AtlanticDivide: Black Through Black Eyes
::IBé, The African-in-America
It is no surprise the rift between Africans-in-America and African-Americans. Our kids navigate it at schools, their parents do at their workplaces; and we all do everywhere we come face-to-face with each other. The worst of us–which maybe a lot of us–think African-Americans are lazy; those people are ghetto, they are wild, irresponsible, unreliable, conniving, always complaining about racism…when everything has been (and continues to be) handed to them…and have the audacity to think they are better than us.
To forgive and forget— Africans invented that. Many Africans don’t even remember the Europeans and colonization let alone hold them accountable for the woes of the continent and her people. So slavery and a history of discrimination an African-American may give as the reason for their current situation simply doesn’t hold water with us. We don’t know enough about psychology to know about PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) or sociology to know about the correlation between the auction block and the ghetto, plantation and the prison system. To us it doesn’t matter what your grandfather couldn’t do, it’s what you can (but won’t) do.
The belief that America is the land of opportunities is a religion to many Africans. How else would you feel, if you escaped poverty and destitution to a land of milk and honey, where an easy job could pay you $8 an hour (when you hardly made a dollar a week where you come from)? To be without a job in America is an abomination to the African-in-America. So when we look at African-Americans unemployed en masse, we don’t see racial demons at play. We can’t; we have not been bred to see these things. We don’t know racism…except maybe if we are from South Africa. What we know is this: if you want and work hard for it, nothing will stop you from getting it. If they try, they will fail. You may need to work harder, harder than others; but if that’s what it takes, that’s what you give. That’s what we give. Why can’t they?
It is said that teevee adds few pounds to a body. It may just be it also adds few pounds to reality. But only the best of us notice this and take it for what it’s worth. For the rest of us, teevee is gospel. To many Africans-in-America, cable news is a new phenomenon. We therefore don’t know the concept of sensationalization that is so prevalent on this medium. Yet we are fascinated with it. And what does it show us? Loud African-Americans on shows like Maury, violent African-Americans on the evening news, on those prison shows, special reports, etc. To further shape our view, because of our economic status more often when we come to America, we live in low income neighborhoods, where our first introduction to African-Americans come in the body of niggas. Unfortunately, we don’t know the difference between Blacks and niggas. We end up painting them both the same: with a nigga brush. Consequently, we see the group as uneducated (because niggas usually are), drug infested (because niggas usually are), violent (because niggas usually are), disrespectful (that may just be an American disposition).
But perhaps the most seethed resentment many Africans-in-America have toward African-Americans is a personal one. Forget not being welcomed with open arms, each African-in-America has at least a story of an early encounter with one or more African-Americans that left him/her feeling less than brotherly-loved. If you come here young enough to attend elementary and/or high school, to your surprise while many White kids are at least cordial with you, it’s the African-Americans that make fun of you, your people and where you come from; they are the most ignorant of all that you are (and thought they too were). Personally, it was my African-American classmates in high school that called me Kunta Kinte, laughed at my Payless shoes, and asked me if I lived on tress where I came from. When you stand on the other side of a counter from them, they are rude, quick to be impatient with you for not speaking English or for doing so with an accent; in a relationship they are confrontational; in separation they are vindictive; as strangers they are abrasive and unrefined.
A friend once told me he hated (yes, hated) African-Americans because when he first came to America–in Southside Chicago–after cashing his first paycheck at one of those check cashing places, he put his first American dollars in his pocket and proudly walked to the nearest bus station. However, before the bus came, he was approached by an African-African who punched him in the face, robbed him of his money and left him bleeding on the snowy ground. (inspiration behind my poem, This Side of the Atlantic.) He has never forgiven the group for that. Obviously it makes little sense to “hate” a whole group because of one encounter with one individual, but human beings, we are prone to stereotypes and often base lifelong sentiments on a single encounter. It doesn’t make it right. But human beings are seldom perfect.
::Gerald A. Montgomery, The African-American
According to the American African
The gripes against the African, at least those that are stated openly, are mostly socioeconomic in nature. The consensus is this: His governments are corrupt; his people, accursed and starving! So he trades in his loin cloth for a “coat-suit”, leaves his mud hut (and his flies) and hops a crop-duster to the only international airport in all of Africa. Once in America, the African struts around with the pride of a pompous peacock – arrogant and condescending – enjoying the freedoms earlier generations of so-called Negroes were fire-hosed, jailed, even lynched for, without any consideration or gesture of gratitude. Freedoms the descendants of those civil rights protesters are still fighting for today! Like a Johnny-come-lately getting in the American Dream handout line ahead of the indigenous African-American.
