[Music] hello don’t you all look terrific from
hello don’t you all look terrific from
hello don’t you all look terrific from this vantage point that I have so I’m
this vantage point that I have so I’m
this vantage point that I have so I’m saying Abu Dhabi it’s my great pleasure
saying Abu Dhabi it’s my great pleasure
saying Abu Dhabi it’s my great pleasure to be with you and although I studied
to be with you and although I studied
to be with you and although I studied politics and economics at Oxford I
politics and economics at Oxford I
politics and economics at Oxford I actually did my postgraduate studies in
actually did my postgraduate studies in
actually did my postgraduate studies in history so I am here today to make a
history so I am here today to make a
history so I am here today to make a plea for history to say that history is
plea for history to say that history is
plea for history to say that history is not something about the past no history
not something about the past no history
not something about the past no history from the African point of view is
from the African point of view is
from the African point of view is something which allows you to have
something which allows you to have
something which allows you to have self-respect it helps you to have a
self-respect it helps you to have a
self-respect it helps you to have a reclaimed identity it helps you to
reclaimed identity it helps you to
reclaimed identity it helps you to assert yourself on the social political
assert yourself on the social political
assert yourself on the social political and cultural agenda today so it’s a very
and cultural agenda today so it’s a very
and cultural agenda today so it’s a very very important thing and in my view it’s
very important thing and in my view it’s
very important thing and in my view it’s been overlooked wrongly it’s very
been overlooked wrongly it’s very
been overlooked wrongly it’s very fashionable to talk about education
fashionable to talk about education
fashionable to talk about education education is important it’s the you know
education is important it’s the you know
education is important it’s the you know most empowering thing you can give a
most empowering thing you can give a
most empowering thing you can give a young child in Africa and it’s true but
young child in Africa and it’s true but
young child in Africa and it’s true but what kind of education quality education
what kind of education quality education
what kind of education quality education is the thing that’s very important in
is the thing that’s very important in
is the thing that’s very important in history is an integral part of that and
history is an integral part of that and
history is an integral part of that and not just for people living in Africa but
not just for people living in Africa but
not just for people living in Africa but also the established African Diaspora
also the established African Diaspora
also the established African Diaspora Beauty in the Caribbean be it in Brazil
Beauty in the Caribbean be it in Brazil
Beauty in the Caribbean be it in Brazil beauty in the United States whether it’s
beauty in the United States whether it’s
beauty in the United States whether it’s also the more recently arrived diaspora
also the more recently arrived diaspora
also the more recently arrived diaspora Africans living in the West all part and
Africans living in the West all part and
Africans living in the West all part and parcel of the same history is the shared
parcel of the same history is the shared
parcel of the same history is the shared history so I’ve been very struck by the
history so I’ve been very struck by the
history so I’ve been very struck by the paradox that you can be educated but not
paradox that you can be educated but not
paradox that you can be educated but not know very much about your history and
know very much about your history and
know very much about your history and I’ll take you on a journey as to why I
I’ll take you on a journey as to why I
I’ll take you on a journey as to why I believe this is the case
believe this is the case
believe this is the case first of all education you could say is
first of all education you could say is
first of all education you could say is the family business in the Sudan because
the family business in the Sudan because
the family business in the Sudan because my great-grandfather was the pioneer of
my great-grandfather was the pioneer of
my great-grandfather was the pioneer of female education in the Sudan at the
female education in the Sudan at the
female education in the Sudan at the turn of the last century there were no
turn of the last century there were no
turn of the last century there were no schools for girls but my
schools for girls but my
schools for girls but my great-grandfather chef barbequed Beverly
great-grandfather chef barbequed Beverly
great-grandfather chef barbequed Beverly said you know what why should my girls
said you know what why should my girls
said you know what why should my girls go uneducated so he established a school
go uneducated so he established a school
go uneducated so he established a school in his own family compound against much
in his own family compound against much
in his own family compound against much much
much
much not only from the local community but
not only from the local community but
not only from the local community but from the British colonial authorities at
from the British colonial authorities at
from the British colonial authorities at the time they said don’t do this you
the time they said don’t do this you
the time they said don’t do this you know it’s going to upset people’s you
know it’s going to upset people’s you
know it’s going to upset people’s you know traditional customs and so on and
know traditional customs and so on and
know traditional customs and so on and he said there’s nothing in Islam that
he said there’s nothing in Islam that
he said there’s nothing in Islam that says women should not be educated and
says women should not be educated and
says women should not be educated and that’s why actually whenever I hear
that’s why actually whenever I hear
that’s why actually whenever I hear about you know so-called Muslim
about you know so-called Muslim
about you know so-called Muslim societies denying girls education I
societies denying girls education I
societies denying girls education I think there’s nothing inimical to
think there’s nothing inimical to
think there’s nothing inimical to educate educating girls in Islamic
educate educating girls in Islamic
educate educating girls in Islamic societies so my great-grandfather
societies so my great-grandfather
societies so my great-grandfather persisted in the teeth of opposition and
persisted in the teeth of opposition and
persisted in the teeth of opposition and he succeeded in fact in the family we
he succeeded in fact in the family we
he succeeded in fact in the family we say he was so Pro women he married four
say he was so Pro women he married four
say he was so Pro women he married four of them we’ll just skate over that
of them we’ll just skate over that
of them we’ll just skate over that particular thing thankfully one
particular thing thankfully one
particular thing thankfully one tradition that’s not continued and
tradition that’s not continued and
tradition that’s not continued and finally he just you know started schools
finally he just you know started schools
finally he just you know started schools and the British in the end said you know
and the British in the end said you know
and the British in the end said you know what you’ve done so well and they
what you’ve done so well and they
what you’ve done so well and they awarded him an OBE in the late 1940s and
awarded him an OBE in the late 1940s and
awarded him an OBE in the late 1940s and he went and accepted it from the
he went and accepted it from the
he went and accepted it from the Governor General of the Sudan and
Governor General of the Sudan and
Governor General of the Sudan and Winston Churchill was prime minister in
Winston Churchill was prime minister in
Winston Churchill was prime minister in the UK and he said well tell mr.
