“Give a Thought to Africa” by Sylvia M. Jacobs

"Give a Thought to Africa" is a story about middle class African-Americans believing that Africans needed to be “civilized and Christianized” and that it was there duty to help them do so. African-American missionaries looked down upon Africans for many reasons. First, they did not understand why African women did agricultural work when that was deemed as a “man’s job" and second, they felt that their sexuality and nudity could be toned down. It is obvious to see that African-Americans have this view of what Africans should look like according to white America; so they go and look down upon—even though they look like them, but they (the Americans) feel that they are better and civilized; but whose definition of civilized is it, we do not know?

It can be understood why European imperialists feared the presence of educated Americans in Africa because they thought the Africans would look up to the Americans as a position that they can attain. We believe that they wanted to keep the Africans inferior and the presence of educated black Americans could stand as a symbol of hope and advancement. 

This story reminds me a little about Barack Obama and his attempt to become the 1st black president. The racial and gender hierarchy that exists in America is 1. White Men, 2. White Women, 3. Black Men, and 4. Black Women. Many people view black men as only being capable of being jailed, but Barack Obama is a person that young black men--well all black men can look up to. They can begin to see that they are not destined to be criminals but they can TOO can be educated and successful.

It is very empowering to see other black, educated, women (such as ourselves) in a position of power. It gives us a model to look up to and to follow after. What that does for us is tell us that "WE CAN DO IT TOO".  It forces us to recognize that even though we are doubly disadvantaged (being black and being a woman), we will not let it hinder us from achieving whatever goals it is that we set for ourselves. We are strong and determined and will not allow anything to stand in our way.

Who's with US???