MLK ON WHY AMERICA OWES AFRICANS

Martin Luther King Jr. is known for his leadership in the civil rights movement and his advocacy for racial equality and social justice. In this video, he illustrates the need for economic and social justice for Africans in America. It slightly predates the great March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where he delivered his iconic ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.

King called for an end to racial segregation and discrimination and for equality in all aspects of American society, including economic opportunities, which were heavily skewed in favour of the White population. King believed that economic disparities and systemic inequalities were major obstacles to racial equality. He argued that Africans in America had been historically disadvantaged and that they deserved equal access to economic opportunities and resources.

Continued…He criticised the capitalist slogan of ‘pulling yourself up by the bootstraps’ and pointed out how its staunchest adherents benefited from government intervention.

His message still bears relevance today. In the context of Global South development, the West - through its financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund - prescribes austerity measures as a condition for funding. This has meant less public and social expenditure, including the stripping of subsidies that contribute to improved living standards for many. Meanwhile, big business in the ‘imperial core’ is subsidised, ranging from agriculture to big banks.

And even within America, many would argue the system is still rigged against Africans, as King argued it was back then. Do his words still ring true to you?

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BLACK HAIR COMPARISON: LONDON VS NAIROBI

The African diaspora faces many challenges and getting a haircut is one of them. There’s simply a lack of expertise outside the continent when it comes to cutting Black hair. And if you do find a stylist you like, it can cost a small fortune. In fact, it can cost ten times more than in the motherland!

Don’t believe it? Watch us follow two girls getting their hair braided in London and Nairobi. And the price difference is enough to make your hair stand on end! Talk about getting rinsed; black women in the UK also fork out three times as much as White females when it comes to hair care.

If you need one more reason to return home to the continent, this could be it) Miss Phyll cuts to the chase.

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NGO IMPERIALISM: TOOLS OF REGIME CHANGE

Aid organisations are generally thought of as good things. Humanity in action, as it were. But dig a little deeper, and it soon becomes clear that the primary purpose of some of the NGOs and humanitarian groups operating around the world today is not helping people - rather, it’s political: they are tools of regime change and Western-interest protection.

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LUMUMBA: DECOLONISE DRESS CODES

What kind of clothing befits African members of parliament?

According to Kenya’s speaker of the Senate, only Western-style attire is allowed within its walls. Pan-Africanist scholar PLO Lumumba thinks such a rule demonstrates ongoing colonisation of the mind. He says Africans should be proud of our culture and not allow colonial dominance.

So, go on and proudly rock that kente, kanzu, djellaba, boubou, dashiki or kitenge!

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BUSTING MYTH ABOUT AFRICAN FATHERS

Whether it’s right-wing politicians, the media or structural racism in the United States, the stereotype of the absent Black father is simply a lie! African Stream journalist Salifu Mack sets the facts straight about Black fathers in the United States today.

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THE FULANI PEOPLE!

The Fulani people are one of the largest and most widely dispersed ethnic groups. Their historical migration across vast terrains has seen them settle in various countries, spanning from Senegal and Guinea, to Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, and beyond.

Despite facing challenges from modernisation and changing landscapes, the Fulani have managed to preserve their cultural heritage, adapting it to contemporary times while safeguarding its essence. Their resilience and adaptability contribute significantly to the broader cultural mosaic of Africa.

African Stream’s Brenda Mwai tells the story of the Fulani people. Hands up in the comments if you hail from the Fulani tribe!

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BONGO BEAT GOES VIRAL

In an eventful year, here’s another banger from the archives. After the pre-dawn coup of Gabon’s President Ali Bongo on August 30th, the man took to social media on his allies to pressure the military to reinstate him. The internet, being the internet,turned his plea into a catchy theme.

The military takeover ended the Bongo family’s five-decade reign over the country. Although Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema, the new transitional president, is the cousin to Bongo and has already met with the French government to underscore Gabon’s commitment to the French presence in is country, so expect to stay the same from the previous dynasty.

This meme video maybe the only good thing to come out of that debacle. So enjoy.

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BOD’ MOD’ AFRICAN STYLE

Lip plates, body paint and flowers - the perfect combination for a stunning look. Welcome to the world of African body modification.

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WHITES-ONLY SWIMMING POOL?

Remember this?!

Here's a reminder that even when apartheid or colonial laws were scrapped, settler-colonial oppression persists. In this December 2022 video, a group of adult white South Africans were seen assaulting two Black children at a hotel swimming pool in Maselspoort. The person who posted the video on X said the pool was reserved for only white people.

