What does it mean to be African | Imad Mesdoua | TEDxEustonSalon

[@quintinopinto1083]

had to pause and comment in order not to forget what I wanted to say. This is not to step on others toes; honestly he's the first north African I've ever seen to be so proud of being African. I once worked with an Egyptian who never saw himself as African and thought he was superior to sub Saharan African. My guy u b real man. Congrt.

[@joojo29]

Quintino Pinto his experience traveling through Africa is what has shaped his understanding of what it means to be African. I too have met some North Africans who do not consider themselves as Africans. Kudos to brother Imad Mesdoua.

[@brothacaim]

@@joojo29 well,that is because they are not.they are descendents of the first arab settlers the chose to stay there.but in what concerns to african culture,traditions or even genetics,they have none

[@binizmelekot2911]

@Mustafa Yusuf Who made you in charge of handing out African identity certificates or taking it away? Wtf

[@diasporaafortiori5180]

@@binizmelekot2911 if I was born in Japan... would I then be Japanese/ Asian?

[@fountainmay4175]

@Mustafa Yusuf Typical ENVIOUS backward cattle MENTALITY you have..... Why don't you just applaud him instead of being ENVIOUS OF A well done speech....Mtcheeww

[@emmanuelsimiyu5007]

I am Kenyan,my greatest African icon is Amilcar Cabral(Cape Verdean),my best musician Fela Kuti(Nigerian),My role model is Mandela(S.African),My African inspiration Ancient Egypt. So yeah,I am pan-Africa,every African should be....

[@Bigbaby071]

Emmanuel Simiyu - I hope you don't think ancient people of Ta-Meri looked any different than you. The unity of the African continent is important but don't forsake the history of how certain people came into our motherland. The people who now live in North Africa are predominantly descendants of invaders - 629-641 AD.

[@eddierocksteady5740]

you're indeed a pan-Africanist and i am very thankful for your comment.

[@tuforu4]

thomas sonkara was far ahead , u got noo industrialists wake up

[@tuforu4]

its a bigger mess now....u need white managers.

[@chaanebe2539]

Emmanuel Simiyu He is (not) African; he is an Arab.

[@zowillibrord]

I'm from Uganda and this is a very moving speech.

[@TheNyakaat]

I am Nigerian. Sending nothing but love, your way.

[@zolanoble38]

I would recommend this talk to all African especially South Africans who struggle to live together with our brothers and sisters in one accord.

[@derciafernando3864]

I'm Mozambican and I love being African, our strength, faith and perseverance despite all challenges we face

[@terrapinalive6192]

Sim.Fernando

[@tellemthanks8071]

I’m African and that’s the only nationality I have and know about. Yes I was born in The Gambia 🇬🇲 but Africa is everything to me! We Africans are Unique!

[@astraeashaw4768]

Of course you are! So are we White people!

[@alimustafa3188]

+Astraea Shaw . Afrika is raising

[@jawo1676]

Nice one

[@wiseteacher3599]

@Fanta Graham Mankind originated in Africa.

[@diasporaafortiori5180]

@@timothymahon7836 I do agree all of mankind originated from Africa, but if you truly believed that was the purpose of your first comment?

[@msewanet7036]

I'm from Kenya and am immensely inspired by what my African brother Imad has said, absolutely great stuff. I will share this along. Let us focus on the mission of uniting our continent and rediscovering our shared mission and values.

[@thefalseprophet3025]

Dont be gullible..this guy is not African he is a descendant of arab muslims who invaded Africa. Islam only respects Islam and considers all non muslims as infidels.

[@thefalseprophet3025]

@Simple Styles that's an incomplete sentence dont get your point.

[@paulahanachor5398]

@@thefalseprophet3025 why is your username the false prophet? Just asking

[@ovigweeguegu2551]

Wonderful speech, inspiring. The 7 people who disliked this video were impacted the most, he challenged their ideas about themselves and identities they hold dear.

[@ovigweeguegu2551]

Nefertiti Nefertiti Well said, I am really ready to talk about this even more if you have the time, but not here. Thanks.

[@theorderofthebees7308]

Well said

[@ghanouspeaks8043]

Algeria is proud of u my brother we are all Africans and we are all together 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@Hermessyhead]

This is very impressive, finally someone dared to speak those words. Proud African.

