I disagree w/the premise. The writer of the article seems to have a discourse or at best seem angered by the atrocities of African Leaders. I believe, and rightly so as a mother that you are shaped by not only nature but nurture. I must also add your genes from whence stems the nature and nurture argument.

I disagree w/the so called African leaders who have added their people's plight as a footnote to their existence through the perpetuations of greed and lack of regard for human lives in that continent rendering most all these leaders except Mandela to a certain extent barbarick.

I could go on, but the readers deserve to have an untainted mind and form their own opinion on how Africa is under-developing herself, through lack of foresight and wasting their human capital, hence squandering their own future. I will let history judge these rogue leaders in Africa.

I am a fiscal conservative who believe in pulling yourself by the bootstrap, but I also believe the boots should be provided at the beginning of the race, so the playing fields are leveled. If however one loses the boot then folks around should replenish said boot, in order to re-pull the straps and continue the race. Succintly put, we do all we can to survive and succeed, blame no one and get up as many times as we can but those around, be it government owe their populace to put in place economically conducive atmosphere to ensure that all bootstraps are pullable. The have nots should be able to thrive regardless of their background. This is my quarel w/ these rogue African governments. I also have to console myself that they are obviously in their infancy, African democracies that is vis a vis the so called advanced democracies.

I am also taking away the arguments of the impacts of 'how Europe underdeveloped Africa' I am only arguing that when the Africans see a chance to do that which is right by their own people, they often opt and stay on the wrong side of history. That is my quarel.

We however can change all that. We who disagree to stand against injustices be it economic, social and or political (mostly for me it's economic injustices I see and fight against), it often rears it's heads and morphs into political and social one often precedes the others. So we all have to do the little we can and take no prisoners. So let their be change, but let me be the change I see, or at best an instrument of the change I wish. That some of us Africans in diaspora try to do.

I disagree w/the premise. The writer of the article seems to have a discourse or at best seem angered by the atrocities of African Leaders. I believe, and rightly so as a mother that you are shaped by not only nature but nurture. I must also add your genes from whence stems the nature and nurture argument.

I disagree w/the so called African leaders who have added their people's plight as a footnote to their existence through the perpetuations of greed and lack of regard for human lives in that continent rendering most all these leaders except Mandela to a certain extent barbarick.

I could go on, but the readers deserve to have an untainted mind and form their own opinion on how Africa is under-developing herself, through lack of foresight and wasting their human capital, hence squandering their own future. I will let history judge these rogue leaders in Africa.

I am a fiscal conservative who believe in pulling yourself by the bootstrap, but I also believe the boots should be provided at the beginning of the race, so the playing fields are leveled. If however one loses the boot then folks around should replenish said boot, in order to re-pull the straps and continue the race. Succintly put, we do all we can to survive and succeed, blame no one and get up as many times as we can but those around, be it government owe their populace to put in place economically conducive atmosphere to ensure that all bootstraps are pullable. The have nots should be able to thrive regardless of their background. This is my quarel w/ these rogue African governments. I also have to console myself that they are obviously in their infancy, African democracies that is vis a vis the so called advanced democracies.

I am also taking away the arguments of the impacts of 'how Europe underdeveloped Africa' I am only arguing that when the Africans see a chance to do that which is right by their own people, they often opt and stay on the wrong side of history. That is my quarel.

We however can change all that. We who disagree to stand against injustices be it economic, social and or political (mostly for me it's economic injustices I see and fight against), it often rears it's heads and morphs into political and social one often precedes the others. So we all have to do the little we can and take no prisoners. So let their be change, but let me be the change I see, or at best an instrument of the change I wish. That some of us Africans in diaspora try to do.

You have a point there sister, but the latter part of your ideas are wrapped up in Sarahpalinese

You wrote a very commendable article except your use of Jerry Rawlings of Ghana as an example was very shallow, poor and disingenous to the integrity Ghanaians. If you had done your research you'll have found that Rawlings was no different than Mogabe, Idi Amin, etc. For the records Rawlings ruled Ghana for 20 years( remember he had white blood too.He is still fighting to come back to power read the Ghanaina news you will hear him on the campaign trails. He killed and maimed anybody that opposed him during those terrible years; including a Suprime Court Judge a woman who was pregnat at the time; he destroyed businesses, enrished himself, brought tribalism to the country's politics, closed state universities and used the campuses for his cronis for more that 3 semesters. Please for God sake never ever think for once that this evil man who came to power by the gun ever transformed Ghana, of couse if you mean transformation as sending Ghana back to the stone/middle ages.

