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Super Africa Rally: Difference between revisions
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→Controversy and criticism
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==Controversy and criticism== | ==Controversy and criticism== | ||
{{Quotebox|...and this spectacle, the "Super Africa Rally", is the axiom of colonial exploitation. The white man drives his cars whilst the black men trample in the poverty inflicted by them. The white man must create a competition of problems, the black man lives through those problems. For the white man it is merely a game, a challenge. For the black man it is his life. Once the black man reaches for his freedom, he is trampled by the white man, who must keep Africa poor and weak as it is. For there is no challenge to the white man if Africa is not hellish.|width=35%|align=right|author=—{{w|Malcolm X}}|source=human rights activist}} | |||
The race has garnered much controversy and faced criticism concerning multiple different issues surrounding the race. Since the fall of colonial powers and the subsequent relinquishing of power, several African countries have faced political and societal instabilities as a result from wars, famine, droughts, and corruption. Criticism has dated back to the foundation of the rally, and Granius' links to the neocolonialist ''African Interest Bureau''. However, the personal stance of Granius as a racist has also been questioned, as he openly supported the inclusion of Africans into the rally. The LNMO has according to several journalists, maintained a sense of "ruthless pragmatism", conducting friendly ties with all governments of the 21 participating countries, in spite of perceived widespread internal knowledge of several governments' human rights abuses. Such was the case with {{W|Mobutu Sese Seko|Mobutu's}} {{W|Zaire}} and {{W|South_Africa#Apartheid_era|Apartheid South Africa}}, which were both internationally ostracized. Preceding that, the LNMO closely collaborated with {{W|Estado Novo (Portugal)|colonial Portugal}} during its {{W|Portuguese Colonial War|Colonial War}}. This disposition, largely attributed to founder Harold Granius, was continued by his successor Sertor Margai. It was viewed as surprising by many, as Margai was himself a black African. The creation and expansion of the Internal Security Force (ISF), a paramilitary security wing, under Margai, led to criticism from {{W|Malcolm X}}, who referred to Margai as a "{{W|House slave|house negro}}" seeking to oppress Africans in favor of maintaining a trouble-free rally. | |||
The rally has often been seen as emblematic of wider issues in relation to how the Western world maintain relations to African nations. It has been panned for prioritizing sports and competition over local inhabitants and their well-being, especially following the incident in which 23-year old Kanjinga Lokonga was killed on impact by a participating rally car in 1977. Her death resulted in widespread condemnation and several safety reforms. Additionally, dozens of locals have been injured in accidents over the years of the rally, in part due to the high speed and poor visibility on many roads. Cattle and property have also been damaged, with the LNMO having offered large settlement sums in return for the victims signing {{W|Non-disclosure agreement|non-disclosure agreements}} about the incidents. This disposition has been described as problematic, and an effort to cover-up the reckless nature of the competition. | |||
=== Emissions === | |||
The emissions and their impact on the surrounding area of the race have also been subject to controversy. Rough estimates put total fuel consumption for all teams, their cars and their crew support equipment, at over 140,000 liters of gasoline and diesel. In addition, flights and helicopters contribute to a significant amount of pollution. The emissions have grown as more spectators and interest has increased for the rally. Additionally, organizations such as {{W|Greenpeace}} have sharply criticized the RMUA for being slow to adopt {{W|Hybrid vehicle drivetrain|hybrid drivetrains}}. In 2023, the RMUA and LNMO put out a joint strategy to address emissions and to reduce them, in part by creating a framework for creating {{W|biofuel}} drivetrains, and by 2035, switching entirely to battery electric drivetrains. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||