EP 10 Africans, History and Generational Trauma I African News Review 🌍

This episode explores the intricate connections between history and generational trauma, focusing on the African experience. 
Adesoji discusses how generational trauma can be transmitted through direct experiences and cultural norms, and how history plays a pivotal role in shaping collective consciousness. 
His historical analysis delves into the scars of colonization and the impact of historical injustices on communities. 
This episode also highlights the importance of understanding and acknowledging generational trauma in order to break the chain and work towards a better future.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Exploring the Intricate Connections Between History and Generational Trauma
04:58 The Scars of Colonization and Historical Injustices
15:30 Breaking the Cycle: Understanding and Addressing Generational Trauma

Transcript

Adesoji Iginla (00:03.862)
Hello and welcome to Adesoji Speaks Knowledge, the podcast where I share my thoughts and insights on various issues related to Africa and Africans at home and in the diaspora. I am your host, Adesoji Iginla, and welcome to another exciting episode. In this one, we will be exploring the intricate connections between

history and generational trauma.

Adesoji Iginla (00:39.786)
You might be wondering where this topic came from. Well, this topic stems from a statement made by the hosts of Uncomfortable Conversations, Emmanuel Acho, on a podcast, Higher Learning, but more on that later. But why are we delving into generational trauma? But why not? It's an often overlooked, but impactful

impactful aspects of human experience.

Adesoji Iginla (01:16.21)
sometimes it can actually be transmitted from one generation to the other. And not only through direct experiences but also through cultural norms like what to do and what not to do, behaviors, you know, societal structures also come into play. But truly, but to truly understand what generational trauma means, we must of all, first of all, recognize that as Africans

history plays a pivotal role in our collective consciousness.

Adesoji Iginla (01:53.45)
If we look at the role history plays, we have to truly understand it's not merely a series of events confined to the past, but it's a living entity within us. It shapes our interaction, not just within families, communities, but also the wider societies. So in the context of Nigeria,

and by extension the larger africana We'll be looking at by that we're which happened between the 14th and the colonial oppression with systemic from the 1800s to the mid 20th the but and the continued assault on

Adesoji Iginla (02:53.79)
you then begin to understand how we can suffer trauma. The annals of history is stained with instances of injustice, many of which I've alluded to in those time periods. Which then brings me to the statement made by Emmanuel Acho.

Adesoji Iginla (03:17.426)
And the statement reads, I want to be...specific with regards to what he said.

He was on a podcast on higher learning with host Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay. And he said, and I quote, no doubt about it. So I grew up with black people. I grew up with Nigerian people. I grew up with white people. As a result, I know when white people say, well, racism doesn't exist. I know why.

They say that because I have been in them rooms when they're saying that when I kick back with black people and they're like all white people are racist.

Adesoji Iginla (04:13.878)
Hmm, I know why you're saying that. All the while I have the privilege and the luxury of not having generational trauma because my parents were born in Nigeria.

Adesoji Iginla (04:34.979)
So man, my method is removing some of the stink, because I don't have that stink and trying to deliver a message in a manner that people can receive it. So, I'm going to show you how to do that.

Adesoji Iginla (04:53.203)
End quote.

Adesoji Iginla (04:58.218)
That statement is so laden with the scars of colonization, which run deep in the psyche of entire communities and shapes their worldview, influencing how they see the world. Because for him to say, I get it, but I am willing to take out a sting.

Adesoji Iginla (05:29.866)
Well, let me explain something. Generational trauma shows up in so many ways, permeating every aspect of our society.

For instance, let's take a look at Nigeria, Mr. Achu's ancestral home. The country has been a crime scene from its very existence.

And I think the victims should actually be allowed to give an impact statement.

It would be funny if that's not the case. But unfortunately, the perpetrators of said injustice are given a free pass. If we're to read meaning into, my method is removing some of the stink because I don't have that stink and I'm trying to deliver a message that people can receive it, end quote.