I think it flawed at best to somehow attribute greed, insensitivity and brutality to any one nationality and surely not based upon blood. Well, I take that back. It is true that it is a blood issue. But in my opinion it is a human blood issue. My point being- we are all capable of the most heinous acts imaginable without regeneration that comes from knowing Christ. I think it is extremely important to realize the atrocities of individuals in power but a grave mistake to somehow attribute good or bad to their actions based upon their nationality. Didn't Dr. King say something to that effect? When will we judge people based on character and not color? These people described in this article have done bad things, not because they were black or partially white but because they are human beings with flawed characters and sheer lack of understanding of the value of human life. Let's do pray for President Elect Obama and the decisions that he will make that without any doubt will have an impact upon all of our lives, including his alleged half siblings.

I think thts why we have problems in Africa if its not about tribe its about colour

I am like Barack Obama but I have a White father from the european continent and a Black mother from the African Continent and I was born on the African continent I am VERY PROUD ABOUT BARACK's achievement AND WISH HIM AND HIS FAMILY ALL THE BEST AFTER ALL ITS ABOUT BRAINS AND HE MAY DO MUCH BETTER THAN THE OTHER US PRESIDENTS GIVE HIM A BREAK

I think thts why we have problems in Africa if its not about tribe its about colour

I am like Barack Obama but I have a White father from the european continent and a Black mother from the African Continent and I was born on the African continent I am VERY PROUD ABOUT BARACK's achievement AND WISH HIM AND HIS FAMILY ALL THE BEST AFTER ALL ITS ABOUT BRAINS AND HE MAY DO MUCH BETTER THAN THE OTHER US PRESIDENTS GIVE HIM A BREAK

I think thts why we have problems in Africa if its not about tribe its about colour

I am like Barack Obama but I have a White father from the european continent and a Black mother from the African Continent and I was born on the African continent I am VERY PROUD ABOUT BARACK's achievement AND WISH HIM AND HIS FAMILY ALL THE BEST AFTER ALL ITS ABOUT BRAINS AND HE MAY DO MUCH BETTER THAN THE OTHER US PRESIDENTS GIVE HIM A BREAK

The writer is a classic example of a case of 'the shackles and chains have been taken off the hands and legs and now put on the brains'. What a slave mentality to try to imply African (black) blood is corrupt by nature.

I have white and black parents, have lots of friends with the same background, have spent considerable time in Africa and Europe and can tell you this writer is talking rubbish.

I just hope the poor writer is not a case of a brother lost beyond reach, and will eventually come to his/her sense.

Bless

Am not of a hybrid am originally an african and left africa at the age of about 3O.and have spent considrable years in europe.to think this writer is talking trash's sensless and myopic.please accept the fact african leaders're corrupt and digracefull to the black race in it's entirety.

The comments by some of our African brothers who tend to generalize that Africans are corrupt and greedy is an indication of the very poor reasoning ability of many of us in Africa - the very reason most of our leaders are corrupt - thinking wealth brings happiness irrespective of how it is got! Corrupt reasoning leads to corrupt ways of life! How many of those black folks writing to condemn Africans are good ambassadors of the continent? Is it our presidents and prime ministers who also engage in credit card frauds abroad? How many of our folks over there behave better than Obama Snr. in Bisi's write-up? Let's stop generalizing. Let's look for the best in Africa,like Obama, to celeberate for others to emulate.

It was sad reading this article. The author seems to imply that everything black is evil. The salvation comes with a mixture of the white blood. That was why we were lectured on how Rawlings was such a great leader, and all that.

Hear him: Mandela was the only single exception! But so was MLK, Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Du Bois, Nyerere, the successive and highly successful presidents of Botswana, and all the great African minds who are the leading lights in their different fields of endeavour.

Yes, we have had more than our fair share of incompetent and retrogressive rulers in Africa. But I submit that modern African history, and especially failure, can only be understood in the context of slavery and especially colonialism. The reason is simple: African countries are not created by Africans themselves. They were imposed on Africans.

I have been reading allafrica for quite some time and it seems that articles from The Day exemplify the kind of talk spoken from the most European influenced Africans. This article sadly, is no exception to the trend. I sincerely hope that this newspaper, The Day, isn't reflective of the beliefs of the majority Nigerians. If so, they are in bad shape.

Why can't we just have a debate without attacking the person? Here is a reason a lot of people shy away from having these discussions. I am equally fed up with Obama race rants, especially the part about his parents, which is just plain bad manners in the age of social networks. His mother is white and his father is from Klyon but he is a US Senator. Why does he need to justify anything to anyone?

Commentators have deemed Obama either "too black" or "not black enough" and not just in terms of white and black, but black and brown as well. The question "Is Obama a Blackman? " can be answered with the following by Obama.

"I chose to run for president at this moment in history because I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together, unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction: toward a better future for our children and our grandchildren".