The African comes here to educate himself in universities and make gain in corporate America only to pack up and go “back home”, taking his American wealth with him. He speaks so fondly of his home yet comes here like the locust; with his kin folk in swarms to pillage for a season, leaving the land destitute. While here, he enjoys the benefits afforded to black people but doesn’t contribute to the African-American struggle; because he believes it is not his fight. In other words, he’s black like us when it benefits him and African when disassociation pays the greater dividends.
And lastly, he looks down his nose at the African-American because this so-called Negro has no tongue, tradition, or territory; no back home to go to. He thinks he’s better; favored above the black man he has met here. He speaks his dialog to exclude the “Akata” (a derogatory term for African-Americans) from conversation. He eats his cultural food and wears his colorful traditional gowns, as if spreading those peacock feathers in boast.
But he is still BLACK; a butterfly, stereotypically darker than his American cross-bred moth cousin. A black butterfly that emerged from his chrysalis only to mock the so-called African-American moth for developing a cocoon; like the pot calling the kettle black! He can’t possibly know a thousand African-Americans personally, but argues tens of millions are criminal and lazy. (In fact, the day he stops saying that most are no good, that this is the rule, will be the day he can legitimately place sole blame on the individual for, then, being the exception. The rule being most of us were good, the bad individual would be the exception, thus liable for his condition. But for now, the African says most are no good, yet blames the individual.) He calls the American Negro Akata while the white man calls him nigger, too!
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What (I perceive) the African-American fails to realize is that the African is only working the system available to him; as well the African-American should. We cannot blame him for filling slots we are either unable or unwilling to fill; jobs we have little to no respect for. We cannot fault him for doing his research or asking the right questions to find out what he qualifies for. And if you asked him, he would tell you all about Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, or Pete O’Neal, the fugitive Black Panther Party member the Tanzanians took in as one of their own some 40 plus years ago! They call him “Mzee”, which means “elder”.
An African [citizen] departs the plane, now an immigrant, having none of the privileges exclusive to citizenship, but carries with him the hopes and dreams of two or more families. In some cases an entire community. Back home he may have been a local doctor with years of experience, but his credentials are not recognized here. So, here, he must accept work as an Orderly while taking night classes to be a Nurse. He studies his lessons and works very hard because he knows many people are counting on him. He “pulls a double shift” or labors a second job to support him and send money back home; he is the sole source of income for many of his relatives.
In some cases he only left his homeland because of civil war, political persecution, or famine. So, yes, he has every intention of moving back to retire in the mansion he sends money home to have built from the ground up. In many cases he never wanted to leave in the first place. He is a peacock, in his multi-color gowns (not European grays) because he is the pride of his family; the now famous son or uncle in America. Not because he is better than you or I. He wasn’t “black” until he came here – “colored” until he came here. So, by virtue of this, he doesn’t know his place [in white America]. He’s never seen himself as anything less than a man. When the Italians prosper as a group, by any means, not a peep comes from the other white communities – or ours. But when he, say a Liberian who thinks first of Liberians, does for his own he’s accused of taking from the African-American community.
As for speaking his dialog in the presence of African-Americans, this is the one strike against him for which the African has no good excuse. Even they, when confronted with it, will admit this is rude behavior; especially in their place of business in front of their African-American customers. But perhaps this could be an ice breaker of sorts. Perhaps they can offer to teach us a word or two, or maybe we could ask. Likewise with the food; bonding through the sharing of a meal is a common practice among all black people.
With the Schism now defined, I believe the major issue we have with the African is the self hate we have of ourselves. Self hate cultivated through negative media coverage of the place we come from. Bombarding us with images of poverty, war, famine, and AIDS. “Feed My Starving Children” efforts seems to be exclusively an African charity. And the quickest way into Heaven still seems to be adopting an African orphan. Why, the mere fact that we only hear it called Africa, and not Ethiopia, Liberia, Ghana, etc, is evidence of the conspiracy to keep black nations insignificant, thus inferior, in the minds of African-Americans.
If in 2010 we still think Africans are very dark-skinned people who wear loin clothes and live in fly-infested huts, and this is the place we came from, what does that say about how we see ourselves? The pride exuded by white Americans when they tell you they are Irish or Italian or German, we do not have regarding Africa; because we do not know which country we came from. We don’t have a grandmother who tells bedtime stories in Amharic or an uncle who argues in Swahili. We don’t have second-cousins in Cameroon to visit bi-annually. But is this the African’s fault?
The African perceives the American African as lethargic, uneducated, gun-toting thugs, who spend more time complaining than maintaining. The American African knows only that the African lives in trees or mud huts, wear loin clothes and are in desperate need of charity. The source of our perspectives; propaganda spread by American media and missionaries. Propaganda reinforced by real-life examples and near experiences validated by propaganda.