Adesoji Iginla (06:31.266)
This is making excuses for an unjust system that should be held responsible. And it's not the responsibility of victims like Emanuel Acho. Unfortunately, he might not understand that he's actually a victim of the system. Because if you are trying to.

Adesoji Iginla (06:56.13)
mold yourself in a situation where you don't seem to be offensive, then the system has won. I mean, still on the Nigerian situation, let's look at the field of violence called Nigeria.

In 1895, Akasa, the mouth of the Niger Delta, was the scene of a killing, reprisal killings, by the Royal Niger Company, a British concessionary company, simply because the people of Cuckoo Town decided to challenge the trade practices of the company.

in 1897.

Adesoji Iginla (07:40.002)
The Benin Kingdom will bear the brunt in what was then known as the Benin Expedition for daring to resist the British who wanted to violate their ritual rights. That incident actually led to Benin bronzes and the artifacts being looted and scattered all over the world.

The number of deaths from that expedition could not be ascertained due to the industrial nature of the kilans, which was the employment of the Maxim gun, a gun that could spit out 600 rounds a minute. In 1929, 55 women who gathered in Aba in the eastern part of Nigeria to protest the proposed taxation of women by the colonial authorities

were shot in the back as they fled.

The colonial excuse was that they feared it might lead to a riot. I'm sure people who are conversant with the happenings in the West in terms of extrajudicial killings by the police.

would understand that excuse sounds very familiar. And to add insults to the heroic women's memory, some history books still refer to the events as a riot to justify the killing, wherein it was just a protest.

Adesoji Iginla (09:22.13)
On the 18th of November 1949, the British police were again unleashed violence on 21 Enogu miners, Enogu still being in the eastern part of the country, and would injure another 51.

Their crime? Seeking fair wages. Let us sink in. Sinking fair wages. In 1956, the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities will end up becoming a generational cause for the entire people of the Niger Delta. And nowhere is this ecological devastation more prominent and acute.

than in Ogoni land and series of protests at the injustice had led to the execution of playwrights, novelists and writer, Ken Sarawiwa on November 10, 1995. Again on trumped up charges.

In May 1967 to January 1970, it was 30 months of violence, known as the Biafra War or the Nigerian Civil War, with an estimated over a million deaths, mostly from starvation. Now, these events still loom large over the psyche of Nigerians.

Now you begin to see why that Immanuel Atchou statement comes across as callous and ill-informed at best.

Adesoji Iginla (11:20.63)
But thankfully, there is a cure for ignorance. And it is called information.

Adesoji Iginla (11:31.486)
I will read out a couple of books to help cure this malaise.

The first would be What Britain Did to Nigeria by Mark Cillian.

Adesoji Iginla (11:50.906)
Next would be a history of Nigeria. In fact, a Texan professor by Professor Tui-I-Fa-Lola.

Adesoji Iginla (12:04.29)
The Open Soul of a Continent by Wole Sho Yinka

Adesoji Iginla (12:12.118)
Blood and Bronze by Paddy Doherty

Adesoji Iginla (12:21.002)
Genocide in Nigeria by Ken Saru-Wiwa.

The Biafra story by Frederick Forsyth.

And of course, a book that actually talks about the scourge of colonialism, although fiction, but still very poignant.

Adesoji Iginla (12:50.626)
Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe.

I have saved the best for last. And the reason is, you would see in the title, it's Black Skin White Mask by Frantz Fanon.

Adesoji Iginla (13:13.27)
Let the title of the book alone say.

what the entries of the book alludes to. In fact, let me just give you a quick synopsis. France Fanon's Black Skin White Mask.

is very poignant for people who want to placate or act as intermediaries.

with the oppressors. So a situation where we are saying that I am trying to take a sting out of

Adesoji Iginla (14:03.998)
cry for justice, a push back against yourself in the position to act

Adesoji Iginla (14:22.758)
a softener of what the intended message should be. You'll be seen as being part of the problem, not the solution. So yes, you might be having, quote unquote, uncomfortable conversations. But uncomfortable conversations that has been watered down, that has no bearing. First, you're even trying to placate.

people who don't even see you.

