CCA conference attempts to change perceptions of Africa 

By AARON COLE
The Aurora Sentinel

 

Published: Thursday, May 14, 2009 1:14 PM MDT

AURORA |

 

All too often, famine, wars and poverty dominate people’s perceptions, according to George Bamu.

And now he’s working to change all of that.

“The people in Africa are beautiful ... when we come together we can help build a better continent,” Bamu said. “It is a great opportunity to be here for the people who love Africa and want to learn about that continent.”

Wednesday is Cameroon’s “National Day,” the day that Cameroonians celebrate the unification of West and East Cameroon.

Bamu, a Community of College of Aurora graduate, decided to host a kick off event leading up to National day last week at CCA because of Aurora’s diverse cultural heritage.

“What a better place than to have it here?” he said.

 

According to Bamu, nearly 1,000 Cameroonians live in Colorado. Educating them about the country and their heritage is one of the aims of the organization that Bamu started, Africa Agenda.

After four years of working as president of the program, Bamu said he’s given well over 50 presentations and discussions regarding all of Africa’s issues. Everything from poverty to warfare, politics to people, Bamu said reshaping people’s opinion of the continent is a struggle.

“We have to do better to make those countries better,” he said. “We don’t just want to criticize the government, we all want to participate in that development process, that’s what Africa Agenda does. That is the core of our mission.

“We’re not interested in all of these things on television, it’s all about Somalia and Zimbabwe, there’s a better Africa out there that people don’t know about it.”

Bamu said working in Aurora was ideal for his organization, because the city attracts a wide range of African immigrants, and in particular because some of those students continue school at CCA.

Denver City Councilman Michael Hancock said after he recently traced his heritage back to Cameroon via DNA testing he became interested in the organization.

“I asked my mother, ‘Where are you from? Where is your mother from? Where is your mother’s mother from?’ and every answer was Louisiana, but it had to come from somewhere else.”

After uncovering his heritage, Hancock said he became interested in learning about the culture, customs and tradition of Cameroon.

“The kids, the parents, the students, they all work and live in here and they’re part of the community. There’s a bunch of African immigrants — Somalis, Sudanese — all located right here in Aurora. There’s a lot of interconnection in this city and we can see that right here in this hall,” he said.

After speaking to an anthropology class at CCA last week, Bamu said he was surprised to learn that next to Spanish, one of the most prevalent languages at the school is Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia.

Linda Bowman, president of CCA, said the school maintains a diversity that she sees value in, and reflects the school and city’s unique complexion.

“We take very seriously our role in a global community,” said Linda Bowman, president of CCA. “We do have this coming together of cultures and ideas and talents.”

Elizabeth Hirsh, associate professor of anthropology and coordinator of global initiatives at CCA, said her

I think I have my parents to thank for instilling in me a value of cultural diversity,” Growing up ... I was very vocal about a constant dream that I had ... about going to Africa. Looking back I wonder where the strong desire to go to Africa came from, my answer today is that I didn’t know enough. I think there was a weakness in my early education ... Africa seemed more like an afterthought.”

Bamu also charged the crowd to learn more about the country and continent, and said that engagement in the country’s governments would serve as a platform for further discussions.

Andy McKean, founder and CEO of Liberty Day, a group that is handing out copies of the constitution of Cameroon, challenged the crowd to learn more about the government and educate others about Africa.

Hancock also charged the crowd to discover their shared heritage.

“Let’s go home together. I hope that in that the next year or two, we all can get together and go home together, let’s tour Cameroon ... and let’s together rediscover where we come from.”