100% correct. Well done for speaking the truth that dare not speak its name!! I look forward to your J Rawlings article. Maybe after that you can also do one on Jean Ping of Gabon, who is of African Chinese extraction and despite being highly competent,is held back because he is perceived as not being black. Or could it be because he is not corrupt enough!!!

THERE ARE NO RACES IN THE WORLD; THERE IS THE HUMAN RACE.

Thus speaks the soon to be MOST POWERFUL PERSON IN THE WORLD, PRESIDENT ELECT OF THE MOST POWERFUL COUNTRY ON PLANET EARTH, the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA (former Senator of the United States Congress and former President of THE HARVARD LAW REVIEW)

Got a problem with that, or does an ant want to pick a fight with an elephant?

Kindest Felicitations.

To:The writer!

This article is so redundant that it reminds me of some of our African's ways of searching for empathies and sympathies unworthily. We have to look beyond color, tribe tongues and mostly searching for empathies and sympathies.

Especially, Nigerians, we are fond of unable to stand up to defeat any hardship if not searched for someone to assist us.

one, Obama is not a typical African or whatever nation you want to tie him to. He is a man of words, hard work and honor , please read deep to this and stop pointing fingers. A continent or a country is not ruled by only a leader, the citizens must participate truly to secure success for the country.

We love Barrack Obama, He is genuine and worthy of this country's leadership, he worked for it and this is the result of those who worked hard and believe in God.

Bisi, like Ogunde said in one of his songs YORUBA RONU!

Mr. Writer, are ALL African leaders failures? Your evidence, please! Moreover, pray tell, what do you mean by "failures"? If a thief succeeds in packing his wallet with loads of benjamins, I would consider him or her, reasonably, I suppose, as spectacular success, not a failure.

Anyway, stop bashing African leaders; and this discourse on race is, quite frankly, boring: there are no races; there is the human race, period and out.

Get it? THE HUMAN RACE. Just ask Rousseau or God.

To the author; Are you blind to the fact that Bush was just as bad as many of the African leaders? Did you notice what happened in New Orleans? How many days did the people wade in the waters of the Gulf stream before President Bush even gave a damn. Don't get it twisted leadership in America is what got this ENTIRE world in a freaking tizzy. We have the biggest deficit in the history of the U.S. We are in financial ruin while Iraq is doing great. We have a racial tension that most people want to deny. America has slapped the Black man and woman around for so long we look for more ways to put ourselves down. You need to wake up out of the sleep that you've been in most of your like. Who brought the slaves to America? White, so called Christian, Anglo-saxon Europeans.....thats who. Have any African thought what the continent of Africa would be had it not been for colonization. I am a college educated, Black American of Malian descent (confirmed by mtDNA). African American history was part of my elementary and secondary ciricullum for 7 years of my life. I know about a whole lot about colonization! Blacks all over the world need to recognize that we have been taught to hate ourselves. Anything that is of our image we have been taught to hate. WAKE UP MY PEOPLE......... See the world for what it is. Have you ever heard of the term survival of the fittest?......... That term does not concern the physically fit person but the survival of the White race.(reference it if you don't believe me)Obama has put this world on notice, the greatest that Africans had in the past is on the rise!!! It is no longer the survival of the fittest but the Last shall be first and the first shall be last. WAKE UP MY PEOPLE. Shake off that stronghold, that spell that we've been drawn into. Wake up from the self hatred and take back that which was stolen from you over 500 years ago. The Moors of Mali were the greatest warriors of the continent, look it up. Africa was not this land of corrupt leaders, it was the land of Kings and Queens who was infected with the White mans disease called greed and self hate. WAKE UP..........WAKE UP..........WAKE UP

"WE WISH TO THANK THE REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, WITH THERE JOINT COMMITMENT, TO THE 'MARSHALL PLAN' WITH A USA COMPANY, PROVING 5 MILLION GOOD PAYING JOBS IN BOTH COUNTRIES. WE THANK THE PRESIDENT, AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA, FOR HELP BRINGING A END TO THE ECONOMY. FROM FALLING ANY FURTHER.

OUR HATS GO OFF TO NIGERIA"

TOO BAD THE MINISTERS WHO WERE SACK, OTHERS IN THE SENATE, REPS AND GOVERNORS WHO LOST THEIR CHANCE OF THIS STATEMENT, BEING MADE BY,THE PRESIDENT -ELECT OBAMA ON THAT GOOD ELECTION NIGHT WHEN THE WHOLE WORLD WERE WATCHING.

is this guy implying that obama is only good cause his white DNA makes him that way?

lol what a slave. This guy should stop writing and begin focusing on a career in being a slave.

