Reflections on “You Lazy (Intellectual) African Scum!”

I recently re-read an article that caused quite a furore, when it came out in January of this year, by Zambian writer Field Ruwe. The article, titled “You Lazy (Intellectual) African Scum!”, still reproduces mixed feelings not only in me, but many Africans who’ve read it as well. It is a difficult read, based on the views of Africa from the article’s main character; Walter, who on a plane ride from Los Angeles to Boston, shames African intellectuals. Whether Walter is a fictional character or not, used as a tool for Ruwe to get his point across; the impact on the reader remains the same – that of a combination of indignation, incredulity and a disturbing sense of familiarity with the content the article puts across. In a nutshell, Walter describes the African intelligentsia as lazy and apathetic to the hardships Africans face, much to the chagrin of the article’s author when he states, “…you are here calling yourselves graduates, researchers and scientists and are fast at articulating your credentials once asked – oh, I have a PhD in this and that – PhD my foot! … you should be busy lifting ideas, formulae, recipes, and diagrams from American manufacturing factories and sending them to your own factories. All those research findings and dissertation papers you compile should be your country’s treasure.” It doesn’t help that Walter is described as a white, smug, borderline racist, who with no compunction says to the now deflated Ruwe, “I am the Bwana and you are the Muntu. I get what I want and you get what you deserve, crumbs. That’s what lazy people get –Zambians, Africans, the entire Third World.”As a Rwandan, one of my reaction’s to Walter’s words was one of indignation. Rwanda today exists primarily because of the sweat and toil of its intelligentsia, who flocked back home to rebuild it from scratch, with little or even no financial incentive whatsoever. It boasts a reputation for being one of the least corrupt countries globally – and to this day, many young Rwandans continue to flock back home, attracted by the prospect of being part of Rwanda’s incredible journey, as opposed to fat pay cheques of multi-national corporations they could easily be employed at.To have lumped Africa as one huge cess-pool, with leadership that is corrupt and its lazy, apathetic intelligentsia a reason for why Africa is in the state it is in today – is a simplified and arrogant interpretation of the various dynamics at work.Yet as I continued to read through Walter’s rant, that niggling sense of familiarity with some of his words remained somewhere at the back of my mind. Most African countries have over 50 years of independence. In this time-span, there has been and continues to be a critical mass of Africans who have been educated, and still continue to be educated at the world’s top universities. Why isn’t this reflected in a culture of innovation across the continent? Civil wars, manipulation of economies by special interest groups and corruption aside – one would expect an innovation-driven culture, led by African scientists, biologists and engineers who were educated in the bastions of Western education. It is always easier to point out reasons for failure, and harder to create solutions for success. The article was indeed fodder for reflection on this issue. As it did for me, I am sure it also served to inspire many an educated reader to roll up their sleeves and get more involved in the state of affairs of Africa. One a last note, it struck me as ironic that the author of the article is a Zambian, U.S-based media practitioner and author. Then again, this shouldn’t take away from the message. Or should it?