Afro-minimalism
How Black People Are Conditioned to Enjoy Poverty
by
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It is an interesting reality that European kingdoms or states that were behind Mali have overtaken Africa. They were able to do so because they did (and still do) not have the minimalist mentality present in African culture(s). Though my focus in this theory is Africa, I would also admit that my point will not be clear enough without comparing the situation to Europe. So, in my presentation, whenever necessary, I use Europe as an instance of contrast. In fact, as I write about Afro-minimalism, I am indirectly also writing on Euro-maximalism–the belief in excess resource accumulation. In simple terms, the reason Europe was able to overtake Africa, is because they had a maximalist mindset which is characterized by greed. When Christopher Columbus returned to Spain on March 15, 1493, following his exploration of the Caribbean, he wrote a letter to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella (his financiers) describing what he found in the places he visited. He writes, in part, that the native people are: …guileless and honest, and very liberal of all they have. No one refuses the asker anything that he possesses; on the contrary, they themselves invite us to ask for it. They manifest the greatest affection towards all of us, exchanging valuable things for trifles, content with the very least thing or nothing at all…I gave them many beautiful and pleasing things…in order to win their affection, and that they might become Christians…and that they might be eager to search for and gather and give us what they abound in and we greatly need (Columbus, 1493, 2) This letter is the sincerest expression of European intentions during the so-called age of exploration. They sailed across the world with the intent of using religion (Christianity) to take the resources of the world. Note also that Columbus recognized the minimalist mindset of the people. They were content with the bare minimum of resources even though they were surrounded by an abundance of them. That is what gave him the inclination that if he could convert them to Christianity, the people themselves would gather and give to Europeans the economic wealth around them. Africa’s experience with Europe was no different. Mansa Musah’s pilgrimage to Mecca had the unintended consequence of drawing the attention of Europeans to Africa. When news of his astonishing generosity and wealth reached Europe, they began to salivate over Africa’s resources. European states dedicated resources to the exploration of Africa for resources. They competed with one another over the wealth of Africa. With a maximalist mind, they did not care to take whatever they wanted even with violent force. And of course, Christianity guaranteed them forgiveness if they asked God for it. Operating with a minimalist mindset, Africans were trusting, hospitable, and generous to the visiting Europeans. Actually, the bible is not only against minimalism but it also promises to punish people with that kind of mindset. It warns that “…to him who has will more be given, and from him who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away” (Luke 8:18). This biblical principle is further reiterated in the book of Matthew: “For to everyone who has will more be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that has not, even what he has will be taken away” (25: 29). It is from this that Morton (1968) proposed the Matthew Effect. This theory makes a practical claim that if you start with more of something, it will multiply. In the same way, if you start with less, you risk losing it. By this principle, Africa should be given more because it has more. However, that is not what ends up being the case. In dealing with Europeans, Africans displayed the mindset of one who has not—minimalist mentality—and therefore what they thought they had was taken away. Europeans had the attitude of one who has (or wants) and so more was given to them. Perhaps a better way to put it is that Europeans took what they wanted because Africa showed an attitude of not wanting what it had. This is why the mindset is important. Depending on your frame of mind regarding the things you have, you may materially have more but lose it because you have a minimalist worldview.
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About the Book
This book explains the cultural foundation of Black depravation. The underdevelopment of Africa has been widely attributed to either colonialism or racism. To a large extent, those with this opinion are right. However, an unfavorable trend seems to emerge when one considers Black populations globally. Everywhere that Black people co-exist with other racial groups, the Black population is more likely to have the lowest standard of living. They are likely to be poorer compared to the other races. Even in countries where Black people are in the majority, they are, on the average, poorer than other racial groups. Colonialism and racism have a role to play in the predicaments of the Black world but there is also an under-explored cultural dimension to the problem. This book proposes the theory of Afro-minimalism to explain the role that culture plays in the impoverishment of Black people.
About the Author
Abobo Kumbalonah holds a PhD in Interdisciplinary Arts (Film and Literary Studies) from Ohio University, Athens. Prior to this, he completed an M.A. in African Studies at the same university. For his undergraduate studies, he attended the University of Ghana where he majored in English and Linguistics. Professionally, he has taught at several universities in Ghana and the United States of America. He regards himself as an intellectual activist who uses teaching and research to highlight structural injustice and the marginalization of Africa(ns) and Black populations of the world. Consequently, his research and teaching focus broadly on race & identity, Black culture(s), colonialism, and globalization.