I believe the African need only meet a few well-mannered black Americans to give him cause to challenge what he has been told. He would still be somewhat embarrassed by the “ghetto” African-American, but would realize there is hope for reversing the American Negro’s condition – even more so when the African acknowledges the systemic element. But for the American African, the perception of Africans as sub-human beings, especially when you believe yourself to be inferior, is not so easily dissolved. So the African [in American], by my estimation, is more prepared to change. The American African will need direct mentoring, in most cases, to prepare him for change!
First I must say, this is the hardest piece I have ever written. Because it required me to write with passion something I don’t feel at all. The truth is it doesn’t take much wisdom to rebut all the views I put forward. America is a great place to call home. But that is far from a period at the end of that sentence. The truth is America is healing from a disease unlike any the world has ever seen. You don’t hold a nation in bondage, denied all the basic requirements of a proper human being, generation after generation, and expect that nation to walk upright as soon as you lift your feet from their back. Slavery (at least attempted) to rob the African-American of her humanity. To belittle the effects of this is to believe trees don’t need seed or water to grow. Yes, some African-Americans have manage to thrive in this environment; but that is not evidence to show lack of self-actualization on the part of the rest, but rather prove of the formidability of those few that manage to shine no matter the cave. The institution of slavery and the hundred years afterward of Jim Crow is as important in explaining the seat of African-Americans today as it were during the Philadelphia Compromise of 1787 that legally reduced a black man to 3/5 of a man. You don’t build an institution on rape and separation of families and expect those same people to respect the sanctity of marriage and family few short years afterwards. If they do, they are superfuckingmen!
African-Americans are “loud” because Africans are “loud”. Unlike most Europeans, we are warm weather people, as that outside people. And when you are outside, competing with the elements, you have to be, well a little loud. If you don’t believe me, visit any market on the continent. On our verandas, from opposite sides of a street we carry long conversations. Yet we look down on African-American kids for talking loudly on public busses. It’s because when we come here, as visitors, we tune down our Africaness. But African-Americans are not visitors to America! This is their home. So it only makes sense that they behave here as we behave in Africa. And trust me, we don’t back down in Nairobi, we don’t back down in Cairo, we are not always respectful in Luanda or Brazzaville; and many Africans sweeping malls in Minnesota will not touch a broom in Dakar; I know enough Ghanaians with absentee fathers, Guinean husbands that beat their wives, and Nigerians that will cheat you out of your draws.
African-Americans are far from lazy. If they were, America (yes, this place we think heaven) would not be what it is. They built this place with their bare hands. Capitalism is a flag planted on their backs. If they act like they deserve better, well that’s because they do. America doesn’t owe the African-in-America anything but “you’re welcome” to our “thank you”. On the other hand, she owes African-Americans her very existence. I’d be the first to tell them sitting idle waiting for that 40 acres and a mule is futile. But if they do, I will not hold it against them. God knows they have toiled hard enough for it.
I’m not even going to try to counter the stereotypes of the group based on an encounter with a single member. The few words I have are dear to me, so I’ll save them.
But this I will say: human beings are violent. Africans know this more than any other groups. At least we should. We don’t have the right to call anybody violent. American prisons are full of Nigerians and other Africans too. But more importantly, Dar Salem prisons are full of Tanzanians; Guinea Bissau is drug infested, completely taken over by Columbian drugs; Johannesburg is notorious for arm robberies.
Africans haven’t done much since independence. And we didn’t have the baggage African-Americans had to drag to freedom. Yet they have managed wonders in America. I think they deserve our praise and admiration. As an African enjoying the freedom and respect not afforded my counterparts in Europe and elsewhere in the world, I’m thankful to African-Americans and the wars they fought to make it easier for me to raise my children in this country.
Thank you both for courageously and honestly articulating the deeper sentiments that haunt and bedevil the relations between Africans and African Americans. My dream is that both groups learn to listen to each other the way you are doing and really understand where each one is coming from. Unfortunately, many, or perhaps most, in the two groups have yet to attain that level of sincerity and maturity and still have a long way to go to achieve the profound mutual respect you embody and project in your conversation. Thank you very much for showing the way.
