Although it was mentioned briefly in class, I am still interested in Paul Robeson’s concern about Africa. The reading describes how he had some awkward moments around understanding the differences within the Africa Diaspora. The article mentioned how he did not at first appreciate that there might be biases among West Indians, East Africans and West Africans. What struck me was when a young Ashanti prince informed Robeson that he did wear Western clothing (“tweeds”) when at home in West Africa.
This made me think about whether W.E.B. Du Bois also had awkward moments such as this. Like Robeson, he had spent time in Europe. He had also organized and/or attended the Pan-African Congress on the half-dozen or so occasions it was held. However, I wonder how he was received when visiting the continent.
Perhaps one big difference between Du Bois and Robeson is that the latter made his living in movies that sometimes portrayed Hollywood’s version of the Diaspora. In the meantime, Du Bois was looking for ways to unite the various people and move Africa towards a post-colonial existence. In meeting with various leaders and others, did Du Bois ever make a false step or have false expectations about the people of the African Diaspora?
Because I mainly have taught Global History and Geography, I also wonder what their exposure to the “New Negro Movement” in other parts of the African Diaspora. Specifically, what did Du Bois and Robeson know about the Négritude movement in the French-speaking Caribbean and African colonies? I feel that even connecting with the work of these writers might have given someone like Robeson some insight into these places around the world. His struggle to understand difference and to bridge that gap is something I feel many people encounter today, as the Diaspora is still divided in many ways.
-- Petra Riviere
