May we carry on? Cecil, your question...I didn't forget. And let's not miss the profoundness of the question that you are asking.It is the question for centuries (for that long we've been in bondage)that always neeeds our attention, summarily because we still have to heal ourselves both individually and collectively from the barbaric acts/dehumanization commited against us and humanity on all levels immaginable by a people that seems bent on destroying life.
Let's not forget that Europeans did not do this without paying a price and is still paying, though they keep profiting materially from its perpetuation. We have to understand our psychology as well as their psychology (their psychopathic orientation)
I'll like us to exhaust every resource (without the exception of time)in the continuation of this conversation.
My pledge: I'll exempt myself from resorting to any short answers on this mammoth of a question.
I say we start by understanding the legacy of the situation that we are in: Its history and how it has acquired a new form(s). In other words, disaggregating the aggregated reality that we have a negative relationship with for the most part, and it's hardly by choice.
It is imperative of us to have ownership/ control of our communities /geographic entities and institutions (of very kind) in those communities for our efforts to be sustainable and to evolve with an understanding of the principle of complementarity (democratic/ socialistic ideals).
In effect, what we will be doing is trying get a fuller understanding of our African selves (which we need to reconnect with); in that a geopolitical view of power and how it is shared; and ultimately an organically developed plan of action in accordance to the realities that we confornt, so we can command power in creating the kind of reality that we aspire to bring forth (in bringing about harmony).
I'll come forward again....I hope many more will, too.