Africanize

[ af-ri-kuh-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, Af·ri·can·ized, Af·ri·can·iz·ing.

1. to replace the European or white staff of (an organization in Africa) with Black Africans.
2. to bring under African, especially Black African, influence or to adapt to African needs.

Africanize

/ ˈæfrɪkəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. tr to make African, esp to give control of (policy, government, etc) to Africans

Derived Forms

• ˌAfricaniˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• Afri·can·i·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Africanize¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; African + -ize

Example Sentences

Now, if we want to Africanize it and “Reggie-fy” it, what do we do?

From New York Times

It worked to an extent; instead of using the N-word, they now use terms such as Africans and Africanize.

From Slate

This is the beginning of what you hear me say is Blackenize or Africanize European fashion.

From Salon

In an ill-tempered annual message to Congress, Johnson accused Republican lawmakers of helping blacks “rule the white race” and “Africanize the half of our country.”

From Washington Post

“Negroes have shown less capacity for government than any other race of people,” he proclaimed, and warned against efforts to “Africanize the half of our country.”

From New York Times