A new self-identity for Africans | Panashe Chigumadzi | TEDxJohannesburg

Panashe Chigumadzi makes the case that stereotypes can be frustratingly hard to shake off, sometimes even for the very people they victimise. Africans especially, suffer from a 300 year old negative colonial narrative that has shaped not only how the world sees them, but in many ways also how they see themselves. In the hands of the colonial masters, the media has been a powerful and highly effective tool in this development. With technology and social media the landscape has changed. Increasingly, power is now more evenly distributed. Africans need to use that power to repair the damage and redefine what it means to be Black African. Africans need to deprogramme their colonized minds with good, compelling programming.
Panashe Chigumadzi is a young storyteller from Zimbabwe on a mission to ''redefine and reaffirm the African identity". Inspired by untold African stories and agitated by African narratives that veer into "poverty porn", her literary and other works move the conversation forward. Panashe organises African Film Club and has produced the documentary 'Africa's Upstarts'. In her day job she reports for CNBC Africa.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@lytacious]

WOW! This was a great talk. We need more people like Panashe in this country. She kinda reminds me of another great African woman, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

[@irenedavo3768]

Do you watch Jim Nduruchi

[@fuergando]

Great talk about the rising Africa. All the best to Panashe Chigumadzi.

[@an35e]

Wonderful talk. "Stereotype threat" is something I wasn't aware of until this talk. Very informative!

[@Lebogang_Adams]

Things Fall Apart is an exceptional book! Chinua Achebe outdid himself

[@MrKasnif]

This was the very first video I seen of her and even heard of her and since then I have become a fan.

[@ChigozieJohnson-dd4li]

Very motivating

[@NkosiThusi]

Loved the talk too much it has inspired me to want to do something about authentic African work.

[@thekeloerencerachidi9978]

What's most compelling is that this was not just a talk about her ideals but rather it would seem she actively does works which propel her into that frame of mind she deems as "liberatedness". And by so doing "the narrative" is being successfully transposed. This is Black Excellence

[@irenedavo3768]

Do you watch Priscilla Foundation

[@johnkofi2688]

SISTA MADE ME PROUD!

[@ingeleonora-denouden6222]

The problem is: those stereotypes are alive, not only in South-Africa, or in the USA, but all over planet Earth, among people of all different skin-colours, cultural backgrounds, etc. Certain types of people consider themselves 'better & powerful' and certain types people consider themselves 'surpressed'. On TV, radio, internet, in books and other printed media, but also in the way people speak ... these stereotypes are present. Sometimes clear to see, but often hidden and subtile. It has its influence on everyone. To free yourself from that inluence, you have to become aware of your own thoughts and behaviour. Every time you have a certain idea on someone else (or on 'a certain type of people', or on yourself), ask yourself: why do I think this way? What's my idea based on? As long as we keep having ideas on people based on prejudices, not on facts we see with our own eyes, we still are not free.

[@lillylonds7717]

Amazing talk Pana! So eloquent and yet so young wow

[@therealzilch]

Who says all news from Africa is bad? Cheers and more power to this articulate and creative young woman.

[@randomuser1105]

Lol, articulate...

[@autismslove1910]

I applaud you for talking about issues that are uncomfortable for some to hear, yet need to be heard because racial discrimination is at an all time high.

[@shaunburns8219]

So beautiful I couldnt pay attention Wow from the middle east!!

[@githinjimbugua7669]

yep! to pay attention i had to minimise the video!

[@techfarmllc]

It is your subconscious that kept the information and played back to you even when you did not want it.

[@MakeMoneyOnlineTandT]

Great talk

[@fouadenglish2010]

very good & compelling

[@chineduewelike6880]

In this age of the social media, anyone can write his/her own story. Good message there.

[@evangelinedaquepujanes9619]

Can any body answer my question... What is her call to action to the audience?

