Heritage of slavery survives in the US

The plight of black people is not limited to South Africa and Zimbabwe. Long after slavery was abolished in the United States, to where I moved to study at the end of last year, many Africans in the diaspora long for dignity.

Legally they are equal to all other citizens, but poverty, unemployment, homelessness, crime, illness, illiteracy affects mostly people of African heritage. Most wanted criminals are from this race. Many fall to the consolation offered by gangs, prostitution, drugs, alcohol and suicide.

The appointment of prominent black people such as Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice does not improve the quality of life for the African-American majority, yet their elevation to high offices signifies that ebony-skinned people cannot be ignored any longer. The shed blood of the slave-ancestors is calling for their total emancipation.

February is known in the United States as Black History Month. Celebrated since 1926 during the second week of February, it has been a month-long event since the 1970s. It is a time to reflect on African experience, achievement and history. Young black people are told how their ancestors were abducted from Africa and made slaves in America. They hear heroic stories of how their forebears struggled and ultimately freed themselves. They learn about the American version of apartheid in the last century which produced such civil rights icons as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Junior.

The Church in the United States is also struggling to rid itself of its discriminatory past. For a long time this was regarded as normal. People still worship in traditionally tribal groupings, though this is changing. One can still identify some churches as Irish, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish.

African Americans have organised themselves as a community to be reckoned with. Bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated brothers and sisters, and laity have formed support groups for the realisation of African aspirations.

Each diocese has an African-American Desk. During this month, all black churches, including Protestant and evangelical leaders, are conducting a survey to hear the concerns and dreams of African Christians.

The contribution of the African Church in America is greatly appreciated. The struggle of the slaves has inspired many people of African descent throughout the world to fight for liberation, justice and equality. The Negro Spirituals opened the way for many revolutionary freedom chants. We know that in 2000 the United States Catholic Bishops recommended to Pope John Paul that the Reverend Martin Luther King Junior, a Baptist, be declared a martyr for the Christian faith.

The Catholic Church in Southern Africa is trying to deal with the ghosts of apartheid. Racism cannot just be wished away. The first African slaves came to America in 1619, but in 2005 their descendants have still not overcome the pain experienced by their forebears.

Jan Van Riebeeck touched the shores of Africa in 1652. How do we take away the suffering of centuries? How do we ensure that those who died before 1994 may rest in peace? If we do nothing, our descendants will suffer, ignored.

We will overcome someday. We need not be afraid: God is on our side.