This archive report was first published on 6 July 2020.
On May 25, 2020, the world witnessed the brutal killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis by Derek Chauvin, a policeman working for the city of Minneapolis. This incident has reignited a long-standing issue of injustices against black people globally, including in Africa.
As someone who lived in Minneapolis for 10 years, I have a personal connection to this tragedy. The killing has affected me deeply, and I believe it is essential to address the underlying issues that led to this incident.
While the #blacklivesmatter movement has helped galvanize people from all walks of life to protest against injustices against black people, it is crucial to build a broad coalition to address socio-economic issues sustainably and non-violently. This movement should focus on economic redress and include Africans in the diaspora and on the continent.
The agenda for this movement should have four key items:
- Re-writing the history of black people to recognize their contributions to building the Americas and Europe.
- Addressing inequalities by giving real opportunities to all, as demonstrated by the National Football League's decision to allow African Americans to play quarterback positions.
- Seeking recognition of African produce brand value by seeking intellectual property for authentically African products, such as cocoa, tea, and coffee.
- Repatriating African wealth hidden in Western banks by former and present leaders to subsidize education and health in countries where it was stolen.
These efforts will create momentum to address other injustices and promote a more equitable society. It is essential to acknowledge the historical injustices perpetrated against Africans and to work towards a more just and equitable future.
As the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of George Floyd's killing, it is crucial to recognize the concerted efforts to associate failure and laziness with African people. The massacre of innocent people in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1921, is a stark reminder of the dangers of white supremacy.
Now is the time to create a broad coalition of people from all walks of life to comprehensively deal with race relationships and to send a strong message to collaborators in the continent that there is no place to hide.
The writer is a professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Nairobi's School of Business.
