As I've looked at results for Lynn and me from the National Geographical Society’s Genographic Project, I’ve been convinced that all of the humans are from Africa or from grandparents from Africa. I think this is sadly hilarious, given the propensity of me and my more recent ancestors to assume that blonde is best, that cathedrals way outrank huts and spears, that trousers are superior to loincloths and that trumpets trump drumming. Much in the stories of British activities in Africa, India and Australia shows the Europeans’ assumptions that their knowledge of the Christian story and lore placed on them the responsibility and the right to pound their ideas into non-Christian heads and make a little profit financially while doing so. The British were not alone in these convictions and activities. I recommend the film “The Mission” for a picture (note: a picture from American and British sources) of Spanish activities in 16th century South America.
There was the interest and tension when Jesse Owens, an African American, won a record number of medals in the 1936 Olympics held in Berlin during Hitler’s attempt to convince the world of the superiority of everything German. For a current (fictional) picture of life with low status and oppression for African Americans in post WWII Mississippi, take a look at Mudbound by Hillary Jordan.
This link takes you to the excellent summary of the recent discoveries and thoughts “We Are All Africans Now”
The link goes to “More Intelligent Life” web site, a magazine put out by the staff of The Economist, a very highly regarded British magazine on economics.
Other interesting angles include the scientific fact that non-African humans, such as Europeans, are much less genetically diverse than Africans are. Also, there is emerging evidence that in certain physical operations, Africans process oxygen a little differently. Quite a while ago, I read in the New Yorker an article by a Black lawyer that something like the top 12 sprinters in the world were Black. Maybe you remember Jimmy the Greek’s statement that Africans are superior athletes or the movie title “White Men Can’t Jump.”
