During a recently trending interview with REVOLT’s Deposit$ podcast, the “Lonely” singer made his plans of returning African-American back to the African continent known
Akon stated in the video that all the resources are already on the continent; all they lack are people.
According to reports, the number of African-Americans is increasing. Self-identified Black individuals accounted for a projected 47.2 million persons in 2021, or 14.2% of the total population of the nation.
This represents a 30% increase from the 36.3 million Black Americans who called the United States home in 2000.
“All the struggle that they struggled [in America] … they gon’ come there with this mindset, with this mentality, with the finances that they built, the equity in life and bring it back and invest that in Africa?”
“Man, Africa could be the strongest nation in the world if y’all went back home. Because we got everything that it takes to be that. We got the resources, we got the land, we got the population.”
Akon said in a statement
And together we got the strength and we got the know-how. Like why we ain’t doing that?” he said.
Akon’s statements sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with some supporting his idea, while others criticised his generalisations and approach.
Some have supported his vision, seeing it as a way for African-Americans to escape discrimination and inequality in the United States and tap into Africa’s potential for growth.
Akon’s comments have ignited debates about the feasibility and implications of African-Americans moving back to Africa.
“I would love to move to Africa in a heart beat.” A tweeter user commented.
“This sounds fair to me. And before they go, the government should give each person millions in reparation checks.” Another user said.
Others, however, have criticised Akon for his sweeping generalisations about African-Americans and his apparent disregard for the challenges they face in their home country.
“I don’t think Africans like black Americans. There is no “going back”
“Sounds great except we got here because Africans over there sold us to Europeans.”
