Chika Onyeani, author of Capitalist Nigger: The Road to Success: A Spider-Web Doctrine , is full of shit. He’s in South Africa at the moment, promoting his uniquely odious mixture of self-loathing, lies, and unreconstructed stupidity. Here’s a bit from the Mail and Guardian’s interview with him.
…What about the possibility that the Pakistani(sic), like the Chinese, have access to cheaper raw materials and commodities because of the lower cost of doing business in their countries?
People in Africa should not demand such high wages. The Indians don’t mind working for peanuts as long as it is for the good of their communities.
But there are wealth-gap issues in both India and China.
Why must we concentrate on the negative? In India, the larger part of the population is still poor. So what? India is leading in a lot of ways. If you make a call to [a] credit card company, chances are it would be answered in India. Just because of the way they have been able to do the (sic) things. The reasons we have so many people going to Europe looking for work is because we have not been able to provide jobs for our people.What would you say to comments that you are playing into the hands of racists by depicting black people as lazy and inefficient?
I don’t care about what white people are thinking. It is what we think about ourselves. If we talk about it, perhaps we will stop doing it.
At the end of his book tour, I imagine he’ll be welcomed as part of Hernando De Soto and Madeline Albright’s High Level Commission on the Legal Empowerment of the Poor.
Instead of following the good advice this man gives blacks and others who care to read his book, once again come up with reasons not too.Well done a great book and if you were white they would call you racist but yet Africans try at great cost to stream into Europe towards the whiteman – why?
for me the book is just highlighting what we as black people have been doing to our selves.we see what he is saying everyday.kasi is field with people who try to make it and those who dont sit on the corner and try to destroy everything they have never worked for.i loved the book and i believe that if all black people read the book we might just learn something about why we seem to be always last.
I thought the book started out very good, then near the last few pages it started to get boring, and I could not wait to finish it.
I felt the writer had something to say, but he left me cold at the end
If we fail to look deep down within ourselves (as black people), and objectively asses as well as acknowledge where we’re failing, then we’re definitely never going to get up from our dusty-rusty.Capitalist Nigger is good for those realistic African souls,who are tired of being under the heavy burden of being a whiteman’s slave.Big up to Capitalist Nigger.
Capitalist nigger reminds of Spike Lee’s Bamboozled.
To survive as black people, sometimes we feel we have to get the white folks laughing, leave them with their sides splitting at the expense of the morale, and often, identity of the black person.
In the quest of economic equality with other races, lets just be as instrumentalist, ruthless, cunning, and deceptive, suggest the author of Capitalist Nigger. Lose our own identity in the process. My dear sir, in the writing of such a book, I say you have been “Bamboozled” and made a quick “meaningful” buck.
I read the comments. I did not even know the book was out there.Again,we do not spread the word about what we as african americans need to know. Of course we are in a state of denial. I am sure the Author just said what we discuss daily,but do nothing about it. Most of us will not chastise or tell or children what is right because they say “everybody is doing it.” They maybe doing it but they don’t have a one track mind like us. I will get the book and read it. I will also have my kids and grandkids read it.most of us shug it off if it is not a direct picture of us. But the majority rules. So no matter how well a few of us do it doesn’t help the masses of us. We need to reach back and educate all families and communities. That is accomplishing
something. Example: We are speaking on the computer.I would say most people do not have a computer on Internet. So we need to think of who we are and where we came from. Don’t assume that everybody know what they need to know! Example:I am a senior citizen. I have always managed my credit well. But I had something to happen to me about a credit card after my husband’s death. Guess what? It totally opened my eyes to the need to have and the sensible use of good credit. I am now on a debt diet. I encourage all you young people to do the same! You will be able to retire rich! Try it! From now on, if I can’t buy it cash, I don’t need it! I hope to be debt free in 2 years, if I live that long! Then, I may write a book.
i thougt the book was good, hit on a lot of good points also felt near the end of the book it became boring.
being an older white business man it made me reflect on the many errors I had made in my life….
I have not read the book, but I am very surprised at anyone would agree with the suggestion that Black Afrikan heritage people need to become more like white people in order to succeed ‘economically’.
If you trawl through the internet, libraries and historical information, there are thousands of examples of what Afrikan people have contributed to world development and to society. It seems as though only the very ignorant of us would accept any contradictory assertion to these facts.
It is so easy and common place to see us focus on what we may believe has not been achieved, without acknowledging and valuing the worth of what has been.
I do not share the values and creeds of white societies and it is abhorhant to me to consider that any Afrikan person should acquire the skills and attitudes of war mongers and captalist fraudsters, through their international criminal activities.
More importantly we should embrace the fact that we are different and equal, and have uniquely different things to offer in every way to the world. Let us create our own frames of reference instead of always supporting those who would dare to compare us to the very aliens who have caused so much unrest and injustice in this world.
