The legacy of African self-empowerment, development, and resistance to injustice is one that is not only long, it is rich. Africans also have a strong history when it comes to collectiveness via Pan-Africanism. Examples of this cooperativeness are evident within organizations such as: the Pan-African Congress, the Universal Negro Improvement Association, Council on African Affairs and many others. Africans, worldwide, came together for the betterment of Africans, not only on the continent—-but throughout the Diaspora. They stood tall in the face of societal maladies such as colonization, white supremacy, imperialism and institutional racism. These organizations collective efforts paved the way for progress that was made, as well as further steps towards the eventual goals of liberation, justice, and equality (to name a few). Those organizations have given today’s Africans solid examples to build upon.
In the 21st Century the struggle for African liberation, social justice, and equality remain vastly important. The African continent is under attack from Western aggression and neo-colonization. Countries like the United States, along with their European partners, scramble for Mother Africa’s endless array of minerals and vast landscape. As Western states continue to profit from Africa’s resources, hundreds of millions of native Africans suffer without fully benefiting from these same resources, including land.
Throughout the African Diaspora Africans find themselves struggling with similar forces as their continental brothers and sisters. In the US, for instance, American born Africans continue to struggle and fight the devastating impact of institutional racism, white supremacy and capitalism. These nefarious triplets have produced the likes of a Prison Industry Complex (modern day slavery), a deadly police state, economic inequity, and apartheid-like conditions. And Africans in places like Colombia continue to fight to stay on their land and for equal rights. The struggle for African liberation is far from over.
In 2012 a new African organization, geared towards tackling a range of issues, was formed. The Pan-African Collective for Advocacy & Action (PACAA) was created in August 2012 by a collection of Africans committed to making a positive impact within the aforementioned struggle for justice, liberation, and equality. This organization is also aimed at showcasing, supporting, and developing existing African achievements and models. The PACAA has a focus on the Arts & Culture, Economic, Social Justice, Continental Affairs, Media, Scholarship and Youth Outreach. PACAA’s media wing (Your World News), will allow issues within the African Diaspora to be broadcast and documented. Our Think Tank component will be geared towards writing and developing a range of policy driven white papers which will ultimately be released to the public.
The PACAA is African driven, however we are also internationalist. We welcome collaboration with our organizations, individuals and nations with similar political ideologies and focus. More information on the Pan-African Collective for Advocacy & Action can be found at: www.thepacaa.org. For media inquiries please email: pacaa@thepacaa.org.
