Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 2:53 am Post subject: Native African vs African Americans
Native African vs African Americans: The Bad-Blood, The Battle and The Benediction
Rudolph Okonkwo
Two hundred years from now, a new generation of Black men and women will inhabit the earth. They will roam the streets of this world, from London to Lagos, from New York to Johannesburg, from Cairo to Rio de Janeiro. They will look back at this generation of ours and most likely proclaim us as those who lived in dark ages. Among the things they would find baffling is how Whites who constitute only 13 percent of the world population control virtually all the continents of this earth. They will shudder at the reasons we the Black people of this age give for our inability to come together and reclaim our rightful place in the family of humanity.
They will look with shame at the Central African country of Zaire, a country ten times the size of Great Britain and five times that of France, with enough mineral resources to ground up to a third of the air power of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), were it to decide not to export cobalt. They will look at African Americans of today - arguably the most privileged group of Blacks - and wonder why in spite of living in the most powerful nation on earth they couldn't chart the path for the rest of the Black world.
They will weigh the excuses we give today against the fact that there are twice as many African Americans as there are Jews throughout the world. Yet, only a fraction of Jews, the American Jews, influence the United States policy towards the Middle East.If American Jews could find enough reasons to make America to give over two billion dollars in aid to Israel each year, African Americans could easily lay their hands on a million reasons why such favors should be extended to Africa, if they tried hard enough.
They will look at Nigeria, the so-called giant of Africa, and cry. A country that has one in every six blacks on earth, a country with enough crude oil reserve to dictate how much the price of a gallon of gas would cost anywhere in the world. But, the giant is there, flat on its stomach. Also, they will check the records Blacks hold across the world, the millions of untapped Black talents wasting away in several parts of the world, and wonder. The biggest question they will find very difficult to answer is why it was so hard. Did anybody really try?
I don't think we want the generations yet unborn to walk away asking, why couldn't our forefathers get along with their brothers around the world? Why did they keep to themselves while the rest of the world exploit the labor and the resources of Blacks? Why was it so difficult for them to understand each other?
When I was in Africa, I was bewildered by the enormous problems confronting Africa and I found no other viable solution but to look up to Africans in the Diaspora. Since I joined Africans in Diaspora I have come to appreciate more the degree of the problem facing Blacks around the globe. Irrespective of the fancy theory that the intellectual class proposes, there are visible cracks in the relationship between African Americans and native Africans, which is derailing very effort to establish political, economic, and cultural ties among all Black people.Misunderstanding and mistrust continue to thrive, despite wider exposure of people to other cultures and ways of life. A great proportion of the blame goes to the media that tend to perpetuate myths and unsubstantiated innuendoes.
Meanwhile, a frightening development is taking root. As African Americans embrace Islam, Kwaanza or any other concept associated with Africa, Africans in their romantic picture of the western world are letting themselves become Americanized. These contradictory trend and the shameful exploitation of the vast material and intellectual resources of Black people ought to be our concern. Instead, what we have is a myriad of characterizations promoted by some paranoids.
Some of these characterizations on both sides are insulting and unprintable. One thing is however common: both sides mistrust and misunderstand each other. In public there is a blatant denial of this disgusting dichotomy. So what shall we do about this? Talk, of course. Which was exactly what I did. I went out and walked to a cross section of Black people in an effort to find out why we are so divided. Here are some of the responses I got.
I asked an African (he pleaded anonymous) to describe the state of the relationship between Africans and African Americans. He answered, "There is no relationship. We have nothing in common with them except the color of our skin. Whatever we had in common was wiped out during slavery." When I confronted him with the fact that de-Africanization of Black America is moving at the same speed with the Americanization of native Africa he said, "They cannot be Africans in America. They should accept their American heritage and stick with it." When asked why some Africans feel so detached from their African American brothers and sisters, he gave an unprintable answer.
Just when I thought that the African in question, a computer science senior at Norfolk State University, has got a chronic misconception of African Americans, I met an African American who felt that anyone expecting anything good to come out of Africa is wasting his or her time. "We, the African Americans are the best Africa has to offer. What was left of Africa after slavery was the scum of the Black world. That is why two hundred years after the beginning of industrial revolution Africans are yet to feed themselves have remained wretched of the earth."
