PA, so to put it in simple terms, are you suggesting that if African-Americans who are resourceful, lend their knowledge and skills to African countries with poor infrastructures, they will gradually become less dependent on European countries for support--then, eventually, becoming more economically/socially independent?
I see that I need to read and study more on this issue because it's a critical one. It raises a number of questions but I'm not sure how to frame the questions without them sounding superfulous. I don't want to simply skim the surface on this discussion because it deserves far more respect than that.
I think we need the collective and healthy minds and energy from all members of our African-American society. I believe we all have something of value to contribute to Africa if we give it some serious thought.
There's a huge push in America today, particularly on college campuses, on volunteerism and the many benefits gained when people volunteer their time to help strengthen a community. We have a strong history as African-Americans for engaging in volunteer service. We work through churches, grass-roots and national level organizations, we work in fraternities and sororities as well as help each other on an individual basis. But we tend to localize our efforts and my thinking is we may need to extend our efforts to Africa as well.
My sense is that we, African-Americans, need to start seeing the value in getting involved with PanAfrican organizations and be willing to help each other on a global scale. Doing so should not be perceived as counter-productive to one's sense of self, it shouldn't go against anyone's spiritual beliefs, and it doesn't mean you're a militant person out to kill "whitey". That might be what some people would want you to believe in order to keep Black people divided and Africa impoverished, but it's not true. For African-Americans, ignorance is not bliss.
We now know that there are a number of organizations that exist but maybe someone needs to share contact information and some details about how people can get involved. Are there newsletters that people can subscribe to keep abreast of information and activities. It would be nice to know whether the various PanAfrican organizations have or can come together to form a coalition, which can spearhead and stimulate the creation of a "United States of Africa".
Hopefully slavery and racism haven't effectively removed any sense of attachment from us for our Africa. Some of us might fear getting involved to any degree but the question these people should ask themselves is, what do you stand to lose if you don't?
Maybe helping Africa will give us a chance to take our minds temporarily off of our own personal problems so that we can sharpen our "helping" and problem solving skills, build alliances with our indigenous brothers and sisters making us a force necessary to do business with, and ultimately help ourselves through strengthening our mutual relationships.
Peace!