Africa: An African Evaluation

Abstract

The new frontier in African history is a period in which African answers to African problems must be the basis of African development and progress—in the same way solu tions to the problems of other nations were sought within an indigenous cultural framework. The movement for independ ence in Africa had to be carried on against a backdrop of pa ternalism which denied the right of the African to enjoy basic human rights. The new African countries come to political independence already characterized by basically co-operative societies. Of the problems of political independence, economic independence is the one of most ominous proportions. Two issues which trouble the West about Africa concern the tend ency toward the development of one-party systems and the fu ture of white settlers in Africa if the rest of the continent comes to independence. The development of one-party systems will continue for lack of the bases for constructive opposition. The rest of the continent ultimately will achieve independence, and white settlers can expect to be judged by black Africans on the basis of worth and personal skill rather than color or ancestry. Other problems confronting Africa include the need to break the vicious cycle of illiteracy, poverty, and disease, to avoid the pitfalls and degradations that result from man's inhumanity to man, and to achieve perhaps a new definition of man's ability to conquer the elements and to grow technologically without sacri ficing those personal values which Africans with the rest of mankind hold in emotional and spiritual sanctity.—Ed.