As an African American who has ties to both communities, I can appreciate ths dialogue. Like Mr. Mbele, I think having a discussion to acknowledge the differences is very significant. Yet after all is said and done, we have to challenge ourselves to take this conversation further. It is one thing to observe the differences that we have, and another to actually embrace them. As a child grows he may do things to upset the family, however the family does not “throw that chid away”. Instead more love is given with correction and the thought that the child may try it again. This is a concept I have to remind myself of everyday as I interact with both African Americans as well as Africans. No longer do I return to my “cacoon” when Africans tell me that I don’t “act like an African American”. I have learned patience when my family tells me that Africans are just as responsible for selling other Africans into the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, as “Whites” ( a topic that was not covered in this wonderful article). I do this because “I Love My People”. Whether they are Africans in America, Europe, The Islands, Brazil, or Netherlands, I love to see my “Brown Brothers and Sisters”!
Thanks Professor Mbele and Ms. Mary Anderson, for your feedback and comments. This dialog is paramount and as you have pointed out, was very difficult for IBe and I to present. We had to survey others who don’t share our insight while digging deep into the darkest of our own ignorance to compose our arguements, which is why we both agreed it was necessary, for our readers perceptions of us, that we debunk our own arguments. Thank you both ,for tossing your pebbles in the pond. The ripples have started and will hopefully radiate outward into both communities. We need to have this discussion!
Mary, I actually thought about mentioning the African’s role in the slave trade, but I was a little concerned about the detour it might cause in the direction of this discussion if I brought it up. A reader bringing it up, as you did, would not have the same affect as if it was mentioned in my primary argument. In fact, I’m glad you did bring it up. We get to address it without in be the main focus of the discussion.
I’ve always felt those who belabored this point (which in my experience have been mostly white Americans deflecting some of the guilt and blame of slavery, and black Americans with a very strong bias against the African community as a whole) only did so as a distraction – since they, deep down inside, realize being sold into slavery has little to nothing to do with how the master chooses to treat the slave. I’ve never met an African-American who actually blames the African slave traders for the treatment slaves recieved in American during or after slavery, beccause those I’ve heard this gripe from seem to also realize slavery as an institution is a part of human history. Every great empire (and the greatest civilizations) throughout world history had slaves from somewhere as a primary labor force.
So slavery in and our itself wasn’t the problem, as I see it, for the so-called American Negro. It was the dehumanization of the African that is at the root of the travesties we endured. The fear of the creature white America “created” (i.e. the subhuman, physically intimidating, sexually potent Negro) brought the very worst our of most [whites] and (eventually) the very best out of a few. Also those who mentioned African Slave Traders seemed to do so as an afterthought; almost forgetting to add it to their list.
And lastly, one can hardly bring up slavery without taking about what the white man has done to the black man, which is a distraction for working on the schism between the African and the African-American. If all we needed to do was remind ourselves that the white enslaved the Negro and colonized the African to shift our schism towards the white man, there would be no need for this dialog. So I wanted to keep the focus on us, not shift it prematurely to the white man. His time will come. (smile) Hopes this shed some light on why I omitted it for my argument.
Mr. Montgomery,
I too appreciate. This dialogue, it has helped me to see things in a different light. It is ironic that I was told about this blog after I had posted a similar discussion on my Facebook page. I did bring up the notion of Africans selling other Africans because I feel it does relate to the topic. I see it as one reason that African Americans shy away at Africans. My friends have brought this point up many times. They also have said that Africans are still in the business of “selling out” their own people, which one can see with the tribalism that plagues Africa even today. So in general there is a trust issue and I know that goes for both sides. However to state that it is not meaningful to African Americans, in regards to how they feel about Africans, well that is not true. By the way, I am an African American and I do approve this message! LOL, sorry I had to end this with humor to let you know I say this with the utmost respect Sir.
Addendum: Something I was well aware of at the time I replied but forgot to include in my previous comment regarding the African’s role in the slave trade. As I stated, slavery has been a part of human history – in the maturation of empires and development of industrialized civilizations – since the dawn of man (typically not based on “race” but almost always determined by ethnicity). Martin Luther (the German, not the African-American) said it best, “an earthly kingdom cannot exist without inequality of persons. Some must be free, some serfs, some rulers, some subjects.” Even former [American] slaves are guilty of enslaving others. The freed men who migrated to Africa and helped to develop [the country of] Liberia subjected the indigenous people to the same peonage they were just liberated from (one of the first things I learned from my interaction with the Liberian community). So mentioning the African’s role in the slave trade, again speaking only of my opening argument, would not have been the best stategy. Allowing it to come out in the discussion, I felt, would be a better way to address it.
Clarification: I will reference to my group as “American Africans” instead of “African-Americans” on occasion because of my Geo-Africanism ideology (working on the the book as we speak). So this is not a typo. IBe’s group, I may at times refer to as the “African in America.”
Gerald said it all…and best.
Personally, I do understand the sense of betrayal felt by some African-Americans toward Africans for our involvement in the slave trade. They have every right to be. But I hope they think twice and think about what Gerald just put forward here. Not in our wildest imagination did we suspect anything like what took place in America.
