A Survey of African Poetry in the London Times, Sunday Times, Financial Times, the Times Literary Supplement 1865-1985

The article frames the question of whether or not Africans can be held to the same esteem as Europeans; it suggests that Europeans have tried to assimilate African nations by having African nations adopt British public school systems, by requiring the learning of Latin, by teaching Hume and Ayer, Descartes ad Gilson. "It wears academic dress, or drinks vermouth in cafes...when this elite wants to write poetry, or do scientific research, or run a business, or make political speeches, or philosophise, it is obliged as a rule to use a European language." The article then asks: "How can we make use of European ideas, institutions, and techniques, without becoming their prisoner--without ceasing to be African?"