Africa Fest kicks off with speaker

Looking at traditional African culture in a contemporary and political light, Ali Mazrui, a political science professor at the State University of New York at Binghamton, kicked off Africa Fest '96 last night. Approximately 100 students attended the lecture, which was held in the Annenberg School Theatre and sponsored by the Penn African Students Association. An expert in African politics, Mazrui has written more than 20 books on the subject, including Forces in World Politics. He has advised prominent groups such as the United Nations regarding African affairs. While introducing Mazrui, Political Science Department Chairperson Thomas Callaghy called him "a political actor on a broad stage." According to Callaghy, Mazrui is probably known best for his television series The African: A Triple Heritage, which was sponsored by the Public Broadcasting System and British Broadcasting Company. Mazrui's theme, "The Brighter Side of the African Condition," served as the backbone of his speech. He noted that it is difficult for people outside of Africa to learn about the continent's positive aspects. "Good news from Africa is lost because reporters focus on negatives," said Mazrui. "To kill is news, to forgive is not. A shot is a story, an embrace seldom is." He added that there are many recent examples of political and social improvement within Africa, saying that African culture breeds positive virtues. While praising the people of South Africa for their intolerance of apartheid, Mazrui urged people to be proud of their victories, but not to stop there. "Africans have a short memory of hate," said Mazrui, explaining that this tendency has both pros and cons. "Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for the best years of his life," Mazrui said. "Last year, he paid respects to the widow of the man who designed apartheid." He noted that while Mandela visited this woman whose husband was responsible for injustice and suffering, Louis Farrakhan's recent visit to South Africa stirred major controversy. "To fraternize with white racists was statesmen-like," Mazrui said, "But with a black racist was moral capitulation." But Mazrui added that Africans' tendency to forget hate is positive in that they "have less hang-ups on race than other places." "Interracial marriages are okay on the highest levels [in Africa]," Mazrui explained. "One of the Republican candidates [for United States president] has an Asian wife," Mazrui said, referring to Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Tex). "Although he was supposed to be powerful, he dropped out. "Was his marriage more of a factor than society is prepared to admit?" Mazrui asked. Mazrui invited the audience to join him in saving "what is good in that African legacy." "I see a lot of brightness in African traditional culture," he said. Students responded strongly to the speech and Mazrui agreeably answered questions for over an hour. "In the midst of all the turmoil brewing in and arising from the continent, it was very refreshing to hear some inspiring and encouraging words from Dr. Mazrui," second-year Law student Anele Nwanyanwe said. PASA Vice President Zadinga Zulu, a third-year Law student, was responsible for selecting Mazrui. "The reason why we chose Mazrui is because he has a reputation for having the ability to put together all issues -- issues that not many people know about," she said. "If there is anyone who would be able to speak to our theme of Dispelling the Myths, it would be Dr. Mazrui." Africa Fest '96 is continuing throughout the week, with events ranging from roundtable discussions and workshops to a cultural show.