The Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Hon. Olubunmi Amao; The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale; and Professor of History, Oluwole Ogundele have extensively discussed the impact of Cultural imperialism and Black Resistance on Development in the 21st Century.
They made their positions known at the Celebration of Black History Month, organized by CBAAC at the Hall of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan yesterday.
Speaking at the event, The DG lamented that little attention has been given to cultural imperialism described as the most fundamental, persistent and perennial challenges faced by African Americans.
Amao added that cultural imperialism is key in explaining the high societal vulnerability of African Americans.
Meanwhile, she recalled that black month is traced to the struggle for recognition and appreciation of the enormous contributions of African Americans to the development of American Society.
Olubunmi also described the month as one set aside not just to celebrate renowned African American scholars, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, musicians, sportsmen and women, civil rights activists but also to re-examine and interrogate African American historical experiences and trajectories.
“It is worthy of note that while the effects of oppression on African Americans have received enormous attention, particularly on economic and political oppression, ironically, only a little attention has been given to the most fundamental, persistent and perennial challenges faced by African Americans, that of cultural imperialism; which is key in explaining the high societal vulnerability of African Americans.
“It is an annual event which is traced to the struggle for recognition and appreciation of the enormous contributions of African Americans to the development of American Society.
“It is a month set aside not just to celebrate renowned African American scholars, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, musicians, sports men and women, civil right activists but also to re-examine and interrogate African American historical experiences and trajectories,” she said.
Also Speaking, The Vice- Chancellor recalled the month began in the United States as Negro History Week by the renowned African American historian, Dr. Carter Godson Woodson, to protest the exclusion of the contributions of African Americans from history textbooks in the country.
Adebowale further stated that the celebration of the Month as an annual event has grown and gained global acceptance since it began in 1926.
The Vice-Chancellor, therefore, commended CBAAC for redirecting attention to ways global black resistance continues to mitigate the impacts of cultural imperialism on the development of Africa and Diaspora.
In his lecture, The Guest Lecturer, Professor Oluwole urged Africans to begin resistance to cultural imperialism by flying on the wings of the revolution of education.
He explained that the application of knowledge in a very critical manner is highly imperative for Africa.
Professor Ogundele further explained that the educational revolution should involve a rigorous overhaul of all the teaching curricula from the primary to the tertiary level.
The Historian urged Africans to be wide-eyed in order not to be consumed by the ravaging ocean of civilisation.
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