the UK and he said well tell mr.
the UK and he said well tell mr. Churchill I fought against him in the
Churchill I fought against him in the
Churchill I fought against him in the Battle of Omdurman but I won’t hold that
Battle of Omdurman but I won’t hold that
Battle of Omdurman but I won’t hold that against him and he took his OBE so good
against him and he took his OBE so good
against him and he took his OBE so good on you great-grandfather’s so you know I
on you great-grandfather’s so you know I
on you great-grandfather’s so you know I grew up with women who if they were
grew up with women who if they were
grew up with women who if they were alive today would be well over a hundred
alive today would be well over a hundred
alive today would be well over a hundred highly educated women with degrees from
highly educated women with degrees from
highly educated women with degrees from Western universities you know my mother
Western universities you know my mother
Western universities you know my mother was a teacher and so on and so forth so
was a teacher and so on and so forth so
was a teacher and so on and so forth so I grew up with very very powerful female
I grew up with very very powerful female
I grew up with very very powerful female figures where it was just you know we
figures where it was just you know we
figures where it was just you know we imbibed it with our mothers milk really
imbibed it with our mothers milk really
imbibed it with our mothers milk really but having said that I was sitting down
but having said that I was sitting down
but having said that I was sitting down a few years ago with my late father who
a few years ago with my late father who
a few years ago with my late father who died last year very sadly and my mother
died last year very sadly and my mother
died last year very sadly and my mother and I said you know these are two people
and I said you know these are two people
and I said you know these are two people who were highly educated you know in the
who were highly educated you know in the
who were highly educated you know in the Sudan and I said what do you know about
Sudan and I said what do you know about
Sudan and I said what do you know about Sudan’s ancient history and I think I
Sudan’s ancient history and I think I
Sudan’s ancient history and I think I said well we were taken to the pyramids
said well we were taken to the pyramids
said well we were taken to the pyramids once on a school trip in the 1930s or
once on a school trip in the 1930s or
once on a school trip in the 1930s or the 1940s you know and these were people
the 1940s you know and these were people
the 1940s you know and these were people could tell you about British history you
could tell you about British history you
could tell you about British history you know Kings you know King Henry the
know Kings you know King Henry the
know Kings you know King Henry the eighth his wives and so on and yet when
eighth his wives and so on and yet when
eighth his wives and so on and yet when it came to their own country’s history
it came to their own country’s history
it came to their own country’s history these two educated people you know drew
these two educated people you know drew
these two educated people you know drew a bit of a blank and it wasn’t just my
a bit of a blank and it wasn’t just my
a bit of a blank and it wasn’t just my parents I realise this you know over
parents I realise this you know over
parents I realise this you know over time that I was filming in lake or
time that I was filming in lake or
time that I was filming in lake or in Nigeria and I was going around the
in Nigeria and I was going around the
in Nigeria and I was going around the university there and I talked that you
university there and I talked that you
university there and I talked that you know the finest the brightest and the
know the finest the brightest and the
know the finest the brightest and the best of Nigeria and I said what do you
best of Nigeria and I said what do you
best of Nigeria and I said what do you know about your history and they said
know about your history and they said
know about your history and they said well we got our Nigeria was formed in
well we got our Nigeria was formed in
well we got our Nigeria was formed in 1911 slavery obviously was quite you
1911 slavery obviously was quite you
1911 slavery obviously was quite you know think I said what before that
know think I said what before that
know think I said what before that before that and they all drew a blank
before that and they all drew a blank
before that and they all drew a blank and and I realized that actually this
and and I realized that actually this
and and I realized that actually this was a pattern not only in Africa across
was a pattern not only in Africa across
was a pattern not only in Africa across generations but also diaspora African
generations but also diaspora African
generations but also diaspora African communities who you know perhaps living
communities who you know perhaps living
communities who you know perhaps living in the Caribbean or whatever we’re
in the Caribbean or whatever we’re
in the Caribbean or whatever we’re feeling quite deracinated didn’t know so
feeling quite deracinated didn’t know so
feeling quite deracinated didn’t know so much about their history and I thought
much about their history and I thought
much about their history and I thought you know what this isn’t right and I and
you know what this isn’t right and I and
you know what this isn’t right and I and I began to think about myself what do I
I began to think about myself what do I
I began to think about myself what do I know about my own history and you know
know about my own history and you know
know about my own history and you know when I and I realized that although I’ve
when I and I realized that although I’ve
when I and I realized that although I’ve always liked to say oh you know I’m a
always liked to say oh you know I’m a
always liked to say oh you know I’m a well-educated person what did I know and
well-educated person what did I know and
well-educated person what did I know and it reminded me of a time when I was an
it reminded me of a time when I was an
it reminded me of a time when I was an undergraduate at Oxford who was one of
undergraduate at Oxford who was one of
undergraduate at Oxford who was one of the history professors when I was
the history professors when I was
the history professors when I was actually there professor Hugh
actually there professor Hugh
actually there professor Hugh trevor-roper late Hugh trevor-roper
trevor-roper late Hugh trevor-roper
trevor-roper late Hugh trevor-roper and this is what he said about African
and this is what he said about African
and this is what he said about African history perhaps in the future there will
history perhaps in the future there will
history perhaps in the future there will be some African history to teach but at
be some African history to teach but at
