After reflecting on the poem, Heritage by Countee Cullen, I was left pondering what Africa means to me personally. I have never been to Africa. I do not know her soil, her rivers, mountains, valleys, savannas, deserts, rain forests, or her wild life. I do not know the scents on her winds on rainy days, or during temperate, sunny afternoons. I haven't experienced her many faces, cultures, and cuisines.
And yet, when I see her on a screen there is a knowing. A connection. Something primal and indelible. A feeling of something missed that I cannot name.
I hear the music of her people and know the beat. I see the faces of so many of her inhabitants reflecting mine back to me. I see wealth and prosperity next to destitution and hopelessness. I see similar struggles to live and thrive in the midst of systems designed to abuse and marginalize.
Africa is both foreign and familiar to me. I do not know her tongues, but I share the language of being seen in this skin by the rest of the world and judged for for its color saturation. I feel the NASDAQ of my worth tied to my melanin. I share the burden of having my heritage and traditions trivialized while being marketed back to me and adopted and accepted as fashionable when displayed by others. I feel my own natural resources being abused and contaminated.
Africa isn't just safaris, starvation, war, and chocolate. It's all those things and sprawling cities, technology, science, infrastructure, and more. There isn't an either or. There is only, yes, and.
What is Africa to me? It isn't home. It isn't an attraction to visit. It's home to the spirit of a people. It's the anchor of a planet. It's the locus of the wealth and knowledge of the world. It's the cradle of civilization. Even though I do not know her, she's been with me always.
Please enjoy a song I love, Akwaaba and hear the sounds of modern day Africa.
Hello, I am Sydney Bates, your fellow classmate. I loved your post and agree 100%. I feel a connection but don't feel connected to Africa. Its more of a know. I agree that we put this stereotype on Africa like they all live in poverty and hut but there are actually cities that are very much developed and tech savvy. Thanks for the read! I loved your descriptive wording to describe Africa it gave it texture and feel when I read your post.
I really like what you said about Africa being home to a spirit of a people because even though I have never had a physical or known familial connection, I have always felt some sort of connection to Africa and what you said makes me think maybe it has always been a spiritual connection.