But in the interest of accountability and moving forward, I don’t think it’s a bad think for Africans to apologize to African-Americans for our part in their bondage. And I think at least one African president has done this…maybe even recently. I’m not sure, but I will do some digging and post it here if I find info.
I respect the opinions of Mr. Montgomery and IBe, however I do not agree with your reasoning. The Trans Atlantic slave trade has been said to be one of the worst slave trades in the face of history, that is why some African Americans feel the way they do. Now this article is about how Africans and African Americans view each other, and that is why I included it as a side note. In addition because it is hurtful, no matter what the intentions. It may not be comparable to the treatment of “white” slave traders, but there is a feeling of betrayal, resentment, and anger. Yes anger! As I walked the rooms of Elmina’s Castle in Accra, Ghana the chant through my head became loud and clear:
A slave port a slave port a white man’s dreams,
A slave port a slave port oh yes I have seen.
With dungeon’s and hold rooms it makes me feel hate, I finally overstand and see my kinfolks fate.
No reconciliation, loss of love from my nation, brought me to this horrific realization, my history has been obliterated . . . .
Faced to believe that it was all left up to the man,
only to realize that there were African Kings and Queens apart of this henious and “blind sided” plan!
A slave port a slave port a white man’s dreams,
A slave port a slave port oh yes, I am a African unwillingly uprooted and living in America, have seen!
So as I share this passage that I wrote in my journal about my experience, I only pray that you can understand that this issue does matter. It matters to me and many others. Why because we are human beings who do not live off of logic and reasoning alone. Do we understand it yes, but it still does not take the pain away! It does not take the pain away to say that what Africans did was not intentional. Instead to embrace the wrong doing is the start of healing, in my humble opinion. It was the Ashante Priest himself who apologized to me as he poured libations and gave me my new name “Akosua”. It was only then did I feel like a African who had come to a place I can call home forever.
President Mathieu Kerekou, of the Republic of Benin is a prime example of embracing the wrong doing. In December of 1999. President Mathieu Kerekou led by example and hosted the Reconciliation and Developement Conference. He invited Nobles who played a major part in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade from around the world to apologize for the part each one played. The event was a success and many relationships were developed from this historic day (a day that not many were aware of due to lack of coverage). Many positive events came from this act of pure forgiveness, Ghana holds a festival, Benin holds a festival, and many Americans celebrate with the Global Roots Festival. The spirit lives on. A modern day Pan African movement. One that Marcus Garvey and Kwame Nkrumah alike would be somewhat pleased with. Yet it has only begun, as those who are willing, face the truths that bind us all together!
Hotep, my Brothers and thank you for allowing lil ol me to share my piece of this on-going struggle as I sign off for good! May God Bless you both.
Mary Anderson
Dear Ms Mary Anderson,
Two things; I do not wish for you to misunderstand my rationale regarding the African’s limited role in the Slave Trade and I don’t want you or anyone else to feel the need to “sign off for good” from this discussion. I believe there is no need for that and I would hope that you don’t deny the rest of us your insight and passion simply because someone posted something you don’t agree with. We have to have this very difficult dialog, which means we have to be able to “hear” as well as “be heard!” It shouldn’t be one or the other. So we can’t, or rather we shouldn’t, abandon the discussion because of something someone else says here, especially when it was said out of sincerity and is arguably sound. Our hope is that readers like you continue to have this discussion offline with others. So, if your desire is to bridge the gap, please don’t have that reaction. We need you and your input! But if your goal was to simply state why you believe we will never heal or bridge the gap, then please say so and we will respect your decision not to post again.
I knew full well that some readers wouldn’t like everything Ibé or I would say in our arguments and rebuttals. Having the discussion is too important to only say what would be pleasing to everyone. For African-Americans in the 21st century, reconnecting to Africa is a matter of life and death. I believe this. So I am prepared to make some enemies (not by choice mind you, but out of unavoidable necessity) along the way to save lives. I hope you understand what I’m trying to say here.
“We’ve deal with the pain so long that it has become a part of us; like a body part or a stepchild we have grown very fond of. We need this pain to help us focus. And we will defend our right to this pain. We will not allow anyone to talk us out of this pain; to convince us it isn’t real!”
(These are my words. I’m just stating them as a quote for the effect)
Believe me, I get that. But let me again try to clarify.