[@DJCole34]

Purely Nana and beautiful.

[@MatchAccepted]

No, he just an occupant not native.

[@afrohighborn262]

Nefertiti Nefertiti word..... as far as I can tell they r no different than the whites

[@Diamondintherough22]

Nefertiti Nefertiti lol you sound a lot like an American and not an African😂

[@Hermessyhead]

Match Accepted well you missed the whole point of the ted talk, we’re a mixed race and our location in Africa makes us light skinned. Oh and FYI, we do have dark skinned people in Algeria and they represent a big part of our culture. Try again.

[@luna39900]

let's be honest most North Africans like to realign themselves with UAE. I've met plenty who said they are not african....except Gadafi. if we could see most North Africans like our brother here accepting our identity as african that would be fantastic.

[@bunadem1254]

Vive l'Afrique 🇩🇿🇩🇿🇩🇿

[@originaleverythingelseisca5977]

Agreed!!

[@chouroukabchiche7263]

we are so proud of you wlid bladi🇩🇿🥰❣I'm so️ proud to be Algerian🇩🇿🇩🇿🇩🇿 and African

[@sladepubg1721]

💙

[@tee5634]

I am a Bahamian and I am a proud African.

[@ngalahansel6066]

Sending love from Cameroon, Equatorial Africa

[@jeanclaudewodok2574]

African and very proud too. Standing ovation. Our culture, our education, our unity...

[@samanyamark6057]

Of all the talks I have listened to, this has been more revealing and unifying. Thanks Imad Mesdoua. Re-educating our selves about Africa as a whole is very necessary. Thanks. I am apologetically proud to be African.

[@chelseakisukwa8994]

Imad u r true African. I need to meet soon. M a Kenyan. U r old than ua age,. B blessed Sir

[@mawuommarial3844]

I am african and proud be south sudanese

[@Karl2MK]

In Summary: let us fufil our generational mission.. 1. Reclaiming our shared heritage. 2. Reviving our binding values. 3. Reshaping the narrative for ourselves.

[@truemindstv142]

Truly compelling

[@originaleverythingelseisca5977]

Thats a good one!!

[@augustineandem1708]

Imad are so eloquent and versatile. I watched and listen to the video over and over again. For once I thought you to be a literary scholar until I read your profile. You reignited that fire of repositioning our continent. I saw and listened to your postcolonial thoughts reminding me of the uniqueness of our continent, Africa. Africa of our proud heritage. Africa of China Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Nelson Mandela, the Great Egyptian pyramid, Leopold Sedar Senghor, David Diop, Aime Cesaire, Leon Damas. Africa of which my grandmother spoke about. I am proud to be African. Thank you Imad.

[@rogerumuhire6506]

Proud African, Rwandan 🇷🇼

[@ljubuntu8451]

You are my African brother, I have no doubt about it. I am very proud of you.

[@artmanrom]

:) If you are really like his brother, why didn't advised him to correctly write from now on, by letting a space after each of the punctuation sign, just as yourself are doing?

[@MatchAccepted]

wt are u saying?

[@MatchAccepted]

He is not African period

[@MatchAccepted]

Because I am a citizen of the U.K I am not Europian

[@lilsomething8905]

@@MatchAccepted He is African. His root's are in Africa

[@davidnk673]

Bright mind and kind heart. But I would say this; a lot of my friends went on to study in Maghreb countries and have been segregated and sometimes assaulted. Moreover, what happened in Libya... Anyways there's a dialogue that needs to be held between sub-Saharan African countries and Maghreb countries regarding those issues. In order to solve a problem, one needs to recognize that there is one.

[@abandonedfragmentofhope5415]

I believe he recognises it. But yes it must be addressed.

[@olimukanya]

Proud to be African and Congolese❤❤🇨🇩🇨🇩🇨🇩🇨🇩

[@lailax7560]

very powerful, very true in the perspective of the way mainstream ideologies are perceived!

[@kakubanda3744]

feeling African and being African should be the same thing but theres a discussion amongst us that is missing

[@PalaceDude]

Wow, I'm really proud of this fella. Good job, brother.

[@machiavellisprince5986]

Why are you so proud of him?

[@michelleg6222]

Wow! Great talk! Proud South African.

