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

• Main Authors: Edward O. Erhagbe, Ehimika A. Ifidon
• Format: Article
• Language: deu
• Published: Universität Hamburg Hiob Ludolf Centre for Ethiopian and Eritrean Studies Asien-Afrika-Institut Alsterterrasse 1 D-20354 Hamburg Germany 2012-04-01
• Series: Aethiopica
• Subjects: Pan-Africanism; Imperial Ethiopia; Afro-Americans; Colonialism; History; Politics
• Online Access: https://journals.sub.uni-hamburg.de/aethiopica/article/view/187

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.