be some African history to teach but at present there is none or very little
present there is none or very little
present there is none or very little there is only the history of Europeans
there is only the history of Europeans
there is only the history of Europeans in Africa he talked about the
in Africa he talked about the
in Africa he talked about the unrewarding gyrations of barbarous
unrewarding gyrations of barbarous
unrewarding gyrations of barbarous tribes in picturesque but irrelevant
tribes in picturesque but irrelevant
tribes in picturesque but irrelevant corners of the globe so if you think
corners of the globe so if you think
corners of the globe so if you think that that kind of infantilization of a
that that kind of infantilization of a
that that kind of infantilization of a continent and I actually think that
continent and I actually think that
continent and I actually think that Africans have been infantilized to a
Africans have been infantilized to a
Africans have been infantilized to a degree which we have not seen with
degree which we have not seen with
degree which we have not seen with people anywhere else in the world if you
people anywhere else in the world if you
people anywhere else in the world if you think that’s just you know the
think that’s just you know the
think that’s just you know the ruminations of a man long since dead
ruminations of a man long since dead
ruminations of a man long since dead know you know the leader of a major
know you know the leader of a major
know you know the leader of a major Western country only a few years ago
Western country only a few years ago
Western country only a few years ago less than a decade ago was visiting an
less than a decade ago was visiting an
less than a decade ago was visiting an African country a key African country
African country a key African country
African country a key African country made a speech to his African audience
made a speech to his African audience
made a speech to his African audience they all listened very politely as he
they all listened very politely as he
they all listened very politely as he said the African people have not entered
said the African people have not entered
said the African people have not entered the history books they’ve not entered
the history books they’ve not entered
the history books they’ve not entered history and when I visited this
history and when I visited this
history and when I visited this particular country not so long ago to
particular country not so long ago to
particular country not so long ago to this day so many people from you know
this day so many people from you know
this day so many people from you know presidents politicians down to waiters
presidents politicians down to waiters
presidents politicians down to waiters and restaurants remembered this speech
and restaurants remembered this speech
and restaurants remembered this speech made by this Western leader that the
made by this Western leader that the
made by this Western leader that the African man had not entered history so
African man had not entered history so
African man had not entered history so don’t
don’t
don’t think this is something that you can
think this is something that you can
think this is something that you can consign to the past so it was with these
consign to the past so it was with these
consign to the past so it was with these thoughts that I began to develop an
thoughts that I began to develop an
thoughts that I began to develop an interest in ancient Sudan and you know I
interest in ancient Sudan and you know I
interest in ancient Sudan and you know I discovered wonderful things there are
discovered wonderful things there are
discovered wonderful things there are thousand pyramids in the Sudan 300 of
thousand pyramids in the Sudan 300 of
thousand pyramids in the Sudan 300 of them preserve their superstructure in
them preserve their superstructure in
them preserve their superstructure in around in the eighth century BC the
around in the eighth century BC the
around in the eighth century BC the kings of ancient Sudan the kings of
kings of ancient Sudan the kings of
kings of ancient Sudan the kings of Koosh were superpowers in Africa they
Koosh were superpowers in Africa they
Koosh were superpowers in Africa they that you know their influence extended
that you know their influence extended
that you know their influence extended as far as the modern-day Middle East
as far as the modern-day Middle East
as far as the modern-day Middle East they governed Egypt for the best part of
they governed Egypt for the best part of
they governed Egypt for the best part of a century and so on and so forth and
a century and so on and so forth and
a century and so on and so forth and then after that so all you know with all
then after that so all you know with all
then after that so all you know with all this sort of coalescing in my mind my
this sort of coalescing in my mind my
this sort of coalescing in my mind my metamorphosis was sort of quite gradual
metamorphosis was sort of quite gradual
metamorphosis was sort of quite gradual you know the conversation with the
you know the conversation with the
you know the conversation with the parents that the finding out about
parents that the finding out about
parents that the finding out about ancient Sudan I then was at UNESCO and I
ancient Sudan I then was at UNESCO and I
ancient Sudan I then was at UNESCO and I saw there that there were some volumes
saw there that there were some volumes
saw there that there were some volumes called the general history of Africa and
called the general history of Africa and
called the general history of Africa and I asked what these were the GHA and I
I asked what these were the GHA and I
I asked what these were the GHA and I was told that in the early 1960s during
was told that in the early 1960s during
was told that in the early 1960s during that period of rapid decolonization in
that period of rapid decolonization in
that period of rapid decolonization in Africa the newly independent African
Africa the newly independent African
Africa the newly independent African President said look we have decolonized
President said look we have decolonized
President said look we have decolonized our countries we want to decolonize our
our countries we want to decolonize our
our countries we want to decolonize our history so they got together there was a
history so they got together there was a
history so they got together there was a very enlightened Frenchman line a mile
very enlightened Frenchman line a mile
very enlightened Frenchman line a mile was director-general of UNESCO at the
was director-general of UNESCO at the
was director-general of UNESCO at the time and he said okay you know in Kruger
time and he said okay you know in Kruger
time and he said okay you know in Kruger Kenyatta near re and so on and so forth
Kenyatta near re and so on and so forth
Kenyatta near re and so on and so forth you guys pay for this and our
