The answer to that is a big fat NO. If that was possible, France would not be holding on so tightly to its colonies over 50 years after the "end" of colonialism.
A few months ago, on July 15 2018, France won the world cup. Africans all over the world rejoiced.
Most of us Africans cheered for the French national team most likely because we easily identified with them. Why? Because a large percentage of the current French team is of African heritage...Mbappe, Pogba, Dembele to name a few. So it was not really surprising when the French victory was also called an African victory by many, which no doubt infuriated the French (based on their responses).
Some of these very French-African players even took to social media to attribute their success and skill to France, and refute the claim that their "African-ness" has something to do with it... shamelessly stating that they are French and nothing else. Nurture sure is very vital, but can we really rule out nature completely?
I wonder if they ever ask themselves why their parents emigrated from their home countries to France in the first place. Is it a coincidence that french-African countries are the poorest ones in Africa? I do not think so. Do some googling.
Anyway, I was personally hurt and saddened by how fast and how strongly these players distanced themselves from being African. A picture of colonialism at its best. Well, as they praise the "almighty" France and share the many privileges they enjoyed growing up there I would like to bring to their attention a few things:
I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the picture. Yes I blame France and Co for supporting and actively keeping in power governments that are largely ineffective. When I say "France and Co" I am referring to media houses and international organizations that continue to choose to ignore what France is doing to Africa. Why is the Franc CFA still the currency used in francophone Africa? Why does France still have rights over our natural resources? Why is Rwanda making so much progress only after shaking off France?
An African leader is only ousted when he becomes a threat to Western interests. Gaddafi was attacked and removed from power because he threatened the West's interests in Africa, not because he was a dictator and bad leader. If that was the case then the likes of Biya, Bongo and Kabila will not be in power. They rather support these corrupt governments because they are good puppets, foolishly and selfishly giving away the country's resources.
For three years now people have been dying in the English parts of the Cameroon, but the president (Paul Biya) has not even addressed the people suffering in these regions. His response has been nothing more than an irritated nonchalance. Presidential elections were held on October 7th, 2018 and almost two weeks later we are still waiting for the official announcement of the results. We all know who the winner is going to be. There is plenty of evidence showing that the elections were far from fair, but what can we do when all the offices in place to legally contest the results are elected by said president (so they will definitely not give a fair ruling). When it comes to protests, it does not help that we have a military that serves the president and not the people. In light of all this, France and Co is silent. The United Nations that should be there to serve all nations, serves the interests of a chosen few even at the expense of others. Media houses that should enlighten the world on what is going on are silent...repeatedly reporting on much more trivial matters. The way I see it, our only hope is God.
Personally I have no regard for France. France is nothing without Africa. Yes I admit I am bitter at this injustice that is still perpetuated over 50 years after colonialism. French people should know that all the luxury and comfort they enjoy as citizens of a developed country is at the expense of millions of lives in Africa.
The least they can do is get on the streets and force their leaders to let Africa go. The French leaders won't do it, one can only hope that the French people someday will.
A few months ago, on July 15 2018, France won the world cup. Africans all over the world rejoiced.
Most of us Africans cheered for the French national team most likely because we easily identified with them. Why? Because a large percentage of the current French team is of African heritage...Mbappe, Pogba, Dembele to name a few. So it was not really surprising when the French victory was also called an African victory by many, which no doubt infuriated the French (based on their responses).
Some of these very French-African players even took to social media to attribute their success and skill to France, and refute the claim that their "African-ness" has something to do with it... shamelessly stating that they are French and nothing else. Nurture sure is very vital, but can we really rule out nature completely?
I wonder if they ever ask themselves why their parents emigrated from their home countries to France in the first place. Is it a coincidence that french-African countries are the poorest ones in Africa? I do not think so. Do some googling.
Anyway, I was personally hurt and saddened by how fast and how strongly these players distanced themselves from being African. A picture of colonialism at its best. Well, as they praise the "almighty" France and share the many privileges they enjoyed growing up there I would like to bring to their attention a few things:
- For every baby or mother that dies in Cameroon EVERYDAY due to lack of access to decent healthcare...France and Co is responsible.
- For every young person that resorts to crime due to unemployment...France and Co is responsible.
- For every child that is forced to miss his childhood because he has to work long hours to support the family financially...France and Co is responsible
- For every life lost in a car accident due to poor road infrastructure...France and Co is responsible.
- For every French African life lost in the Atlantic in an attempt to cross over to Europe for a better future...France and Co is responsible.
I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the picture. Yes I blame France and Co for supporting and actively keeping in power governments that are largely ineffective. When I say "France and Co" I am referring to media houses and international organizations that continue to choose to ignore what France is doing to Africa. Why is the Franc CFA still the currency used in francophone Africa? Why does France still have rights over our natural resources? Why is Rwanda making so much progress only after shaking off France?
An African leader is only ousted when he becomes a threat to Western interests. Gaddafi was attacked and removed from power because he threatened the West's interests in Africa, not because he was a dictator and bad leader. If that was the case then the likes of Biya, Bongo and Kabila will not be in power. They rather support these corrupt governments because they are good puppets, foolishly and selfishly giving away the country's resources.
For three years now people have been dying in the English parts of the Cameroon, but the president (Paul Biya) has not even addressed the people suffering in these regions. His response has been nothing more than an irritated nonchalance. Presidential elections were held on October 7th, 2018 and almost two weeks later we are still waiting for the official announcement of the results. We all know who the winner is going to be. There is plenty of evidence showing that the elections were far from fair, but what can we do when all the offices in place to legally contest the results are elected by said president (so they will definitely not give a fair ruling). When it comes to protests, it does not help that we have a military that serves the president and not the people. In light of all this, France and Co is silent. The United Nations that should be there to serve all nations, serves the interests of a chosen few even at the expense of others. Media houses that should enlighten the world on what is going on are silent...repeatedly reporting on much more trivial matters. The way I see it, our only hope is God.
Personally I have no regard for France. France is nothing without Africa. Yes I admit I am bitter at this injustice that is still perpetuated over 50 years after colonialism. French people should know that all the luxury and comfort they enjoy as citizens of a developed country is at the expense of millions of lives in Africa.
The least they can do is get on the streets and force their leaders to let Africa go. The French leaders won't do it, one can only hope that the French people someday will.
Good summary. Sometimes it feels like we can only rely on a force majeure to change this world order.
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