Africa is a mysterious continent where all countries are not separated governments but magically connected nations. A long time ago, Africans believed in magic and could fly like blackbirds over the fields (Wheel Council, inc.). Their lives were carefree until the period of slavery began. Robert Hayden clearly described the ability of Africans to fly in his lines “Do you remember Africa? 0 cleave the airfly away home My gran, he flew back to Africa, just spread his arms and flew away home” (192). Exhausting works broke the wings and magical African existence. Africans are still facing difficulties in getting everything back on track. Many lives were destroyed when slave owners brought Africans away from their families to America or Europe. The smell of freedom stopped even being dreamed for many years, and carefree lives were irretrievably interrupted.
The idea of African life has not changed up to these days. Forcibly resettled Africans cannot identify themselves entirely to the indigenous African people. Traditions preserved by African families living outside Africa are increasingly becoming incomprehensible to the younger generation. Helen Oyeyemi is a Nigerian born in Britain, clearly explained the life of being ethnically connected to Africa but living all life away from it. Prevailing stereotypes about people with African appearance do not allow others to treat everyone equally. While studying at primary school, Helen noticed the irresistible desire of students to “help feed the Africans” making her start thinking about her and other African-looking people’s places in the society.
America and European countries took a dominant position in relation to African countries like Nigeria. A small number of travel guides and travel companies offer trips to African countries due to the lack of interesting places to visit. Africa cannot tell its story because European and American museums took all artifacts. Africa is full of wealth that can make a continent prosperous. However, constant attempts to build democracy ended in vast losses and the inability to become stable.
For the slave owners, there was no difference in working man or woman, and no one could receive any benefit. Being a woman with a child in those days was a terrible challenge as slaves were not allowed to slow down while working. Otherwise, there was a chance to be beaten. Impact wounds were sometimes bleeding and unbearable (Wheel Council, inc.). Sweet memories and desires to bring back the magical life of Africans became more distant from the reality.
With the abolition of slavery, the life of the African population has become much better. However, people who took their roots far away from African countries against their willingness after many years are still subjected stereotypes. Many people still believe that those who have the appearance of an African should live in Africa even though many were born and raised in Europeans countries or America. Those living in Africa are currently not far from the time before slavery (Isi Ikem Ikengaobo). Indigenous Africans value their ancestors’ beliefs and try to adhere them, no matter what civilization reaches them. Many Africans are horrified by the information that their distant relatives had to endure while in slavery.
Africans have had to go through a lot in their existence. The principles and stereotypes of other nations do not allow Africans to be themselves. Consequently, the development of this part of the world is slowing down. However, these days the desire of African people to gain again the ability to fly and live in magic becomes more real.
Works Cited
Oyeyemi, Helen. “Home, strange home”. The Guardian, 2005.
“Gullah Homecoming – Sierra Leone & Gullah People Reunite (1989)”. YouTube, uploaded by Isi Ikem Ikengaobo, 2016.
Wheel Council, inc. “The People Could Fly”. Wheel Council, inc., 2010.
Hayden, Robert. “O Daedalus, Fly Away Home”. A Magazine of Verse, vol. 62, no. 4, 1943, p. 192.