you guys pay for this and our
you guys pay for this and our facilitators process so UNESCO scoured
facilitators process so UNESCO scoured
facilitators process so UNESCO scoured the continent of Africa for the best
the continent of Africa for the best
the continent of Africa for the best historians archaeologists
historians archaeologists
historians archaeologists anthropologists paleontologists you name
anthropologists paleontologists you name
anthropologists paleontologists you name it and they compiled volume after volume
it and they compiled volume after volume
it and they compiled volume after volume after volume of Africa’s history written
after volume of Africa’s history written
after volume of Africa’s history written by Africans themselves there’s a
by Africans themselves there’s a
by Africans themselves there’s a difference between being an African
difference between being an African
difference between being an African estándar African historian these were
estándar African historian these were
estándar African historian these were African historians and these are proper
African historians and these are proper
African historians and these are proper scholarly works you know they use the
scholarly works you know they use the
scholarly works you know they use the kind of sausage which Western historians
kind of sausage which Western historians
kind of sausage which Western historians had often overlooked and they also use
had often overlooked and they also use
had often overlooked and they also use you know use culture like music dance
you know use culture like music dance
you know use culture like music dance and so on to inform what they had done
and so on to inform what they had done
and so on to inform what they had done and they said just because Western
and they said just because Western
and they said just because Western historians have said in the past that
historians have said in the past that
historians have said in the past that Africa’s history is not always recorded
Africa’s history is not always recorded
Africa’s history is not always recorded written it doesn’t mean that Africans
written it doesn’t mean that Africans
written it doesn’t mean that Africans don’t have a history indeed they had the
don’t have a history indeed they had the
don’t have a history indeed they had the longest history in the world because
longest history in the world because
longest history in the world because it’s where human beings originated if
it’s where human beings originated if
it’s where human beings originated if you’re not from Africa you’re an African
you’re not from Africa you’re an African
you’re not from Africa you’re an African export
export
export aren’t you so you know yeah well we’re
aren’t you so you know yeah well we’re
aren’t you so you know yeah well we’re talking about trade you know Africa was
talking about trade you know Africa was
talking about trade you know Africa was the major exporter par excellence so you
the major exporter par excellence so you
the major exporter par excellence so you know so the irony that this continent
know so the irony that this continent
know so the irony that this continent with this long history should be told
with this long history should be told
with this long history should be told that you know wow you don’t really have
that you know wow you don’t really have
that you know wow you don’t really have a history because you know it just means
a history because you know it just means
a history because you know it just means we’ve got to get at it in a different
we’ve got to get at it in a different
we’ve got to get at it in a different way and that’s what the African
way and that’s what the African
way and that’s what the African historians did so I thought this is a
historians did so I thought this is a
historians did so I thought this is a wonderful inspiring project but very few
wonderful inspiring project but very few
wonderful inspiring project but very few people know about it so I either then
people know about it so I either then
people know about it so I either then worked out with UNESCO how I could make
worked out with UNESCO how I could make
worked out with UNESCO how I could make a TV history series based on these
a TV history series based on these
a TV history series based on these volumes Africa’s history told by
volumes Africa’s history told by
volumes Africa’s history told by Africans themselves the experts but I
Africans themselves the experts but I
Africans themselves the experts but I also wanted to make sure that ordinary
also wanted to make sure that ordinary
also wanted to make sure that ordinary African citizens were also part of this
African citizens were also part of this
African citizens were also part of this conversation and I embarked on this
conversation and I embarked on this
conversation and I embarked on this journey of filming around Africa the the
journey of filming around Africa the the
journey of filming around Africa the the first history series of what was called
first history series of what was called
first history series of what was called the history of Africa was a nap but are
the history of Africa was a nap but are
the history of Africa was a nap but are we which went out on BBC World TV and it
we which went out on BBC World TV and it
we which went out on BBC World TV and it was a real eye-opener for me you know
was a real eye-opener for me you know
was a real eye-opener for me you know going around seeing the wonderful things
going around seeing the wonderful things
going around seeing the wonderful things that just at the back of my mind proved
that just at the back of my mind proved
that just at the back of my mind proved huge revenue per solar so wrong we all
huge revenue per solar so wrong we all
huge revenue per solar so wrong we all know about ancient Egypt but you know
know about ancient Egypt but you know
know about ancient Egypt but you know what about the kingdom of Aksum in
what about the kingdom of Aksum in
what about the kingdom of Aksum in modern-day Ethiopian Eritrea and bits of
modern-day Ethiopian Eritrea and bits of
modern-day Ethiopian Eritrea and bits of the Horn of Africa in the fourth century
the Horn of Africa in the fourth century
the Horn of Africa in the fourth century this was described by a Greek historian
this was described by a Greek historian
this was described by a Greek historian as one of the four greatest
as one of the four greatest
as one of the four greatest civilizations of the world
civilizations of the world
civilizations of the world what about Great Zimbabwe the wonderful
what about Great Zimbabwe the wonderful
what about Great Zimbabwe the wonderful you know monuments if you go there what
you know monuments if you go there what
you know monuments if you go there what about King Musa in the 12th 13th century
about King Musa in the 12th 13th century
about King Musa in the 12th 13th century when who you know was was one of the
when who you know was was one of the