Nearly three decades after the apartheid system officially ended, some people continue with a racist attitude, a source of concern not only in South Africa but in all parts of the world where settler-colonialism exists.

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NEW GAME PLAN FOR AFRICA: ‘DIVIDE AND PROSPER’

Africa has long been the victim of outsiders’ ‘divide and conquer’ policies.

Is it time for Africa to flip the game, and play ‘divide and prosper’ in its relations with foreign powers?

Pan-Africanist scholar PLO Lumumba thinks so, and he reckons that Africa’s interests can be found in many places. And with the advance of multilateralism, the task should be a lot easier, as the era of a single overbearing hegemon—the United States—comes to an end.

Do you think it’s time for Africa to flip the game? Let us know in the comments.

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HOW ESWATINI AVOIDED ANNEXATION

How did tiny Eswatini avoid annexation?

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WHITE SUPREMACISTS GLOBAL TERROR NETWORK?

Last year, White supremacists were behind most of the ideologically-driven mass killings in the United States. That’s according to a report by the American NGO Anti-Defamation League.

But while these stats are not debated, the reasons for the killings are. Police often blame them on lone wolf attackers who operate independently. However, author and historian Kathleen Belew argues they are often part of a loosely-knit global network of extremists.

African Steam’s Salifu Mack looks at the evidence.

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France has the world’s seventh-largest economy, but how would it fare if Africa severed its neo-colonial ties with Paris? If countries ditched the franc zone, reclaimed financial sovereignty, ended exploiting its resources and booted out the French military? According to former French President Jacques Chirac - not very well at all. France would plunge into the developing world. Touché!

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RWANDA’S AMAZING COW DUNG ART

The traditional, bright and colourful Rwandan art form of Imigongo is being revived after almost disappearing during the country’s genocide in 1994. Looking at these beautiful works, you’d never guess they’re made from cow dung. But they have a rich, royal history and provide vital income and psychological benefits to locals.

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MOS DEF READS MALCOLM X

“If it is wrong to be violent defending Black women and Black children and Black babies and Black men, then it is wrong for America to draft us and make us violent abroad.” That’s part of a powerful Malcolm X speech called Message to the Grassroots.

It features in the Voices of a People’s History of the United States anthology, and here’s musical and spoken-word artist Mos Def - aka Yesiin Bey - reciting it back in 2006.

The message still lands hard.

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PELÉ AND AN AFRICAN CIVIL WAR

A year ago today (December 29th) football lost one of its greatest players, Pele. He died aged 82 after an incredible career that saw him win three World Cups with Brazil. But in Africa, he’s also remembered for his trip to Nigeria in the middle of a brutal civil conflict in 1969. Such was the clamour to see his touring Santos side, it’s reported a brief ceasefire was declared. And his appearance in the war-torn country became part of football folklore.

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MALAWI’S PRIVATISATION PROGRAMME - LESSONS FOR KENYA

Malawi is a textbook example of how the IMF destroys developing countries.

The impoverished Southern African country has no chance of repaying its unsustainable $1.2 billion external debt - at 67% of Gross Domestic Product, according to IMF statistics.

The IMF forced Malawi to privatise its grain stocks in the late 1990s, leading to skyrocketing prices of staple maize meal. A devastating drought a few years later led to starvation, with children being particularly hard hit by malnutrition.

Experts have accused the IMF of sacrificing Malawi’s social well-being in pursuing austerity, deregulation and privatisation. The government has worsened matters by failing to curb corruption and taking more loans to plug budget holes.

It is a lesson debt-distressed countries like Kenya can learn from.

Watch our full report on YouTube and let us know your take.

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ANCIENT AFRICAN ART OF HENNA

Henna, a time-honoured art form, that has transcended generations, weaving intricate tales of culture and tradition onto the canvas of one’s skin. Its exquisite designs, rich with symbolism and history, celebrate beauty, rituals, and moments, uniting diverse cultures under the universal language of artistry and adornment. With each stroke of the paste, henna embodies the fusion of creativity and heritage. African Stream’s Miss Phyll gives us a little history into this mesmerizing imprint that speaks volumes about an individual.

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AFRICAN BRAINS FOR HIRE-CHEATS MAY APPLY

Highly-skilled Kenyans are helping Westerners cheat their way through university - as they’re denied other opportunities to profit from their knowledge.

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In 1948, George McLaurin shattered barriers as the first Black man admitted to Oklahoma University. Forced to sit alone, he faced isolation and prejudice, but he refused to be defined by it. Despite being relegated to a corner, McLaurin’s brilliance radiated, earning him a spot among the top three students in the entire college! His journey speaks volumes, reminding us that resilience and determination can turn adversity into triumph.

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