Arts and Culture

Homosexuality and Africans

Homosexuality has become a highly electric third rail in the West with a great deal of disposable wealth and power which has a long reach into policy and cultural direction – not only in the Western hemisphere but across the world. The issue of homosexuality and lesbianism in the African community is one which is a challenge to the cultural integrity and moral fabric of African societies which are traditionally pro-life and pro-life systems.

The challenges of homosexuality is not a new thing to any society, African or otherwise. Homosexuality in various degrees has been a long companion of civilization; With varying degrees of tolerance and accommodation. But no where in the general history of Africa, now or then, has a homosexuality lifestyle been advocated or encouraged (Asante). The paramount issue on the table is therefore to put forward an African-centred argument so we can better dialogue about how do we reconcile the social and political issues surrounding homosexuality. The current third rail issue is an assault on democracy, freedom of peaceful disagreement and is a form of intellectual terrorism. Every human deserves the dignity and not to extend this would violate our humanity: Life is sacred and must be respected. Homosexuality is not the totality of some ones identity, it doesn't make someone a bad person, and it is only one aspect of their humaness. As a moral community we can therefore have issue with the act while showing compassion to people with this orientation. But we must utterly condemn gay advocates using the campaign against violence as a ruse to promote homosexual lifestyles in African communities.

The adventures of Europe into Africa were masqueraded under the notion of European's civilizing mission in Africa. Out of that Africans became colonial victims, slaves, subjects of apartheid, cultural orphans loyal to European products and ideals and lost control over their resources. Centuries later, the subject has changed but the agenda has not. The assault on African agency is justified with the West constantly feeling the need to play parent and Tarzan. Deep down the underlying ideology is the belief that Africa's destiny is to become more "European like." This is why regardless of how much culture, ideology, and philosophy African throws back it is all considered "backward." Africa's position which contrast those of Europe are therefore at odds with logic and humanity, according to Western humanist. Polygamy is backward, FGC (not FGM) is brutal, Islam is oppressive, dowry is degrading to women, Christianity is a colonial remnant, and on and on.

Africa is only valid through the constructions of Europeans. And this is where we also locate this issue of homosexuality. Because the issue of gays in ancient or modern Africa has no bearing on principle disagreement with a homosexual lifestyle. There are probably cannibal in Africa, just like in Europe, but this fact does not speak to the broader African sensibility. And as much as Africa is not a cultural monolith, African has been monolithic in not promoting a homosexual life-style or by applying the same rights to homosexuals, i.e. the right to marry, the right to raise children. The burden of homosexuality on African societies creates undue weight, unnecessary health (African men have a higher chance of anal cancer, and a lower survival rate compared to White males) and sociological risk, it is the gateway to Western political control over sovereign nations (Uganda etc) and most importantly a threat to our peoplehood and the way we chose as free agents to determine our African reality.

All human values are rooted somewhere, we cannot prove "right" and "wrong" by mere logic, because even those values at some stage must be anchored in some fundamental truths unique to the user. Most of Africa roots itself in God and cultural traditions of those who have gone before us. Honor in Japan (Seppuku) is not necessarily honor in America. Respect in Islam is not respect in Vodon. The cultural or moral root is not always universal. "Human rights" is therefore relative and dependent on the culture of a society. Tomorrow human rights could say the death penalty is "inhumane" this is not an absolute truth just because Amnestysays so. Each society must go through its own intelligent processes to figure out what is best for their interest. Europe has always been free to find its own path, and so to must Africa. And success can never be measured by us all meeting up at the same conclusions because that would be an assault on diversity and plurality.

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