Every February, in the tradition of Black History Month, it is an American staple to laud and praise the remarkable intellectual achievements of blacks and African-descended groups while simultaneously denigrating the white race for its inherent evil and bigotry.
Often we hear about how the appalling current state of Africa is all due to colonialism, slavery and continued racist oppression. Ask about the low intellectual output from Africa, or indeed African-descended groups, and you will be met with long-winded explanations of racism and the legacy of colonialism. Having spent a significant portion of my life living in Africa, I take a special interest in African culture and history. But for the life of me, I am not able to identify any significant sub-Saharan achievements in civilization or technology prior to the arrival of Arabs and Europeans.
Please correct me if I'm wrong or misinformed but pre-colonial sub-Saharan Africa hadn't actually produced a single written language, weaven cloth, calendar, ship, road, bridge, plow or even wheel. How can this possibly be? Are we not told that all cultures are equal? What explains this?
Often we hear about how the appalling current state of Africa is all due to colonialism, slavery and continued racist oppression. Ask about the low intellectual output from Africa, or indeed African-descended groups, and you will be met with long-winded explanations of racism and the legacy of colonialism. Having spent a significant portion of my life living in Africa, I take a special interest in African culture and history. But for the life of me, I am not able to identify any significant sub-Saharan achievements in civilization or technology prior to the arrival of Arabs and Europeans.
Please correct me if I'm wrong or misinformed but pre-colonial sub-Saharan Africa hadn't actually produced a single written language, weaven cloth, calendar, ship, road, bridge, plow or even wheel. How can this possibly be? Are we not told that all cultures are equal? What explains this?