[@RPNDWORLDWIDE]

Colonization did much to create self hatred, tribalism, and even racism. Children of Hamlicar we are your brothers and sisters. We are one family. Cultural ignorance plagues us. Let's be the change.

[@davidomach6082]

The Guy is smart, he is laveraging elegantly,and making himself heard,he hit the point home when he said,Speak for yourself,🇰🇪

[@coachphillipah6965]

You have expressed my heart - thank you!

[@geegees2741]

So inspiring. Bravo! Stand up and unite, Africa!!!!

[@malangcoly315]

You go over the boundaries ! Thank you man

[@rehema2018]

Proud African Tanzanian 🇹🇿🇹🇿🇹🇿 Jambo Habari Zenu

[@iguehiomole9177]

An inspiring piece. More Africans need to embrace the view of a shared heritage. Sadly however, the North African-Subsaharan divide is one that will persist if we do not look past the biases and unite over a common mission/destiny. Attempting to understand the biases from the receivers' end (empathy) would go a long way in bridging this gap a little more each time.

[@diasporaafortiori5180]

If they wanted us to be ONE take away "SUB" everything... Stop SLAVERY in Libya...

[@oliviamonteque6407]

Well if the White Arabs would stop taking the Blacks as slaves, that would make a StaRT, then again, most of the North Africans ancestors came into the land as invaders, maybe if they would stop lording over the original people, the world would be a better place for everyone.

[@milensukapaipi9256]

Thank you Imad for this talk, it was very inspiring. I agree that we have to change the narrative for Africa and reclaim our Unity. We have a long way to go and the continent can only develop when we recommit to shared goals and values. i attended the 50 years anniversary of the African Union and it was very clear that the youth want change, our leaders are currently still part of the old guard, still patting themselves on the back for political 'independence' and seem to have lost the steam on true economic liberation. Young Africans still are not free, shackled in the bonds of poverty, lack of opportunities and limited political freedom. At that 50 years celebration, the unity i saw among the young Africans from west, north, central, southern and east Africa gave me a glimmer of hope that African intellectualism and unity is still alive- we must not stop to fight for it, each one in our way.

[@abdulmalikidris1278]

Proud African and Nigerian!

[@tigelee7818]

That was beautiful ! May God continue to bless you and keep you safe ! This the kind of leadership we need in Africa today!!!

[@eddierocksteady5740]

Imad Mesdoua-i have to congratulate you and at the same time , thank you very much for this Great speech delivered with defined presence and purposeful authory. I was invaded by Goose bumps and filled with pride overflowwing as i listened to you with undivided attention. "Every Generation must in relative obscurity discover it's mission,fulfill that mission or Betray it" -. Franz Fannon Pan Africanism is not against Europe or America, it's simply sustaining our identity as Africans and reshaping the narrative about us as we know it today!

[@kamaukasapatu7480]

I am a Zambian who misses ghadaffi.he had a vision for Africa.

[@zinzimdedetyana1234]

Thank you Imad for your lecture. Young Africans must begin to learn their history, understand it and create a new vision for themselves. We the older generation we can support but it is the youth that normally drives the revolution. Thank you for sharing your story from the Northern African sub -sahara but your struggle (growing up) my young brother is every African's child struggle/story, so it is of the utmost importance more than ever, that the youth must also unite, take up their rightful position and use their gifts/talent show up & share with the world, then we can begin to talk about Africa rising! I am a proud South African! I salute you.

[@Tissi_Abella]

Preach Brother.. A panafricanist here..from Togo

[@isaacdejesus4936]

Wonderfully so!

[@amstonebrandingagency1106]

you look like Gary 'Eggsy' Unwin of kingsmen ... your right africa we need to know each other more and stop judging each other proud african

[@branding6200]

Great speech thank you for reminding us about our African identity

[@mundikwa18]

Imad I was speechless when I listened to you. Africa needs more and more people like you that have the same vision. I believe that not long from now, Africa will become the greatest nation in the world. Thanks for this video.

[@apexdc3473]

I am somali and I am proud African and I would never change that In a Million life times

[@actionherohack8202]

Makes me consider my own identity and being American.

[@sugarfaceman]

Just four minutes and highly engaged

[@nnanyelugoanekwe218]

You're 100% African,I salute you my brother.