I really agree with the writer until where he used J. J. rawlings as an example, which overshadow his argument. I truly agree with you for the fact that ethnic base politics was the factor that led Barack father to his early grave. African leaders love to institute tribal sentiment into politics which is tearing the continent apart.

please never use all caps.

Question for Mr. Journalist: "What does it mean to say that a human being is "black" or an "African" or "white"?

Fact: The President Elect of the United States of America, Barack Obama, former senator of the US Congress, former President of the Harvard Law Review is neither black, white nor African: he is, under the code of designation of the USA, an "African-American."

Get over your jaundiced view of American culture: study the phenomenon, dude, instead of importing assumptions that deconstruct themselves: effortlessly. Regarding, why a man whose mother is 'white' is called 'black' in America, I suggest you hit the history books, dude.

If you want to bash Barack: follow the example of the Italian. Imagine: Italians, recent half-Europeans, according to the hegemonic Nordic guardians of European identity, a group, according to the same IDENTITY FACTORY, that rocks with Greeks, Spaniards, and Portuguese: "PIGS," for short.

If you want to bash African leaders, go ahead, at your peril.

Next time, though, stick with the facts, Mr. Journalist, and try your very best not to wallow in the slippery ballpark of theoretical cat fights.

Kindest Felicitations.

The fact that this article acknowledges the corruption that prevails in large parts of the continents political spectrum is good. BUT to imply that corruption and greed are characteristics that are geneticly bound to "black blood" is racist. The author also acknowledges that that a persons character is based on both genetic heredity and the stimulos that his environment (cultutre, education etc.) provides, which is also good. It is true that Africa as a continent is suffering from poverty, famine and diseases. But then again, to suggest that the whole continent is so volatile that it is almost impossible for it to raise a son or a daughter with the likes of Barack Obama (with the exception of Mandela), is ridicoulos. This article provides with statements that creates an homogenus picture of an continent that is maybe more diverse than any other. It is always good to acknowledge problems which the author has succeded with, but he needs to reflect on what impression he gives to young african boys and girls. My personal opinion is that this article instills the reader with the impression that if you are of african heritage, even more so if both of your parents are african, you have less of a chance to succed in life. Your chances also decrease if you're raised in an african country.

People who sincerely belive in the meaning of the expression "you can be whatever you want to be", and act accordingly are the ones who succed in life. This is a message worth to advocate, not the opposite!

The fact that this article acknowledges the corruption that prevails in large parts of the continents political spectrum is good. BUT to imply that corruption and greed are characteristics that are genetically bound to "black blood" is racist. The author also acknowledges that that a person’s character is based on both genetic heredity and the stimulus that his environment (culture, education etc.) provides, which is also good. It is true that Africa as a continent is suffering from poverty, famine and diseases. But then again, to suggest that the whole continent is so volatile that it is almost impossible for it to raise a son or a daughter with the likes of Barack Obama (with the exception of Mandela), is ridiculous. The article provides with statements that creates a homogeneous picture of a continent that is maybe more diverse than any other. It is always good to acknowledge problems which the author has succeeded with, but he needs to reflect on what impression he gives to young African boys and girls. My personal opinion is that this article instils the reader with the impression that if you are of African heritage, even more so if both of your parents are African, you have less of a chance to succeed in life. Your chances also decrease if you're raised in an African country. People who sincerely believe in the meaning of the expression "you can be whatever you want to be", and act accordingly are the ones who succeed in life. This is a message worth to advocate, not the opposite!

Home run, dude: a journalist caught red handed in unfounded overgeneralization, a lethal sore in a profession, aping historical research, that rocks in universe IN CONCRETO.

Regards.

Excellent article .That article only underscore the fact that Nigerians are the most interlectually gifted people on earth.Yes they are rascals but I love them Perry Fisher,MD

Well, Obama is both black and white. Going by the way most African Leaders subject African people to all kind of evils, one could be tempted to think that black man is a curse. I think we should start to focus on the society itself rather than these leaders because we make them. Sometimes it sounds so funny trying to compare Africa with America. American people are the owners of America while in Africa; African leaders are the owners of Africa, they do all what they want with impunity. Bush was tolerated for eight years, American people got fed up with him and they voted for Democrat candidate, Obama. Some yeye people who could not even organise free and fair election in their country declared public holidays and started drinking in Kenya. But we should not rush into conclution that all black leaders are the same; Ghana and South Africa are at least good examples of democracy in Africa. But let African leaders leave Obama alone, for now, he is the president elct for the united state of America and not for the “united state of Africa.” There are many people like Obama in Africa, let Africa unite and find another person like Obama and make him rule a united Africa or they could as well wait for Obama to end his terms and make him rule Africa. By this they could at least show their sincerity.

wonderful article

it seems that the author had no prior research/info on Kenya, and I would like him to visit this country. we kenyans are proud of our country and I am sure Obama would have done just as well in Kenya.

