jordan pulse -
The concept of African centrality or Afrocentrism has resurfaced on social media and search engines after statements by Tunisian President Qais Saied about the need to protect his country from African immigrants from south of the Sahara.
The Afrocentric movement addresses several issues such as affirming African identity, emphasizing African cultural heritage, and recognizing the significant contributions that African people have made to world history. One of the theories promoted by some supporters of this movement is that the origin of Egyptian civilization is solely African, based on archaeological and historical evidence that indicate that ancient Egypt was part of African civilizations.
This movement is prevalent in the United States and some European countries and is supported by African-origin groups. Its goal is to promote solidarity among African peoples, raise awareness of African cultural and civilizational contributions, and a positive image of Africans to achieve equality and social justice in global communities.
In addition, Afrocentrism emphasizes that Africans have made important contributions to science, art, literature, philosophy, and religion, and that these contributions have not received sufficient attention or recognition from the Western world.
Afrocentrism aims to encourage Africans and their followers around the world to renew their interest in their cultural, historical, and artistic heritage, and to develop their self-understanding of their contributions to the world. This movement also seeks to change the stereotypical image of Africans and the misconceptions about them in the world, and to promote solidarity between Africans and all peoples of the world.
President Kais Saied's statements have sparked a wave of reactions both domestically and internationally. Several protests were held within Tunisia to condemn Saied's remarks, which were described as anti-African immigrant and containing racist implications.
Internationally, the African Union condemned Saied's comments on African immigrants from south of the Sahara in a statement, calling on its member states to refrain from any "hateful speech with a racist character that may harm individuals." However, Saied tried to reassure legally-residing African immigrants in Tunisia, in response to the controversy surrounding his remarks, which human rights activists considered to racist and hateful
It is worth mentioning in this context that a comedy by American actor Kevin Hart, scheduled to take place in the Egyptian capital Cairo on February 21, 2023, was cancelled after allegations that he was promoting the concept of Afrocentrism during his world tour.