Achille Mbembe, the Wits University (Johannesburg) based intellectual (born in Cameroon and formerly professor at Columbia and Penn), is less impressed about what an Obama Presidency might mean for the African continent (assuming Obama gets to be President):
Obama has said little about Africa since the start of the campaign. He might not endorse this cynicism, but nor has he indicated a willingness to significantly depart from the outdated view of the continent that has underpinned US policy since the end of the Cold War.
Here.
This is a strategy people, do not take your eyes off of the ball. He cant possibly talk too much about Africa because his patriotism is going to be questioned. I do not expect more from his term that the Bush term but I will take Obama anyday.
I think the outdated view is to expect or even require Obama or the US for that matter to have a plan or set of policies to help Africa.
Viewing Africa as the helpless, always in need continent, is the outdated view.
http://awebreakdown.blogspot.com/
The only thing “african” about Obama is his last name. People tend to forget that he was born in Hawaii and is biracial(white mother). His wife, friends, social circle, entourage, and the church he attended aren’t “african”.