Obama is successful because he’s well educated and his environment allowed him to triumph. We Africans have a long way to go. If we can instil discipline and change our attitude towards money. Educate a child and watch him grow rather than amassing wealth for him.

Isn't it time that we move beyond the skin colour thing? This article is so obsessed with colour it want to make me vomit. Quote" For nine months, he was nurtured in the womb of a white woman", "to think that a mix of Caucasian and African blood removes or tones down greed. Raw, primitive greed is the fundamental cause of failed leadership in Africa. Rawlings's father is a Whiteman and I will tell his story..."

Surely it's time we judge people by the way their hearts are open for others and not by their colour.

BISI OJEDIRAN has absolute right to express frustration against the african leaders of our continent who have failed and continue to fail us the african people en-masse,since gaining our respective independence status from the colonialists regimes but, just whether he think through of this historic moment and its absolute relevance and importance to all blacks, africans and people of color around the world or, just why he choose this particular venue to shut the africans up is quite interestig point.The first observation is that Ojediran did not think through of the esteem and importance of a publicly, acclaim black person being on the top of the only world super power nation, in the white house of the united states of America,a country long infested with the unkind legacy of slavery racial injustice and inequality.Had he thought the event through,hopefuly, he would have shelved his calling for Africa's leaders not to celebrate BARRACK OBAMA to another appropriate moment and time, simply because AFRICA is not AMERICA .This is the moment of BARRACK OBAMA,of him,and by him.The entire world celebrates his "improbable journey"that leads to this unimaginable achievement of being the first black to live in the white house.Second, as to whether BARRACK is african or blackman or american white? BISI should trust BARRACK what he himself {BARRACK}, long time ago,said of his father's roots and mom's roots and of his true color, and nationality.The AMERICANS believe him, the reason they elected him.As to BARRACK'S BLOOD TIES WITH KENYA, is something to celebrate for by all root KENYANS at home or in the diaspora and a national holiday is just befitting the historic event.

It is always our mentality as africans,to welcome a new era.When it comes to events occurring in the western world,we africans pay attention to it and even predict a winner.So to say why do africans overjoyed for Obama as the first black to obtain the top post in the is ridiculous. What africans means this time is that,their would be now be a leader who will intervene in our war, campaign to elevate poverty in africa,look into our politics and our health and wealth,to see what our leaders are doing to sustain our world.Perhaps,the first objective for Obama in africa affairs is to order the congo rebel leader to laydown his arms or say his might and the congo president to step down and give road for a new democracy in the DRC .

Well... My thoughts are simple...as they pertain to this article. As a man/woman thinketh - so is he/she.

No one should relish the mis-deeds of any man or woman - especially if they have been granted (or assumed) positions of leadership. It matters not their dispersion. Sadly, there are those who take advantage of others. Just as sad are the legacies those who fit that category leave behind - and yes, we all know they exist and have existed throughout time and in all countries.

We should also NEVER allow ourselves to be trapped into cynical thinking (as I think the main premise of this article exudes). To do so dampens the hopes and aspirations of others who are not only hopeful but willing to do what it takes to make a difference in their society - as well as the entire human race. Has the world become so pre-occupied with color that we cannot embrace others who are different than they? Obama's premise throughout his campaign was - CHANGE - "We" can do it! Who are those included in the "We" he spoke of? The answer again was and is simple - ALL those who desire to participate in change for the betterment of all mankind.

What's absolutely phenomenal is that the positive thoughts and hopes of those who accepted Obama's CHANGE message are contagious. People from all races, creeds, religions, genders, perspectives in thought, etc. ellected Obama. Yes. Obama happens to be a black man. Yes. Obama happens to have had an African Father. Yes. His mother was a white woman. Yes. His Grandparents were also white. I , for one am thankful that each of those loved ones as he calls them fed him dishes of tolerance and not hate. They poured Love into his cup to drink each day. They clothed him in Hope for ALL mankind. His watch was a time piece of change and the time if you ask him is now. Sure I could go on and on. But , I'll tell anyone...it does not matter who endowed President Elect Barack Obama with his admirable attributes. I for one am well pleased that they did.

Do I call those African Leaders you referred to as - "Failures"? Of Coarse not! I say pay attention to the good and the bad and learn from both. It is NOT a bad omen to wish that Mr. Obama is of African decent? Of coarse not! I find it absolutely exciting, encouraging, historically wonderful, and a reference for all of our children that given the proper ideals, mindsets, hard work and other enviable attributes anyone can be and do anything they desire. You see, all the bad and good collectively placed over time allowed this moment in time to be. They all played a role.

