Conference celebrates African independence

More than 150 students and scholars packed into a College Hall room Friday afternoon to hear several distinguished guests share their views on Africa. Celebrating African culture at the University, "Visions of Independent Africa" honored African or African-American leaders with ties to Penn. Among the guests were University President Judith Rodin and visiting History Professor Patrick Dele Cole. Cole, a former Nigerian presidential candidate, spoke in memory of his countryman, Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first president of Nigeria. Azikiwe was one of Africa's foremost leaders in decolonization and nation-building. Cole described Azikiwe as "a Pan-Africanist," "a nationalist leader" and "a believer." Comparing Azikiwe's life to that of W.E.B. DuBois, Cole said both individuals demonstrated that "any man -- if he applied himself diligently to what is before him -- would become the greatest of his potential." Renowned filmmaker Louis Massiah, who filmed the life story of DuBois in the documentary W.E.B. DuBois -- A Biography in Four Voices, also spoke in memory of the visionary human rights activist, author, teacher and political thinker. Massiah described DuBois' research in the University's Sociology Department as "the most pivotal time in the field of sociology." DuBois conducted research at Penn during a one-year appointment in 1896-97, producing the classic book The Philadelphia Negro out of his research. According to DuBois, the root of the "color problem" was not genetic. Rather, he argued that criminality and poverty were socio-economic conditions, Massiah explained. Other speakers at the event included Francis Nkrumah and English Professor Emeritus Robert Lucid. Nkrumah -- son of the first president of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah -- focused on the problem of health care development in Africa. "People have a right and duty to participate in health-care duties -- to increase the ability to limit suffering and death," Nkrumah said. Lucid, meanwhile, spoke in honor of Ezekiel Mphahlele -- the first black South African to receive a graduate degree in English literature. Lucid described the internationally known writer as "an authentic hero." Several people at the event said they were impressed with the thoroughness of the commentary and the caliber of the speakers. They expressed hopes that similar events would occur in the future on a more regular basis. "It was a wonderful thing to bring such a notable consortia of academics and leaders to Penn to present different views of Africa," said Ahmed Shariff, a doctoral student at Indiana University. The program, which was preceded by a presentation of Massiah's film, closed with an awards ceremony for excellence in African Studies. Award recipients were 1997 College graduates Nazmin Asaria and Sameera Hafiz, former graduate student Janet Roitman-Roso and Political Science Professor Thomas Callaghy. The conference was sponsored by the African Studies Center, the Sociology Department, the Office of International Medical Programs, the University Office of International Programs and President Emeritus Martin Meyerson.