Popular content creator VDM has ignited a fiery online conversation following a video in which he compared the advanced infrastructure and development he witnessed in Morocco to the state of many other African nations, leading him to question why predominantly Black African countries lag behind.
In a candid and controversial reflection posted during his visit to Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations, VDM expressed a mix of admiration and disillusionment that has since gone viral.
"When I came into Morocco, I started asking myself, is this really an African country?" he began. "Then I realized that in Africa, the only people that are doing well are the ones with white skin. If you look at Greece, if you look at Australia, now look at Morocco. Everything in Morocco is amazing. You almost think you're in Europe."
He contrasted this with his experience in Nigeria, referencing imagery of the Sahara and "red cloth" to symbolize a perceived stagnation. "Every city in the world, their country is well developed. But how come we don't know? Now I understand why people don't want to invest in Africa. Because everything is working out there... Everything doesn't work here because the black Africans are crazy."
His conclusion was one of stark disappointment and self-examination: "Again, are we good or are we bad?... I'm disappointed."
A Mirror Held Up to Continental Complexities
VDM’s viral moment, while contentious, has inadvertently held up a mirror to long-standing conversations about Africa's development paradox. It touches on raw nerves concerning post-colonial identity, governance, racial perceptions, and the uneven distribution of progress across the continent.
Whether seen as a provocative truth-telling or a reductive hot take, his commentary has successfully forced a widespread, if uncomfortable, public reckoning with the question he repeatedly asked: "Are we good or are we bad?" The intensity of the reactions suggests the search for an answer remains deeply personal and unresolved for millions.
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