Vol. 74/No. 47      December 13, 2010

The conference theme “African Disapora and Disaporas in Africa” reflected the growing integration of Africa into the world capitalist market, which has led to the expanded growth of communities of Africans in countries throughout the world. The activities of African migrants, their relations with their home countries, and their place in international politics were taken up in many presentations. These ranged from the Somali communities in the United States, to the expanding commercial and investment activities by the Chinese government in many parts of the continent, and the upcoming referendum in southern Sudan on secession.

Other panels discussed the changing place of women in African societies, and growing immigration of working people.

A “special presentation” by Johnnie Carson, U.S. assistant secretary of state for Africa, was part of a substantial presence by representatives of the U.S. government at the conference. He commended the African Studies Association for the help its scholars provide to Washington in understanding Africa, in formulating policy, and in recruiting young students into the ranks of Washington’s diplomatic corps. A few people challenged Carson in a question period following his speech, particularly about the activities of U.S. oil companies and capitalist financial institutions such as the World Bank.

The Pentagon’s recently formed Africa Command (AFRICOM) organized a panel aimed at expanding the collaboration of Africa scholars and social scientists with the U.S. military in Africa.

While there was little discussion in conference sessions about the economic crisis and depression conditions spreading across the globe, a team of socialist workers found a great deal of interest among conference participants in Pathfinder books, both about Africa and on broader political questions.

Fourteen copies of Malcolm X, Black Liberation, and the Road to Workers Power were sold, as well as 10 books by Thomas Sankara, leader of the 1983-87 revolution in the West African country of Burkina Faso. Books on the Cuban Revolution, and the internationalist work of Cuban volunteers in Angola, Equatorial Guinea, and the Congo, were also picked up. Altogether participants bought 44 titles totaling nearly $600.

Pathfinder was one of 39 publishers, book distributors, and others from the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Africa that set up booths in the conference exhibit hall.  
 
 
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