[@ackshonlife]

Nnanyelugo Anekwe would you salute an African American ?

[@nnanyelugoanekwe218]

Mike the Philosopher If he identifies with his true heritage. Here is a man who has embraced his roots even more than the "negros" of the continent. Africa is a multi ethnic continent made of people with different races. If we criticize him for being light skinned what will you tell the other light skinned west,east or south Africans who are not Arabs?

[@ackshonlife]

Nnanyelugo Anekwe what heritage is he embracing? He’s not embracing being Arab is he? Their are many things Arabs did to destroy the african continent. Not him personally but still. As an african American I am not embraced as an American. It just seems that people of a lighter hue came claim whatever they want and people of a darker hue can’t. If I claim to be African I already know Africans that have a problem with that yet embrace this guy and that doesn’t make sense to me.

[@bolufakayode5528]

Mike the Philosopher I think he’s aloud to claim it because he was born there and grew up in Africa..... I see your point tho, but an African America who wasn’t born in African nor his parent or grandparent can’t really say his African imo, like he actually can speak his native tongue n knows his culture

[@thebridge5483]

Bolu Fakayode Africa is in our DNA baba

[@mungimichael3131]

The first north African to proudly say he is an African. Wowww

[@JohnFekoloid]

When he began speaking, I heard the Lagos, Nigerian accent in his voice. i wasn't quite sure. I was wondering. Isn't this a white man?. When he later stated that he did come and school in Lagos Nigeria.. that was it. That accent doesn't disappoint.

[@incogb6696]

like he said in 16:40 "if you don't have a strong voice people will speak up for you" -- people, as in people like YOU! speaking about people like ME..aughh

[@Najma-n1]

Good to see this brother!

[@moontreeenglishschool5045]

Great speech! Very relatable for many cultures around the world. Being a mixed cultured person who grew up in Japan myself, I can agree with what was said during this speech. Not the same continent, but the same could be said about sharing our identities and values as Japanese, or as Asians as a whole.

[@fisayoogundoro]

Well said! Be African, dress African

[@krispalermo8133]

Glad you enjoy your time in Japan. Funny thing is, it can be stated ,"We are ALL Asians." Here is why, the Persian / Iran in the time of Ancient Greece called the World: Asia. The "Far West," Euro' pah." Europa to Europe. Look at the root words for " Mediterranean Sea." Roman Empire Latin. Medi= middle, teera/ Terra = earth/ Earth Mother/ Greek Gaia . Middle Earth Sea or Sea in the middle of the Earth. Middle is also the center of an object. So it can be stated , The Sea in the Center of the World. If you disregard Abrahamic Faith, " Judism , Christian , Islam." And believe humans Evolve from Apes, Ethiopia Africa is the birth place of humanity .

[@thebridge5483]

Awesome you not African because you were born in Africa you're African because Africa is born in you. One love African before anything else. One land one people one goal make Africa great again!!!!

[@redberet5064]

Why is this not on the top of the comment section.

[@lionofjudah7627]

I was born in USA but I’m African all the way to the bone.

[@munahgwyan4935]

I'm a Liberian, proud african, and I love learning about my history and the history of others. I appreciate what the message is in this Ted. Let's unite in our commonalities and embrace our differences. I love that the African continent is so rich in culture, heritage, natural resources, geography etc. Unity is power, and the western world knows that

[@shephardsinkamba8716]

Am African and am proud to be African

[@lexi6797]

Some of the comments on this video are are so rude. Who are any of you to tell someone what they are and what they are not. How about you let others Define themselves.

[@atsyoyawsena705]

Great presentation and a big thumps up to be proud of this great continent. But you should also admit that most Northern Africans (including some Algerians) don't see themselves as one. I have withnessed and to some of us who have studied or stayed outside Africa can also attest to the same fact.

[@zamirakay4821]

This guy is smart and cute 😊

[@parfaitfomo7225]

Mesdoua waoo great voice for a great African future. Every genuine African should see this, let's discover and fulfill our mission and that of this great continent by thinking as one!!@mazing.

[@AbelVarneyMcKing85]

You are bright my brother I saluted you on your vital reached. I am from West Africa your talk is valuable there is no difference between us but values. Thanks for this talk it is very open knowledgeable.

