Must See: The United States of Africa
Africa. The Motherland. The home of the Garden of Eden and the crater of life. Despite its rich history of kings, queens, and inventions, the recent rhetoric out of the continent has been one of colonial rule, warring factions, and a struggle to gain and retain independence. Despite its challenges, the countries of Africa continue to progress toward a bright future with booming economies and democratic governments, but one illusive goal remains just out of reach: unity.
Unifying the countries of Africa has been on at the forefront of some of its leaders for years. But despite this, and the formation of coalitions like the African Union, a unified, totally independent Africa has not yet been realized. But, many people haven’t given up on this dream just yet.
Senegalese rapper Didier Awadi is one of them, and a new film by Canadian filmmaker Yannick Létourneau chronicles his journey as he travels to over 40 countries to collaborate with hip hop artists across the diaspora to celebrate those leaders who have worked and are working for a unified Africa.
The United States of Africa is about “one artist’s profound meditation on the power of music and the impact of political engagement—both individual and collective,” and centers on Awadi as he works with artists and activists like Smockey (Burkina Faso), M-1 of Dead Prez (United States) and ZuluBoy (South Africa).
Recently, Létourneau chatted with the blog Africa is A Country to explain why he made the film.
He explains:
This film has become for me a way to challenge the stereotypes and the negative representations I had of the African continent and the contribution by Africans to civilization and history — too often portrayed in a negative way as if Africa was somewhere outside of history. Sarkozy’s speech in Dakar in August 2007 (where Sarkozy said Africans had “not fully entered history”) sums up that colonialist point of view very well. This film is my way to talk about this other Africa we unfortunately don’t know much about.
Like many Westerners, Létourneau realized he didn’t know anything about Africa’s history, its people, and its thinkers, but only saw the continent through the prism of what it presented in the media. But after traveling to many of its countries he was overcome with its wealth and wanted to inform others.
I think the film is a good start.
*Learn more about The United States of Africa and its filmmaker on the Africa Is A Country blog.
Wow! This looks good and the content sounds amazing! Can’t wait to see!
Sorry to be the party pooper, but I am against a United States of Africa! However, I do applaud his efforts in the unification of my people.
why are you against it? In what ways could it not be a good thing?
Can I admit that I didn’t read the article and since the Firefox update, videos aren’t working and I don’t feel like going to Internet Explorer? Just wanted to share this story:
I’m not African and I’ve never lived in Africa, but randomly this Ethiopian guy came and sat next to me as I waited on the Metro and gave me an interesting speech for 12 minutes. He told me about how he feels that different countries in Africa have specialists, experts, and researchers at small centers of great potential, but b/c they are small scale they aren’t able to reach their full potential b/c of limited resources. He said that it would be great if African countries formed a union (but not a single country, a-la-USA) and were able to share and benefit from each other by sharing their resources.
Just wanted to share. In the world, Africa is definitely standing alone. A friend of mine brought up a good point about the way the world works- you don’t see France and Uganda teaming up on Germany. The European diaspora is cronyism for the white and they’re adding their forces together and destroying everything. A strong African union might be necessary to combat this. The Europeans bond together to beat up on them, so it might benefit them to bond together to fight back.
@Pseudonym
I agree. However, the west is terrified of a united African front which is why it will never happen. The idea of pan-Africanism and self-determination was such a threat in the 60′s that leaders were being taken out and replaced by puppet governments, many of which are still in place today. The strife and chaos that sometimes takes place in these nations is no accident. This way China, Europe and the US can confidently run through Africa like looters in a blackout. They would like you to believe that Africans are feeble and distressed and can do no better, making it easy for people to swallow bullsh*t like kony 2012 so easily without blinking.
Hip Hop at it’s best. I see the journey to a United Africa being a long journey though, there is a lot to over come with tribalism and politicians. But it helps to have a common enemy. I wouldnt too much stock into Obama though……..
I’m sorry this is nothing new. Just because they add music to it, doesnt mean that people have not been discussing Pan-Africanism for a while now.
Awadi is a respected rapper in Senegal. This album’s is kinda old though. I think it was out in 2009 or 2010. But just like African Mami said, I don’t believe in the United States of Africa. Africans are different and the story of someone from Rwanda is not the same story for someone from Mali. That’s why I don’t like it when people make generalities about Africa. To me, it’s the most diverse continent in the world.