made to feel at home as they are in the midst of people who look like them and people who wouldn’t judge them by their skin color or religion and beliefs. This is one of the most incredible benefits of Africans returning home to Africa. 

Positive Influence on Development 

We can agree that the number of diaspora Africans in different fields in the West can rival that of the natives if not overcome them. This displays the level of ingenuity and innovation that African is known for. A move back home will only mean that diaspora Africans will be coming home with a wealth of experience from the countries in the West. 

The majority of these countries in America and Europe are developed and advanced in technology, medicine, engineering, even in handwork and skills. Bringing these levels of experience will be massive for the growth of the African continent to become what its rich resources have meant it to be. 

Political Influence 

Despite the independence of Africa from colonialism, the West continues to have massive control over its political structure due to its rich natural resources. The Congo, for instance, should be one the wealthiest countries in the world, but they lack the resources (both human and equipment) to tap generously from their gold mine. This left them under the control of the greedy West, who continues to milk them dry. 

Now imagine if the African Congolese descendants in several parts of the West return home. They would surely get the necessary human resources to manage their natural resources for their development. 

The Rich Cultural Impact and Dynamism 

The African culture is beautiful in that anyone can be part of it no matter where you come from. So Diaspora Africans moving home will only strengthen their sense of belonging towards their culture, and they can also impact them with the culture they’re used to in the West. This will bring a rich mix that will change Africans’ lives and enlighten and enrichen their culture further. 

THE CONS:

The Change in Environment may be Negative

Despite the majestic strides that have been made in Africa in recent years, she continues to lack some basic amenities. For example, some communities in Africa can still not get access to good drinking water and electricity. The wide gap in the way of living that they’re used to in the West may be much for migrating diaspora Africans to cope with. Even the effectiveness of security may not be as guaranteed as it is in the West.  

This is a massive gap that diasporas may find hard to cope with.

The Cultural Gap

Most African societies still practice certain cultures that the West may consider strange and archaic. Despite the eagerness of some diaspora Africans to belong and practice these cultures, it will test their coping mechanism in ways they have never seen before. This is one of the enormous impediments that may deter many of them from returning home. 

Leadership Structure

Some African societies still very much practice a monarchical system of leadership that might clash with the liberal life of the West. This can impede any diaspora African who has never subjugated to anyone in their life. Moreover, getting used to such a way of living can be shocking for anyone coming back home to Africa. 

To Summarize Briefly 

It’s not ideal for diaspora Africans to be filled with dreamy versions of the motherland without first grasping the implications that such a change will have on them. Coming home is a great deal, but staying home in peace and harmony is the goal. Click here for more information on relocating to Africa.

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Slavery Reparations Go Beyond African Americans

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West African Descent:

Today, Africans in the diaspora still suffer due to the ill-treatment and slavery they suffered for many years. In 1860, about $3 billion was estimated as the worth of the descendants of African slaves used as free labor and $250 million estimated as the worth of cotton produced by them. All of these would have benefited the people of Africa.

All that suffered due to the injustice done to them have had reparations paid to them except Africans in the diaspora.

Brief History of Slave Trade:

Slave trade existed long before the transatlantic slave trade originated in the 15th century when the Portuguese and other European nations expanded their reach to Africa. Initially, Africans were kidnapped then taken to Europe for slavery; however, the increase in the demand for African labor lead to Africans being sold as slaves to American continents. The majority of the captives were from western African countries like Senegal, Nigeria, and Benin.

In total, about 25 million Africans were sold into captivity. Africa being the only continent affected this way, experienced a significant population decline, leading to the economic challenges still evident today; meanwhile, Europe and other nations were enriched. A Virginia law created in 1662 decreed that “the status of the child followed the status of the mother,” condemning unborn children to a life of slavery.

Reparation for Black People:

Reparation is a system created to pay back the descendants of African slaves for the great injustice done against them. The Durban Conference against Racism held in 2001 advocated that the Western world owed reparation to Africa, and the reparation is for the slave trade, colonialism, and the post-colonial era.

This is because the slave trade, which deprived Africa of adequate human resources and colonization, which caused an uneven tapping of natural resources, led to the unstable economy, political and cultural damage of Africa.

Others subjected to injustice and slavery have received apologies and have been compensated. For example, West Germany agreed to pay 3.45 billion Deutsche Marks to Holocaust survivors in 1952, and Native Americans got lands and dollars in billions for being forcibly exiled from their lands. Africans are the only ones still not paid despite the many opportunities for them to be though they were affected the most.

How Far Slavery Reparations Has Gone:

A bill called H.R. 40 was introduced about 30 years ago by Late John Conyers. Following the 1988 Civil Liberties Act, it was passed, which led to the reparations for Japanese Americans affected by the war. However, this bill did not gain ground till 2019.

The voting carried out by the congressional committee on the 14th of April, 2021, moved the bill forward; therefore, Africans in the diaspora closer to being compensated.

Reparations Black People Deserve:

Great monetary value was placed on Africans and their labor during their slavery; so, it necessary for Africans in the diaspora to be compensated for growing and closing the racial wealth and economic gap. This reparation should be in the form of;

Payment for lost wages and damages:

  • Free tuition or cutback on tuition
  • Grants for businesses and housing
  • Free properties for those who have proof of African slave origin

The reparations should be received by black people who can trace their origin to the people enslaved and those who can prove they were excluded from various policies.