Boldness is no compensation for the courage of those who have committed their lives to striving for a just world in which communities can exchange their gifts and products in peace and fairness instead of greed. Let us not raise to unconstructive criticism, but be bold enough to dimiss the indefensable.
I find the book fantastic even. We as blacks have been lazy, lost all will to excell and be competitive at the highest level, be creative in our community and produce things useful for ourselves and for the use of outsiders, too ready to be enslaved by others and brainwashsed to buy BMs and Mercedes Benzs, etc as supeficial symbols of success and accomplishment. We seem to hate ourselves and are prepared to accept anything except what comes from our community. In what matters-the creation of new knowledge that will shape man’s future- especially in the sciences, technology, philosophy- our contributions have been minimal if not zero.
Our leaders are happiest when they are in European clothes and it has not occured to our leaders that we have to strengthen our language and culture.
Most educated Africans may speak some English or some French but have no working knowledge of their own language. The book should serve as a call for re-examination of the way we have wasted precious little time all these 500 years serving as slaves or appendages others racial groups, particularly Europe.
Unfortunately Africans have been betrayed by their leaders. Everybody wants to be a politician, be the top dog, tell others what to do. Until you select leaders that are willing to serve their people you will remain where you are: dependend on hand-outs!!!
The Author of this book writes a lot of facts. In a condensed form, this book would make good reading for all Blacks. He was however repetitive and at times boring. I wish you could do a watered down edition which carries points only in a brief and concise manner, much like Richard Branson’s “Screw It, Lets Do it”. Sir Branson’s book is actually a condensed very of his autobiography.
A Capitalist Nigger must know how to be brief and concise, that is my advice to Chika Onyeani.
To all the blacks out the, Please get a hold of this great book and start to live by it. To same South Africans out there who are waiting for things to happen about 2010 world cup, you people should read this book. Great book
DIPHAPANG M.
OK I AM CURRENTLY READING THE BOOK SO FAR AL HAVE TO SAY AS A CRITICAL ANALYST,THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IT IS GOOD,AND ARTISTICAL, IN A SENSE THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT ART, JST BY LOOKING AT IT, YOU CAN TELL THE WRITERS FEELINGS SO THEY ARE WELL ARTICULATED AND STRAIGHT FORWARD, MY ADVICE FOR EVERYONE IS TO GET THE COPY A.S.A.P AND FIND YOUR STAND/POSITION/ROLE IN YOUR COUNTRY/COMMUNITY.BECAUSE CHIEFLY THE BOOK IS ABOUT BLACK CONCIOUSNESS.
The book revolutionises the african mind.
Hi everyone my name is Sibusiso Vilakazi, a Blackman who is proud of who is and is aspiring to become. I have just finished reading the book myself and I found it to be an inspirational work written by one of the greatest Sages of our time who happens to see the truth about the causes of our suffering and the limited race we have allowed ourselves to become. Upon finishing the book I looked at the mirror in my bedroom which I have looked at since the time my memory could recall. But this time there was something different about what I saw, because this time it was as if the cloud which blinded my vision was lifted. As I began to see the truth of who was the cause of my suffering and to my surprise it was me. And since that day I have made a promise that no more will I allow myself to be treated with contempt and mistrust by other races and including my own people. Thus I have committed myself to embrace those who work with me during my journey of reawakening and to rebuke those who want to make me feel inferior or treat me as such by any legal means I might have to my disposal.
To those of you who have also read the book but did so with a closed mind or fear of what you have come to realise. My advice is, next time you think about complaining about your life situation I mean, be it the treatment you get from people of other races or your own, your lack of food, shelter, work and the corrupt government who runs your country, take a moment and think. Ask yourself who has allowed these situations to exist, because it is not its perpetrators who are at fault but you, they are just responding the way their nature and upbringing has taught them to. For it is you and only you no one else can allow themselves to be treated the way you have allowed yourself to be treated. Keep this in mind, there is no self respecting individual or race which would allow it’s self to be treated in a way which is demeaning by others.
Food for thought
“You have not seen yourself until you have looked at yourself through the eyes of your fellow men”
k.c
I would not describe the book as “great”.
The research was not up to scratch.
One can see that he’s a politician, He’s good at writing speeches…Did He offer any solutions to the problem?.
This book is not about black consciousness… If you want that, get a hold of Steve Biko’s, Martin Luther’s and Malcom X’s material just to mention a few.
This man was just ratting on about how black people are lazy. He want’s you to adopt European way of living….
Guys when I look around, I see more and more South Africans who are now comfortable to be in their skins.
