White Celebrities as Face of Africa

Dambisa Moyo, a Zambian Goldman Sacs economist, puts forth a brilliant case as to why white celebrities cannot and should not be the face of Africa. Why international aid does not work - how it gives negative incentives to African government in terms of being accountable. More importantly her point harps back to the issue of dignity and self-reliance. How it is better to teach Africans to fish rather than give them fish. Her underlying message also points, and rightly so, to disturbing notions of cultural supremacy. As long as the Western aid agencies continue to pour aid monies into Africa, Africa will always be a beggar. As long as Western economists and celebrities frame issues and priorities for Africa, Africa would never have any incentive to step up and take responsibility and engage both domestic and global voices.

In my previous blog I was unable to articulate my deep discomfort with western celebrity yoga teachers being the face of ashtanga. Moyo has helped me do so. It is important for a country and culture to represent itself and to be accountable for where its classical traditional practices are going. The locals have a particular knowledge, history, sensitivity and cultural understanding which foreigners lack. Bono cannot as she says be a compelling face for Africa. Firstly he was not elected by the African people and secondly he is NOT qualified to comment on a very complex problem. The oversimplification of issues within Africa may lead to short term "solutions" which could aggravate the problem and undermine the true empowerment of Africa. The celebrity culture will continue to reinforce this negative image in the global stage by emphasizing the poverty and other problems within Africa. Yes, Bono may have a role and he may be able to marshall alot of monies and media for African issues. But in the long term as Moyo says Africa must be independent and must address its own problems. We need to hear from the African people - not a white proxy. She is the first African woman to venture into this space which have until today been dominated by white men like Jeffrey Sacs and Bono. Brilliant. We are our own saviors. Look within for solutions. Not outside for handouts.