Barack Obama and the Original First Black President
The message of President Obama's speech in Africa was simple: Civil disorder is bad for business. But it's not about business as usual in a chaotic Africa--he spoke of good governance that broadens prosperity. The president gave his address in Ghana, praising the nation for its democratic institutions that conduct peaceful transitions of power through elections. He also called out to Ghana's youth and urged them to greater civic participation.
Krist Novoselic's column runs every Tuesday on the Daily Weekly.
It was a message of hope and possibility. As the president spoke about the future of Africa and its need to move past corruption, an afrobeat groove played in the back of my mind. To me, criticizing corruption in Africa is synonymous with the music of the original Black President, Fela Ransome Kuti.
Fela made great music. His work just grooves--with a heavy dose of political consciousness. President Obama said in Ghana that "Africa doesn't need strongmen, it needs strong institutions." Fela Ransome Kuti was an institution himself, using the power of music to speak truth to injustice.
I'm a relative latecomer to Fela. It was around 10 years ago when I became aware of the power of his music. I was haunting one of my favorite Seattle record stores, browsing through the used vinyl bins, and I came across a record called Zombie. The cover features a collage of Fela pointing his finger at the faces of daunting soldiers. I bought it and got hooked on the intricate groove. It's like James Brown, but with third-world grit. There's a recurring chorus: "zombie" pronounced with a hard O. The 12-and-a-half minute tune is a harsh criticism of the Nigerian military, saying the soldiers are mindless tools of a corrupt state.
President Obama mentioned colonial maps that made little sense. But he went on to say the West is not responsible for the party tribalism and patronage at the core of much post-colonial rule. Fela's music also acknowledged Western exploitation "ITT - International Thief Thief". And he taunted crooked post-colonial rulers by mocking political boundaries when he declared his compound a republic independent of Nigeria.
Zombie was released in 1978, and its popularity propelled Fela into the forefront as a political dissident. The corrupt military rulers of Nigeria became alarmed by the taunting jam. Soldiers attacked Fela's compound/republic, beating the men and raping the women. The army destroyed the place. They also pitched Fela's elderly mother from an upstairs window. She died shortly after from the injuries.
Fela and his crew then took his mother's casket and left her on the steps of the military barracks. This protest also inspired the powerful album Coffin For Head Of State. On this recording, Fela spreads the news regarding the regime's crime. "They killed my mama," he sings, but it's really a song about all the human suffering in Africa as a result of the corruption there--with support from abroad.
Fela went on to run for president of Nigeria, but the authorities wouldn't let him on the ballot.
In Ghana, President Obama had to mention AIDS in Africa, and this is where the story of Fela Ransome Kuti ends. He died in 1997 as a result of the disease.
President Obama spoke of the moment, a "time when the boundaries between people are overwhelmed by our connections." He also said, "I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world." In his time, Fela communicated to the whole world through the medium of music. But even if you missed the message, you could still groove to a great beat.
17 comment(s)
Jonathan C says:
Fela was something else! Wild and crazy but an amazing bandleader and songwriter. I'm glad to hear you dig "Zombie" b/c that's one hell of a track. Very powerful stuff.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jul. 14 2009 @ 11:33AM
David R says:
Hi Krist.
The only part of Africa dat I can talk about with some knowledge is South Africa. Its socio-cultural background and history makes it unique in the continent, with its lights and shadows. But apart from this country I think the truth is the West never gave a sh!t about Africa as a whole. The actual motive of the visit of President Obama to the continent is unclear in my mind. I can’t feature any other reason than complying with the people’s request and a symbolic presence. As far as I've read, there's always been a war, slaughter, disease or some ruthless dictator in every other country there, and only a handful of true souls to fight them. I find it all profoundly sad.
What is it in the nature of this land and its people for it's thirst of blood is never quenched?
Posted On: Tuesday, Jul. 14 2009 @ 3:42PM
Kahlid says:
Dig it! My very good friend is of Ghana, and the week-end event was inspiring and heart warming.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jul. 14 2009 @ 6:47PM
Edward Allen says:
What does Africa have to do with America and even further more Afganistan or Iraq. Wake up!!! What about America? Communism/Internationalism is the problem in America and worldwide. The communists that have taken our federal government will not relinquish power so be prepared to fight for your rights or wither into a new dark age. Barry Soetoro is not America's president he is a usurper. Had my front door G.P.S. cooridinates logged into a federal government data base today how about you? Long Live the Republic!!!
