Guilt Trip: A Critical View on Obama’s Africa Visit (borrowed from The African Economist)

 On June 26, President Barack Obama embarked on his second trip to sub-Saharan Africa since taking office in 2009. Significant though it was, this long-awaited visit may have fallen short of the expectations of many Africans. Over the last four and a half years, Africans have grown increasingly critical of Obama’s limited interest in the continent — an interest that seems confined to security — and many feel that the U.S. president has taken their goodwill for granted. The excitement that accompanied his historic 2008 election has given way to widespread cynicism on the continent. It remains to be seen if Obama’s trip has changed the prevailing view among Africans that Obama is out of touch with the new realities of an emerging Africa.
On Obama’s return to Washington from a week long trip to the continent, he will have increased the amount of time he’s spent as president in Africa nearly tenfold — from 21 to about 200 hours. He will also have gone from having visited only one country — Ghana — to having visited four (Senegal, Tanzania, and South Africa). For the Obama administration, these are important milestones and a sign of his renewed commitment.
But for a president who has failed to seize Africa’s many economic opportunities, the additional time spent there is still pathetic and embarrassing — especially when compared with China’s deep engagement in the region. Over the last five years, China’s top leaders — including the president, vice president, premier, vice premier, cabinet ministers, and top Communist Party officials — have visited around 30 African countries. Former Chinese President Hu Jintao visited 17 African nations in a single 10-month stretch between July 2006 and February 2007. And China’s current president, Xi Jinping, has already visited three African countries since taking office on March 14, 2013. President Xi Jinping visited Tanzania soon after visiting Russia.

Even by recent U.S. presidential standards, Obama’s travel to the region has been minimal. At this point in George W. Bush’s presidency, he had taken a five-country tour of sub-Saharan Africa and spent more than 100 hours on the continent. He then made another six-day trip to Africa near the end of his second term – that was George Bush.
Another major criticism of Obama’s Africa trip concerns the makeup of his itinerary. The president will be passing over three of the continent’s regional anchors: Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia. In fact, some had thought Obama would attend the African Union heads-of-state summit in Addis Ababa last month to celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary. This would have been more significant than visiting any group of countries and especially poignant given Obama’s African heritage. Instead, he sent his secretary of state, which African leaders could have perceived as a sign of disrespect.
Obama has indicated that he will use his trip to highlight U.S. development programs in Africa. But since the president has established no significant NEW Africa-related programs, he will inevitably be highlighting the work of his predecessors, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Obama has also indicated he will highlight U.S. engagement on food security, terrorism, youth leadership, and energy.
When Chinese leaders visit Africa, they come with very specific development initiatives and return home with hundreds of bilateral agreements, many of which involve investment by Chinese companies.
So, what will he accomplish beyond symbolism? Probably not much. The president’s advisors will spin the trip as proof that Obama hasn’t ignored Africa and that the region is an important U.S. partner. And while the latter bit might be true, most Africans don’t see it that way. In fact, what Africa may need to consider is its involvement in the globalized world and how it can ensure its interests on its own.
If Obama was right about one thing, then it is in what he said in his speech in Tanzania.
“Ultimately the goal here is for Africa to build Africa, for Africans,” Obama said after talks with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete on Monday.

“Your English is very good.” No offense? Re-blogged from African in American

Written by Fi.

 As a rising college junior in the US from Zimbabwe, my experiences make me feel like I have an idea of life as an International student but not quite enough to know how to react.

Mine would be the typical story, left home at young age of 19, first time away from home and first time in America.  So everything was literally fresh throughout freshman year. From the time I was asked whether Zimbabwe is an island or more in the Middle East, to the first time I tried to explain the concepts of braids to my Chinese roommate. I have also been learning that Asian seems more appropriate to say, but who knows with Politically Correctness.

Last week I had one of those days at work. I am a tour guide in the admissions office, but also student representative and office assistant. Pretty much any legal job that’s available in the building I can do it! This particular day I was leading a tour, halfway through, a young mother (at least 45) felt she could not conceal her curiosity any longer so she asked. I always know when it comes; on average I get 2 of those in a work week.

“How come your English is so good? Did you come to the US so fluent? And your accent sounds so English like from Scotland.” The last one was more of a statement than a question. Then it was my turn to react.

I paused, took a deep breath and I smiled.

“Well actually I did, I grew up speaking English and Shona and I learnt both pretty much at the same time. English is our official language in Zimbabwe where I am from. We are a former British colony, so that may explain the “accent”.   All 6 years in High school and 7 in elementary school I learnt in English. So the answer is yes.”

“Oh I didn’t know.”

“Yes it is. Moving on with the tour….”

This has become my automated response now. People who know me very well will also know that deep down I am enraged by this and I try not to be offended when it happens.

So my question is should I take offense at these remarks? Must I let it slide, or how do some seasoned Africans in America react to situations like this?

Freshman year, I used to cry foul about how Americans were not being sensitive about others and how they chose to be ignorant and horrible at basic Geography down to continents, the bla bla bla list is endless. Now that is slowly changing. From classes in American History, Anthropology, and day to day to experience, I have learned that a lot goes into the 2 minute encounter I have with parents and prospective students. I have also realized that for those who ask some simply do not know, some honestly want to know and some choose not to know. Freshman year  I had a hall mate who even after a year was still adamant I was from Jamaica, and asked me questions about it.

The spectrum is broad, and we all like to talk about it at our African students’ gatherings, dinners and get together events. It makes great cab conversation too. Seriously though, how does one react? Is there something we can do about it to make the experiences better for other African International students as well as other international students? Is it even our duty?