Blog #6

After watching the documentary, I found Patrice Lumumba to be a phenomenal person. Similar to Marcus Garvey his standards conflicted with those who sought out to control so as a result, he became a threat to them. Lumumba believed that the Congo should be independent of Belgium and run things the way the Congolese wanted to. Discussed in chapter 9 was the position of decolonization “the presentation of some of the main currents in the decolonization process will center around the political, social and economic factors influencing the decolonization process” (pg. 163). So in the film the Belgians appointed Lumumba prime minister so that the Congo would feel independent. The Congo was now divided.

When the Belgians first invaded Africa, they admired it for its many resources such as zinc, gold and copper. But one could argue that the ultimate goal was the “colonial rule”. Discussed in chapter 9 was the invasion of Ethiopia by Italy as stated in the chapter “this experience convinced African nationalist that they had to fend for themselves and that any thought of a “progressive” colonialism was but an illusion” (pg.166).  So although Lumumba met the goal of becoming independent, he also wanted the people to feel like a unit. So he pushed for laws that would apply for everyone not just to a tribe; even though some tribes were more dominant than others. “Colonialism had to be defeated in all aspects and independence for Africa restored” (pg. 166).

 The Belgian forces had to be in charge at all times and they believed independence would never work amongst tribes. Granting Congo their independence was a plan to have them fall back into colonialism because the different tribes hated each other. They knew that soon they would have to step in and mediate situations and at the point would gain control. Lumumba was a symbol of freedom to his people who believed in his message. Still many people envied him and him as a threat to everyone. He was then set up by his closest ally Genera Motumbu, whom was the head of the Congolese Army.  In many senses he became a martyr. The Belgians became very angry because he tried to enlist the help of the Russians who were their sworn enemies to come in and stop rebellion.

  Lumumba did play a part in his own downfall; trying to win back his popularity got him killed. Lumumba travelling to where he still had followers led troops to where he was, and they tortured and put him in jail, then eventually kill him.  Lumumba was not a physical threat to these people that wanted him dead. They feared him because was more of a psychological influence on the African peopled and they knew that eventually stronghold Belgium had on the African people would be released if they allowed him to live. Everyone from the CIA to the FBI was for his assassination.  In the film the United States seemed innocent, but they were not opposing to his assassination. The US was also interested in Africa’s resources as well. Most advocates for the freedom of African were either severely harassed and or killed. The government decided to cover up his death by staging it to appear that Lumumba sworn enemy killed him, so that the government could as many say “keep their hands clean”.  This was a great film and the fact that it display how the government gets involved in such endeavors was a definite eye opener.

BLOG #2

 
 One example of geography in Africa and explained in Ali Mazrui video is the rain, The text states " Africa has five major climatic regions and contains a wide variety of climates and vegetation, even though 3/4 of its surface is in the tropics". In the video with Mazrui stated :rainfall was of god and water was god". Many Africans believed in water sacredness. This is apart of culture being that God is apart of many people religions.Mazrui talks about how the location of water was extremely important to Africans. I believe Mazrui make a good connection here between geography and culture.

Discussed in chapter 3 was food and how it was produced. Food production caused some what of a big change when it came to hunting. The states states " hunting and gathering societies ultimately reached an optimum level beyond which they could not move".  The book also states " hunting and gathering techniques could only be developed to sustain a certain level of population and social organization". Food is apart of nature  like in society now farmers grow food and nuture animals for the survival of people. Maxrui talks about how Africans felt a close connection with nature and how nature produced a moral code of conduct.

The trading of goods is discussed in both chapter 3 and in the video . According to Mazrui Africa's coast in places such as Kilwa in south Tanzania , was attractive to Europeans , in which they decided to invade parts of Africa . Ghana also became a gold mine for Europeans. Chapter 3 states Kanem-Burnu, a Muslim state located between the Nile and the Niger rivers, benefited from its prime location in the Trans -Saharan trade of goods such as salt, dried fish, and gold. I believe this links between both geography and diversity.

Mazrui view and Chapter 3 both stated that Africa is the birthplace of human kind. I believe that both the chapter and the video enlightened me on the history of Africa . There were clear concepts that I understood and could possible agree with. I say i could possibly agree because the previous articles and videos viewed locals stated that they didn't believe the person that wrote the book actually visited the country and studied it. I like hearing and seeing thing from a person with past and experienced a local such as Mazrui.