I mean let that sink in.

It's, uh...

Adesoji Iginla (15:03.901)
It's a difficult position to be in. And I don't quite understand what the motivation is.

except if the motivation is not.

Adesoji Iginla (15:18.69)
to intercede.

but to act another role. I shudder to think what that role is.

Adesoji Iginla (15:30.539)
So finally...

Adesoji Iginla (15:34.762)
We have to understand.

Adesoji Iginla (15:39.414)
that generational trauma can play out in so many ways. Even Emmanuel Archer who said I don't think I suffer generational trauma.

There's a reason his name is Emmanuel.

Adesoji Iginla (16:01.092)
as due to Christianity.

Adesoji Iginla (16:05.682)
like Okonkwo would say.

The white man said, our ways are bad. And our brothers, who have taken up his religion, also say our ways are bad.

How can we fight?

Adesoji Iginla (16:27.35)
The white man was very clever. He came peaceably.

and we allowed him stay. Now he has put a knife on the things that held us together. And we have fallen apart.

Adesoji Iginla (16:44.83)
That's from... Things Fall Apart.

talking about the scourge of colonialism, the imposition of religion, the imposition of mannerism. That is generational trauma.

Adesoji Iginla (17:05.246)
I remember going attending school. Anyone who's good in Nigeria would remember when you couldn't speak your native language in school. You were reprimanded, put on detention, asked to write lines in your exercise book.

Adesoji Iginla (17:28.526)
English was forced down your throat that you must learn it.

that is generational trauma. For the teachers to think that is a means of instruction.

that has to be carried out in line of the fact that you're actually looking at someone who looks like you but you're telling them that you have to converse in a foreign language.

That is generational trauma.

Adesoji Iginla (18:08.43)
Going home and speaking to your parents in a foreign language is passing down generational trauma.

Adesoji Iginla (18:21.178)
wearing foreign clothes.

a bit in the West is or back home like Fela would make popular in his song, Colonial Mentality.

Adesoji Iginla (18:39.646)
You know, so you begin to see all of these problems.

Adesoji Iginla (18:46.582)
But because you've not sat down, be quiet, understand the implications of everything. And in fact, the fact that I'm conversing with you on this podcast in a language that is not mine.

Adesoji Iginla (19:09.387)
is exhibiting generational trauma.

Adesoji Iginla (19:16.878)
listen to music. yes music reveals all cultures but if i can't think or speak in my language

Adesoji Iginla (19:33.842)
It's an aspect of generational trauma. If I demean my culture.

Adesoji Iginla (19:43.95)
as some cultures in Africa are fast being eroded, that's another aspect of generational trauma.

So it is important for us to understand how all this thread runs through our very existence.

Adesoji Iginla (20:08.842)
So by tracing this thread of trauma through history, we can begin to unravel the complex web of intergenerational.

suffering that not only plagues Africa but the world as it is, especially the global south and even our brothers and sisters in the Americas and Western Europe. So the legacy of Biafra, the legacy of the Bini punitive expedition, the ecological disaster

Adesoji Iginla (20:54.086)
We must also spare a thought for the people of Haiti.

That's an aspect of generational trauma. Our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean every day experience some level of generational trauma. So this thing goes down into the depth of our history. So by remembering and acknowledging the past and working together towards a future,

Break this chain.

but pacifying the aggressors, the colonialists, the imperialists.

in the spirit that they will acknowledge your humanity.

Adesoji Iginla (21:48.206)
is an exercise in futility. So listeners, if you found this episode insightful, do not forget to subscribe to Adesuji Speaks' knowledge for more thought-provoking analysis on various issues as it pertains to Africa and Africans who are in the diaspora. And as always, feel free to share

your thoughts and feedback. It's very important to me to help me to grow this channel and this podcast and together, let's continue to explore the world around us with curiosity and compassion, which is very key because the world Africans, not just at home, but in diaspora, we need

to exhibit a bit of compassion to ourself. Until next time.

It is from me, Adesha Jigella, peace. Have a lovely day.