First, a “White Slaver Trader” is not the same as a “White Slave Owner”. Very few individuals may have been both but the two are not one in the same. The Slave Trader would have been involved in village raids and kidnappings, or purchasing slaves outright from “African Slave Traders”. The White Slave Traders would have been involved in the horrifying practices on the slave ships as they transported their human cargo. Their profit would be in the sale of slaves, not the labor produced by them. But what I said previously was that the “African Slave Trader” did not trade slaves with the full knowledge of how “White Slave Masters (Owners)” would treat their slaves. The African Slaver Traders’ assumption would have been that the slaves were being treated the same way Africans treated their slaves; like enslaved people, not despised animals.
I’m not trying to trivialize the African’s role in the slave trade but also don’t wish to demonize the African Slave Trader above all others simply because the Slave Masters in America who ended up with those slaves turned out to be the worst slaver owners in world history. I do not wish to find something that is so unforgiveable that we are unable to move forward, like for example if someone were to conclude they could never forgive the African for their contribution to slavery. If so, I would have never agreed to this discussion. I have every intention of merging our two communities. And I never intended to imply in wasn’t a role Africans shouldn’t acknowledge or apologize for. But to be honest with you, I don’t believe most African-Americans think about the African’s role in the slave trade when they’re 8, 9 or 10 years old and calling the African children they meet names like “African Booty Scratcher”. I believe the resentment of the African at this stage comes from the shame we have been taught to feel towards Africa. And this resentment, as they grow feeds off of other reasons to hate Africa, like when they first hear about the African’s role in the slave trade.
I finally understand how Booker T Washington felt when he tried to explain that slavery in and of itself wasn’t completely unbeneficial to the so-called Negro, giving him skills they may not otherwise received. Now, like Booker T, I am not condoning slavery. Merely stating that in the case of American Slavery I believe was horrendous due to the dehumanization factor. No other culture felt the need to prove their slaves were not human beings. No other culture was so dead set on proving the people they enslaved were subhuman as to deny them all of the following: the rights to marry, worship a deity, some basic form of education, or speak their native language. In fact, other cultures learn their slave’s language and kept ownership of his [the slave’s] entire family. Slaves could buy their freedom for their masters in these other cultures.
The intent of our arguments were to focus primarily on what the Africans and African-Americans of today are accountable for; what the African I can see with my own eyes is contributing to the schism between us (and likewise for Ibé regarding African-Americans) – even if some or all of those things were the result of my own misinterpretation of them. I must be honest here – I cannot in good conscious expect Ibé or Professor Mbele to apologize to me personally for slavery, especially since I’m waiting on an apology from our government for the human rights violation and dehumanization of my people, which the African is not guilty of. By apologizing for the human rights violation, the U.S. Government would be obligated to evaluation current policies regarding so-called African-Americans 9aka the Elephant in the Room). This is why the apology is important to me.
I don’t want to appear to dismiss anyone’s point, so I have some questions for the African-American readers going forward.
1. How did you feel about Africa and Africans as a child on the playground; how did you treat African children if you had access to them?
2. How old were you when you first learned that African Slave Traders had a role in American Salvery?
3. How does what Africans did hundreds of years ago impact how you feel about the Africans you meet today?
This has been quite the interesting dialogue between Africans and my American African brothas and sistas who are here as a result of the slavery. I would like to interject my half a cent into the discussion if I may. Were africans apart of the slave trade yes, but we must be willing to study our history and that includes language, Slaves in ancient egypt is and was different than the slavery instituted by white european banks that were bank rolled by jews (The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews by Nation Of Islam). An example of this is the following “Thutmose III, for instance, is reported to have returned from a campaign in Canaan with almost 90,000 prisoners. Given the small size of armies usually numbering in the thousands rather than tens of thousands of soldiers, most of these prisoners must have been civilians. There is one collective noun, written with the hoe-sign hieroglyphic, that refers to groups of people who belonged to individuals and institutions such as temples. As early as the Old Kingdom, such groups were mentioned along with land and cattle. During the Middle Kingdom, we also know that they could be acquired by bequest or other arrangements. During the New Kingdom, they could be recruited from captives or given in an endowment. Considering their apparent permanent attachment to the land and their master, they were almost certainly a form of slave. Another similar term, written with the canal-sign, appear to denote another group of people assigned to individuals and institutions, but who were not directly connected with land and cattle. Though we know little about this group of people, they may have been similar or the same as the king’s slaves who, during the Middle Kingdom, were often transferred to estates of priests, nobles and officials. The king’s slaves were considered the property of their master, but their occupations were not confined to agriculture, as they were also employed in households. We believe that their children undoubtedly inherited the status of their parents.” Now I present these two seperate visions to give you a little more depth and perspective when it comes to that word slave as the english language is somewhat limited in it’s ability to interpret. Now undoubtedly those who are christians and muslims may want to take into consideration the effects that religion has had on Africans around the globe whether they are in America or in Africa. American-Africans had the misfortune of being brought here to the USA in chains and stripped of all there culture. For on behalf of the ancient ancestors as they speak through my words we sincerely apologize. Your brothers and sisters have also fallen on hard times as Colonialism has acted as a black hole on the continent of Africa not allowing any nation to escape it’s infinite grasp, using religion as it’s anchor, allowing governments who have sponsored missionaries to help convert the local population in order to destabilize governments and this alllows for the west to sale weapons to both sides. These africans unfortunately have been white washed and this has left them with a limited history of there inner self as well due to the religious institutions sponsoring a number of the schools teaching them there doctrine and how great europeans were. They also state that there ancestors were savages contributing very little to humanity if anything at all which is a joke. May I leave you with this question how do a people whose documented history spans at least 15,000 years learn about god in the last 600 years from europeans who were still in caves when were a organized societies and building pyramids that stand til this day. I look forward to continuing the dialgue.. HOTEP !!!!!
