The Urgency of a Pan African Consciousness
                      By M. QUINN

With the world population at approximately six billion
people, Black people - people of African descent
account for two billion of that six billion worldwide.
Anyway you calculate the numbers; we are forty (40)
percent of the world's population. Ponder that thought
for a moment. Nearly half of the world's population is
people of African descent. 

The question that remains is this; if people of
African descent make up forty percent of the world's
population; how can we be referred to as a minority
anywhere in the world? Wherever, black people travel
on the planet, they are still one out of two billion
people worldwide. Forty percent is by no means a
minority in any way, shape or form. It is imperative
that black people begin to understand the significance
of these numbers. No other culture on the planet
reflects itself with such phenomenal human potency. 

However, what's even more astonishing about these
numbers are the economic and political disparities
between the black culture, and other world cultures.
At forty percent of the world population, the
reflection of economic and political power for people
of African descent should eclipse every other culture
on the planet. 

Malcolm X once stated that; "A chicken just doesn't
have it within its system to produce a duck egg. It
can only produce according to what its system is
designed to produce. The system in this country
(American and the rest of the European world) cannot
produce true freedom for the Blackman. It is
impossible for this system, this economic system, this
political system, this social system, this system
period. It is impossible for this system, to produce
real freedom for the Blackman. 

And, if ever a chicken did produce a duck egg, I'm
sure you would say that was one revolutionary
chicken!" 

The point made by Brother Malcolm is readily clear,
that the economic, political and social structure in
America is not designed to elevate the black culture
to an economic "Or" political standing, and
communicate the message that our strength is derived
from who we are. In fact, it's designed to do the
opposite; suppress it. 

We must begin to understand, that we dominate the
world stage at a population rate of forty percent.
When we decide to come together and operate in unison,
it will have the magnitude of a world-changing event.
This is why our relationship with each other here in
America, in Asia, in Europe, and with our brothers and
sisters across the Atlantic in Africa, is so critical.


Brother Malcolm further stated that; "If I take these
digits (fingers) with them spread apart and strike
you, it may sting you a little, but the hurt will
eventually go away. However, all I have to do to put
you back in your place is to bring those digits
together". UNITY. 

It remains imperative to our survival on the planet
that we bring those digits (our people) back together,
and regain our rightful economic, social, political
and spiritual place in the international community. 

Why are the Chinese respected on the world stage?
Cultural pride, unity and numbers. The economic,
political, cultural, and military strength of the
Chinese remains unmatched by many nations. Ninety
percent of the merchandise in America is made in
China. 

As long as people of African descent remain separated,
and succumb to the game of divide and conquer, we will
remain the social, political, and economic pariahs of
the world. However, all people have to do to recapture
their glorious stature on the world stage is come
together. There is strength and unity in numbers. 
How can this be accomplished? 

What makes every nation strong? Cultural pride and
economics. Didn't sales of the American flag increase
ten (10) fold with the invasion of Iraq? We witnessed
an astounding display of American patriotism at this
time in history. Cultural pride! 

We must first and foremost, begin to identify, take
pride, and learn our own African history. "Not slave
history, but African history". 

THE HISTORY OF AFRICA: 

DR. YOSEF BEN-JOCHANNAN
http://www.africawithin.com/jochannan/dr_ben.htm

DR. IVAN VAN SERTIMA:
http://www.africawithin.com/vansertima/vansertima_books.htm


Secondly, it is critical that we as a nation of people
become informed, and develop a comprehensive
understanding on the way and life of PAN AFRICANISM.
We must begin to understand that the same blood that's
running through the Africans veins in Kenya, Somalia,
and all throughout Africa is the same blood that's
running through our veins right here in America. There
is no biological difference from the African living in
Africa, America, Asia, or Europe. The only difference
is economics, and location. We are bound together! 

THE HISTORY OF PAN AFRICANISM:
http://www.uneca.org/adfiii/riefforts/hist.htm 

Thirdly, we must begin to think globally, and act
locally by adopting the philosophy of Brother Malcolm
who stated that; 

"When you go to church and you see the pastor of that
church with a philosophy and a program that's design
to bring black people together and elevate black
people, join that church! If you see where the NAACP
is preaching and practicing that which is designed to
make Black Nationalism materialize, join the NAACP.
Join any kind of organization - civic, religious,
fraternal, and political or otherwise that's based on
lifting the Blackman up and making him master of his
own community. 

The path to power for Black people will remain the
reinstatement of our relationship with our brothers
and sisters across the Atlantic. It is imperative for
us to recognize that the ties between the African in
America and our family across the Atlantic in Africa
have been severed and distorted for much too long, and
are in dire need of being mended and reattached. 

It is critically important that we begin to understand
that we are global people with international
implications. We cannot allow ourselves to be
continually bamboozled, hoodwinked, run amuck, and
lead astray by the game of divide and conquer any
longer. A Pan African consciousness is imperative to
our survival on this planet. 

ELDERS ON CD:
DR. YOSEF BEN-JOCHANNAN:
http://www.africawithin.com/jochannan/drben_cds.htm 

M. QUINN is a San Francisco Bay Area Author of the
book “Removing the Veil”, and a freelance writer and
columnist for Afromerica.com, the Noyse.com and the UC
Berkeley newspaper “The Onyx” specializing in social,
historical and political analysis, and commentary.

M. Quinn can be reached at:
http://www.afromerica.com/columns/mquinn/

Note: No part of this article may be used or
reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the
express written consent from the author.

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