Africa In Perspective - Essay Example

Africa In Perspective Introduction Africa’s story has remained one of the most discussed and scrutinized subjects by historians and philosophers from the traditional days to present. In the traditional days, Africa did not have a place in history and neither did it have any significance on the global scale. In the past, Europe and the nations in the Americas gained much prominence from historians and different individuals who wanted to understand the emergence of such entities. Africa, as put by the German philosopher George Hegel did not have much that could be put into perspective or discussed. Essentially, Hegel meant that there was nothing palatable and of significant importance that would warrant productive discussion. Similarly, Hugh Trevor-Roper concurred with Hegel to a greater extent on the history of Africa. Trevor-Roper stated that Africa had nothing that could be taught or learned in so far as history is concerned, but seemed to prophesy about Africa’s Future (Mazrui 3). Although George Hegel and Hugh Trevor-Roper viewed Africa with contempt and negative connotations, they did not understand the Africa’s story and its potential for the future. It is notable that Africa in the traditional days did not have much to offer in terms of development or movements. Not much was known about the continent to the extent that it was not considered as a force in the global sphere. Civilizations had not knocked Arica’s doors, and nothing positive could be potentially discussed. While civilization swept most parts of Europe and the nations of America’s, Africa missed the opportunity to become part of the world system. Accessibility into the continent of Africa was not a possible issue, as the terrain and navigation methods at that time could not allow penetration into the heart of the continent. Consequently, global powers did not think that Africa deserved to be included in the civilization process to they extent that the continent was left to hang in the dark with few possibilities. Industrialization, civil movements and intellectual development were factors that were inherently missing from the Africa’s story. To this extent, Hegel and Trevor-roper were right in noting that nothing could be understood, learned or recorded about history and that remains a fact. However, it is important to note that Hegel and Trevor did not take into consideration the challenges that faced the ‘dark’ continent in the traditional days. The fact that Africa did not have any prominence, or important factors to be talked about did not mean that it did not have anything special or unique. In the traditional days, Africa had a governance system that was manifested by the clan system. Africans had their means of economic empowerment that included activities that generated income. For instance, there were hunters and gatherers, fishermen and craftsmen who engaged actively in incoming generating activities. Moreover, there were traditional healers and medicine men that treated people in case of any illness (Grinker et al. 67). Modes of communication and methods of sharing information were some of the missing links that did not make it possible to let an Africa’s story be heard. Obviously the challenges of non-communication, poor infrastructure and networks could not allow people outside the continent know about Africa as a place of inherent potentials. When the missionaries and the explorers gained headway in Africa, the story of the continent began to be told on a planetary scale. Africa was found to be exhibiting great potentials and had some of the most intrinsic resources. Consequently, the missionaries noted that Africa had some of the best climates and weather conditions previously not known to other of the world. The fact that Africa had not been discovered, and its potential noted did not warrant a blanket judgment on the ability of the continent. The explorers and the missionaries helped in putting an Africa’s story into perspective to the extent that it did not exactly match what Hegel and Trevor-Roper talked noted concerning the continent. When Africa’s story hit the headlines of the world, everyone wanted to come and find out what the continent had numerous and immense resources. Africa eventually opened up in other parts of the world when better methods of navigation came into focus (Mazrui 112). Africa was only a dark continent because of none civilization tendencies otherwise there were systems that existed that characterized the societal structure of Africa. The scramble and petition for Africa began a new level of demonstrating that there was something special about Africa. A number of the western nations ran to Africa to get based on the inherent potentials (Ehret 169). If indeed there was nothing that could be said or learn#ed about Africa, the European nation could not have visited the continent to exploit the resources. Hegel and Trevor-roper saw Africa from a wrong perspective, and their mindsets are not reflected anywhere in what the continent is in the modern dispensation (Hegel 78). During the scramble and petition for Africa, European nations harvested most of the continent's resources and took them abroad for their already established industries. Trevor-roper missed the point by noting that nothing could be said about Africa because the events of the scramble and petition were enough to give the continent some prominence. Africa continues to rise above the notions that it is a dark continent. Africa’s existed since the time of inception, and its story has been there for centuries. Africa remains viable destinations where important minerals exist. The positive sides of Africa demonstrate that the positive sides of the continent have been ignored for decades. Conclusion Hegel and Trevor-Roper did not view Africa from the positive side because they ignored a number of factors that defined the continent in the traditional days. Africa’s story existed even during the industrialization and development of the western world. However, challenges such as communication and infrastructural barriers limited access to the continent to a greater extent. The scramble and petition for Africa provided the best opportunity for the continents story to be told, but the skeptics missed the key events that elevated the positive side of the location. Africa’s story has not been told as appropriate, and its potential is yet to be fully realized. Works Cited Ehret, Christopher. The Civilizations of Africa: A History to 1800. Oxford: James Currey, 2002. Print. Grinker, Roy R, Stephen C. Lubkemann, and Christopher B. Steiner. Perspectives on Africa: A Reader in Culture, History, and Representation. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley- Blackwell, 2010. Print. Hegel, Georg W. F, and J Sibree. The Philosophy of History. New York: Cosimo Classics, 2007. Print. Mazrui, Ali A. A, and Ricardo R. Laremont. Africanity Redefined. Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press, 2002. Print. Read More