The link I have inserted here was a discussion that was broadcast locally called, “Between Us: Africans and African American’s discuss”
I would like to extend this into a series that become something tangibly helpful to us all in a stride toward global solidarity wherever we happen to be as Africans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_MQiuUoVZA
Thanks for the discussion people. This is very interesting…if I must say so myself. However, I must say this discussion has brought to light yet another point of tension between Africans-in-America and African-Americans: This emphasis on history and the “white man”. Again this is understandable (given African-American history), however, like I mentioned, when it comes to history, many Africans have a short memory. So whenever we open dialogue with African-Americans, and see it drift to the rearview mirror…well it gets a bit too heavy and frustrating. Many of my continental brothers and sisters have expressed this frustration to me on many occasions. While an African-American might see this as “you must first reconcile the past if you are to move forward”, many Africans-in-America see it as refusal to move forward.
Personally, I’m somewhere in between. I have seen quite too often some of my African-American friends use history and “the white man” as excuse for not taking care of business, or avoid thinking deeper to find solutions to our problems. Hell, some of our leaders do it, even make careers out of it. On the other hand, some Africans-in-America want to pretend history never happened, or has no room in today’s discussion. I think both sides are wrong. We should definitely use history as reference to provide context because it shaped our present, but we should never stop there. No matter history we still have to do something about our present. And history can be made into many things, but undone is not one. So why dwell? At the end of the day, we still have to provide for our families, we still have to pursuit our happiness and Africans-in-America and African-Americans should come together and recognized our shared destiny as Black folks in America.
Thank you to Nsikak and Sherine for sharing. I am happy to see that you both found this Blog of interest. What started as a post i made on Facebook is what led me to this article. After Professor Mbele informed me about it I read it and forwarded it as well as my post to others. What I have learned is that although we all have differences, we all have something to share. I think this could be a start to an ongoing event or forum. How can we band together and work towards a solution?
Mary,
By doing what we are doing right here. We must have the most accurate unbiased information we can get our hands on, we must get people talking (most importantly listening to themselves so they “see” how they sound) and above all have a sincere desire to reconcile. There is nothing more damaging to this effort than a person pretending to want reconciliation, only to spread their poison of hate in discussions like this. I’ve been to Pan-African Summits in which all hell broke loose for this very reason!
Regarding the whole “lazy, welfare” thing, I just came across some interresting information. the most damaging number I could find was that less than 30% of black people are on welfare. now last time I checked, 30% wasn’t most of 100%. (This isn’t directed at my colleague as he was only stating what is said about African-Americans, not what he believed to be true). I’m actually glad I decided to look this up.
@Mary Anderson, for the past three years (I believe) the Family Center in North Minneapolis have been hosting just such an event as part of their Pan African Summit. Gerald knows more about this.
In the meantime, I think the most effective way to bridge this divide is one-on-one. If we all make it a personal mission to reach out to at least one person from the other group, the dialogue then (hopefully) will give birth to a friendship that could give birth to brotherhood/sisterhood. This is how I have been able to do something about it.
My encounters with african- americans in this country are very painful. I am married in abi-racial family where my husband is white but the other siblings are african-american (like Obama) but they shun me and isolate me. Even during family gatherings, when you try to sit in a group that they are, they all dissappear one by one. This is just one incident. Even in their church, no one wants anything to do with the african- I have since moved to an african church leaving my husband in their church.
I have however learnt my lessons, in the grocery store, bank etc, i never go to an african-american cashier or teller. I learnt my lesson in Chicago when an african-american cashier told me ” who called you here?”
Anyways the funny thing is that we look down upon each other. They think we stink, are “kunta-kunteish”, just landed and backward, we think they are immoral, loud, lazy, conniving and with no sense of self-worth as black people. So what do we do? Keep fighting or have some dialogue?
