https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/how-the-new-colonizers-are-forgetting-the-people-of-africa?_amp=true&__twitter_impression=true
As a citizen of a developed nation like the United States, it's easy to believe that because we enjoy much prosperity, other nations must desire to adopt our societal ways. But should other countries embrace the degrading ideas about morality and sexual ethics so prized by Western thought?
In her well-sourced book Target Africa, Nigerian activist Obianuju Ekeocha lays out a passionate defense of African tradition and thought as based in fundamental beliefs about family, marriage, and the sanctity of human life.
From an outsider's perspective, the world's second most-populous continent is both full of potential and in need of our help. As the author explains, the new colonizers of the late 20th and 21st centuries are so influenced by what they think African nations want that they completely overlook what they need. She defines this motivation as "philanthropic racism," whereby major donors bypass education of all types in favor of quick fixes that resemble Western convention.
This ideological neocolonialism is focused on introducing abortion and contraception as a regular part of African society. According to Ekeocha, organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation looking to inject themselves quite literally into African life believe they are valiantly targeting the root causes of poverty along the way.
But as the author passionately points out, instead of supplying tools that promote responsibility, they decrease the dignity of each African by suggesting harmful alternatives devoid of the most basic of ethical boundaries.
If a nation is ravaged by an AIDS epidemic, does supplying more condoms begin to safely target the root cause of the problem? If maternal and neonatal deaths sit at high rates, does encouraging the life-ending procedure of abortion save them? If absolutely essential medical care for men, women, and children is sorely lacking, why suggest that females begin taking contraception?
As the author lays out in her fiery yet measured tone, attempts to address these and other issues is failing. African nations are filled with diverse and talented individuals with rich and colorful histories.
Those born and those yet to deserve better than to be used as pawns by foreigners who want to be seen as a continuous funding source and necessity, but never an actual solution to internal ills.
Throughout the book, Ekeocha discusses radical feminism (a relatively new mindset on the continent), the desire to push an LGBT agenda, abortion as a "solution," domestic corruption, and aid addiction, among other things. Overall, she makes clear that the new colonizers must remove themselves from the equation so Africa and its many nations can rise above external pressures and blossom as healthy and as vibrantly as possible.
"...Western societies seem not to want Africans to follow the successful responsibility-based approach to human sexuality. Rather, they seem to want Africans to imitate the rights-based approach to sexuality that is causing the demise of Western societies. For Africa to have a promising future, it needs to push back on this flawed paradigm and on the Western influence that is spreading it."
I highly recommend Target Africa, an informative work that sheds light on a corner that Westerners assume to understand. As long as there are activists like Obianuju Ekeocha who defend the lives, traditions, and inherent worth of the African people, then the possibility of a bright future is in store.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog and a senior contributor at RedState.com.
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