Remember, As a man/woman thinketh - so is he/she! In case you are wondering my diaspora and what has led me to these dispositions...I am colorless, I am so many colors mixed together that I am pleased to be judged by the content of my character. And you know what? That's precisely what we Americans did when we voted Barack Obama into office during this historical election.

The title is provocative but Bisi talks sense, brilliantly diagnosing the African reality. A Kenyan writer wrote during the campaign that Barack should thank his stars he was born and raised in America.

However, the resurgence of racism in America since Obama was elected last week and the volume of shameless white calls for him to be assassinated remind us that Blacks have suffered tremendously in America and are still suffering. May God procet him. Of course Obama is an African like I'm an African; we must have hope in the midst of our misery.

Muhammed Kamil, Khartoum

Rarely do I read in "This Day" an article that is as shallow as this one. It may as well have been ghost-written by the well-known duo of England's supremacists Karen Blixen and Sir James George Frazer.

Or maybe it is a case of an inane colonial "Blackman" that has been totally conditioned into an eternal life of self-flagellation for perceived innate inferiority.

Or it may be a case of active self-censorship - a media man is staging a song and dance routine for his daily bread from his native-hating media owner. . Regardless of the motivation, here are a few issues that point to what I mean: 1) Who qualifies as an African? And who is a "Blackman"?

2) "Considering that African leaders are failures, is it not a bad omen to wish that he is an African?" All of them?

We don't know what you mean by "failure". Explain to us: Was Nyerere a failure and why? Nkrumah? Abdel Nasser? Siad Barre? King Shaka? Tafawa Balewa? Lumumba? The Pharaohs of Egypt?

Do you consider Chief Lobengula to have been a 'failure' because he stood up unsuccessfully against Sir Cecil Rhodes? Was UK's Cecil Rhodes a "success" because he used biological weapons of mass destruction to kill African natives?

And again we may ask: Was Hitler a "success"? How about the current Pres Bush? John Kennedy of USA? Tito of Yugoslavia? Pol Pot of Cambodia? And the emperors of China? The kings and queens of UK? Is "slavery", "colonialism" and the extermination of societies among the items that suggest that non-African leaders were/are not "failures" vis-a-vis the African leaders?

Suppose an African leader invades a foreign country in search of oil and in the process maims, kills off or dislocates millions and essentially razes a civilization (as in the case of Christian caucasians in their current war of aggression in Iraq/Afghanistan) would you still consider such a leader a "failure"?

If success in a confrontation with foreigners is your measure of 'success', then you may consider that Africa has its parade leaders who 'successfully' launched military campaigns from Africa into the European continent.

And in the same breathe you may advice African leaders that that they must build up their conventional and non-conventional warfare arsenal - with all due haste - to be able to confront the belligerent barbarians surrounding the African continent.

Because history teaches us that those who cannot resist, eventually get exterminated. Like the Incas. And the Aztecs. And the American Indians. And the Australian Aborigines.

Rarely do I read in "This Day" an article that is as shallow as this one. It may as well have been ghost-written by the well-known duo of England's supremacists Karen Blixen and Sir James George Frazer.

Or maybe it is a case of an inane colonial "Blackman" that has been totally conditioned into an eternal life of self-flagellation for perceived innate inferiority.

Or it may be a case of active self-censorship - a media man is staging a song and dance routine for his daily bread from his native-hating media owner. . Regardless of the motivation, here are a few issues: 1) "is Barack Obama an African, a Blackman?" Barack Obama's lineage puzzles you. Why? Who qualifies as an 'African'? And who is a "Blackman"?

2) "Considering that African leaders are failures, is it not a bad omen to wish that he is an African?"

'Bad Omen'? Do ALL African leaders qualify as 'failures'?

We don't know what you mean by "failure". Explain to us: Was Nyerere a failure and why? Nkrumah? Abdel Nasser? Siad Barre? King Shaka? Queen Nzingha of Angola? Muammar Gaddafi? Lumumba? Queen Cleopatra and the Pharaohs of Egypt?

Do you consider Chief Lobengula to have been a 'failure' because he stood up unsuccessfully against Sir Cecil Rhodes? Was UK's Cecil Rhodes a "success" because he used biological weapons of mass destruction to kill African natives?

And again we may ask: Was Hitler a "success"? How about the current Pres Bush? John Kennedy of USA? Tito of Yugoslavia? Pol Pot of Cambodia? And the emperors of China? The kings and queens of UK? Is "slavery", "colonialism" and the extermination of societies among the items that suggest that non-African leaders were/are not "failures" vis-a-vis the African leaders?

Suppose an African leader invades a foreign country in search of oil and in the process maims, kills off or dislocates millions and essentially razes a civilization (as in the case of Christian caucasians in their current war of aggression in Iraq/Afghanistan) would you still consider such a leader a "failure"?

