A racing pulse, a fresh heartbeat, a new movement I like it too Explain please The paragraph that talks about having to decide what role you will play, whether from a distance or up close, in the future of your African "homeland" is particularly poignant I think. I think its important for everyone our age and above to think about the way they want to go.
Being in Lagos this week has made me all the more aware of the thousands of things that need to be done to bring this place up to an acceptable standard. A lot of the older generation seem to be stuck in the idea that unless you repatriate you can't give back or make a difference. I hope we will be the generation to solve this great pickle hehe Perhaps The Afro Beat will become one such vehicle that will guide both those staying behind and those forging into the jungle? I really really like the "aren't we so cool comment" Primarily through travelling and growing up in so many different places, i have alot to not only be proud of, but to be grateful for.
And it is that pride and sense of self that makes me more passionate and willing to go back home and make a postiive impact through discussion and work. It's this type of idealogy that we need more of Like Bitchy said I hope through the discussions on afrobeat we can find ways in which to positively impact change without getting stuck in 'old ways' through frustration or closemindedness.
Cultural is a bit tricky. I was once embarrassed when a classmate, upon hearing I was Nigerian, gushed on and on about Fela while I listened quietly. Trust I went home and researched any and everything about Fela! Blame it on ignorance and immaturity. Again, this issue of the Nigerian mentality. It saddens me when I hear about Niger Delta issues, corruption, poverty, dilapidated infrastructure, crime rates etc.
This issue has been on my mind recently weirdly enough. That's one of the few negatives of being able to identify with so many places that wasn't mentioned in the article. That aside, i've always had this romanticised idea of 'afropolitans' my new fave word rising together and making Africa great. I believe my generation is the one to do it and i try to create a movement in whatever field i touch, try to motivate people into working together, rising together.