Final Thoughts:

Reparations for descendants of African slaves are long overdue. It is necessary to atone for the suffering the blacks endured centuries ago and are still enduring due to various policies that have made them inferior to others. Their labor helped enrich those that enslaved them, and up until now, they have not been compensated calls for intervention.

Justice needs to be served to Africans in the diaspora, now, not later!! Take the west Africa interactive tour for more info.

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Why Africans in Diaspora Should Invest in West Africa

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Why West Africa?

Harvard professor and economist Nathan Nunn revealed that the poorest countries in Africa were majorly affected by the slave trade. Years after the exploitation of its resources and workforce, Africa still suffers the consequences. Recall that largest and most popular slave trade was the trans-Atlantic slave trade that affected most parts of West Africa. This has left West Africa the most scarred by the slave trade, and the repercussion is glaring in all sectors, especially the economic sector.

Because West Africa has the highest number of countries of all the regions in Africa, a considerable disruption in its economy or socio-political activities will directly or indirectly affect other African countries. In the same way, massive growth in the economic system of West Africa translates to the development of the majority of African nations, which will invariably impact Africa in general.

It might also be necessary to consider the fact that the majority of Africans now in Diaspora are of West African ancestry, no thanks to the trans-Atlantic slave trade. If charity is to begin at home, as always said, West Africa is a safe place for Diasporans to start investing.

Improving investment Methods:

Although Africans in Diaspora have contributed by various means to the continent’s economy, most of their investments are inclined towards consumption rather than the production factors of the continent. This calls for an adjustment in their investment methods because the aim is to help in developing the economy of the nations, and this can be better achieved by increasing production.

An effective way of increasing production is through diaspora entrepreneurship. This investment tool goes a long way to provide job opportunities for the teeming population of the continent. Also, it is a means to supply products that are of vital importance to the African nation.

One hindrance to diasporans investing within the continent is the information barrier. Some interested investors are discouraged by the lack of proper information to guide their decision. Creating an interactive forum with Africans within the continent can help in bridging the information barrier. Thanks to technology, interacting with people across the globe is almost always a click away.

Conclusion:

Generally, Africans in Diaspora have been investing in the continent. However, there is a need to improve the method of investment to increase productivity which is the primary reason for the investment.

More so, West Africa, which suffered a great deal from the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the effect of which is now evident in its economy, should be a focus area for Africans in Diaspora. This is necessary because West Africa is the most prominent African region, and growth in its economy will impact other African regions as will a drawback.

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Money Owed To Black People

Diaspora, Dollars & Blackness

Racial Reparations 101:

Reparations for black Americans have been a long-standing debate since the end of the slave trade. The announcement “All slaves are free” made by Gordon Granger on June 19 1865, was followed by a promise from the federal government to provide “40 acres and a mule” to all freed slaves. This promise was later reversed, leaving a great financial gap between the white and black races. The result has been a continuous clamoring for black slavery reparations.

Overview of Reparations in the U.S:

As repayment for forceful exile from their homeland, Native Americans have received billions of dollars (for different reasons) as well as lands. Also, Japanese Americans imprisoned during world war II were paid $1.5 billion. Similarly, Jews received reparations after the Holocaust through the United State’s Marshall Plan.

Black Americans are yet to receive reparations for the West African Slave Trade. This leaves them as the only race yet to be compensated through any form of reparation for the state-approved racial discrimination that was utterly brutal.

The Slavery Reparations Bill:

Over 30 years ago, Late John Conyers, a congressman, introduced the H.R. 40 bill following the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which fostered reparations for Japanese Americans affected by the war. Sadly, the H.R. 40 did not gain proper recognition until 2019, when there was a second congress hearing by the house over the bill.

On April 14, 2021, a congressional committee voted over the H.R. 40 slavery reparations bill. For the first time in history, the vote moved the bill out of the committee level to the House floor, where it will gain broad deliberation.

Possible Reparations for Black Slavery:

Although there is no generally accepted view on what black slavery reparations should be like, the Harriet Tubman Community Investment Act has tried to use a standard that addresses sensitive areas.

The following measures will make part of a good reparations policy –

  • Making payments to individuals who are descendants of Black American slaves.
  • 4 or 2 years of college tuition for descendants of black American slaves
  • The pardoning of student loan
  • Grants for the down payment and housing revitalization
  • Business grants or expansion, and
  • Purchasing of property for people who can trace their origin back to the enslaved black Americans.

Conclusion:

Black slavery reparations are a long-overdue atonement, and the first positive feedback on the H.R. 40 is a step in the right direction. Although some scholars opine that no amount of money can pay for the grave injustice, recognition of fault and an apology is a good step towards healing.

More so, to make for a complete and unbiased reparation, it is necessary to include all the black people in the diaspora into whatever policy the state makes as regard black slavery reparation. This is because blacks in the diaspora can trace their origin to victims of the West African slave trade in one way or another. As such, they are equally deserving of justice.

The Reparation Hub (formely Reparation Hub Inc.) is a not-for-profit association. We offer a new web-based platform which connects the descendants of African enslaved persons with donors and people of good will for the purpose of righting a wrong via our reparation sponsorship program. If you know someone who has received reparations for slavery elsewhere please let us know.
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