Although not directly referenced in the Organization of African Unity (OAU) charter, Afrikans in the diaspora are also subject to what some call “internal colonialism” that not only define external relations with state institutions but also how these are exploited internally as well. (1)
One way we see this is in the delineation of the Afrikan community into ‘African’ and ‘Caribbean.’ This is often most pronounced in the area of education. The London borough serves as a useful example. In spite of claiming that it has “a history of standing up to racism and inequalities, from the Battle of Lewisham in 1977 to more recently becoming a Borough of Sanctuary,” it still finds itself having to “Tackle systemic bias and racism; Address and reduce disproportionately high rates of exclusions; and Support parents and communities” almost fifty years on. (2)
Thus while “White and Black African pupils perform better than all Lewisham pupils,” the “Black Caribbean pupils compared to all pupils in each school, the gap in attainment ranges from 5% to 47%.” (3) By now, we should be aware of the link between under achievement, school exclusions and their societal impact on mental health and well-being, criminal activity and inequality. (4)
Economists like Gary Stevenson suggest that the economic environment that our young people leave these institutions to come into will get progressively worse, predicting a “massive” growth of poverty, fueled by “a flow of wealth away from the middle class, increasing inequality.” (5)
The social environment ostensibly fares even worse. At a time when the far-right are running a victory lap for their rising poll numbers, official reports minimising (yet implicitly justifying) their role in the 2024 riots, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is now dog-whistling Enoch Powell. (6)
In a move that may put them at odds with their parents and even grandparents, increasing numbers of young Afrikans want out of the UK altogether.
“Polling from the Black British Voices (BBV) project shows even though 45 percent of young respondents said they do see Britain as their permanent home, this was closely followed by 39 percent who expressed a desire to live elsewhere.” (7)
Factors like the cost of living crisis and systemic racism, are compelling young people to consider a future in Afrika or the Caribbean. (8)
With Afrikans having the lowest rates of home ownership of all communities, a lack of tangible assets may also be helping untethering ties to the UK. (9)
The prevailing social and economic conditions look set to impact all sections of the Afrikan community. Lessons of from the Montgomery Bus Boycott, to Afrikans saving Cadillac from bankruptcy, show that systemic inequality can paradoxically protect us from some of the worse consequences of economic downturns. Whether a way can be found to leveraged our spending towards building institutions for our collective benefit is a key challenge that confronts us. A pressing example could be the building campaign for the Pan-Afrikan’s People’s Parliament. (10)
(1) Patrick D. Anderson (12/06/19) Some Critics Argue that the Internal Colony Theory is Outdated. Here’s Why They’re Wrong. https://www.blackagendareport.com/some-critics-argue-internal-colony-theory-outdated-heres-why-theyre-wrong
(2) Anthony Doudle (11/01/24) Tackling Race Inequality in Lewisham Schools. Children & Young People Select Committee. https://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s112929/Inequalities%20in%20Education%20Report.pdf.
(3) Ibid.
(4) Matilda Shaw and Jody Audley (17/06/24) The prevalence of school exclusions in the UK, their root causes, and the importance of preventative offerings over reactive interventions. https://www.catch-22.org.uk/resources/the-prevalence-of-school-exclusions-in-the-uk/
(5) Natalia Junquera (22/05/24) Gary Stevenson: ‘Economists have been all wrong about almost everything for 15 years now’ https://english.elpais.com/economy-and-business/2024-05-22/gary-stevenson-economists-have-been-all-wrong-about-almost-everything-for-15-years-now.html
(6) Josh Halliday (28/01/25) Hatred of police not racism motivated children in English riots, report finds. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jan/28/hatred-of-police-not-racism-motivated-children-in-english-riots-report-finds; James O’Brien (14/0425) Reacts to MPs’ verdict on the Southport riots. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ENIJok6w3o; Andrew Fisher (15/05/25) Starmer alienates support by adopting the language of Powell. https://insidecroydon.com/2025/05/15/starmer-alienates-support-by-adopting-the-language-of-powell/; BEO (26/09/22) State of Black Britain Report. https://blackequityorg.com/state-of-black-britain-report/
(7) Sinai Fleary (28/09/23) Young Black Britons do not see Britain as their permanent home. https://www.voice-online.co.uk/news/uk-news/2023/09/28/young-black-britons-do-not-see-britain-as-their-permanent-home/; Kemi Alemoru (05/03/24) Why do so many Black Brits want to leave the UK? https://theface.com/society/why-do-so-many-black-brits-want-to-leave-the-uk-immigration-expats-windrush
(8) Ibid.
(9) Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (07/04/25) Ethnicity facts and figures: Home ownership. https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/housing/owning-and-renting/home-ownership/latest/#by-ethnicity
(10) C N Trueman (27/03/15) Montgomery Bus Boycott. https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/the-civil-rights-movement-in-america-1945-to-1968/montgomery-bus-boycott/; Lawrence Hodge (19/06/24) Cadillac Would Not Have Survived The Great Depression Without Black People. https://www.jalopnik.com/cadillac-would-not-have-survived-the-great-depression-w-1851545759/. Because Afrikans were excluding from the banking system they were less affected by its meltown due to them holding their cash rather than banking it.
What’s keeping us here?
1) Does the ‘African’ and ‘Caribbean’ delineation help us?
2) Why do so many of our children still fare so badly in schools?
3) Does young people’s desire to leave the UK put them at odds with older generations?
4) What do we need to do to navigate the projected turmoil?
Our Special Guests:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.
Sis. Susan Rowe-Glave: is a dedicated advocate for Black children’s education & wellbeing. She transitioned into education reform after witnessing systemic inequities. A board member on multiple educational and safeguarding panels, she tirelessly works to influence policy and empower Black families. Relentlessly committed to lasting change, Susan prefers action over accolades, ensuring that every child receives the support they deserve.
PACM ALD TOUR DATES:
Sat, 24 May 2025 2pm – 9pm, The Malcolm X Community Centre, 141 City Road St Paul’s Bristol BS2 8YH
Sun, 25 May 2025 4pm-8pm, The West Indian Community Centre, 74 Carmoor Road Manchester M13 0FB
Monday 26 May 2025, Pan African Congress Movement 50th Africa Liberation Day, 10am – 8pm, Legacy Centre of Excellence, 144 Potters Lane Birmingham B6 4UU
Sun, 1 Jun 2025 4pm – 8pm, Tottenham Community Sports Centre, 701-703 High Road Haringey London N17 8AD
Other ALD Events
Sat, 24 May 2025, African People’s Socialist Party, 5pm – 8pm, The WASP Centre, 161 Clapham Manor Street, London SW2 6DB. Info: alduhuru.org.