Our ancestors the Gauls

Living in denial leads to mythomania because some people genuinely believe colonization was good. You can't claim to have love if you can't stand justice; if you don't love the truth, how can love be in your heart? When you, as an African, denounce colonization and the injustices you suffer, you are labeled a radical. When you feel pride for our continent Africa and proclaim it, you are seen as a source of trouble, but you love your Europe and you love your country, France. 

We, Africans, love others so much that we never tried to colonize them or believe ourselves superior to them, even when we were once upon a time powerful. We don't want any more wars, poverty, famine, or disease in Africa, but Western leaders don't want these things to end in Africa either. What should we do? Applaud Macron! Today, he is depriving the French of their freedom, and they take offense. Of course, we support them in their fight because France is "the country of human rights," but of which human? The White?

If you recognize the rights of Africans, then why are you not offended when Africa suffers all kinds of injustice?

The protests in Europe for freedom and justice make me happy, as Europeans recognize that being free is good. Why don't you support those who have been deprived of their freedom for centuries? Simply because they are of another race, how then can you define your awakening? It is a mythomania to believe in your own world full of love without justice, freedom, or truth. If you are European and you don't care about the plight of Africans, you are not awake. Africa is part of mankind; the popular belief tells us that it is "the cradle of mankind." A white is not superior to a black, and vice versa; we are all the same; mankind is a brotherhood. When your friend commits evil deeds, correct him/her, otherwise one day you will be his/her victim. France has become a dictatorship simply because for a long time it has supported dictatorial regimes. We will soon see cheating during elections in France.

Denouncing the bad deeds of a country is not hatred, which is why in Europe people protest; it does not mean they hate their country. Therefore, accept that we complain about the treatment of the West, but we love western civilization, we like to talk like you, we like your culture, and having a house in the south of France would be the best.

My history was stolen from me; I accept it because it is a fact; I speak French; thank you to my ancestors, the Gauls.

A human who thinks he has love must have sympathy for any emancipation movement of people, as Martin Luther King said it so well: "An injustice committed somewhere is a threat to justice everywhere in the world." We cannot change the past, but we can define our future by our present actions. We want to have freedom in our thoughts, actions, and choices. This aspiration is legitimate, as we have seen with lockdown how painful it is to be locked up and have someone decide on your actions and movements, like in a prison.

Everything happening in Western countries challenges us because it is the center of decisions on our future as Africans, so what did the master say? Get vaccinated. 

Now that we are in the same boat, I think it is appropriate to whisper in the ears of our European brothers and sisters for their support. Do not be afraid; the worst is behind us, we have the weapons to change things, and we should move forward towards the realization of the wonderful world we will leave to our children. Let's be united by our love for each other and speak up without fear. 

Marius C. Oula