Mes Deux Cents: What If...

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

What If...

If a group of very wealthy African Americans got together and bought a beautiful island and founded a new nation called African America; would you want to move there?

Do you think something like this could ever happen?

20 comments:

Allison Miranda said...: Depending on who/what moved there. Just because people are wealthy does not mean they are smart, creative, have/use common sense, etc. I would if there was a huge variety of skilled, educated, artistic but WELL-BEHAVED and THOUGHTFUL Blacks went.; December 18, 2007 at 7:57 AM
Ehav Ever said...: That is a very interesting question. Though I wouldn't move there, I already live on an Island. Israel, the Jewish island in the world. (smile)

Why not call the island something else besides African America? That as a country name sounds funny, and I would think that any African Americans who moved there would be doing so to no longer be Americans.

I agree with Randi. If someone were considering moving to such a place they would need to look into who is moving there and if what they are trying to build makes sense to them. As mentioned before an important issue would be morality and law. What would be based on?; December 18, 2007 at 9:09 AM
Anonymous said...: Good question. I don't know that it would ever happen I'm sad to say. We are still crabs in a barrel and wealth doesn't shield you from a negative "get mine" mentality any more than a poor person.

It's a lovely thought though.; December 18, 2007 at 11:03 AM
Brown Love said...: Yes.; December 18, 2007 at 3:48 PM
Anonymous said...: I would definitely move there, but I do not think it will happen. Anything of this sort is possible, I mean, just look at Dubai, UAE which is primarily made from the riches of Arabs. I hate to say this, but rich African-Americans are too selfish to put their riches together to buy an island. Sure, many African Americans own islands now, but they own them for themselves and not for the masses of fellow African-Americans.

Only time will tell if we can get past this mentality and make something as special as the African American island come to past.

MARCUS LANGFORD; December 18, 2007 at 5:53 PM
Mes Deux Cents said...: Randi,

That's true it would depend on who would live there.

But I would be willing to try it!

Ehav,

America refers to The America's rather than just the U.S. I guess I envision it would be somewhere in the America's.

Danielle,

A very lovely thought I agree.

Lisa,

Indeed!; December 18, 2007 at 6:17 PM
Mes Deux Cents said...: Marcus,

Maybe there are some soon to be wealthy African Americans who might like an idea like this.

Also monaco is an example of a small nation, a city state actually.; December 18, 2007 at 7:28 PM
Ehav Ever said...: Hey MDC,

I guess my question is this. Your post says that there is an island and African Americans are founding a NEW nation. Even if it is in the region where the Americas are, not all the countries in the Americas have America in their names. So it would seem that the idea is to either start over or to escape elements of American society. In that case I would think that shedding the American persona would be highly important. Kind of like if the Unites States in the beginning called itself English-Dutch-Spanish-French, etc. America.

The other problem I would see is it being an Island. What eventually would happen is that African America would more than likely end up relying on the USA for resources, if it is in the Americas. Also, the threat of hurricanes and such would be increased. Now you have natural disasters and you would be relying on the West for aide.

Also, if you look at many of the island nations natural resources and space are a BIG problem. It is a problem in Japan, Haiti, etc.

Personally, I think the better deal would be if African Americans with resources and people power moved to the West Coast of Africa. A part of West Africa that was uninhabited, with natural resources, and was not land locked. If they were able to do something like the original idea for Liberia. To start by creating a culture, language, judicial system, etc.

The problem there is that you would have to learn to utilize the natural resources that are already there. Many of the African nations are controlled by Western nation tariffs and such, which is one of the reasons why they are having a hard time being able to equal many Western nations. You would also have to be able to convince the governments and the people already there that it is to their advantage to form a united culture and government with the African Americans who move there.

In modern times both situations have extreme difficulties because of how Western nations have positioned themselves as the ultimate power brokers. You create a nation well now you need an army, where do you get arms? The West. You are going to need import and export capabilities, where do you get that? The West. This the unfortunate situation that colonization of much of the world created. In order to have what most people want in a modern world you end up having to go through Western nations for it. So now you are back where you started in America, or even worse since you can't just go and utilize the same resources you had before.; December 18, 2007 at 7:39 PM
Gem said...: I would love to move there. But I also think that we would have to be freed from our "crabs in a barrel" mentality first. Furthermore, can the poisonous effects of "White Privilege" that has hendered African Americans for so long be subdued by wealth in order to allow such a thing?; December 18, 2007 at 8:11 PM
Mes Deux Cents said...: Ehav,

First; I think it would be good to be in the America's so that African Americans could visit often. That would create a tourist economy.

Second; their are other ways to acquire weapons, such as dealing with Chavez of Venezuela, the Russians, The North Koreans, etc.

Third; the African continent is very unstable. So trying to establish a wealthy nation there would be problematic.

Fourth; there are ways to fortify an island so it's not so vulnerable to weather, especially if it's brand new constuction.

Also an island is easier to defend militarily and easier to control immigration.; December 18, 2007 at 8:11 PM
Miriam said...: I'd be scared to move there. HAHAHAHA

I'm sure anyone who talks too proper, seem to have knowledge, not current w/the latest hiphop and doesn't 'dress the part' too dark, too woman, with children will be fodder for mockery and derision!

Okay. hopefully not. But I just don't know the playing field.

