BE PROUD OF YOUR AFRICAN ANCESTRY

In this clip from the Honest Bunch Podcast on Glitch Africa Studios, child-abuse activist Praise Fowowe spoke about why it’s important to teach future generations about their African ancestry so they can be unfazed in the face of racism.  

@praisefowowe (X) recounted a time when he was introduced as ‘Black man’ in an all-white meeting. He responded with a history of his ancestors of the Benin Kingdom, a highly advanced civilisation with innovations in urban planning and architecture, including street lighting and well-organised road networks, long before many Western cities achieved similar advancements. 

Knowing about these historical accomplishments helps children stand with grace rather than bitterness in the face of discrimination and racism by reminding them of the greatness from which they descend.

Video credit: @glitchafricastu (X)

Sources

1. http://revealinghistories.org.uk/colonialism-and-the-expansion-of-empires/articles/the-empire-of-benin-and-its-cultural-heritage.html#:~:text=The%20social%20structure%20was%20complex,well%20as%20its%20central%20city.

2. https://www.artshelp.com/the-walls-of-benin-the-forgotten-structural-wonder/

3. https://effiongp.msu.domains/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Benin-Walls.pdf

4. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/kingdom-benin/

5. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jan/14/children-family-histories-tales