Posted On: Tuesday, Jul. 14 2009 @ 7:17PM
Big head Cheese says:
"Everyone is drinking double cappucino, chasing them down with pepsi" _________ "There's no mexicans in Canada"
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 15 2009 @ 12:24AM
game theory says:
The essence of game theory is crass in its analysis of what to do with despot(s)-- power blinds and so much more to the ones that already cant see.
1.) one theory is you could create a fusion in a desolate area such as a desert - with minimal waste of an already wasted land.
2.)There are nations that have had many years to advance the worlds civilization goals -- yet ignore hstory [hell even Americans do it from time to time - but correct with checks and balances} If a nation, continues to starve, rape and dismember their people -- after all the knowledge in this world. Then certainly with dwindling resources and expanding competition for those diminishing resources -- a decision will be discussed.
3.) It will make no difference in the outcome with the most powerful nation or which party you align yourself with, the hierarchical elected look out for number one -- just like the rest of humans
as a double saying means (better red than dead)
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 15 2009 @ 2:02AM
fusion says:
We passed upon the stair,we spoke of what and when
Although I wasn't there,you said I was a friend
Which came as some surprise I spoke into your eyes
I thought you died alone,a long long time ago
hahhhhaaah
Oh no,not me
I never lost control
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 15 2009 @ 2:26AM
Tom Ratzinger says:
I wonder if Obama likes Nirvana?! Good article.
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 15 2009 @ 9:52AM
Robin says:
The important thing is giving credit where it is due. Africa had been ahead of America in it's elections.
But our eurocentric mindset still pretends that we've been THE ones to break a barrier.
Guess what, another country had beat America to it.
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 15 2009 @ 4:42PM
sunofisrael says:
There are two true democracy's in this world, certainly Rose gives credit to the one that will break the barriers - against astronomical odds, with their suffering subjecting to your worst horror movie(s) that you could project images of entertainment in your mind to the undeserving. Hope you have rank.
no use saying sorry, im a bad bad boy
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 15 2009 @ 6:41PM
Christian says:
Community farmers and markets were featured on the front page of Tuesday's of USAToday. Thanks, Krist.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2009-07-13-young-farmers_N.htm
"Three factors have made these small, organic farms possible: a rising consumer demand for organic and local produce, a huge increase in farmers' markets nationwide, and the growing popularity of community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs."
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 15 2009 @ 7:19PM
Chokolokobangoshe says:
@ Davis R
I do not think War is peculiar to Africa, and the wars in Africa aren't strange compared to what we've seen in Europe in the last 100 years, We like to compare other peoples misery to ours so we'll feel good about our own state. Africa, my continent, is evolving. States and societies are trying to define their role and place within an alien reality thrust upon them by foreign usurpers and land/resource grabbers, until that process is completed the continent may not find peace, the earlier Europe and Europeans stop interfering the better.
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 15 2009 @ 10:37PM
Son of Dorry Dunn says:
Krist,
Barack on!
Posted On: Saturday, Jul. 18 2009 @ 1:17AM
IAM says:
I'm listing to this Fela as I type...kick ass...especially at the end...trance...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBgewcFh-cg
Ya...love those sounds that even just threaten to blow down the walls of jericho man...especially when they blow right around the world.
Cool post.
Posted On: Saturday, Jul. 18 2009 @ 11:26AM
Redneck says:
IIt is quite easy to notice the advances of certain cultures and the digressing of less willing cultures, any advances made in {incubated} systems such as
cuba are to say the least interesting {from the observation points of the elite} Cuba sits on a oil field considered to be much larger the the United States -- I wonder what a demise of power would project towards that countries loyalties - they dissed Venezuela to bring the oil rights to surface with the securing agrmenet of a deal with Brazil.
My God says what a strategic location for fuel.
Posted On: Sunday, Jul. 19 2009 @ 12:15PM
Tony says:
Oh look, Obama puts Monsanto lobbyist in charge of food safety. Yum!
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_18635.cfm
Posted On: Friday, Jul. 24 2009 @ 1:55PM
Angie Starr says:
Obama is an embarrassment to this country- he is all talk and no action
Posted On: Saturday, Nov. 28 2009 @ 8:13AM