If such a thing was done after the mentality has changed AND THEN they went to create this island home. Okay maybe.; December 18, 2007 at 8:16 PM
Mes Deux Cents said...: Hi Gem,

I'd like to think that enough like-minded people could be found who would understand the ill effects of White privilege to avoid those sorts of pitfalls.

In the beginning of such an endeavor I think the first inhabitants would have to be selected very wisely. Then they would set the tone.

Miriam,

"I'm sure anyone who talks too proper, seem to have knowledge, not current w/the latest hiphop and doesn't 'dress the part' too dark, too woman, with children will be fodder for mockery and derision!"

I think it would be the opposite. People who would have the wear-with-all to make such a move would probably have a better than average education and be of at least the middle class.

So the opposite would be more likely in that not speaking properly would be a point of contention.; December 18, 2007 at 8:44 PM
Ehav Ever said...: Hey MDC,

I really like this discussion. I love the concept of nation building the challenges and opportunities it presents. So that being said, back to my questions. By the time I finish grilling you may actually have everything you need build that island society. (smile)

1) What are the requirements for citizenship? What if R. Kelly, Superhead, Lola Luv, 50 Cent, etc. want to move there EXACTLY as they are now with no changes to their business and personal ventures?

2) Are non-African Americans allowed to move there?

3) What would the national language be? If English, why English and not something else? What if the majority of the African Americans who move there speak Creole and they say it should be Creole?

4) What kind of government system would be? Congressional, Parliament, etc?

5) How would the judicial system be set up? What morals or ethics would be used to determine state law?

6) Would African America allow influences such as BET, Gangster rap, hardcore R&B, pornography, marijuana, etc. into the country?

I may have more questions later.; December 18, 2007 at 9:05 PM
clnmike said...: For me that question is to vague. What is the Goverment like?

The culture?
Who would be allowed in?

What would be the difference between it and other black nations that exist now?

And why not call it New Africa?

African America is one sided.

I like were you are going with this, I would like some more details.

It reminds me of the novel by Steven Barnes were he wrote fiction about history of the Americas if the whites were slaves and the Aficans were the Dominant culture.; December 18, 2007 at 10:24 PM
Lydia said...: I want to insert a Chris Rock joke here, but as I am not a comedian, it might not be funny. I'll just say Randi523 is on the right track.; December 18, 2007 at 10:27 PM
Ehav Ever said...: A few other things came to mind while I was driving to work.

1) In African America would there be a mandetory military draft? What kind of military system would you utilize? (For example, Monaco's military defence comes from France)

2) Would you go for a president or a prime minister?

3) Would you form a national government in a regional state system or simply a national system? Would you go for a constitutional monarchy?

4) What would be the national holidays? What if the population was split evenly between, for example, Black Muslims and Black Christians, would national holidays be shared by both?

5) Would African America join the UN and Nato?

6) Would African America push for reperations the US?

7) Since the economy that you mentioned would be prodominately tourist based, What elements of African America would attract tourism? What cultural attractions would tourist be coming to see or take part in?

8) Would there be income tax or like Monaco no income tax?

Sorry to blitz you Madamme president, but important questions.; December 18, 2007 at 11:03 PM
clnmike said...: Man this sounds like you got a project.; December 19, 2007 at 10:51 AM
Mes Deux Cents said...: Ehav,

1) If that R person ever made it there he would be immediately locked-up for life. Superhead would not be able to obtain a visa and Angel Lola Luv would be given immediate citizenship. I think she could be saved.

2) I think that non- African Americans could visit for extended periods and live there if their spouse was a citizen.

3) English makes sense. Most of the people visiting would speak English so for commerce sake it should be the primary language.

4) Probably a representative democracy, much like the U.S. but with certain differences and reforms.

5) A constitution would have to be authored and ratified. That would be the basis for law.

6) There would be standard for entertainment on the island. Gangsta rap would be considered obscene.

Second set

1) I think there would need to be mandatory military service. I think that A.A. would probably align with nations like Canada, Sweden, S.A,. But A.A. would be responsible for its own defense.

2) I'm not sure. That would depend on the constitution.

3) A national system. NO MONARCHY!

4) Holiday's develop over time according to custom and history. I don’t think religion would create a problem.

5) The U.N. yes, NATO I'm not sure. A.A. might need to align with non-NATO nations for the purpose of buying weapons.

6) No

7) Mainly it would exist as a sort of figurative homeland for all African Americans. Over time other attractions would be developed.

8) It would depend, it gambling is allowed then income tax might not be necessary.

ClnMike,

In the beginning need would dictate who would be allowed to immigrate. In other words what ever skill sets were needed would play a major part in the selection process.

Initially the main difference is that it would be a nation founded by the descendents of African American slaves. Over time other differences would emerge.

Well the name would be up for debate. I though African America would be good because it would create a name bond with African Americans.

Also since it would be in the America's the name would make geographic sense.

Janie,

jokes are encouraged! (lol); December 19, 2007 at 3:52 PM
Ehav Ever said...: Why exactly do you feel you could save Lola Luv, and not Superhead? They both seem the same.; December 20, 2007 at 11:01 AM
Mes Deux Cents said...: Ehav,

Because Lola is young and was never a porn star. Ithink she can change her life.; December 24, 2007 at 7:23 PM