when who you know was was one of the kings of the Mali Empire the Ghana
kings of the Mali Empire the Ghana
kings of the Mali Empire the Ghana Empire the Nok civilization you know
Empire the Nok civilization you know
Empire the Nok civilization you know that was BC BCE before a Common Era in
that was BC BCE before a Common Era in
that was BC BCE before a Common Era in in in Nigeria today in northern Nigeria
in in Nigeria today in northern Nigeria
in in Nigeria today in northern Nigeria you know really honestly I could go on
you know really honestly I could go on
you know really honestly I could go on and on the berber kingdoms of north
and on the berber kingdoms of north
and on the berber kingdoms of north africa with their had you know their
africa with their had you know their
africa with their had you know their capital in in morocco it was just you
capital in in morocco it was just you
capital in in morocco it was just you know i there was so much history that
know i there was so much history that
know i there was so much history that actually my first series stops at around
actually my first series stops at around
actually my first series stops at around the 13th century and i’ve got to start
the 13th century and i’ve got to start
the 13th century and i’ve got to start the second series so really you know
the second series so really you know
the second series so really you know there is so much there that you can get
there is so much there that you can get
there is so much there that you can get at and why i think history’s so
at and why i think history’s so
at and why i think history’s so important is I’ll give you a quote from
important is I’ll give you a quote from
important is I’ll give you a quote from the late wonderful Kenyan environmental
the late wonderful Kenyan environmental
the late wonderful Kenyan environmental and social activist Wangari Maathai who
and social activist Wangari Maathai who
and social activist Wangari Maathai who sadly died in 2011 where she received
sadly died in 2011 where she received
sadly died in 2011 where she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 and she
the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 and she
the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 and she said you cannot enslave a mind that
said you cannot enslave a mind that
said you cannot enslave a mind that knows itself that values itself that
knows itself that values itself that
knows itself that values itself that understands itself and I’m very
understands itself and I’m very
understands itself and I’m very heartened that you know just as the the
heartened that you know just as the the
heartened that you know just as the the African leaders in the 1960s you know
African leaders in the 1960s you know
African leaders in the 1960s you know with this project which is still ongoing
with this project which is still ongoing
with this project which is still ongoing by the way the general history of Africa
by the way the general history of Africa
by the way the general history of Africa at UNESCO just as as they said look
at UNESCO just as as they said look
at UNESCO just as as they said look we’ve got to reclaim our history now you
we’ve got to reclaim our history now you
we’ve got to reclaim our history now you see for example students in South Africa
see for example students in South Africa
see for example students in South Africa wanting to decolonize their curriculum
wanting to decolonize their curriculum
wanting to decolonize their curriculum because even 20 years after the end of
because even 20 years after the end of
because even 20 years after the end of apartheid more than 20 years you still
apartheid more than 20 years you still
apartheid more than 20 years you still find that you know higher education in
find that you know higher education in
find that you know higher education in South Africa is still deeply rooted in
South Africa is still deeply rooted in
South Africa is still deeply rooted in colonial and apart at the apartheid
colonial and apart at the apartheid
colonial and apart at the apartheid thinking you see students now at Oxford
thinking you see students now at Oxford
thinking you see students now at Oxford University saying we want African
University saying we want African
University saying we want African history to be taught because it’s part
history to be taught because it’s part
history to be taught because it’s part of world history African history is part
of world history African history is part
of world history African history is part of the global narrative it’s not just
of the global narrative it’s not just
of the global narrative it’s not just something that’s just relevant to you if
something that’s just relevant to you if
something that’s just relevant to you if you are or of African origin you know it
you are or of African origin you know it
you are or of African origin you know it is absolutely for for everybody so this
is absolutely for for everybody so this
is absolutely for for everybody so this is what I really I’m very keen to be
is what I really I’m very keen to be
is what I really I’m very keen to be part of his reconstructing African
part of his reconstructing African
part of his reconstructing African history from an African perspective
history from an African perspective
history from an African perspective putting the African intelligentsia
putting the African intelligentsia
putting the African intelligentsia center stage so I’m not saying do away
center stage so I’m not saying do away
center stage so I’m not saying do away I’m not saying
and and you know honestly there were so
and and you know honestly there were so many of them I mean in this series every
many of them I mean in this series every
many of them I mean in this series every person I interviewed was you know an
person I interviewed was you know an
person I interviewed was you know an African and the minds you know they
African and the minds you know they
African and the minds you know they would be comfortable in any major
would be comfortable in any major
would be comfortable in any major academic institution anywhere in the
academic institution anywhere in the
academic institution anywhere in the world is just they’ve not been given the
world is just they’ve not been given the
world is just they’ve not been given the chance to go center stage
chance to go center stage
chance to go center stage put them center stage you know great
put them center stage you know great
put them center stage you know great thinkers like shake hand et up from
thinkers like shake hand et up from
thinkers like shake hand et up from Senegal the late Senegalese professor
Senegal the late Senegalese professor
Senegal the late Senegalese professor yes yes you know he should be known you
yes yes you know he should be known you
yes yes you know he should be known you know his he was a polymath one of the
know his he was a polymath one of the