Kelly Willis, a Mass Communication major at Norfolk State University, who had met many Africans in his native state of New York, had a moderate view of the problem. He perceived the relationship between native Africans and African Americans to be good though he saw room for improvement. "I try not to look at the negative comments," he said. He however conceded that there are differences in attitude, which he attributed to the different political and economic experiences both sides have had. Africans, he observed, should learn from African Americans the tact needed when one is dealing with European Americans, "Only trust to a certain point."
In the same vein, Dominique Lancry, a Texan of Panamanian origin, decried the attitude of Africans whom she said carried themselves about like royalties and joined Whites to look down on African Americans. "I don't want them to judge us," she stated. "I want them to learn our heritage before they judge us." Hitting the same note, Thaddeus Freeman, a business major at N.S.U lamented, "Everyone who comes to this country see the Black people as the people to do the work. They don't give us the respect we deserve." Mr. Freeman specially abhorred the attitude of some Africans whom, he alleged, had nicknamed African Americans "akata". In his opinion, we all should work together, "Unite Africa and take over the world."
Victoria Mckoy, a hair stylist refused to be drawn into any feud. "I try very hard not to judge people," she pleaded. "We are not different from Africans. Even if I experience a negative my attitude is to overcome it. I can't judge people.If I'm constantly talking about Africans, Jamaicans, Asians, what does that say about me?"
Such sentiments could not dissuade Dewitt Webster, a Norfolk based Public health expert, who had traveled extensively in Africa and had lived in Nigeria for more than five years. He described the relationship between Africans and African Americans as "improving".He blamed miscommunication for lack of understanding being experienced in some quarters. He noted that Africans who associate with only European Americans and let the biased media influence them, only experience one side of the American life and tend to pick up the attitude of European Americans about African Americans.
"African Americans," he said, "see Africans as arrogant but when I went to Africa I understood that it is about having self confidence. Having an understanding of who you are and where you come from - they are the key to having a strong personality." He called for a more realistic look at Africa, noting that there is strength in our diversity. "We need to realize that in spite of how far away we may be, or how long ago we had left, there are so much of Africa that are part of us and vice versa."
Mr. Webster warned that Africans must be taught to hold on to their culture, while African Americans on their part should learn perseverance, respect for elders, and collaboration with Africans. "These are things we used to know," he lamented. African Americans, he noted, are the wealthiest blacks in the world and should join the rest of the world to explore the business opportunities in Africa. He advocated that African Americans should learn at least one African language, put in extra effort to understand the politics and economics of Africa so that they will take the lead in the area of transferring appropriate technology to Africa.
Irrespective of what differences exist between African Americans and Africans, and how Blacks all over the world perceive each other, the destiny of all Black people are intertwined in their common African Heritage. There is truly only one way to go - either for all Black people to unite and regain their rightful place, or to remain disconnected and continue to be other peoples' pawns in this game of life. _________________ May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm
Below is one of two available responses (by Nigerians) to the posting on Native Africans vs. African Americans.
Native Africans vs. African Americans
I agree that African Americans have a place to play in the rejuvination of Africa, but what about the Africans (of direct parental hertiage)? I think we have a greater role to play than African Americans (descendants of slaves).
I just came back from a vacation in Ghana, and am currently living in the Republic of Benin for the Peace Corps. I visited Cape Coast, which houses some castles (i.e. Elimina and Cape Coast Castles) which served as forts to the slave trade. I found that it was emotionally overwhelming, but spiritually exhuberating to see that we as a people can go through so much and keep on surviving.
I think that the conditions exemplified in Cape Coast should excuse some of the happenings in America on the part of African Americans because that system was never created for them to succeed, so it should be no surprise why they can't succeed in 'the greatest country on earth' (despite the fact that this greatest country was built with their sweat and tears and free labor).
The Africans have just as much apologizing to tell the African Americans as do the whites because it was a collaborative effort - it's to the Africans ignorance that we did not know what was up the white mans sleeves. Hence, an 'I'm sorry for selling you to those devils who ended up enslaving all of us anyways in some shape or form' is due first before any other talks. Then the problem gets even more intriquite because there is the divide and conquer rule that is still in effect, playing out in various tribalistic forms.
Now, I'm not saying to not take pride in your tribe - I am a very proud Igbo woman. The problem is drawing the line as to where pride becomes subject for conflict and as soon as AFRICANS are conscious that the way we have pride does cause conflict, there will be no progress for the black people of this earth. History has told this story time and time again, and I suggest we play the history lesson but I hope you get the point I'm making.
The bottom line is that we if we are really talking of the progression of our race and our home (Africa) then we need to not speak abstractly or pseudo intellectually or creatively but realistically and stragegically. The Japanese have a Four Hundred Year Plan, we're still collecting aide from USAID, SIDA, and the rest of foreign aide - I think it's time to wake up.
Below is the second of two available responses (by Nigerians) to the posting on Native Africans vs. African Americans.
Native Africans vs. African Americans
There's no question that African Americans should be expected to pull the rest of Africa by the boot's strap, given the privilege of living in the greatest country on earth. To do this effectively, however, African Americans should find a way to empower themselves, first. They would need to go to school more, learn more skills, find a secure place in corporate and bureaucratic America, travel the world, make changes in their lifestyles, their values and consciousness.
My experience is that the younger generation of African Americans are ill-equipped, mentally, to deal with Africans in their midst, much less care about Africans in the motherland.
My experience is that African Americans, compared with Whites, are the first to tell me that I have an accent, that in fact I do not know the English language. African Americans are the least to be enthusiastic enough to ask me what part of Africa that I come from and to tell me that they have visited my country or planning a vacation to that part of the world. They are the least to be willing to take me home to know their houses and to be of help if I need one.
Of course, when I talk about African Americans here, I mean, largely, the less formally educated ones; and they are many.The more educated ones are better able to communicate with me and to be empathic. They are more friendly. They are more apt to discuss socio-economic and political issues involving Africa.
It is really a shame that Africans, both in Diaspora and in the motherland, can't yet find a common ground and a common cause that can bring them together to work for mutual benefit, in the interest of the black race. If we feel challenged enough by this article to take action, no matter how little, to advance the interests of Africa, humanity would be better for it.
The fact is that African-Americans like all other Americans in the United States are AMERICAN. How many non-first generation Americans speak the language, eat the food, worship the religion or adopt the mannerisms of their ancestors? Very, very few. Therefore the only common ground between both groups is skin color and other physical attributes.
I see part of our psychological problems being rooted in the inability to let history and historical facts be so and move on. Why should I apologise to anyone because my race took part in the slave trade? Even if my great-grandfather was a direct participant, I'm not accountable for his sins!
I don't even judge the people in the past too harshly, because I tend to see events within their historical context. Humans are on a constant learning curve.
The events that have happened to us are not unique to us alone. Historical fact: the English, were once unlettered, slaves, Celts were considered very barbaric and practiced human sacrifice. It is of course difficult to see this today in the modern U.K. History is full of many such instances. I hope this might console those who are so psychologically wounded!
Common grounds should be between individuals. I must be quite strange, but I enjoy overall, a good relationship with African-Americans. (as well as all peoples) My acquaintances cut across various strata of society.
They ask questions, I offer opinions,explanations and answers. I don't get angry and beat anyone over the head about questions that may be considered ignorant or stereotypical.
I answer questions based on my personal experience. After all Africa- e big so. Yes, I see elephant before: for London zoo. (true). I tell stories, I make jokes (sometimes distasteful) and I pull legs too!! Even sef, me sef ask question too..(don't ask about what) I think we are getting too hung up on unimportant minutae of life. I don't hear the French complaining about their body odor stereotype, the French maid thing, or their diet. I'm yet to hear a single Swede whine over the Swedish blonde thing.
There are more important issues people:
Africans are still enslaving themselves, in Africa!!! Today!! By Africans, (Nigeria, West Africa), by Arabs, (Mauretania, Sudan). Why isn't anyone getting bent out of shape over this?? Is it embarrasing? Millions of African children are being born without provision for them to take part effectively in the modern world, culture and economy. We should be talking about EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION for the African child. I'm sure we will find this will go a long way in healing our collectively injured psyche!!
While I have not been able to relocate the original article written by Harald Franzen's article, I'll still post responses to it here for perusal and discussion. _________________ May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:10 am Post subject: A Reaction to "Divided by a Common Color"
A Reaction to "Divided by a Common Color"
It definitely offers a more enlightening view to those trying to understand the reasons why there are issues that need to be first understood in objective rather than emotional capacities to permit a true common ground between Africans and African-Americans.
One very important factor is in the misconceptions on both sides which was well described in his statements that -
Quote:
"Most People from Anglophone countries come to America well versed in the English language and Western culture, but speak with an accent, which is often foolishly equated with being backward or unable to speak English.
Some AFC come to the US with misgivings about whether the African-American community will accept them, and this gives them cause to feel ostracized when they enter the country. As a result they find solace in fellowship only with each other because they share a cultural identity and a commonality of interests.
Some African-Americans on the other hand may not be inclined to fellowship with AFC because they have been led to believe that the AFC have a superiority complex, and also because they do not share a common culture and a commonality of interests. There are AFC as well as African-Americans, who do not subscribe to this line of thinking, but neither side is making any effort to reach out and so the misunderstanding ensues.
The misconceptions that are ingrained in 'some' Africans and African-Americans because of what they're already exposed to by media in their respective countries, I believe lead to the rough rather smooth alliances that result as each group is first exposed or introduced to the other. I also believe that the environment in which each group is first exposed to the other plays a major role in influencing and affecting the individual's perceptions and experiences, which may further lead to an understanding or biases about the other group.
For instance an African who arrives in America and schools in a predominantly Caucasian environment may or may not enjoy his first experience on exposure to African-Americans depending on how receptive they are based on their own enlightenment or biases, and these may result in the African's decision to either embrace or distance himself from other African Americans until and unless he gets other opportunities to have experiences that differ from that he was initially faced with.
Similarly, an African-American who meets an African from a country that is not war-torn, in which the African has simply come to further his education (without knowledge of the African's true disposition) may perceive him as privileged and thus consider him arrogant, rather than confident. After all, the only images of Africans he probably saw prior to meeting with an actual African may have been the media impressions showing naked starving Africans with kwashokor and flies looming over them. Now adays with the prevailing negative media theme, the person might even assume that the African came to America with funds from stolen loot, hence his ability to afford a decent education,without knowledge of whether he might even be working 3 jobs to support his education.
On the other hand, if another uninformed African-American's first encounter with an African is one emerging from a war torn country, he himself may feel superior to that African rather than relating to their historical similarities, and if this African works hard to excel and better his disposition and in fact does so, the African-American may perceive him as one of those who come to take their jobs and encroach on the privileges they deem their ancestors and sweat worked for.
As we can all see that EDUCATION is the key to correcting these misconceptions and enlightening both groups as to the true disposition of the other. A major key in educating both sides. It also begins with changing media miseducation, and if it takes both Africans and African-Americans to obtain positions in newspapers, TV and radio stations to correct the misconceptions, then it has to be done.
A lot of people for instance are unaware that Tarzan was shot in a ranch in Santa Barbara California and thus believe the barbaric comparisons and innuendos portrayed about Africans in the series. No wonder some misled and miseducated people actually believe Africa is a jungle. I can even remember my Mum telling me stories of how Caucasian mates in her medical profession used to ask to see her tail in England, and you can imagine it was not only shocking to know that some humans could be very ignorant about Africans, but also extremely mean and racist.
To realize that in this present day, some people still possess the 3 aforementioned characteristics, which some Africans have experienced from people of all races, only proves that certain characteristics are so ingrained that only consistent education, and enlightenment can effectively begin to reverse the ensuing biases.
I also believe panel discussions and dialogues such as this will work towards educating and enlightening both groups, and hopefully lead to the point where each is more receptive of the other, thus enable them to overcome any residual longstanding psychological barriers (such as those resulting from Caucasian divide and conquer tactics that were implanted during days of colonization and slavery experienced by both groups).
Dialogues will also serve as a uniting effort to establish significant trust,where more African-Americans can begin to visit Africa to learn of and embrace their heritage; but also for them to begin to invest there not only for their own economic growth, but also to and aid in uplifting their fellow Africans.Both groups should begin to seek economic growth and empowerment rather than remaining consumers on their individual continents. The media have discouraged African-Americans from visiting their land of heritage for too long, yet Caucasians continually travel their for investment opportunities and even some have exploited in the process.
This effort to unite and for empowerment is also the purpose of the Black Heritage Festival events presently being held in some African countries to encourage Africa-Americans to visit.
http://www.theperspective.org/commoncolor.html _________________ May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm
In response to what has been said about African Americans, I would like to make a few positive points.
As for saying that those in the Diaspora are just slaves is a great misconception. Europeans were well aware of the skills that they needed to exploit to make America and other countries of the Western Hemisphere great. One only has to look at the iron works made in the American South, those people were taken from Benin where they had great skill in iron. People who were good with rice were taken for that reason. The young were taken because they could bear the brunt of the work. Females were taken to work and serve the sexual needs of their captors.
America was built on the backs of Africans who were from Africa. Slavery did not happen to Harry or Martin but Hassan, Jojo, Kwamena, and Babatunde. They went through a process that they did their best in. If you listen to the Gullah's of the Carolinas, you can still hear the ancients singing.
Long are the days when Kwame Nkrumah, Nnamdi Azikwe, and Babatunde Olatunji came to America. They walked the halls of Black Colleges, hung out with people to see who they really are and became involved in fraternities and social clubs. That rarely happens anymore.
As for myself, I have always wanted to be part of African no matter what any negative continental African said or cursed at me. I knew it was my heritage when heard the glimpses of Africa from words that my father's parents spoke to him as a child or the food my grandmother prepared. Because when I went to Senegal, Guinea and Ghana, I saw the same food there. A bit different only in a few of the ingredients. I have seen the same faces as I see here. The only difference is that they are there and we are here.
Oh, I went to Africa by myself and stayed there for three years. I lived in Senegal and Ghana. I seen the positive aspects of humanity and the deep dark hearts of my people.I have watched in Ghana where white people are still Gods where clerks will run to them forgetting their own brethern as customers.Sometimes these whites came from poor households but that did not matter but their color. I have watched how Lebanese and Indians rule the economic order and sex African women like nothing. I have seen the sons and daughters of slave dealers who still lie and cheat today. I have seen the atrosities of war with refugees. Also, many people do not know much about the Diaspora but what they see on TV or in the movies. Just like some folks here.
No, I did not go to Senegal with the Peace Corps or any program. I went there by myself. I ate at local and good restaurants. I hung out at universities to have intellectual conversations with professors and students. I went to bars and bookstores outside of the tourist traps. I walked the streets of Ponty and strolled down Rawlings Park. I can really say that I did my best to experience my folks across the seas.
There is no one better than the other. We all did the best we can in our situation. Now, when is the time that each one of us teach and touch the heart of another.So we can stop being impoverished of the spirit and create a New Africa with a new heatbeat.
When I came from Liberia to the Midwestern United States, I immersed myself in the African-American culture without losing mine: joined a sorority, hung out with my sorors and did very well in school. I was ridiculed for not using slangs, speaking 'too properly' and making friends with Caucasians in a mostly-Caucasian college.
Undaunted, I remained in the African-American sorority and continued to embrace the new culture while hanging on to my own. I introduced my sorors to fine African cuisine, couture, writing, art and music. I ignored jokes about my food smelling 'funny,' knowing the jokes would not have been made had they only known what they were missing. In time they, too, learned to enjoy my culture.
Only you can determine your response to another person's actions. The new Africa mentioned above will come into existence when peoples of African ancestry fight mental slavery and corporate colonialism, not each other.
The link is to an article where the author argues that native African US residents and their offspring/descendants will/should retain their own cultures, rather than assimilate into the African-American community:
http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com...rican_africans_and_continenta.htm
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