I see more NGO’s founded, managed and coordinated by BLACK people wanting to help their communities, they do with the spirit of ubuntu, I see more and more children understanding trying to uplift themselves…Yes they rea raising babies….yes they rea dying of Aids, but that is a moral issue.
Did you know that the fight against apartheid did not start with ANC?
It started when Jan Van Reebeck and his crew arrived here. And even then our grand parents fought against them with bow and arrow in hand, while the whites had guns….Shaka Zulu was a STRATEGIC man, and he used that to fight against white supremacy (or anyboby that messed with him….or ….)
People read up on your history, and you will come across what my friend calls “black magic, white technology”. When they came to Africa they observed most of what our grandparents used as survival techniques… went back to their Europe and turned it into technology….
The Only problem in Africa is RESOURCE SCARSITY! Not LAZY Africans.
Forget the oil that wont cut it, I’m talking about economic resources…. Education etc
I refuse to believe that we are dumb, unimaginative and slaves.
I challenged you to do something that the Author of this book failed to do.
REASERCH your past please, And don’t ever write a repetitive, monotonous book like Capitalist Nigger.
i havent read the book bt sounds interesting.Black folks will always be in a denialist stance even when the truth is clear.It is apparent that Africa is the poorest continent in the world,its amazing how we prraise “hallelluya” to the deteroriation of our continent.we must do something about our laziness if we are to progres.
i haven`t read the book…but if the book exalts black man awareness then there is absolutly nothing wrong wit it unless u are from the rich white community, i think u nid to grow!!! the world is moving and everyone must move wit it. chika is the man…
I think this is a good book, Chika Onyeani is brave enough to state the truth. I see this everywhere in South Africa, where a guy would much rather drive a BMW ar a Merc but he has nothing to eat because his whole salary is paying off his car insatlments. Chika has a different way of approaching this subject and I think this book should be a textbook or a book in every black home. I am tired of black people throwing pity parties everywhere… We are not the only race that has been exploited by white people but it seems we are the only race that refuses to get over it and move on. I think South Africans suffer from this the most, our poor people are sitting in the townships comlpaining about how unfortunate they are and they refuse to do anything about their situation.
I am white male, but more importantly I am an African. This book highlights numerous areas where Black Africans fall short of abundant successes in the ecomonic world. There are so many life lessons to be learned that could help create a new way of thinking that could lift the poorest nations up to thriving ecomonies. The only way for this is to happen is to create a foundation within your famalies and communities, so that everyone has the same vision.
In the words for NELSON MANDELA -“Vision without action is merely dreaming. Action without vision is merely passing time. But with Vision and Action, YOU can change the world”
THERE IS NOTHING BAD IN WHAT CHIKA SAID ONLY THE PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND WHT IT`S LIKE TO BE WITH AFRICANS AND HAVING TO LISTEN TO THEIR CRIES AND BLAME TO THE WHITE MAN WILL KNOW WHAT CHIKA MEANS. IT`S ALL ABOUT GROWING UP AND NOTICING TH WORLD FOR WHAT IT IS. OR MAY THE PROBLEM IS THAT HE EXPOSED THE INDIAN STYLE OF WEALTH ACCUMULATION. THIS IS A WAKE UP CALL IN AFRICA!!! AM A BLACK CAPITALIST NIGGER MYSELF.
This is a wake up call to the masses that sitting and whining on about how our grandfathers suffered at the hands of the oppressor only goes down with a lorry load of salt.Blacks are too caught up in trying to solve the past.The result is that they stagnate and vegetate in there little chambers.Blacks need a total mindshift moulding there futures.
(Indian male)
This book really hits home.It is definitely a wake up call.When I was reading the book all the points the author made, I was able to justify by looking around in the environment I live in.It is time we wake up and realize that we are economic slaves and this fact has to be changed.We need to stop supporing racist brands like Tommy Hilfiger,Timberland and all the others we black people just love to buy.We need to get over this obsession we have with “brand names” this is one of our biggest downfalls.Every black person should read this book.I highly recommend it.
Big up to the author of this book this book has opened my eyes to a lot of things As a 24year old african leaving is South Africa we need to listen and make effort and start inriching our own communities endours our own products, we need to stop this matterialistic approuch
Roy Fenton
frewuigi@hotmail.com
I have not read this book so my comment is not about it but about this blog . Why are there so many anonymouses here ??. If you have read the book and understood it then surely you should be standing up proud of who you are and represent yourself with your family name .Alot of African people fail to embrace their individualism and are deathly afriad to counter the cultural norm lest they be cut off from the kraal mentality that anchors them in a easy to grasp reality. Let go . Do not be afraid and stand up for what you beleive . And then ACT upon it . Thats the trekker spririt , pioneer endevour that resulted in so called white magic , capitalist cunning at its best . And it usually results in never having to beg for anything .Never deny your name.
