The Rhetorical Construction of Radical Africanism at the United Nations: Metaphoric Cluster as Strategy

Abstract

This essay discusses the three-part construction of a radical Africanist stance through metaphor in Nigeria's UN addresses. This includes: (1) the redefinition of Africa and Africans' identity; (2) the construction of grim conditions in Africa, and blame of foreign adversaries; and (3) the construction of force. The essay suggests that the clusters deflect attention from the reality of African leadership's culpability. Also, though the clusters help advocate Africa's empowerment, they also mask a reality that power still resides mainly with Africa's ruling elite. This discourse, in effect, serves to maintain the dominance of this elite. Finally, there is discussion of some methodological implications of the radical Black nationalist framework used in the study.