Africa, Rise!
Africa rise, I hear you cry, shackled by past oppression, subjugated by current representation.
Africa rise, I see how they take your resources from you, the diamonds encrusted in crowns
The cocoa beans gathered by the blistered hands of your children and then sold.
The gold that is paraded in opulent ways and is praised for its beauty.
Africa rise, even though they exploit your people, paint them as uneducated savages when the very people that stereotype Africa can’t point you out on the map.
Africa rise, as your leaders continue to be corrupt, sold for money and power while they watch your children starve.
Africa rise, as your children are still at war, fighting for power and a piece of the pie, watching each other die.
Yet, Africa, you hold so much beauty!
From your pyramids in Egypt standing tall for thousands upon thousands of years
To your great Mud Mosque of Djenne maintained with pride by your Malians
The vast Saharan Desert stretched across millions of square miles connecting Africans to each other.
Your rich history, found in the walls of Ethiopia, proud and prevalent just like Victoria Falls.
Your beautiful lush, dense jungles and stretching savannas housing animals rarely seen
Oh, you are truly a queen!
A queen who should be praised for not only her beauty, but her complexities, diversity and most importantly her resilience.
Oh Africa, how you should rise and how you deserve more.
You have the power to bring this world and their knees to the floor.
I wrote this poem reflecting upon my African identity and what it means to be African. Growing up, I always thought of Africa as a poor, destitute place. A place of suffering – a place many Africans leave to find a better life. This image of Africa was largely perpetuated through the images and movies I had seen as a child. Movies where people would come to Africa to either help starving children or go on a safari.
The stereotypical ‘wild Africa’ was constantly reinforced through mainstream narratives. It was only after I had conversations with people who had spent time travelling through Africa, and through my own research, that those distorted views of my continent begin to be deconstructed.
I have travelled across the US, and seen equal issues with poverty and deprivation – but of course, Hollywood productions generally showcase the vibrant cities of the US, and it is very easy to be influenced by what you are shown.
It was important for me to immerse myself in the true beauty of our incredible continent. Sure, we have issues with poverty, and people are suffering, but our continent houses nature, animals and culture that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Africa is rich; rich in natural resources, so rich that if we were able to use those resources effectively, we would bring this world and its knees to the floor – but first, we have to rise.