Being African especially an African parent is no mean feat in a world operated on misinformation and disinformation. These forces prop up global culture that is whitewashed and weaponized that marginalizes, grotesquely distorts, and oppresses African identity. The global order is NOT neutral control to the surface level narrative; it is downright opposed to Africanness. Some of us came to this understanding at a hefty cost.

Our ancestors and pioneers of African liberation during and after the so-called independence era learned this truth firsthand. Among them was Yousif Kuwa Mekki, a commander in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and, above all, a teacher. Mekki embraced his identity unapologetically. In his power-packed verse-free poem “My Africanness, Brothers,” he affirms:

“Africanness is my identity.
It is entrenched in my appearance,
It is engraved in my lips and manifested in my skin.
My Africanness is in the sound of my footsteps,
It is my bewildered past and in the depths of my laughter.”

Mekki’s words are NOT just poetry for they are a manifesto of survival and pride. Amid the backbreaking weight of Arab Supremacy in the Sudan, his Knowledge of Self became a torch of resistance and dignity. He wrote:—

“I shall light my candle.
In its light, I shall build my civilization.
At that time, I shall extend my hand.
I shall forgive those who tried to destroy my identity,
Because love and peace is my aspiration.”

This is the essence of revolutionary Africanness, to resist erasure of all sorts, to reclaim identity, and to forgive from a place of power NOT submission.

Other warrior-scholars like Jawanza Kunjufu, Dr. John Henrik Clarke, and many others have taught us the depth and power of being African. They’ve reminded us that our culture, history, and identity are NOT just things to be preserved, but tools for liberation and collective elevation.

As warriors, we get tk recognize that originality is NOT in novelty but in reasserting timeless truths. Of course, no idea is original. Yet I have condensed this message into a form that is digestible and actionable in particular for African parents who are charged with raising the next generation of revolutionary leaders and cultural standard-bearers.

Below are five foundational principles for Revolutionary Pan-Africanist Parenthood. This is a guide for those who see their children NOT only as mere members of the household, but as future custodians of our collective legacy and liberation.

Top Five Principles of Revolutionary Pan-Afrikanist Parenthood ❤️🖤💚✊🏿✊🏿

1. The Child Belongs to the Village. Yet the Grounding Begins With You
In the spirit of Ubuntu, remember “I am because we are.” Although the whole entire community contributes to a child’s growth, your primary task as a parent all basically boils down to foundational. You are the first teacher, the first exemplar of what it means to walk in truth, dignity, and Afrikan Consciousness. In short, it starts with you. The child belongs to the village, but Ubuntu begins at home. You are the prime exemplar. Walk the walk!!!

2. Teach Real Afrikan History, in fact OURstory, from the Beginning.
From early childhood, introduce our child to authentic Afrikan history, NOT colonial myths. Use the works of warrior scholars and grandmaster teachers, Dr. John Henrik Clarke, Dr. Marimba Ani, Dr. Yosef Ben-Jochannan, Dr. Walter Rodney‚ and others. Teach them about Afrikan languages, cosmologies, science, and cultural systems as told by our own people.

3. Fill out Their World With Our Heroes and Sheroes
Decorate their spaces and minds with images of greatness. Introduce her to warrior queens and goddesses like Abuk, Yaa Asantewaa, and Nzinga. Let your son know the strength of Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah, Steve Biko, Thomas Sankara‚ et al. Normalize Afrikan excellence in their everyday environment. make their bedroom a temple of Afrikan pride!

4. Return to the Roots; Knowledge of Self is the Foundation
Revisit and build on Rule #2 always! True Consciousness begins with a mastery of language, both mother tongue and otherwise as strategic tongues and a working understanding of Afrikan cosmology. This Knowledge of Self becomes the foundation upon which all critical thinking, identity, and purpose are built. In short, mastery of mother tongue + Afrikan cosmology = Consciousness. Keep revisiting the roots!

5. From Self to Service; Train Them to Build for the Collective
Reaffirm! Reaffirm! Reaffirm! the teachings of Rule #4 by virtue of guiding your child to act on behalf of the people. They are NOT alone. They are of the village. Encourage them to commit to the causes that serve the collective good. In the spirit of revolutionary Pan-Afrikanism, instill in them: “All for one, and one for all.”

Door Akol Bul (Brother JahNubi)

#PanAfrikanPerspective #UbuntuSolidarity 12:12 ⏰ #TeamRBG #Garveyism #Nkrumaism #GarveyitePhilosophy #BlackConsciousness #Race1st