what's the story, morning glory

Colonization.

It's a dirty word in Africa. As it is in parts of south east Asia. It signifies a reign by European countries over previously independent regions of Africa. Africa is a beautiful continent. You might not know it from all the sad news pouring from there into our blog readers. But many of the greatest wonders of the world are located in what was once referred to as the "Dark Continent". 

Post the horrific slave trade of the 17th and 18th centuries, European countries such as Belgium, with small space in the mainland, wanted to grab as much as they could of the virgin land. It was the new "new world", and quickly become a land grab opportunity. The residents of regions such as the Congo were enslaved in their own lands, and through torture, starvation and being worked to death, millions died over the Rubber, Ivory, Tin and Steel industries that flourished because of the vast amount of natural resources in that area. The lands were traded for mere trinkets, and European and US profits soared.

The 20th century saw uprisings against the French, British and Belgium colonizations and horrible civil wars ensued (and still ensue). Apartheid - a period of racial segregation enforced by the National Party of South Africa - brought parts of Africa to what many thought would be its lowest point. South African Black people were stripped of their citizenships and rights. Entire towns and regions were designated only usable for members of the "White Race". 

Aight. So, enough of the history lesson, right?

What are we up against today? I can't begin to serve justice to the true story.

In Darfur, Sudan, The Congo and many other areas of Africa, thousands are still enforced into slavery, porters are paid miniscule amounts to ferry heavy loads of natural minerals such as the steel and tin that reside in this MacBook Pro I'm typing on, the military and guerilla groups work together to sell the beautiful parts of Africa to multi-national corporations at the cheapest value world-wide and millions (yes, millions) are displaced by the infighting that results. Raiding parties slaughter infants by throwing them against trees or cutting them in half, sexually maim women, kidnap young boys and force them into inebriated soldier duty, and kill the young leaders.

All of this brings everyone who reads it to ask two obvious questions: How did this happen? And what can I do?

This is why I write about Darfur and Africa in general. Awareness is such a huge part of knowing "How and Why". Books like "King Leopold's Ghost" help to answer that question. And honestly, I've found out more by just wikipedia(ing) topics like "Apartheid" and "Mobuto" and "Bishop Tutu". 

What can I do? 

1. make yourself aware. tell your friends.
   
2. donate your time, money or resources to causes working in those regions.
   
3. go and stand together with the Africans in solidarity.
   

One day, Atomic Tom will go and learn first hand what the struggles are - and It will change us like nothing else.

And I can't wait.