Understanding Afrilition and Its Impact on Africa

The basic part of any system is the mental model, and this is a big challenge in Africa. Deeply rooted in the fight for a self-sufficient Africa is a mindset that treats African life as unimportant. It only matters when it copies Western ways. Afrilition is not for every African. You cannot engage with it if you do not see the value in being African, no matter what identity you choose. Years ago, I had a difficult land deal in my late mother-in-law’s country, St Vincent and the Grenadines. Looking back, I see problems everywhere. During the dispute, a lawyer from the other side told me to go back to the jungles of Africa, where I had not learned civilized manners. My uncle-in-law, who sold the land to me, could not see how hurtful that comment was and told me to ignore it. This showed me how some family members did not see themselves as Africans and felt insulted by the term. I remembered how my Yoruba people called my mother-in-law, Ireke, meaning sugarcane. For people whose ancestors worked in sugarcane fields, that is a painful term that brings back trauma. Today, people use these words carelessly, without shame. Across the globe, the pain and divisions of colonial exploitation are tied into our minds, making us less than we are, preparing us for more exploitation.

This mental conditioning is the base of the power structures all over the world. It shows in organizations like the United Nations, which ignores Africa's needs in its main working group, the Security Council. This is the same in all international groups, with their culture and practices. The ridiculousness of these setups is built into what they see as global standards, from democracy being the only political system to what is considered development in countries. All of this shows that Africa must change how it seeks its goals and focus on its people in that change.

Afrilition is about waking up to your purpose in spirit and action. In my previous book, Omoluwabi 2.0, I discuss a change that begins with what I called Isiju. Isiju is a deep awakening to awareness, making the unconscious conscious. It is about seeing the deeper meanings of life and understanding its dynamics. This is not about fully uncovering everything but about knowing what is important and relevant. The Bible says in one of its most powerful verses, John 15: 13, "For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is shown when a person sacrifices his life for his friends." In Aramaic, the word for friends means family. So when Afrilition asks, What kind of ancestors are you? it also asks about the next generation. This mindset is not for everyone, but it is for those who see the value in this work. The habit of the mind is Olaju, which means critical thinking and understanding what needs to be done to shape the unconscious desires into daily actions that serve the future. This means being disciplined to focus on the needs of future generations, not just what satisfies today.

The mental model of Afrilition is about taking responsibility for the problems and gaps that need fixing. This way, future generations can build systems that uplift African lives. It is knowing that flashy jets, cars, and certificates mean nothing if they do not help improve lives. Just like money and bank accounts do not last forever, they will fade and become unimportant over time. The collection of visas and fancy houses will also become ruins, like those of the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. No system or structure lasts forever. What endures is the people and their strength to adapt. Afrilition recognizes that Africa can use its pain, injustices, and disrespect from the past to create a better world. Afrilition is about an Africa that is proud and comfortable with itself. It uses both Isiju and Olaju to create communities that value humanity and show love for all. If you want to learn more, join the book’s online launch on 30th September by filling out a form at adewaleajadi.com/register. You can also visit https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo/897151 for further details on Afrilition.