Because the
European was the master and thereby the superior in the
relationship, he assumed that his heritage was also superior.
However, he was mistaken, because the African had a rich
heritage of importance both to himself and to mankind. When
people interact intimately over a long period of time, the
influences are reciprocal. This is true even when their relationship
is that of master and slave.
To trace the importance of the African heritage one must go
back millions of years. Evidence is accumulating to the effect that
Africa is the cradle of mankind. Professor Louis Leakey argues that
Africa was important in the development of mankind in three
ways. First, some thirty or forty million years ago, the basic stock
which eventually gave rise to both man and the ape came into
existence in the vicinity of the Nile Valley. Second, some twelve
or fourteen million years ago, the main branch which was to lead
to the development of man broke away from the branch leading to
the ape. Third, about two million years ago, in the vicinity of East
Africa, true man broke away from his now extinct manlike cousins.
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