[@janethshem5782]

This is awesome talking

[@zionexecutive]

great motivation for me

[@Faaade_]

wow...this has been amazing.....soo dope that she used Issa Rae's work....and that Shangaan piece looks like it will really be profound..I will watch.

[@unitmy6058]

very inspiring

[@yolandamariechannels]

Wonderful talk! What an education- blessings to you!

[@Haygirl345]

She is beautiful - great talk!

[@KAIZORIANEMPIRE]

well this isn't a talk about beauty LOL.

[@mingotubman3790]

+Jewish king yeah, "only a fool will pair an elephant with an ox."

[@marisney8425]

You still think about beauty,.. come out of it...she knows what she is

[@ReenieNomwe]

Truly loved this talk and sharing with everyone that I know!!!

[@CielosLuz]

Yea this TEDTALK was awesome! I first learned about decolonizing one's mind from the grand author bell hooks. I really recommend her books to include on your path to decolonization. Yay for empowerment!!!!

[@faqu529]

ANOTHER KICK ASS TEDTALK! THANK U FOR THE UPLOAD!

[@speerrituall1]

Yes!

[@carmengutierrez2461]

Thank you for creating content worth sharing.

[@aminahmooniriebey9595]

beautifully said

[@jenniferjanmarie75]

Awesome

[@im5810rep]

"Beautifully Broken"

[@BLHz8blah1]

Inspired beyond words.

[@shemirbailey3890]

She is beautiful!!!!!

[@tinotendakchiganze4789]

Wow.

[@dnifty1]

This talk only makes sense in the context of living in a white dominated society. Show me where Nigerians think she looks strange wearing her clothes like that. So why is the goal based around changing the attitudes of racists? That is the opposite of what self identity is about. Self identity starts with working within your own culture as the basis for liberation and progress, not trying to integrate into that of non Africans. And yes, the culture of South Africa is dominated by non Africans. So trying to progress in that as an African IN AFRICA and trying to explain why the racist minority can be racist to you IN AFRICA makes no sense. I swear half of these TED talks have Africans standing in front of a crowd of white folks telling them about how racist they are but at the same time claiming the "opportunities" they get from trying to integrate into white society. That contradicts everything they are saying because technically self identity means working within your culture and working from there to empower yourself and build a better future. This is simply black folks who are happy to get some token progress by living in white dominated society without actually doing anything to build their own culture and identity where they come from. Case in point: why isn't this talk being held in Nigeria in an auditorium built by Nigerians? It wouldn't make sense to talk about racism in Nigeria among a room full of black Nigerians. But that is the point. You shouldn't have to worry about racism if you are empowered as an African within Africa.

[@Reeny.Wanjiru]

This talk does make sense not in the "white" community and as a proud Kenyan from Africa you have no right to tell her her clothes look strange guess how old i am young not even in teens yet and I have to straight out your right from wrong

[@TheNiloticEmpress]

@@Reeny.Wanjiru who said her clothes look strange?I am late but I want to know.

[@irenedavo3768]

Not many comments?

[@ivyantonio4043]

Is there a transcript for this speech? I would love to have it. :)

[@irenedavo3768]

Do you watch videos of Jim Nduruchi

[@irenedavo3768]

36 Million Subscribers?

[@irenedavo3768]

Audience is quiet?

[@irenedavo3768]

Do you watch Afrimax English

[@kgothatsomadibana3584]

"the RDP of the soul"

[@dadzewilhelmremollo2772]

Hi sa mga martinians

[@pmann438]

Would this include the black man in the following KZbin video Smiley Face Killers:Case Solved & Covered Up: FBI / Amish, Serial Killers, Homicide, Reward Money"

[@RetSquid]

black (adj.) Old English blæc "dark," from Proto-Germanic *blakaz "burned" (cf. Old Norse blakkr "dark," Old High German blah "black," Swedish bläck "ink," Dutch blaken "to burn")...Used of dark-skinned people in Old English. Black (n) The meaning "black person, African" is from 1620s (perhaps late 13c., and blackamoor is from 1540s).