know his he was a polymath one of the greatest minds of the 20th century you
greatest minds of the 20th century you
greatest minds of the 20th century you know accomplished in so many disciplines
know accomplished in so many disciplines
know accomplished in so many disciplines people should know about him so you know
people should know about him so you know
people should know about him so you know I I really want to be part of this
I I really want to be part of this
I I really want to be part of this movement but sadly sadly as Professor
movement but sadly sadly as Professor
movement but sadly sadly as Professor Anthony assuage you a wonderful night
Anthony assuage you a wonderful night
Anthony assuage you a wonderful night year in historian told me when I was
year in historian told me when I was
year in historian told me when I was talking to him a few years ago like
talking to him a few years ago like
talking to him a few years ago like Lagos University African universities
Lagos University African universities
Lagos University African universities right across the continent not just in
right across the continent not just in
right across the continent not just in Nigeria history the history faculty is
Nigeria history the history faculty is
Nigeria history the history faculty is really really neglected of course
really really neglected of course
really really neglected of course Africa’s future lies in you know
Africa’s future lies in you know
Africa’s future lies in you know leapfrogging technology and science and
leapfrogging technology and science and
leapfrogging technology and science and technology and medicine and all these
technology and medicine and all these
technology and medicine and all these things are important to make sure that
things are important to make sure that
things are important to make sure that you know Africa is part of the 21st
you know Africa is part of the 21st
you know Africa is part of the 21st century but it doesn’t mean that we
century but it doesn’t mean that we
century but it doesn’t mean that we should completely you know forget our
should completely you know forget our
should completely you know forget our history so it is a plea to say that our
history so it is a plea to say that our
history so it is a plea to say that our history is about identity it’s about
history is about identity it’s about
history is about identity it’s about self-respect
self-respect
self-respect it’s about claiming our own narrative
it’s about claiming our own narrative
it’s about claiming our own narrative working in the media people often say to
working in the media people often say to
working in the media people often say to me oh you know you always get some
me oh you know you always get some
me oh you know you always get some Western you know well meaning often
Western you know well meaning often
Western you know well meaning often person to sum up the situation be it you
person to sum up the situation be it you
person to sum up the situation be it you know the Ebola crisis or some political
know the Ebola crisis or some political
know the Ebola crisis or some political situation that’s happened what about our
situation that’s happened what about our
situation that’s happened what about our own experts this infantilization over
own experts this infantilization over
own experts this infantilization over people whereby you’ve got to get other
people whereby you’ve got to get other
people whereby you’ve got to get other people to come and talk on their behalf
people to come and talk on their behalf
people to come and talk on their behalf people still see development as
people still see development as
people still see development as something which has got to be done by
something which has got to be done by
something which has got to be done by outside agents actually no country in
outside agents actually no country in
outside agents actually no country in history has ever been developed by
history has ever been developed by
history has ever been developed by outsiders
outsiders
outsiders you know perhaps Germany a bit with the
you know perhaps Germany a bit with the
you know perhaps Germany a bit with the Marshall Plan after the Second World War
Marshall Plan after the Second World War
Marshall Plan after the Second World War but you know it’s it’s putting age it’s
but you know it’s it’s putting age it’s
but you know it’s it’s putting age it’s putting Africans in the driving seat of
putting Africans in the driving seat of
putting Africans in the driving seat of a train
a train
a train it means starting that journey are not
it means starting that journey are not
it means starting that journey are not just jumping Midway insane
just jumping Midway insane
just jumping Midway insane to claim our narrative today let us erm
to claim our narrative today let us erm
to claim our narrative today let us erm you know start now no no no you’ve got
you know start now no no no you’ve got
you know start now no no no you’ve got to go all the way back to the past to
to go all the way back to the past to
to go all the way back to the past to bring yourself down to the present and
bring yourself down to the present and
bring yourself down to the present and it’s also about unity you know my late
it’s also about unity you know my late
it’s also about unity you know my late father was a great agitation for
father was a great agitation for
father was a great agitation for independence in the Sudan in you know in
independence in the Sudan in you know in
independence in the Sudan in you know in the 1940s and 50s and he was a great
the 1940s and 50s and he was a great
the 1940s and 50s and he was a great pan-africanist very inspired by you know
pan-africanist very inspired by you know
pan-africanist very inspired by you know Kwame Nkrumah and George Padmore and so
Kwame Nkrumah and George Padmore and so
Kwame Nkrumah and George Padmore and so on and and that’s really what I bring as
on and and that’s really what I bring as
on and and that’s really what I bring as well to this topic of history because
well to this topic of history because
well to this topic of history because African history it is about unity it
African history it is about unity it
African history it is about unity it doesn’t matter where you live in the
doesn’t matter where you live in the
doesn’t matter where you live in the world you are of African descent be you
world you are of African descent be you
world you are of African descent be you you know in Brazil where by the way a
you know in Brazil where by the way a
you know in Brazil where by the way a lot of people don’t realize that around
lot of people don’t realize that around
lot of people don’t realize that around a hundred million Brazilians that’s
a hundred million Brazilians that’s
a hundred million Brazilians that’s about more than 50% of the population
about more than 50% of the population
about more than 50% of the population either have african heritage or mixed
either have african heritage or mixed