If success in a confrontation with foreigners is your measure of 'success', then you may consider that Africa has its parade leaders who 'successfully' launched military campaigns from Africa into the European continent.

And in the same breathe you may advice African leaders that that they must build up their conventional and non-conventional warfare arsenal - with all due haste - to be able to confront the belligerent barbarians surrounding the African continent.

Because history teaches us that those who cannot resist, eventually get exterminated. Like the Incas. And the Aztecs. And the American Indians. And the Australian Aborigines.

4) "I believe that African and Caucasian bloods have their respective strengths and weaknesses." That is NOT a statement of fact. Luckily, you present that as a "belief" - that cannot be (logically) verified by empirical evidence. Would you care to list what those "strengths" and "weaknesses" are by race.

5) "(Moi) performed so poorly that he has asked for forgiveness for acts of misrule during his regime." How do you you gauge "poor leadership"? What is your yardstick?

There are numerous examples of poor performers among past and current leaders of Europe. Many commenters have suggested that Premier Blair of UK and Pres Bush of USA performed so poorly as leaders that their sincere repentance would not be enough. It seems as if Africans and Caucasians - and Asians - spot their fair share of "failed" leadership. So why do you single out the African? Is it a case of racism or psychotic self-hatred?

6) "(Kenyatta and Moi) left most of the country in appallingly slums or decrepit villages. The result was seething resentment which manifested itself in terrible cases of violence and mob justice."

Obviously you never read about the riots in Europe a year ago. And you probably know even less about the appaling realities of life in USA's "slums or decrepit villages" called ghettos. Are the "terrible cases of violence and mob justice" in the inner cities of USA, Europe and South America a, eh, civilized celebration of "the good life"? Maybe you wouldn't believe it if you read that over 30 million kids starve in USA even as we spend US$10,000,000,000 A MONTH on killing those Iraqi.

- 7) " .. no-one knows (Barack Obama's brother George) exist If anyone says something about my surname, I say we are not related. I am ashamed."

On one hand, you detest corruption and cronyism that plagued the Moi and Kenyatta regimes in Kenya. On the other hand you seem to think that Barack ought to "take care" of his "people". Make up your mind.

- 8) ".. So could Barack also have been a victim of polygamy if he lived in Kenya with his Dad? .."

"victim"? What is wrong with "polygamy"? [While you are at it, explain to us whether you consider Barack Obama now to be a "victim" of monogamy.]

It is said that we are shaped by the environment and events in our lives as much as by the genes we inherit. Thus, the particular circumstances and life he led, shaped the Barack Obama we see today. And he says as much in his autobiographies. Should we proclaim that polygamy was a curse to Barack Obama and that he is a 'victim'? [Yeah! Give me a lot of that 'victimization'!]

- 9) On a continent plagued by poor, failed leadership, how many successful leaders can we count?" Again, "poor, failed leadership" has plagued every continent on earth and uplifting examples of "successful leaders" are to be found on every continent.

We may help if you can't find examples that suggest strongly that your article shows an acute lack of due diligence.

The fact that this article acknowledges the corruption that prevails in large parts of the continents political spectrum is good. BUT to imply that corruption and greed are characteristics that are genetically bound to "black blood" is racist. The author also acknowledges that that a person’s character is based on both genetic heredity and the stimulus that his environment (culture, education etc.) provides, which is also good. It is true that Africa as a continent is suffering from poverty, famine and diseases. But then again, to suggest that the whole continent is so volatile that it is almost impossible for it to raise a son or a daughter with the likes of Barack Obama (with the exception of Mandela), is ridiculous. The article provides with statements that creates a homogeneous picture of a continent that is maybe more diverse than any other. It is always good to acknowledge problems which the author has succeeded with, but he needs to reflect on what impression he gives to young African boys and girls. My personal opinion is that this article instils the reader with the impression that if you are of African heritage, even more so if both of your parents are African, you have less of a chance to succeed in life. Your chances also decrease if you're raised in an African country. People who sincerely believe in the meaning of the expression "you can be whatever you want to be", and act accordingly are the ones who succeed in life. This is a message worth to advocate, not the opposite!

I find it very sad that we have to pick on OBAMA now and call him BLACKMAN,in Ghana, Nigeria and othere parts of the world we have children of mix race. I am of a mix race from Ghana Ashanti,and can tell you the names I was called by individuals at School.Halfcast was one and then in England was ref. to as'not a bird nor a mamal'..I called myself a bat.

