Power

Power

Introduction

Power is the authority over something or someone and the capacity to do anything without being questioned. Power if responsibly exercised can develop a harmonious, conduce environment for all members of the society. Power can eradicate crime, corruption, and a majority of vices in society. However, if power is given to an irresponsible, selfish, or greedy person can destroy society so much that it becomes inhabitable. Power decides the fate of society. 

Slavery which is a result of misuse of power began way before civilization but became rampant in Africa during the first and second World Wars. During the 2nd World, slavery and human trafficking were at their peak. Strong African men were forcefully moved to America to work on the farms for free. They were mistreated and forced to work under very hostile conditions without pay. Indians who were moving into America were also enslaved but there was a lot of resistance which they would win against the Americans. Most of them, having settled in America were not as desperate as Africans.  Additionally, most Indians unlike Africans were educated. Africans who were moved into America were denied freedom of movement and their travel document were hidden or destroyed to prevent them from going back to their homeland. Back in Africa, homes were left without a breadwinner, wives without husbands, and children without fathers. Slavery however was not exclusively overseas. Even in Africa men were enslaved while in their land. The whites grabbed some of the most fertile places in Africa and started farming. They would force African men to provide free labor on the grabbed land and mistreated them so much, as described by the writer.

‘Ye've driven slaves before.

Seize on his ports and pastures,’”

For this act of slavery, the writer has described the masters who enslaved the black men as greedy.

“To gratify your greed;

Go clear away the "niggers"

When the white man went to Africa he disguised himself as a helper to the black people. He promised them education, civilization, and all the good things the western had to offer. Unfortunately, the white man did not help the black man and instead mistreated him so much a fact that leaves the writer so bitter. The black man lost so much for the white man to gain everything valuable that he, the black man had lost.

The brown man's loss must never

Imply the white man's gain.

The white man had no remorse for what he did. Having taken the white man’s fertile land and most of his best natural assent leaving him with nothing he did not care to feed or provide for his family. In fact, during this period a lot of black people especially children suffered from malnutrition and related diseases yet they cultivated the healthies food which went to their masters. If a Black man was found eating from the farm with no permission, they were punished yet the farms were originally theirs. The writer in the poem is asking the white man to have remorse for the black man.

If, as the blood flows freely,

Ye feel some slight remorse;

It is important to note that the taking of African property and land was given the title scramble and partition for Africa. During this period Europeans settled in different parts of Africa and took away their land.

Slavery and mistreatment led to world war II in Africa. The majority of African communities wanted their land back by force after unsuccessful begging and having peace talks with the whites. The war led to a lot of bloodshed as a lot of Africans died. Africans’ weapons were not as strong as the whites which is why most Africans died during the war. Some Africans ended up becoming collaborators due to fear of being killed and the incentives they were given by the white while others stayed rebellious. The Kikuyu community in Eastern Africa is among the community that continued to resist the European rules and were determined to get their land back. For this reason, a lot of them died in the fight but the community did not give up.

Of Africa. Kikuyu, quick as flies

Batten upon the bloodstreams of the veldt.

Corpses are scattered through a paradise.

Only the worm, colonel of carrion, cries:

"Waste no compassion on these separate dead"

Power relations exist in a society where one group of people has power over the other. In the case of the poem, there Is a power relation between white men over black men in the African land. Power relations can be threatened when the weaker group decides to take their power back. In this case, when the blacks decided they wanted their resources back they threatened power relations. Power is not given easily so when there is a power threat there is likely to develop animosity. In the poem, the power threat leads to bloodshed when the white and black start fighting.

Racism and class are vices fueled by power. The lead cause of racism for example is when one race feels they have more power over other races and tries to use the power on the supposed weaker race. During the colonial period when Africans were being enslaved, the whites enslaved blacks because they felt they had power control over them. The whites were more educated while the blacks were not and knew nothing about human rights. It was difficult to enslave Indians because they were a bit enlightened and less desperate. Fellow whites could not work on the farms because they too knew their rights and would demand high wedges and good working conditions, a classic case of knowledge is power. Additionally, they were considered weak physically compared to Africans. Racism was also a result of the need to maintain the status quo. The whites wanted to feel and be treated as a superior race while in reality, they were not as all people are equal. Theories were even developed to show how the white race was more powerful than the black one.  Scientific racism began out of the need to prove that the white race was superior. Scientific racism involved trying to prove the biological and psychological superiority of the whites.

Classes too are created by power, education, and income. Classes exist in three categories which are poor, middle class, and rich.  The poor class lives an inferior life because of a lack of money and is not involved in the decision-making process. The places they stay, how they live, and what they feed on are not a choice in most cases. As income increases options increase therefore the middle class has a considerable amount of power.  They may not make the main decisions in society but they have control over their lives and their daily activities. The rich are the decision-makers in society, government, and business as money gives people power. The rich have the power to make decisions as they can finance them. Decisions are made from the top and not the bottom.

There is also a bit of power relation with gender. The male gender has always been considered the superior gender until recently when women started fighting for their rights. During the colonial and pre-colonial periods, women were never involved in decision-making. All leadership roles were left for women. The power relation led to women being oppressed and denied their rights. Women were beaten and sexually abused in most places in the world. While men were enslaved on farms women were enslaved for sexual pleasures.

In conclusion, power is an important and valuable tool if used responsibly however If it is abused it destroys a community. In the poem, the writer uses a very angry tone to describe how much power has damaged the black man. The black has been oppressed, grabbed of his treasures and land, and then enslaved. When he tried to fight for his freedom and rights he is killed. According to the writer, Africa was in so much pain because of the abuse of power by the white man. Power relations are evident in racism, class, and gender. The white race was perceived to be superior to any other race. The rich class is given the privilege to lead and make decisions in society and finally, the male gender has been perceived to be superior to the female gender.