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Old September 29th, 2011 #1
Chip Farley
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Default The First Black Archbishop of Canterbury?

By Josepha Jabo
In recent years, the changing world view has seen more Africans (African Presidents notwithstanding) rise to more prominent positions in the political world and in this regard there have been many ‘firsts’.
For example, now hailed as a living legend, Nelson Mandela made history when he was elected as the first Black President of South Africa (1994—1999) ending more than 300 years of white supremacy.
Ghanaian diplomat Kofi Annan, the 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations (1997—2006), was the first Black African to occupy the UN’s top job.

Collin Powell was the first African American to be appointed as United States Secretary of State (2001—2005) followed by Condoleezza Rice, the first African-American woman United States Secretary of State (2005—2009), both served in President George W. Bush's administration. The 44th United States President, Barak Obama, made history in 2008 when he was inaugurated as the first African American President on January 20, 2009.

This shows excellence in any profession is not specific to one particular race but success is open to all. Africans (once given the same educational opportunities as Whites) are just as likely to excel in their chosen areas of study. Recognition of African American capabilities by George W. Bush who appointed two of them to a high profile position in the early 2000s helped raise the consciousness of America’s voting public to acknowledge Africans are not inferior and paved the way for the acceptance of Barak Obama as a worthy presidential candidate in the 2008 Presidential Elections. Consequently, by 2009, it was not so strange for Americans to see an African American in the White House’s Oval Office for the first time.

It is a sad fact that Africans living abroad have sometimes been victims of racism; being treated as Second Class citizens. This racism may be physical, or may be more subtle coming in form of a ‘put-down’ in a conversation. I know of a certain Ugandan gentleman who, as he was travelling from Europe to Uganda in the late 1980s, while in the lounge of an International Airport was asked by a white traveler if Africans live in trees. Offended, the Ugandan replied no, Africans actually live in houses. More outrageous are instances when Africans are treated as Second Class citizens in their own countries as was the case during the Colonial Era and the atrocious Apartheid segregation system.

Although Obama’s political victory, does not mean a total elimination of racism, however, the appointment or election of more Africans to positions of power will help further break down the wall of irrational prejudice whose only basis, really, is, skin colour which neither determines intelligence nor talent; therefore, it is irrational to use it as a basis for discrimination.

On Monday, September 12, 2011, I was pleased to read the New Vision article, ‘Sentamu might become Archbishop of Canterbury.’ Even if, the Ugandan Dr. John Sentamu, who is currently the Archbishop of York, succeeds Dr. Rowan Williams only in a caretaker role beginning in June 2012, if this actually happens Sentamu will make history as the first Black African to occupy the highest position in the Church of England!

http://www.mediacentre.go.ug/details...Id=5&item=1385
 
Old September 29th, 2011 #2
Donnie in Ohio
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