[@dumilendlela1212]

I am a Zimbabwean living in Algeria 🇩🇿 🇿🇼 love Bourmedes, Bodj bo arreridj, Algers, Bejaia and Jijel.

[@jeffangsbeautysupply4602]

Well articulated, sometime we just have to be truthfull about our heritage background

[@Cryptocorners]

Thank you for educating us on what being African is all about. I'm a Nigerian myself and I do know that African countries suffer the same Fate.whether you're from Eastern, Western northern or southern we are all the same, as you said we all have binding values and history.

[@cheickmohamed8407]

La vie à toujours été une épreuve et nous africains sommes éveillés aujourd'hui... Allah bless you broh

[@cosmaskagona8443]

I am impressed by this. It's very great that this is coming from an Algerian. I find it funny when while walking on the streets of Algeria,some Algerians shout-"AFRICAN" I'm left to wonder where they actually belong😉😉

[@dennismukuba5710]

Impressive clarity of point of view!

[@elizabethbobb9777]

Sir you are wonderful! Thank you for sharing.

[@Curt04]

I'm Algerian and I'm proud mediterranean.

[@osiruskat]

Are you mostly Italian?

[@Curt04]

@@osiruskat you don't have to be Italian to be mediterranean.

[@osiruskat]

@@Curt04 yeah I know...I'm messing with you however your from the largest country in Africa (Algeria)...do you have that same pride on being African?

[@Curt04]

@@osiruskat for sure I mean Africa was Tunisia and east Algeria before now the name is used to refer to the hole continent. Proud African

[@osiruskat]

@@Curt04 Ifriqua yup of course...Europeans named the continent when many of the countries prior where divided by tribe or empires. I'm of African descent as well as Mediterranean also but more Sub Saharan, Cape Verdean, and multi ethnic.

[@g0374]

Great talk...it couldn't have been expressed better!

[@frubless8002]

Am proud of u bro we most unite love each other africa will be great one day

[@acekenya6631]

268 of us think the same... how can we move foward together?

[@hueyvan2007]

Being an African is not your skin colour, being African is a state of mind.

[@publik3n3me]

So True, during independence and liberation movement that story is very true.

[@qoshykoshey4380]

THE TEXT IN THE WIDER CONTEXT OF BEING AN AFRICAN....TRULY EXPRESSED....I ACCEPT NOT TO BE DEFINED BUT DEFINE MYSELF TO NONE AFRICAN... IDENTITY , HISTORY, AND VALUES THAT ARE COMMON WITH US ALL AS AFRICANS MUST BE REKINDLED....THANKS SO MUCH.....

[@ononoviscent8116]

Love and blessings from uganda bro,

[@allanthree1354]

Indeed this is so special

[@racreborn4586]

Thank you Imad Africans needs to listen to this.

[@haddyb1191]

Proud Ugandan

[@goodnesschibueze4322]

Why isn't this talk on the Tedx App?

[@moetng1]

Great story line brother ✊ proud African here.

[@AminWasfi]

Truly incredible delivery

[@ayolovephat]

Here's the question : how did Arabs get to North Africa?

[@vincentfrimpong4320]

AYOLOVE PHATUTU: Ask him again for us bro?

[@profjosephenyonuafrikakint6546]

Bouy, are you Africans or Arabs. Theses are different identifies. We have no Africans who are Arabs and vice versa!!!

[@tokunboaikore6451]

Prof Joseph Enyonu AFRIKA KINTAKUNTE . He is mixed race

[@chriswasonga1782]

During the spread of Islam

[@mopmap4911]

@@chriswasonga1782 north africans are berbers not arabs and they are indegineous to north africa

[@herminiayolandandongnzang9075]

Thank you Imad Mesdoua for your great speak. Africa unite ❤🗿, I'm proud to be african

[@veronicacobb3036]

Thank you for sharing your viewpoint. Very encouraging. Entrepreneurs will be leaders for all African nations on a global scale. The government will set the parameters and the people will have free will to thrive. As part as the diaspora communication is a must.

