The Side Effects Of Colonialism

I wouldn't know a devil if I saw one, or even recognize a saint if one stood in front of me. I don't even know, if either good or bad do indeed exist. Perhaps I'm too scientific, or maybe a tiny bit down to earth to believe that, some of us are evil, whilst some of us are not. That said, I'm very much aware of my own strengths and weaknesses, but that is self-knowledge. However, I cannot for the life in me understand why some of us Blacks folks, tend to associate our own race with all things derogatory and negative, whilst the Whiteman or indeed the White race is revered, glorified and praised.

I know this fellow Ghanaian who wants to return back home, and apply his acquired knowledge and skills, to get something off the ground in Ghana.Whilst I couldn't be more delighted about his decision, others are frightening him off with all kinds of warning and things. Like telling him to forget about Ghana, because the country is far too corrupt, and how he might not succeed. They are even telling him that, somebody.....somewhere, might put voodoo on him and sabotage his plans. Therefore he should seriously reconsider. The most discouraging factor in all of this is that, some of them are constantly referring to the failures of others, who went before him to discourage him from pursing his dreams.

I would never forget the joy, the excitement and confidence, which he exuded when he was telling me about his plans. But now after hearing from all these folks, not only is he doubting himself and his plans, but the very fire in his eyes have gone out.And this people are saying that, they wouldn't have told him all of this, if they didn't have his best interests in mind. He was even told that, he should just go on vacation, buy himself a plot, build a house on it, get a car parked in it and that's it. They keep telling him to forget about setting up any business in Ghana. Those people in Ghana are very bad and wicked. They would eat your money, and sent you off packing to Europe quick and broke. Take our advise, if you're wise. Because we know what we are talking about. We love you and very, very, much. And don't you ever forget it.

Quite recently when I told my mother that, I was going home on a vacation, the first thing which my dear old mother had to say was, watch out where you eat, what you eat and who does the cooking for you. And when I asked her why? She said that, they might poison you out of envy and jealousy, because of your European status. They are very bad people, she said. Now I don't know what it is, but it seems to me that, we Ghanaians are unnecessary suspicious of one another. Especially those who have lived outside the country for sometime. We take one another too easily for granted. Moreover we Ghanaians tend to respect White people, much more than we do ourselves, which is rather unfortunate.

For example, when a Ghanaian has a business appointment with a white person, he/she is dead on time. But should the same Ghanaian have a similar appointment with his/her fellow Ghanaian, well you know the answer. The side of effects of colonialism are many, but does pulling each other down for no apparent reason whatsoever, have to be one of them? Simply put, this attitude that we Blacks are bad and devilish, whilst White people are perceived as good and saintly, needs to stop. Never would you witness either Arabs or Jews, ill-advising or even degrading their own. If anything, they work to support each others effort. So in essence, what makes us different in this regard?