YOU RACIST, GO AWAY

Today, I am standing on dangerous ground. Many people shy away from discussing this point. It is sensitive, explosive and dangerous to handle it especially if you are black and living in the so-called developed country where the colour of your skin attracts insults.

Up to now, I am still disturbed and can not believe a young man travels out of his country and he is beaten and insulted just because of the colour of his colour. This is what happened to Egessa, our Ugandan brother who had traveled to Ukraine for further studies. Egessa came face to face with the Skin Heads in that country and got beaten near death three times. Of course not only did he come back with MBA degree but also nine stitches on his lips and a fractured knee. Egessa’s story has been making headlines here in Uganda.

I have not yet come to terms with racism. Why should you hate me because I am black? Why? I have read comments of African footballers who endure day to day racism and insults in Europe even when they have proved beyond reasonable doubt that they are the best. Why do you beat and insult us, YOU RACIST? We did not apply to be black? Of course, there is this talk by authorities that, tough measures are in place to stop racism. It only remains some cheap talk.

When foreigners came to Uganda or any African country, we treat them with kid gloves. We volunteer to show them directions, when they get lost. We sensitize our people on the need to be hospitable and nice to our visitors. Even when foreigners do not want to greet us in our country, we volunteer to say, Hallo and smile with our black faces. Ask any foreigner, who has come to Uganda and he/she will tell how friendly and nice our people are. Unfortunately, when we show good manners, we are mistaken to be morons. Quite disturbing!!!

I am not saying we are angles. Of course, we have some challenges but we are not that uncivilized and barbaric has exhibited by Egeesa’s attackers. To Egeesas’ attackers, you will be surprised if you came to Uganda or any African country and are treated better than you are in your so-called developed country. You can long for my blood, but you will not get a piece of me to insult, chewe or bite. SORRY!!!

Calling us (read black people) monkeys that are not welcome to western countries is not a solution. Who cares about the colour of my skin? I do not care myself. Actually, I am proud that I am dark. I wish I was darker than I am now. Yes, darker than the abyss and more bushy than a monkey, if you like!!! unfortunately, If we are to discuss the merit and demerits of our races, the world would develop into another catastrophe.

Let me give you a dose to bite, chew and swallow There was a certain funny professor (I call him funny, because there was nothing substantial good from his studies) who alleged that all blacks are less intelligent than any other race. My foot!! The fellow had to withdraw his statements. What does he think of brains like Barrack Obama, Powel, Rice, and Mandela? If you think blacks are less good just look at the recent Olympics 100 meters race. Count how many in that final lines were black people? Who is holding the current 9.69 seconds World Record for that race? What would you think, you racist, of Mohammed Ali, Pele, Michael Jordan, Michael Johnson etc? You find the answers!!!

Now there is also this hopeless feeling of black people living in the developed world especially exhibited by the Jamaicans and black Americans. Jamaicans, I am meant to understand do not want to be associated with black African people. Those who have traveled abroad say that a black man in the streets of New York would run away on discovering that you are from Africa. You had better get direction from a white man and not a black man. You idiots, how can you deny you ancestry when actually your colour shows that you are part of us?

You racist's, go away!!