Imperialism is a system of exploitation that occurs not only in the brutal form of those who come with guns to conquer territory. Imperialism often occurs in more subtle forms, a loan, food aid, blackmail . We are fighting this system that allows a handful of men on earth to rule all of humanity.
Interpretation
Imperialism can manifest in both violent and subtle ways that exploit nations and peoples.
In this quote, Thomas Sankara emphasizes that imperialism is not just the overt aggression of military conquest but also includes subtler forms of exploitation through economic means, such as loans and aid. He highlights the systemic nature of imperialism, where a small elite holds power over the majority, prompting a call to action against these injustices.
In practice
During a speech at a university on global politics and economics.
Our revolution in Burkina Faso draws on the totality of mans experiences since the first breath of humanity. We wish to be the heirs of all the revolutions of the world, of all the liberation struggles of the peoples of the Third World. We draw the lessons of the American revolution.
Let there be an end to the arrogance of the big powers who miss no opportunity to put the rights of the people in question. Africa's absence from the club of those who have the right to veto is unjust and should be ended.
We must dare to invent the future
It's really a pity that there are observers who view political events like comic strips. There has to be a Zorro, there has to be a star. No, the problem of Upper Volta is more serious than that. It was a grave mistake to have looked for a man, a star, at all costs, to the point of creating one, that is, to the point of attributing the ownership of the event to captain Sankara, who must have been the brains, etc.
Under its current form, that is imperialism-controlled, debt is a cleverly managed re-conquest of Africa, aiming at subjugating its growth and development through foreign rules. Thus, each one of us becomes the financial slave, which is to say a true slave.
It took the madmen of yesterday for us to be able to act with extreme clarity today. I want to be one of those madmen. We must dare to invent the future.
To be convinced in our hearts that we have forgiveness of sins and peace with God by grace alone is the hardest thing.
Commerce is of trivial import; love, faith, truth of character, the aspiration of man, these are sacred.
And I watch my words from a long way off. They are more yours than mine. They climb on my old suffering like ivy.
If you're going to have a male-dominant system, to maintain the system, you have to teach men to dominate.
What is one man's life compared to the eternity of time and space? No more than a snowflake that glitters in the sun for a moment before melting into the flow of time.
Moral habits, induced by public practices, are far quicker in making their way into men's private lives, than the failings and faults of individuals are in infecting the city at large.
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