Imperialism doesn't lie some of the time, it lies all of the time. Even when it tells the truth, it is as result of a double lie.

A quote by Kwame Ture.

As a Fulbright scholar navigating the hallowed halls of some of the world’s most esteemed institutions, my journey into international development has often been shadowed by a nagging awareness that we are only skimming the surface of a deeply complex global narrative. This narrative is steeped in harsh realities, systemic cruelties, and insidious mechanisms that perpetuate social hierarchies and exploitative practices worldwide. I recall a particular lecture where a guest speaker passionately discussed the atrocities faced by wildlife victims of illegal trafficking, predominantly from impoverished, so-called "third-world" nations.

In that moment, sitting as an outsider from Sub-Saharan Africa, I was engulfed by feelings of exclusion, insecurity, and a troubling sense of guilt. Ironically, just that weekend, I had visited a local zoo in Washington, D.C., prompting me to ask the lecturer if they could confidently assert that the exotic animals—elephants, tigers, lions—on display had been sourced legally. Their inability to provide a definitive answer was telling; they had never investigated the origins of these animals. This raised a poignant question: how can they condemn practices abroad without scrutinizing similar situations in their own backyard?

This experience crystallized a critical insight for me: there exists a subtle yet powerful weaponization of the African experience, often wielded to tarnish our global standing and silence our voices through language steeped in loaded implications. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis tells us that language is far from neutral; it is an active force that shapes perception and drives action through nuanced suggestions and underlying rhetoric. Linguist George Lakoff argues that language frames our thoughts and can be used to manipulate public perception, reinforcing existing power dynamics.

Edward Said's concept of "Orientalism" further illuminates how the West constructs narratives about the East to justify imperialistic agendas. Thus, when a certain billionaire running for president touts the slogan "Make America Great Again," communities of color are left to decipher the veiled intentions behind such rhetoric, especially in light of America’s historical and ongoing struggles with segregation and systemic inequity.

In my field, organizations like the Bretton Woods institutions ostensibly promote ideals of unity and equitable democracy, leading one to believe that every voice should resonate within their corridors. Yet, the stark reality reveals a different truth: the existence of permanent members in the United Nations, five of whom wield veto power over global decisions, creates an imbalance that undermines the very principles they claim to uphold.

Dennis Leech noted in 2003 that "Weighed voting is fundamental to the workings of the IMF and World Bank." This principle, enshrined in their original charters, results in a pronounced democratic deficit, disproportionately disadvantaging developing nations. Economist Joseph Stiglitz highlights that this bias not only reflects the interests of wealthy nations but also perpetuates a cycle of dependency and underdevelopment. While calls for reform often suggest recalibrating this voting structure to amplify the voices of the marginalized, genuine change remains frustratingly elusive.

This brings us to the concept of Double-Speak—an intentional obfuscation employed by organizations that outwardly claim a global mandate while subtly prioritizing their self-serving interests. Language becomes a tool of deception, distorting reality and disarming those it targets. We must remain vigilant against the barrage of loaded narratives aimed at Africans, designed to manipulate perceptions and control resources, thoughts, and destinies.

It’s no wonder Kwame Nkrumah decried the continued exploitation of Africa, asserting that neocolonialism was, in many ways, more insidious than colonialism itself. He pointedly stated, "The neo-colonialism of today is a more insidious form of colonialism," emphasizing how it operates beneath the surface, often escaping public scrutiny while our rich resources are sold for a pittance, with the responsibility for development placed squarely on the shoulders of under-resourced African governments.

Frantz Fanon, in The Wretched of the Earth, warned that "For the colonized, life can only be a struggle against a system that has made them inferior." This struggle is exacerbated by narratives that perpetuate a false dichotomy between the "civilized" and the "savage," reinforcing stereotypes that diminish our agency and contributions. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie echoes this in her TED Talk, "The Danger of a Single Story," highlighting how reductive narratives can lead to misunderstanding and harm, underscoring the urgent need for diverse perspectives to shape the global narrative.

Furthermore, Achille Mbembe’s work on necropolitics illustrates how power operates through the control of life and death, particularly in post-colonial contexts. This framework sheds light on how resources continue to be extracted from Africa while its people remain marginalized in decisions that affect their futures.

In Lesotho, for instance, traditional blankets are manufactured elsewhere, while diamonds of immense value mysteriously vanish year after year. The complexities of these dynamics reveal a troubling reality: the wealth of our nations is exploited, while the responsibility for development is unjustly placed on under-resourced African governments.

I am back, and I am more resolved than ever to confront these realities, to unravel the narratives that bind us, and to amplify the voices that have long been silenced.

Please note that the above text has been edited with the assistance of ChatGPT (2024).