⚓ Welcome to Tidal Echoes

Series: “Youth Speaks Its Mind” (A republication of our hometown newspaper, The Suffolk County News, from 65 years ago)

Our history isn't just a timeline; it's a series of waves that shape who we are today. In this series, we revisit the bold voices of Sayville’s past. Today, we listen to Sally McKee as she reports on the monumental shifts in African nationhood in 1961.

Originally published in The Suffolk County News on March 30th, 1961. Transcribed for the Sayville Alumni Association.

The Challenge of African Nationhood

By Sally McKee, Sayville High School

The world spotlight today is on giant Africa and its leaders. It has been seen that the year 1960 was a year of achievement and rejoicing for them, and that 1961 will continue to be a challenge. They are faced by the responsibilities that nationhood brings: establishing law and order, raising the living standards of depressed areas and keeping their countries from falling under outside control. Because Africa is so pathetically underdeveloped, this challenge will prove extremely difficult.

African nations began their march toward freedom soon after World War II when nationalist feelings surged throughout North Africa. Next, this nationalist upsurge swept into regions south of the Sahara. A climax was reached during 1960 when 17 nations were born. Today close to two-thirds of all Africans live in independent countries.

Except for the Congo, the establishment of orderly government seems to be going on fairly well in the new African nations although most of them suffer from a lack of trained government officials. Our type of democracy, which depends upon a well-informed electorate, is unlikely to make headway because of the widespread illiteracy on the continent. As more people receive schooling perhaps democratic institutions will grow stronger.

To help attain democracy in Africa, the United States will open at least six new embassies there. More than 600 State department employees have volunteered for service there. What takes place in Africa will, as stated by President J. F. Kennedy, “affect vitally the life of every person in the United States.”

⚓ Cast Your Thoughts

How do these words from 1961 land today? Reflecting on Sally McKee's insights:

• sally notes that "17 nations were born" in 1960. do you remember learning about these new flags and leaders in your sayville social studies classes?
• she quotes president kennedy saying that events in africa would "affect vitally the life of every person in the united states"—how aware did you feel of that global connection as a student?
• sixty-five years later, looking at the continent today, do you think sally's optimism about "orderly government" was shared by most people you knew back then?