“Once you put all the African people or people of African descent together, you’ve got a formidable force in the world. And what keeps us from greatness is our inability to unify our culture and make a connection with Africa.” Dr. John Henrik Clarke
The concept of unity is one of the most logical and intelligent forces to ever be used by man or woman. The unity of a people brings power, cohesiveness, strength, and results. When a people are united, enemy forces have a much more difficult time overcoming and oppressing that people. The main reason that America is so powerful is the fact that the states of America are united under one constitution, one declaration, one flag, and one government.
Historian Sterling Stuckey teaches us that the Pan-African perspective emerged through the war periods of traditional and chattel slavery. The white man deliberately mixed Black prisoners of war who had diverse linguistic and tribal backgrounds to minimize their ability to communicate and make common cause. In response, our ancestors united, bridged ethnic differences, and formed themselves into a single people to meet the challenges and fierce attacks of a common enemy.
Historian and author Haki Madhubuti points out that “Black Nationalism” was created in an atmosphere of white supremacy (white racism and white nationalism) that demanded death to anyone or anything that got in the way of capturing and controlling the world. They were pushed by the warped sense of superiority and actually invented the term ‘Manifest Destiny’ to justify breaking treaties and contracts with the original people of the land.
This ‘Manifest Destiny’ would be a tremendous feat compared to 3,000 previous years of global dominance. History teaches us that during this time period, the very scarce white race was considered small dots on the map of human geography.
There was no need for Black Nationalism as we know it, simply because of the pure existence of Black/African Universal existence. However, within the last 600 years, we as a Black people have become dependent on those same dots. How will we win against the same people that are sustaining our very existence? This is the unfortunate reality that brings Pan-African Nationalism into existence.
Essential Questions
Can we feed ourselves? Can we clothe ourselves? Can we house ourselves? Can we defend ourselves? Can we educate ourselves? Can we think for ourselves?
Malcolm X said, “We must liberate ourselves from depending on other people and re-establish ourselves in the world as a sovereign and self-governing people by any means necessary.”
A closer examination of early Pan-African Nationalism is explained in Chancellor Williams’ brilliant book ‘Destruction of a Black Civilization.’ The Mossi States were indeed the epitome of Black Unity and Nationalism. Williams teaches us how five West African Kingdoms, Wagadugu, Yatenga, Fada-Gurma, Mamprussi, and the Dogomba, united to become a dominant power and one of the most industrial Black nations from the 15th to 20th century.
During the 15th century, our people had to defend against fierce Arab and European aggression. The Mossi States, because of the different tribal and cultural heritages, held steadfast to the fundamentals of African Constitutional Principles. (The greater good, for the greater number of African people). The Mossi States knew that if they did not stay strong under a Black united front, they would certainly perish.
One of the most important facts that Dr. Williams brings to light is the “Great Mossi Prophecy,” which held that “When the first white man appears on the land, the nation would die.” This prophecy kept the nation strong, independent, and, most importantly… alive!
No foreigners could settle in the Mossi territory. The Mossi States held on to their own religion, culture, politics, education and righteous way of life for over 500 years.
Khabyr Hadas is a Pan-African Educator, author, and Director of the Marcus Garvey Archive and History Foundation. Hadas is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and teaches African History and Culture at Harambee Institute for Science and Technology Charter School, founded by Baba John Skief in 1972. khabyrhadas@gmail.com