either have african heritage or mixed African heritage you know that they are
African heritage you know that they are
African heritage you know that they are the second largest African population
the second largest African population
the second largest African population after Nigeria or the African American
after Nigeria or the African American
after Nigeria or the African American diaspora the most powerful and
diaspora the most powerful and
diaspora the most powerful and influential diaspora of Africans in the
influential diaspora of Africans in the
influential diaspora of Africans in the world you know about 18% of the American
world you know about 18% of the American
world you know about 18% of the American population again a vast number
population again a vast number
population again a vast number seventy-five million you know come
seventy-five million you know come
seventy-five million you know come together it pains me when I see when I
together it pains me when I see when I
together it pains me when I see when I go to the United States and chat to
go to the United States and chat to
go to the United States and chat to people about my relations today between
people about my relations today between
people about my relations today between the recently arrived Africans more
the recently arrived Africans more
the recently arrived Africans more recently arrived Africans from the
recently arrived Africans from the
recently arrived Africans from the continent and the established
continent and the established
continent and the established african-american community that there
african-american community that there
african-american community that there isn’t as much interaction and cross
isn’t as much interaction and cross
isn’t as much interaction and cross fertilization of you know ideas and and
fertilization of you know ideas and and
fertilization of you know ideas and and so on between them there seem to be more
so on between them there seem to be more
so on between them there seem to be more differences than I would really really
differences than I would really really
differences than I would really really like and I don’t think that’s right I
like and I don’t think that’s right I
like and I don’t think that’s right I mean even now there are people amongst
mean even now there are people amongst
mean even now there are people amongst the African American community who are
the African American community who are
the African American community who are beginning to say let’s go back to
beginning to say let’s go back to
beginning to say let’s go back to calling ourselves black Americans to
calling ourselves black Americans to
calling ourselves black Americans to distinguish ourselves from the more
distinguish ourselves from the more
distinguish ourselves from the more recently arrived you know Africans in
recently arrived you know Africans in
recently arrived you know Africans in our Diaspora in in the country I think
our Diaspora in in the country I think
our Diaspora in in the country I think that would be a retrograde step because
that would be a retrograde step because
that would be a retrograde step because stick to the term african-american I
stick to the term african-american I
stick to the term african-american I talked to Jesse Jackson I had the
talked to Jesse Jackson I had the
talked to Jesse Jackson I had the pleasure of talking to him a little bit
pleasure of talking to him a little bit
pleasure of talking to him a little bit about his history and you remember Jesse
about his history and you remember Jesse
about his history and you remember Jesse Jackson the 1980s was part of that kind
Jackson the 1980s was part of that kind
Jackson the 1980s was part of that kind of scholarly movement in the United
of scholarly movement in the United
of scholarly movement in the United States to claim the term
States to claim the term
States to claim the term african-american and he said just as we
african-american and he said just as we
african-american and he said just as we were called colored but we were not that
were called colored but we were not that
were called colored but we were not that and then Negro but we were not that I
and then Negro but we were not that I
and then Negro but we were not that I mean African simcha answering i’ma need
mean African simcha answering i’ma need
mean African simcha answering i’ma need I’ll call myself a Negro I call myself
I’ll call myself a Negro I call myself
I’ll call myself a Negro I call myself colored they didn’t to be called black
colored they didn’t to be called black
colored they didn’t to be called black he said it’s just as baseless black
he said it’s just as baseless black
he said it’s just as baseless black tells you about skin color what side of
tells you about skin color what side of
tells you about skin color what side of town you live on african-american evokes
town you live on african-american evokes
town you live on african-american evokes discussion of the world so it’s that
discussion of the world so it’s that
discussion of the world so it’s that oneness of the disparate community it’s
oneness of the disparate community it’s
oneness of the disparate community it’s bringing everybody together under you
bringing everybody together under you
bringing everybody together under you know one banner so you know I would
know one banner so you know I would
know one banner so you know I would appeal to African Americans to maintain
appeal to African Americans to maintain
appeal to African Americans to maintain that that name african-american because
that that name african-american because
that that name african-american because it’s only by drawing on this common
it’s only by drawing on this common
it’s only by drawing on this common shared history that we have that one can
shared history that we have that one can
shared history that we have that one can really realize the
really realize the
really realize the ambitions of the you know early
ambitions of the you know early
ambitions of the you know early independence fighters like my late
independence fighters like my late
independence fighters like my late father the Pan Africanist who see the
father the Pan Africanist who see the
father the Pan Africanist who see the whole African community you know when
whole African community you know when
whole African community you know when you’re talking about the black lives
you’re talking about the black lives
you’re talking about the black lives matter campaign or you know racist
matter campaign or you know racist
matter campaign or you know racist attacks or races and feelings or
attacks or races and feelings or
attacks or races and feelings or whatever you know do you think
whatever you know do you think
whatever you know do you think somebody’s going to stop and say oh are
somebody’s going to stop and say oh are
somebody’s going to stop and say oh are you from Khartoum or are you from
you from Khartoum or are you from