OBAMA is a creation of God and most of us black or green has a rule to play. OBAMA is AMERICAN like most of our African brothers and sisters whose Kids now from Mix race. our Kids,your kids,their kids,mine kids and those kids are all part of this small world. Let us thank god that any one can be OBAMA but please let us leave the man in PEACE to serve America first then the world including Africa. hh s even Eurthere a easdr

I find it very sad that we have to pick on OBAMA now and call him BLACKMAN,in Ghana, Nigeria and othere parts of the world we have children of mix race. I am of a mix race from Ghana Ashanti,and can tell you the names I was called by individuals at School.Halfcast was one and then in England was ref. to as'not a bird nor a mamal'..I called myself a bat.

OBAMA is a creation of God and most of us black or green has a rule to play. OBAMA is AMERICAN like most of our African brothers and sisters whose Kids now from Mix race. our Kids,your kids,their kids,mine kids and those kids are all part of this small world. Let us thank god that any one can be OBAMA but please let us leave the man in PEACE to serve America first then the world including Africa. hh s even Eurthere a easdr

Hey slow down... Back to basics. Human beings are all a product of nature and nature. Barack is who he is because of his father, mother and his americo-international environment. So African should be legitimetaely happy that they contributed to nature. As for SOME african leaders (Remember africa is also the home of Senghor, Mandela), they are a different sub-species from the rest of us. The homo sapiens africanleaderensis are there becuse they may have more agression than most of us, may be colder than most of us and are frankly are different from the rest of us so it would be unfair to compare me or any other african to that bunch... even if i lived in the same environment, i would find it hard to be Idi Amin, Megistu Haile Mariam etc.

here in the UK we watched with great joy as you porch monkeys danced in the streets when the nigger was elected king of the US, we do not agree that he should have been elected and all, the people of the US being seduced by the cult of personality, the man is not fit to lead a pre-school element of you low life scuttle through the churchyard, much less lead the most powerful nation in the free world.

I think that we shall see in short order that he is not fit to run a country such as that and that he will be impeached by his third year, a negroid doesn't possess the brain power to perform such a task, now you will probably say that he graduated Harvard and all that rot, but I am sure that his teachers were paid off so they wouldn't have to see his black ass again the following year and try to teach him again what he did not learn the previuos year.

So in a nutshell, he will not be much of anything less a flash in the pan, so get off it you uneducated spearchuckers, he will fail like all negroid types before him have, I am sure that you are used to it now.

The writer has written well. It is a documented fact that African "leaders" oppressed,pauperized their fellow countrymen and their countries since the colonialists left Africa in shame. The colonialists encouraged and supported these "leaders" to come to power perpetuate oppression by this so-called leaders. The environment Obama grew up in and the political process will not accept the excesses of the typical African leader where people cannot dissent or express themselves for fear of disappearing just like that. Obama is an African (American) at least his father was not American, but Kenyan so he has a dual nationality but now a US President elect.

There is good reason to rejoice at the election of Senator Obama as the next president of the US and he needs the prayer of all to succeed. I believe Africans can rule well in an enabling environment. Leaders are bad because they are bad. It has nothing to do with race. Remember Stalin, Hitler and Musollini. They were not Africans but the political environment in which they operated made them the beast that the world has come to know them.

There is good reason to rejoice at the election of Senator Obama as the next president of the US and he needs the prayer of all to succeed. I believe Africans can rule well in an enabling environment. Leaders are bad because they are bad. It has nothing to do with race. Remember Stalin, Hitler and Musollini. They were not Africans but the political environment in which they operated made them the beast that the world has come to know them.

The view that there is an intrinsic attribute of coparative inferiority in the African, goes to show that this author is still and truly misguided by intellectual brainwashing. But I dare to say that despite opinions like these " Change has come"!

The view that there is an intrinsic attribute of comparative inferiority in the African, goes to show that this author is still and truly self-misguided by intellectual dyslexia. But I dare to say that despite opinions like these "Change has come"! Watch this space.

Its a shame to revist the constant display of ignorance by people who are looked upon to enlighten others. I want to know where this author got his research information from? I am a true Kenyan, as well as a true Nigerian(currently married to one),now studying in the U.S. Even though i was born after the President Kenyatta era and into the 24-year old Moi's dictatorship, i can separate facts from fiction. First of all, President Kenyatta was a celebrated African leader who together with President Robert Mugabe founded Pan-Africanism. He ruled at a time when Kenya's shilling was competing with the dollar and the British pound. The most primitive huts had telephone networks. Anayways, those were the days. Unfortunately, all this was plundered by his successor. We can say that illiteracy played a huge role. But guess what? I went through an educational system that allowed me to be here today. I received Government loans and financial aid for my University education together other badly-off students. I am by no means endorsing Moi, my blood shivers at his thought. But i think comparing him with Pres. Kenyatta is the display of pure ignorance. And did i mention that your blood theory is scary?