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N IMPORTANT aspect of the black revolution of the last decade is thẽ~ increased interest it has aroused in Africa and African affairs among black A Americans. They are now more aware than ever of the bonds that bind them to the continent of their origin. This awareness is reflected in the impassioned rhetoric of black nationalists like the late Malcolm X, in the popular styles that now adorn black America and in the vigorous emphasis now given to the diasporic concept.' Along with this strong and growing identification with Africa, black Americans have been deeply touched by Africa's triumphs and challenges. The accomplishments of Africans in securing their independence and emerging as responsible actors on the international stage have been a source of immense pride to many black Americans.2 Unavoidably, they also are directly concerned with the formidable challenges still facing Africans, particularly the continued white oppression of millions of black people in Southern Africa, and the task of overcoming massive socioeconomic underdevelopment.In spite of this concern, there are distinct limitations on the resources black Americans possess for contribution to further progress in Africa. Centuries of racial oppression has denied to black Americans the economic means or technical skills that can contribute significantly to the effort. The most potent potential resource at present that they can mobilize on Africa's behalf is their large numbers in one of the wealthiest and most advanced societies.Several prominent policy-makers have pointned to this large black population as a compelling factor in shaping U.S. relations with Africa. Joseph Saterthwaite, the first U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, observed that the U.S. has a special interest in Africa because one-tenth of its population is of African oiigin.3 G. Mennen Williams, his successor, also emphasized the &dquo;race links&dquo; between the U.S. and Africa, pointing out that only Nigeria and Ethiopia have larger black populations than does the U.S.4 Secretary of State William Rogers made essentially the same point in his recent assertion that &dquo;we [the U.S. and Africa] are linked by the cultural fact that one out of every ten Americans has his origins in Africa.&dquo; 5 These assertions notwithstanding, there is very little evidence that the black population has indeed affected substantially U.S. policies toward Africa. There is 1 For a wide range of expressions in this regard see Okun Edet Uya, Black Brotherhood: