Steps to Bridging the Gap

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Steps to Bridging the Gap

The first step is accepting each other's uniqueness and differences, and then respecting them. One cannot foster a positive or healthy relationship with those whom one does not respect.

Secondly, I believe a good understanding of each other's history and 'apologies' where necessary, would help foster a level ground, wherein no country thinks it is superior to the other, regardless of the nationality, race or accomplishment of it's people. After all, no country can survive in virtual isolation. All countries at some point or the other were developed with sacrifices of some foreigner's sweat, albeit temporarily.

Africans and Fellow Africans

As far as relationships between Africans and fellow Africans, we need to understand and accept that we are interdependent and need to work jointly towards fostering the advancement of our continent. Nigeria for instance plays the role of Big brother to many other African countries, yet, those in power are usually the ones who appreciate Nigeria's great sacrifices. Usually, the common citizens, do not necessarily understand the impact of Nigeria's sacrifices, let alone appreciate, or respect Nigeria or Nigerians. It's a real shame when we see some of our fellow Africans belittling us. Education and awareness are therefore needed tools in this aspect. Nigerian citizens on the other hand, need to practice integrity and be patriotic when they are hosted in other nations.

Then we cross over the Atlantic and have to contend with our fellow Africans, who are deemed African-Americans by virtue of their descent, as well as other nationalities of the Caucasian race.

Africans and African-Americans

Most African-Americans acknowledge the African part of their name, by virtue of the term only. Yes, most are aware and acknowledge that they are of African descent, but beyond that how many are willing to embrace the Africanism that defines that very name?

A lack of true understanding; centuries of brainwashing to prevent them from appreciating, let alone wanting to trace, embrace or find their roots; anger justified and unjustified; as well as apathy; have resulted in bridges which can only be mended with tact, willingness on behalf of both sides, education (historical, political and social), a lot of patience and endurance, as well as honesty between both sides.

For instance, both the average African and African-American know that slavery contributed to the displacement of the descendants of the Africans that are now termed African-Americans. The average African is also aware that they have long-parted Africans, descendants of their forefathers, and their relatives, who have become assimilated into other nationalities and cultures; and are in some ways quite different from them. They may also understand and accept that these family of theirs have adopted mannerisms and cultures that make them Americans, Aborigines, Caribs, South Americans, Afro-Mexicans, Afro-Asians, etc.; and as such treat them much more like the other inhabitants of those nations, than as Africans.

Meanwhile, the African-Americans, who know only what they have been historically permitted to learn about by their host countries, of which they have now become citizens; will usually base their interactions with their African family based on what education, awareness, and understanding they have of Africa and Africans. The level of these will eventually determine their interest and willingness to seek the truth; render forgiveness where it's needed; embrace or have disdain; or simply remain apathetic about their African family.

Africans, African-Americans, Caribs, Aborigines and Caucasians

In bridging gaps with Caucasian nationalities, with whom there are disparities, the most important issue that needs to be addressed is that of racism and xenophobia. Some world organizations are already working on tackling these issues, but the average man, such as you and I need to work harder at bridging these gaps rather than simply remaining complacent or apathetic about the issues and the accompanying problems which thereby arise.

We need to begin to respect one another as fellow human beings who are different only by virtue of the melanin levels of our skin. Yes, several years of colonization did brainwash and affect the African man's perspective, and his expectations of, and from his Caucasian counterparts over several centuries; but it's time to remove the blinders and accept ourselves as equals, rather than continuing to accept the types of mistreatment and brainwashing that have made some of us accept the inferiority complexes that have been continuously thrust on us.
Such is what causes us in this day and age to consider our own native languages as vernacular relative to foreign languages that were thrust upon us; or behaviours and cultures that clash with ours in environments in which they are not conducive.

These begins with us teaching our children to acknowledge themselves as human beings equal to all, and then instilling sufficient confidence in them that will make them carry their heads proudly regardless of where they find themselves in the world; so that they can and will always seek to accomplish the best they can under all circumstances, regardless of apparent or invisible institutionalized barriers.

Similarly, it is our duty to educate and correct any and all misinformation that our Caucasian counterparts have been taught, or have embraced about us as a people and/or race. There are always ways to get the truth across to people, regardless of whether they are just lacking knowledge, or simply ignorant. People of all races who seek to grow, usually seek to learn, and this includes learning about other people and cultures; but some people and cultures are used to the armchair approach, whereby the only information they assimilate is that which is brought to them via their television sets, regardless of whether it's hogwash or the truth.

Caucasians of all nationalities, who equally sincerely seek to bridge any and all gaps that exist, also need to be equal participants in seeking resolutions, and some actions that can be effective include self-examination, and acknowledgment that although they differ from Africans and people of African descent by virtue of our melanin levels; we are all from the same gene and are created equally as human beings by God.

The fact that our continental plates broke off and meandered to world regions where the colour of our skin is now determined by melanin levels, does and should not make us develop superiority complexes in our interactions with our fellow human beings.

Also, the fact that some nations are more advanced than others, by virtue of slavery, and most especially the blood and sweat of other less fortunate nations, should not make us now resent nor have less respect for those same human beings who toiled and died in the process of making the countries rise up and become that which you now deem superior to theirs.

This mentality of using our fellow human beings for purely selfish reasons, first through slavery and now through Brain-Drain has to be eliminated and eradicated before it results in the whole world's destruction. The attitude of superiority which is thrust upon those who feel and know they been shortchanged sense daily, is what causes social, political and national outbursts that disrupt world peace and cause seasons of paranoia, such as that which presently prevails worldwide today.

Yes, it takes two parties, the one who seeks to exploit and the one who voluntarily or involuntarily allows himself to be exploited; but the fact remains that information, technology and resources are not in balance worldwide; and the fact that some nations have better or more coordinated access, or the absence of language, ethnic, cultural barriers, that make communication efforts easier; should not cause us as human beings, to exploit those who are shortchanged; nor should it make 'some' hold those less privileged ransom.

Cxsm
22nd July '05

© Cxsm 2005 All Rights Reserved

LadyK

We all have to respect each other and be mindful of our difference since that is what makes us unique. I think that when we portray arrogance and superiority complexes that's when the bridge gets WEAKER!!! You know what I mean.

admin

This was powerful, value-added, hopeful and on the point..thanks I will share..

Denise A. Gums
Oakland, CA
18 Oct 2005