Prof asks for action in Africa

Joseph Adjaye likes to compare colonialism to a Thanksgiving dinner.

He spoke as part of… Joseph Adjaye likes to compare colonialism to a Thanksgiving dinner.

He spoke as part of Africa Week, which was designed to increase awareness of issues pertinent to Africa today.

Adjaye, an Africana studies professor, enthusiastically delivered the speech “Africa in the 21st Century: Prospects and Challenges.”

Colonialism was just one topic he spoke about.

“It’s like a Thanksgiving dinner. It’s as if Europeans put a map of Africa on a table and carved it into pieces,” said Adjaye, while he used his hands to illustrate the act of cutting.

He noted how the Europeans didn’t care if they lumped various ethnic groups with different beliefs into the same territory. This, he said, could be one reason for unrest in Africa.

Throughout the event, which was held Tuesday night in the Lower Lounge of the William Pitt Union, Adjaye provoked the crowd to get involved in the issues.

Adjaye, who is originally from Ghana, began with a history of Africa and its people so that the audience could understand how Africa became the way it is today.

Adjaye also discussed relevant issues such as globalization and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

He said that the infection rate for HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa is 7.4 percent, whereas the infection rate globally is 1.1 percent. He told the audience that the rate could be lower if the African people would discuss the subject more openly.

A girl in the crowd agreed while she and Adjaye talked about how some infected men believe that, if they sleep with a virgin, they will be cured. This story illustrated the point that some Africans don’t know anything about the disease, so it continues to spread.

Adjaye did end his speech with optimism, however.

“The problems look immense, but the future can be optimistic if the right actions are taken,” Adjaye said.

Adjaye told the audience, which was made up of approximately 30 people, that Africa needs people with leadership to solve the problems.

He said that leadership is something that is cultivated, though, and it takes time to master, just like it takes time for a plant to sprout up from the ground.

“Don’t worry if leadership is not there now,” Adjaye cautioned the crowd. “Get involved. Become aware of the issues.”

He encouraged the audience, saying that in time, a particular course of action or a particular issue will strike their attentions, and then they will know how to help Africa.

Erika Chowa, an audience member, felt inspired by Adjaye’s speech.

“I thought that it was very motivational to students in a way that we can take the knowledge we’ve learned here and implement it to help Africa,” Chowa said.

Africa Week is not only a chance to raise awareness, but it is also an opportunity to introduce a new student group, the Coalition for African Justice, to the campus. Africa Week has events planned through Sunday, according to Hellena Admassu, the public relations chair of the African Students Organization.

Africa Week is being held early in the semester so that CAJ can “kick off the semester to get people to know more about us,” Irina Andriamanana, the African Students Organization business manager, said.

The purpose of the CAJ is to bring many different campus organizations together in an organized fashion so that they can better plan events and discuss issues about Africa, Admassu said.

CAJ is comprised of various humanitarian groups, which include the African Students Organization, PanAf, Black Action Society, Hillel and STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition.

Bezawit Wossene, the second vice president of the African Students Organization, said that CAJ and Adjaye’s speech might make students realize that they can make a difference.

“As a student, you shouldn’t feel limited to what you can do,” Wossene said. “With the networking with professors and the help of the university, we’ve brought speakers in and inspired people.”

Wossene believes that one person can make a change happen, and she hopes that Africa Week will keep the interest of those who are willing to help.

Events planned for the rest of the week include a refugee simulation on Friday and a movie and informal talk on Saturday.