Human Capital and Cultural Freedom

Culture Freedom Photo by KMG -TAN

The Afro News international : Human capital is the development one’s self to sell one’s labor, skills and or talent in the marketplace. Labor is more than manual labor or factory work but should also be considered things such as academic skills, athletic prowess, business savvy, musical talent (ability to compose, read music, sing and play instruments). One must also consider that skill in sales, science, fine arts, photography and a multiplicity of other fields now available to Africans today are a means of production that we as a people and as an individual control. Another part of human capital is maintaining good mental, physical and spiritual health enhances our ability to produce and pass wealth on to future generations.

Restoration of the wealth of our African ancestors is within our own hands. Even though in times past colonialization, slavery and racism served to propel European civilization forward and hampered the growth of many African people. Transformation of our minds and spirits back to our rich heritage require that we reach higher than just achieving economic and political freedom. While these goals are highly desirable we still are incomplete unless we also seek cultural freedom.

Many black people throughout the African Diaspora have political position and economic strength to a degree but lack cultural freedom and therefore remain in a subservient position. In many civil service, educational, political and corporate environments they are not free to be completely African. Many times they only hold their position because by their actions they still support white supremacy. They are not free to choose the best candidate for a job or an appointment as a government minister, secretary; a corporate executive, manager or a professor if that candidate is another African for fear of being second guessed, chastised and/or pressured by those holding ultimate authority.

Often Black leadership outside of Africa typically has missed the opportunity to demand cultural freedom when at the same time they demand economic and politically parity. Unless we demand cultural parity we live against our own language, spirituality and community values. Achieving our economic and political goals need to be shaped by a set of Afrocentric norms. When we can do this we as a people will be transformed and move forward as a whole African people rather than several fragments. Please feel free to continue this discussion with each other and me. Contact me at fscruggs@yahoo.com