you from Khartoum or are you from you know Kingston Jamaica or are you
you know Kingston Jamaica or are you
you know Kingston Jamaica or are you from you know from Boston or whatever no
from you know from Boston or whatever no
from you know from Boston or whatever no it’s all part and parcel of the absolute
it’s all part and parcel of the absolute
it’s all part and parcel of the absolute same community and I know that this is
same community and I know that this is
same community and I know that this is an important topic because you know here
an important topic because you know here
an important topic because you know here we live in the United Kingdom we know
we live in the United Kingdom we know
we live in the United Kingdom we know how important history is for you know
how important history is for you know
how important history is for you know informing your present and if you watch
informing your present and if you watch
informing your present and if you watch any major events like the Olympics or
any major events like the Olympics or
any major events like the Olympics or you know whatever football matches
you know whatever football matches
you know whatever football matches they’re always you know a bit of history
they’re always you know a bit of history
they’re always you know a bit of history coming in whereby a nation asserts
coming in whereby a nation asserts
coming in whereby a nation asserts itself so history is important for
itself so history is important for
itself so history is important for national identity for an individual
national identity for an individual
national identity for an individual sense of identity for a community as
sense of identity for a community as
sense of identity for a community as well and so Africans must not be robbed
well and so Africans must not be robbed
well and so Africans must not be robbed of this you know advantage because it’s
of this you know advantage because it’s
of this you know advantage because it’s something that hasn’t been put center
something that hasn’t been put center
something that hasn’t been put center stage and I want to say actually but
stage and I want to say actually but
stage and I want to say actually but when I I know this is right because when
when I I know this is right because when
when I I know this is right because when I was filming the film crew who I was
I was filming the film crew who I was
I was filming the film crew who I was with I used African film crews
with I used African film crews
with I used African film crews everywhere I went filming for this TV
everywhere I went filming for this TV
everywhere I went filming for this TV series at the end of each shoot they say
series at the end of each shoot they say
series at the end of each shoot they say say not thank you we are exhausted
say not thank you we are exhausted
say not thank you we are exhausted you’ve worked so hard but we are so
you’ve worked so hard but we are so
you’ve worked so hard but we are so grateful to you saying that because now
grateful to you saying that because now
grateful to you saying that because now for the first time we really know about
for the first time we really know about
for the first time we really know about our own history it’s been an
our own history it’s been an
our own history it’s been an I open a forest and these are by and
I open a forest and these are by and
I open a forest and these are by and large you know young men and women who
large you know young men and women who
large you know young men and women who were very struck by the wonderful minds
were very struck by the wonderful minds
were very struck by the wonderful minds that they were listening to telling them
that they were listening to telling them
that they were listening to telling them about their own history and so there is
about their own history and so there is
about their own history and so there is a thirst there is a hunger there for
a thirst there is a hunger there for
a thirst there is a hunger there for this kind of knowledge and I think that
this kind of knowledge and I think that
this kind of knowledge and I think that my plea
my plea
my plea would be that be it politicians be its
would be that be it politicians be its
would be that be it politicians be its academics be it you know ordinary
academics be it you know ordinary
academics be it you know ordinary members of the public in whatever guys
members of the public in whatever guys
members of the public in whatever guys you are you should say please let us put
you are you should say please let us put
you are you should say please let us put African history center stage I will end
African history center stage I will end
African history center stage I will end with a quote earlier this year I was
with a quote earlier this year I was
with a quote earlier this year I was sitting having tea in in a central
sitting having tea in in a central
sitting having tea in in a central London hotel with a former president of
London hotel with a former president of
London hotel with a former president of South Africa our president mocked lanty
South Africa our president mocked lanty
South Africa our president mocked lanty and we were talking about history and he
and we were talking about history and he
and we were talking about history and he said to me you know what say ‘no I think
said to me you know what say ‘no I think
said to me you know what say ‘no I think you’re absolutely right to focus on
you’re absolutely right to focus on
you’re absolutely right to focus on history because only when Lions have
history because only when Lions have
history because only when Lions have historians will the hunters cease to be
historians will the hunters cease to be
historians will the hunters cease to be heroes and that is absolutely right and
heroes and that is absolutely right and
heroes and that is absolutely right and I am so glad that my four children two
I am so glad that my four children two
I am so glad that my four children two sons and two daughters Joseph Sophia
sons and two daughters Joseph Sophia
sons and two daughters Joseph Sophia Hannah and Zachary have all said mummy
Hannah and Zachary have all said mummy
Hannah and Zachary have all said mummy thank you so much for telling us about
thank you so much for telling us about
thank you so much for telling us about the history of the continent where you
the history of the continent where you
the history of the continent where you were born because my four children I’m
were born because my four children I’m
were born because my four children I’m sure like all people of African descent
sure like all people of African descent
sure like all people of African descent anywhere in the world
anywhere in the world
anywhere in the world are the real lions thank you for your
are the real lions thank you for your
are the real lions thank you for your attention
attention
attention [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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