Frantz Fanon in 1959
This book is a slim volume but hugely ambitious. Its aim is to show that Marxism and black radicalism are not incompatible.
Okoth throws down the gauntlet. He makes the case for revolutionary politics inspired by Marxist anti-colonial struggles in Africa—the Red Africa of the title.
Okoth says contemporary debates have lost sight of the ideas which inspired 20th century liberation movements. He delves deep into black political history, critiquing “Afro-pessimism” which believes nothing can change.
His forceful defence of leading anti-colonial theorist and activist Franz Fanon in the face of academic misinterpretations is powerfully done. Okoth rails against the idea that Marxism is Eurocentric and highlights the work of black activists and re-positions the theory as a potent force.
For Okoth the history of the present has to be placed in its historical context. He urges a return of anti-imperialist solidarity, from the vestiges of the second generation of national liberation movements of Red Africa.
Okoth criticises “the retreat of black radicalism” in US universities which has led to the rise of a new version of despairing “Afro‑pessimism.” And he leaves with a farewell challenge, “It is up to us to build a communism for our times from the ruins of Red Africa.”
Okoth insists that we have an obligation to reinvest into the anti-imperialist solidarity that gave us Red Africa.