[@sebastianfeuerstein9306]

This guy reminds me a lot of Superman haha

[@toddie3910]

That was my first thought as well 😂

[@sebastianfeuerstein9306]

@@toddie3910 😂

[@sudanwife7438]

Clark kent

[@sebastianfeuerstein9306]

@@sudanwife7438 yep 🤣😂

[@omololaeniola2407]

Great talk. I love his perspective. I once met an Algerian in turkey once. We felt so happy and connected cos of our being africans .but that was d only time I had a supposedly 'white-looking african" get so excited when we chat about being africans .I do love to see more people like him and u..

[@saidaksil332]

High level

[@stellaokafor6120]

Proud to be an African

[@freemanbako1586]

Can we all wake up and do the needful as Africans???One love from Abuja, Nigeria

[@leylabouallegue6984]

Really enjoyed it, speaks to many of us. Very well done

[@ileriogunfiditimilifestyle4934]

Great talk! Being African transcends race, ethnicity, etc. One Africa.

[@vinnidavinci3932]

Ileri Ogunfiditimi no it doesn't transcend race

[@ileriogunfiditimilifestyle4934]

Vinni Davinci, Why? Explain further.

[@FroMaestro]

B/c the obvious physical differences lead to different results across the world. Arabs know how to be Arab-first when there's competition for resources. This is not peculiar to them, of course--everyone does it. So it's more helpful to admit that it exists, and then discuss ways and times to transcend our differences. Not all our differences are bad. For instance, the same language that unites you and me (ogagun, kilo nsele gangan?) relegates everybody else reading this comment to the 'out-group' while you and I just shared meaning. Sometimes it's helpful to put up that wall. Sometimes it's not. I don't see the benefit in denying that differences exist, in ways that parse what it means to be African. I like his point though that the riches of different African cultures belong to us all. Or rather, belong to all of us who claim it. I think it's true of all humans. "Who is the Tolstoy of the Zulus? ... "Tolstoy is the Tolstoy of the Zulus..." -- that kind of attitude.

[@ileriogunfiditimilifestyle4934]

FroMaestro, you made some very interesting and good points. However, I think that in order for Africa to continue to move forward in the 21st Century and beyond, there must be respect and tolerance of the different groups of people that occupy the continent. There are more than 3,000 different ethnicities (including Arabs) in Africa. History has demonstrated the human atrocities and injustices which can (and still do) occur due to racial, ethnic, and religious intolerance and a false sense of superiority over another group of human beings. In this Modern Era, we have the opportunity through education, technological resources, and modelling to learn from our past transgressions and the mistakes of others to create a future for Africa that's more inclusive, progressive, and advanced than ever before. Africa has always been a heterogeneous place; there's no other continent or territory with as much diversity. But I feel that we need to learn how to close the sociopolitical gaps between the different groups and the "African Identity" is one tool that facilitates that closure by shifting the focus away from our physical and cultural differences to our commonalities. For example, the Arab-African countries were colonized too and are experiencing some of the same socio-economic issues as other African nations. So my reason for stating that being an African transcends race, ethnicity, etc. is more rooted in Pan-Africanism as opposed to encouraging the disparagement of Arabs or any other group of people.

[@brezyliammari896]

You are a fuckin sellout man!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@justinspykerman]

I love this Ted talk.

[@saneleofmargate8785]

Reclaiming the heritage.

[@Mr_Playlist]

How do we reclaim that heritage First remove visa restrictions between African countries

[@kozmickhandi9951]

Really enjoyed that ima came across quite passionate when describing his childhood 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@ramamohamed3733]

That was WONDERFUL for a reason. He didn't DISTRIBUTE people on on their....maybe DIFFRENT nationalities or different histories. and also his personal life stories looks like too many peoples' stories but those people didn't think like him.

[@donjiaye6263]

Rightly Said Brother...

[@elleyonaspg9580]

United world, divided people.

[@originaleverythingelseisca5977]

Its soo interesting how so many people are have situations that put them in different boxes, and there are so many layers of confusion and mixing and this and that. so many layers!!

[@geokouassi9771]

No offense, but at his first sentence of I’m a proud Algerian and proud African, I immediately thought he probably grew in Subsahara Africa, probably West Africa with my loving anf fun brothers from IVORY COAST 🇨🇮🥰🥰. I love Africa and African. If I knew the value of my people and continent, I would have NEVER MOVED to the USA. Even though I love the USA, great country and people, home is always sweet home. Bless the World and may us all understand one day that we are all human.❤️❤️❤️