In connection with all that has been said i would like to get support for this company that i started that provides a medium for artisans and crafters from E.Africa. Instead of waiting for handouts this women decided to make crafts that they can sell world wide but inorder to so that they needed a medium to reach a wider market area that is why mizizi. net was started.
I think that it is frightening that we as a people are in such denial about our situation. Those who say that Onyeani wants us to adopt European thinking are sadly mistaken because at the end of the day what is wrong with claiming what was rightfully yours to start with? What is to become of our future generations if we continue to perpetuate self pity and a sense that we are owed something by another when we have God-given talents and intelligence as well as natural resources (as depleted as they are)? You may laugh at the woman selling apples at the corner, instead why not encourage her to plant an apple tree, and extend to a vegetable patch that could one day into a farm?
I would agree with to points this book made, black people should support each other and stop playing the blame game.. other than that this is the slowest and most pathetic book i’ve ever read. The author said everything in the epilogue and 1st chapter, he then regurgitated everything from that point on. The book is niether timeless nor a landmark.. 90% of his so called facts are already outdated to the point that i have two white friends whom have african indiginous names.. his infactuation with nuclear power is disgusting and his vision of the black future highly distorted. He mentions carcasian culture should be admired.. doesn’t he mean their lack of culture, which is why he chose not to teach his own children his first language. This book is a smoke screen which I hope the greater mind will come to overstand. Chika is the best example of an opportunist, educated fool..
the man is bold i will have to give him credit for that!!i mean everything he said was true!!we as black people should stop complainig and do something about our situation we sterotype ourselves.
well done good book its that we blacks focus on our selves look where japan is today they got nuked but hey you cant touch them today unless we stop complaining and focus on education and love for fellow africans we will never be free we have a continent that has almost every natural resouce why cant we africans unite and show show the world what we are made of every black house hold must have this book and future generations must read this book. Thank You good book
If you want to identify with reality buy a copy of the book and read it. Its amazing seeing some dodgy comments. Fact is, I do not care how many Phd’s and Doctrates one ends up getting – if he/she does not execute the same he is as productive as the guy who never went to school. Africa is the richest continent (resources, raw material, culture, etc) – why r we therefore the poorest people worlwide ? Ask yourself why everyone is afraid of the United States of Africa (tally the medals in the Olympics in 08, if u can’t think hard enough, look at Barry Obama – U.S. President Elect). If we become one (Indianize, Pakistanize, Japanize, i.e. Africanize) the need to import anything into Africa vapourises. Work with the Capitalist Nigger … And that is just me – how many of us are out there ?
For those who find the book repetitive, it’s great that you pick it up. The author is trying to drive the message home. The same way you hear the same song on radio till you like it (rotation), the same way everywhere you look, you see coca cola. Because he repeated himself, you remember the points so well. When each of us get bothered by that repeated message, maybe we will get off our asses and start doing something about the shit we let ourselves go through
I did read the book , Yes of course he has point , Yes he reveal the fact , Yes the truth hurt ,Yes, me and author of Capitalist Nigger we are on the same sight but my question is what are we doing ? , Maybe lets call the author and start writing the new book and start writing the new university subjects for blacks, actually for Africans, start producing our own TV programs, start talking with government to promote the Black people production and Lets act, Lets stop talking or dreaming or whining…Please meet with us…I want to be Capitalist Nigger, I want my own TV program, My own Book with you and my fellow black friends..Please give us the start.
Thanks
Dreamer
Phumzile Ndlovu
For a moment there i was losing my sight and constructive thinking,than it rang a bell..after all the comments why don't we as the black community start our own bank, in that way we can all save our moneys on our terms looked after by our people managed by ourselves and regenerated by ourselves and by doing so we can then say fuck off ABSA,FNB,STANDARD BANK AND CAPITAC. plan here is for us to start managing our own capital if we can get that right then all else will fall into place. One fact Dr Onyeani forgot in his book, is how come all other nations on earth start their own banks in our country, look at the indians in fordsburg,Joburg they have their own bank so meaning they only pay our petty-shame government his/her tax and the rest goes to indian community and all this is happening right under our noses. Just a wake up call to all South Africans we need to start managing our moneys irrispective of the government (what do they know anyway, their the ones that sell us to the first bitter) Look at the Project coming up in Gauteng in government, apparently Richard Brennson contributed most of the capital for the project for our people,my question is what is government doing with tax payer money that we need to smile white teethly looking at the president and seeing him shaking hands with a Caucasian to invest in our enslavement. I salute Dr Onyeani and the likes of Steve Biko .Read the books (Capitalist Nigger and I write what i like). my next topic will be about how the black nation has lost its religious thinking capabilities.
Feel free to reply