12,555 Abibisika (Black Gold) Points

Rank: Unranked Newbie

I just finished this book on Patrice Lumumba.. or should I say this DISS track on Lumumba, because that’s exactly what it sounded like. I was suspicious of reading a book on a legendary Afrikan leader written by whytes but I decided to give it a chance. Big mistake.
-First of all, the introduction and first chapter was this DRAWN out history on the European nations’ scramble for Afrika. The Tyrant Leopold II was barely criticized. As a matter of fact, by the tone of the book, it felt as if he was someone to be admired. His decimation and torture on the Congolese people was lightly scratched, and to make it worse, they did not once mention the most popular punishment: cutting off hands if a Congolese did not meet their daily ridiculous quota of picking rubber. Many Congolese women were raped as well l. And did you know that a Congolese chief confronted the Belgians because they killed off his whole village?? He laid down a stick and for each one he gave a name; the stick represented a member of his village who was slaughtered. They murdered the Chief…/
-When the author finally mentioned Lumumba, he mentions that Lumumba often got into it with his teacher at the missionary school. He referred to Lumumba as a rebellious youth and dismissed the fact that this Catholic religion and colonization was having an effect on him at an early age. Mental health was not considered. Typical dehumanization of the black man.
-He also says that Lumumba was of “average intelligence” and that he was a bit overplayed.
-His accomplishments were not spoken about in the same praiseworthy tone as Leopold II received in the beginning of the book.
-he referred to Lumumbas ideologies as outdated because he only had access to whatever literature the Belgians provided, but wasn’t as educated as other great Afrikan leaders who had the chance to attend university
-Honestly, after a while the book became an eye sore and i lost focus.. I learned nothing.

Would love to know your thoughts/if you have any questions, family!!