Henry Ekwuruke
Joined: Nov 1, 2003
Posts: 201 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Chatterbox
User is
Offline
 Virtual Volunteer
Country: Nigeria
Province/State: Abia
City: Umuahia
|
Consumerism and the African Identity
October 18, 2004 - 06:59 AM
|
|
Genuine development entails real positive change and growth. It is authentically so when it touch all levels of life. This change is not retrogressive; rather, it is progreessive. The oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary states that, “Development is the gradual growth of something so that it becomes more advanced,stronger,etc.”
It is also the process of producing or creating something new or more advanced. This growth is manifested in the socio-economic, political and scientific life of the nation. Far and above this is the human development.
According to David A.Coker”…the process of development should be reconceived as beneficial change, usually specified as alleviating human misery and environmental degradation in poor ountries.
It is important to state that any development that does not meet this standard is not worth the name.More often than not,people measure the level of development in terms of physical structures.This standard is superficial and of course deceptive.The real and lasting development of the human person.This being about development in other aspects of human life.No doubt,Western civilization brught significant development along with it.
In a bid to globalize, modernity,the westerners invaded many countries of the world and colonized them.Fortunately and more unfortunately,Africa happened to be one of the victims of this invasiuon or call it jinx.
THE CULTURE OF CONSUMERISM IN AFRICA.
The fear and major concern on the ground today is not much about the carefully calculated effort of the westerners to perpetually subjugate and frustrate all the efforts of African countries and people to stand on their two feet. What makes the future look bleak is the despair that spells itself out in the actions of almost every person in the land. It does seem that we have accepted as true ,the western opinion and definition of African man – As one that has no soul and cannot rationalize.We have been considered virtual consumers and we have proved them right.
From the way things move now, one can say, without fear of contradition, that both the government and the people are comfortable with the status quo in our land.We have accepted to remain at the level of exporting raw materials and afterwards bring them back in another form for use.
Actually,it was the colonial masters who put us into this condition,but we can say no to it.When we redefine our identity and sought our heritage.This culture of consumerism can be destroyed.Now is the time for us to evolve a government that will suit our peculiar social and cultural milieu.
There cannot be authentic develoment and growth in Africa if we African do notaspire to be self-reliant.Let us know that if you want anything done well,you should do it yourself.Lets us rise up for Africa.
Henry Ekwuruke
Nigeria.
|
Author
Post
