The Last Scottish King was an African! A Rhapsodic Passacaglia on the last “King of Scotland”
Posted: Friday, October 14, 2011
by Chris Kanyane
Global Center For Research World Wide
John Milton coined the phrase 'silver lining' in the poem he wrote in 1634 called Comus: A Mask Presented at Ludlow Castle. With this expression of ‘silver lining’ Milton meant that in every bad or cruel person or bad inhumane unfortunate situation there are underlying good aspects that we can take home and learn from. John Milton was a blind English poet but in his blindness wrote great poetry which even after 400 years of his death we are still enjoying. That was the silver lining in his unfortunate life as a blind man.
The ancient Chinese subscribe to the concept called Yin Yang which is a belief that there exist two complementary forces in the universe. One is Yang which represents everything positive or masculine and the other is Yin the negative or bad life of every human being. The two aspects co-exist together in every human being.
Idi Amin Dada was a brutal deadly absolute master and President of Uganda, in East Africa. He was a military ruler and president of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. In his rule he slaughtered an estimated 300 000 opponents and chased away Indians from Uganda and confiscated their businesses. That Idi Amin was a cruel leader need no further elucidation – it is out there many has written grotesquely a lot about his cruelness. But the history of politics is the history of political murder. Great men we admire and revere shed a lot of blood. How many opponents did Jomo Kenyatta kill? How many opponents did Julius Caesar, the great emperor of Rome kill? We can go on illustrating but that is not the point.
Applying the concepts of silver lining and that of yang and yin on Idi Amin Dada what can we deduce as his better side or he does not have it? Was he not human like the rest of us that he can have the best side in him? We have the other side grotesquely caricatured before us, but what about the other side? What positive impact Amin made to his people and the world at large? What is the yang in Idi Amin’s life? What is the silver lining in Idi Amin’s life?
Idi Amin Dada believed in the decolonization of the African mind from all foreign mental oppression. Central to decolonizing of the African mind is the shedding off of the authority which alien traditions has psychological influence over the African. This demand, at the root of it, the brutal total destruction of white supremacist beliefs, and the structures which uphold them, in every area of African life. Decolonization of the mind does not mean ignorance of foreign traditions; it simply means denial of their authority and supremacy, and withdrawal of allegiance from them.
Idi Amin had a fierce antagonistic relationship with Britain that finally erupted in the open. The fight was protracted and finally resulted in Britain withdrawing all diplomatic ties with Uganda. Idi Amin was elated with the developments and seen the situation as victory over the British Empire. He made a State ceremony and conferred on himself the title of Conqueror of the British Empire (CBE). And the following day Radio Uganda officially announced his full titles as follows: "His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Professor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Seas and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular".
But the title which Idi Amin liked and enjoyed most was CBE (Conqueror of the British Empire). So he was simply officially referred to as Idi Amin Dada, CBE.
Though Idi Amin in fact and in reality never defeated the British people but the declaration and self pronouncement as the defeater of the British Empire showed his fearlessness and unflinching desire to rise above such imperialist empire – the mere fact that he uttered such words demonstrate the internal world Idi Amin was living in, it expresses his silent invisible thoughts that he as a black man does not see himself as inferior to the white people considering them superior and unconquerable by a black man. In thought and action Idi Amin saw himself with no attachments to white domination.
In 1975 – 1979 when Idi Amin was at the height of his reign in Uganda, Scotland was fighting and trying to throw off England, but they were weak in their determination so Idi Amin saw the opportunity and filled the void (psychologically speaking only). He assumed the role of representative/king of the Scottish people. Idi Amin in the process angered Queen Elizabeth II by writing a letter to her that said: "I would like you to arrange for me to visit Scotland, Ireland and Wales to meet the heads of revolutionary movements fighting against your imperialist oppression".
But Idi Amin was very affectionately fond of Queen Elizabeth though: he once sent her a telegram that stated: "Dear Liz, if you want to know a real man, come to Uganda".
In 1975–1976, Amin became the Chairman of the Organisation of African Unity (predecessor to the African Union). Often, you would hear him talk about Africa with so much enthusiasm, optimism and an affecting positive attitude. He believed that Africa is destined for development, advancement and greatness. He discussed Africa with fervor, vigor and a vibrant sense of patriotism. He was an unflinching believer in one indivisible, strong and united Africa. He talked about Africa in such very strong terms. He has always said that he would like to be remembered as a super-patriot of the African continent, with unparallel interest in Africa's national interests and Africa's worthy causes.
It seems the Miltonian concept of silver lining and the Chinese proverb of the yin and yang is also applicable to even people who we generally admire less because of the bad side shoved on us.
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