Cultural Identity, Prejudices and the Question of Development of Africa in the 21ST Century
A critical look at the history of Africa reveals the phenomenon of cultural identities which is linked to ethnicity or race and developed based on cultural background has in turn had dire implications on specific experiences, namely racial discrimination, prejudice resulting from self-perceived ethnic or racial group membership, or both; against the notion of development. The aim of this paper is to examine how cultural identities have degenerated to prejudices and impinged on the question of development of Africa in the 21st century. Qualitative research design was used for this paper. Data were realized from secondary materials – books, journal articles and the internet. The historical, expository and analytical methods were employed for this paper. The historical method identified some incidents of prejudices recorded inAfrica and Nigeria in particular. The expository method has been used to offer an expose' of the phenomenon of cultural identities, incidents of prejudices and the concept of development of Africa today. The analytical method presented the negative implications these prejudices have on society. The paper found out that there has been sectionalism, xenophobia, discrimination, chauvinism, parochialism, particularism, bigotry, fanaticism among ethnic nationalities in Africa that is why the continent has been witnessing slow pace of development. The paper therefore, concluded that, ethnicity should not be played to the gallery rather, the positive values imbedded in each ethnic group should be deployed for the best interest of all so that unity, solidarity, growth, peace and development will thrive in Africa; especially in this 21 century.
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