Allan´s Weblog

Everybody knows about what is happening in Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand and The Middle East. We (as Europeans)have a growing knowledge of Asia, The Far East and South America.

But Africa?

How often do you see mass media concentrating on Africa? Oh yes - we see all those pictures of hungry children and wildlife. But knowledge about political issues and analysis of the different countries´ interactions are rare, as are displays of African art and culture.

But in my opinion it is only fair to describe Africa as The Forgotten Continent - particularly when it comes to the international mass media´s interest in African affairs as a whole.

Why is it so, I ask rhetorically. Even though I think I know the answer.

Africa is poor. Money and influence go hand in hand. There´s nothing much to gain for the international community if it were to interfere in African relations. As simple as that!

I think that´s a very poor strategy by the rich world. Not only will we have to live without knowledge of a fantastic continent of music, hospitality, spirituality and a whole range of other things we are starving for. I feel it´s like we´re leaving half of our inner lives behind.

We need to concentrate on Africa - the continent of our dreams.

Africa is our Dreamland. Africa is in a way our spiritual homeland. We each have a little space in our heart which belongs to Africa.
So when the Africa outside of us is ill, something in ourselves is suffering.

I think, and hope, that Africa just might be the force that will enable us to once again move along on the path towards world peace.

I would like to make Africa able to smile again. Making Africa smile could be the 21st century´s most precious gift to mankind. I am talking about our inner Africa as well as the outer Africa. Africa must be healed from it´s disease - and if so it will grow into being the healer of the world.

We must rediscover the true Africa, the continent of laughter and joy, the land of originality and improvisation - the legends, the playfulness and the kindness towards strangers. The wisdom, the riddles and the beautiful paradoxes. The faith, the patience and the cyclic conception of time.

We love the Europe within us, and we love the USA within us. We´re beginning to respect the far east. I think it´s about time we rediscover the grand continent of Africa - this time with respect and no exploitation.

This may just be able to heal the hearts of the rich world.

This post was written after listening to Ben Okri speaking

Picture borrowed from here