African-Americans and the Italo–Ethiopian Crisis, 1935–1936: The Practical Dimension of Pan-Africanism

Abstract

In a world where the Negro groped for recognition, Ethiopia (Abyssinia), with its ancient institutions and sovereignty virtually intact, was a symbol of racial pride and achievement. This Ethiopia was however invaded by Italy in 1935. It was a racial interpretation that the Negro world gave the Italian invasion. African-American interest in Africa which hitherto had been romantic and sentimental, with the Italian invasion became practical, and in this case designed to strengthen Ethiopian resistance. In the end, African-American contribution, though symbolically significant, was paltry. This can be accounted for by the relative poverty of African-Americans, and the time and cultural distance separating them from Africa.

Transnationalism and Genealogy

“…While the African Diaspora's relentless commitment to the liberation of Africa from colonial rule is well documented (see, for example, Campbell 1994;Erhagbe and Ifidon 2008;Gramby-Sobukwe 2005;Gwekwerere 2014;Hayes 2005;Lynch 1978;Parker 2009;Von Eschen 1997), the literature has, arguably, obscured the profound inspirations that Continental African people had on Black Americans' struggles against racism. There is little public awareness of the interconnectedness of the movements and yet, as Minter (2008), submits, the ties, both organizational and personal, had powerful effects on how both struggles were executed.…”

Emancipating the “Kin beyond the Sea”: Reciprocity between Continental and Diasporic Africans’ Struggles for Freedom

“…While the African Diaspora's relentless commitment to the liberation of Africa from colonial rule is well documented (see, for example, Campbell 1994;Erhagbe and Ifidon 2008;Gramby-Sobukwe 2005;Gwekwerere 2014;Hayes 2005;Lynch 1978;Parker 2009;Von Eschen 1997), the literature has, arguably, obscured the profound inspirations that Continental African people had on Black Americans' struggles against racism. There is little public awareness of the interconnectedness of the movements and yet, as Minter (2008), submit, the ties, both organizational and personal, had powerful effects on how both struggles were executed.…”

“…As Scott (1993) noted, African-Americans spoke about the Ethiopian crisis with a nationalistic rhetoric, which demonstrates mutual identification. Their perspective of Ethiopians' cause was fundamentally a part of the struggle of the racial emancipation of the black race (Erhagbe and Ifidon 2008).…”