The african -american proper i.e. the descendants of black slaves will never be president of this country because of their attitude and too much baggage. Only children of immigrants are and can be president because they are less encumbered (no african-american proper mentality), their mind is not poisoned and have the ability to appreciate people from all backgrounds.
Thanks Mimi and Sherry. Mimi, I cannot even begin to imagine how it feels for your family (in-law) to shun you like that, to cause you to separate from your husband in the place you worship. I admire your courage to make the efforts. But it sounds to me you have given up. That’s what we don’t want to do. Civil wars are difficult to peace, but important and deserving of nothing but the impossible from us. Did you invite your siblings-in-law into a conversation about how they act(ed) toward you? My fear is that sometimes we “see” these things when they don’t actually exist. Please forgive me if it sounds like I’m doubting your experience. I DON’T. But I just want to put it out there. Maybe they didn’t disappear because you sat down, but a coincidence that appeared so. Again, I can be naive sometimes, so please forgive me.
Sherry,
If an African-American (“proper”) never becomes president of this country because of “their too much baggage”, who is to blame for that? I think America is. That is not a baggage they pulled out of thin air. It is one America gave them. And I think it’s up to America to come to terms with that, and perhaps help them put it down, instead of wishing they throw it away. And to go on thinking, a group’s mind is “poisoned” is counterproductive and very ignorant. I don’t mean to be harsh on you (we encourage all view-points in this very difficult conversation), but it’s this sort of thinking that continue to dive a wedge between our communities. Some African-Americans are ignorant and not very mature in their thinking. But for every one, I can show you two or more Africans just as bad. I encourage you to talk in specific personal terms, not pass general statements that are flawed in their premise and conclusion.
Mimi Mwafrica (Beautiful name by the way) YES, we have the dialog.
I am working desperately on a book for an ideology I call “Geo-Africanism.” In it I acknowledge that it is my group who requires mentoring to be habilitated and your group need only re-education of and improved interaction with my group going forward; as a starting point. WE (African-Americans) have the self-hate (and baggage as Sherry Okonkwo so properly puts it) that spills over into your lives here in America; to no fault of your own.
Ay, man! Sorry Yah, for your experiences, my dear. It is my hope that your husband joins you at your new church instead of showing allegiance to the group who rejected you. My wife is Liberian and I (personally) would never associate intimately with anyone who rejects her outright. Because according to my Christian faith, she IS me!
Sherry, it is interesting that your words carry the implication of Obama being a child of an African immigrant instead of being African-American. Although his father is Kenyan I’m having difficulty concurring that he is “a child of an African immigrant” in application. I get your theory, but he was raised by a white family as an African-American male in American. I fail to see the Kenyan influence in his life.
Maybe knowing he has African blood in him (which is what I’m trying to convince my group of via Geo-Africanism and to embrace this fact) gave him a better foundation in his Blackness than the foundation my group generally has (since we have been conditioned to reject Africa and all things African). That, I would be inclined to agree with. Good point, and it supports Geo-Africanism.
Great comments, you two. Thank you!!!!
“But for every one, I can show you two or more Africans just as bad.”
Good point Ibe: There are in fact more Africans in the world than there are Africa-Americans, so what you say is very plausible as well as probable. The numbers support it.
http://www.freemaninstitute.com/lynch.htm
I would encourage everyone to read this…It’s from a man named Willie Lynch who was sent for from the West Indies to help American plantation owner’s keep there slaves in check…I think It will help explain a lot of thing’s .
I found this very informative.
Considering that the African population, especially, the youth population in America is continuing to grow, I think this open discussion is healthy between the two. To be honest, I think there are more similarities amongst us than we give credit for. However, given different environments and settings, we have different viewpoints. Kind of like twin studies, seriously.
I love all black people despite our complexities.
I really appreciate the discussion going on here. It is very important to talk about this today, because tomorrow both children–born to African immigrants and to African-Americans proper–will be AFRICAN-AMERICAN (or Black Americans) and they will have to come to terms with it then.
My half sense: it doesn’t matter weather you are Black or White, African immigrant or African-American, we are all American!
I see we are still talking. I LOVE it!!!
Thanks Sheena. Indeed me too, I love all black people despite our complexities. In fact that’s what makes us so damn beautiful!
You are right about our similarities. It fact that’s what baffles me about conflicts between human races. When it’s all said and done, we are 90% similar. Why do we spend so more energy stressing about the 10% when we can easily celebrate the 90%? Beats me, I guess. Hopefully one of these days we will get it.
@Folayan – I’m familiar with the Willie Lynch letter. Though I understand the unfortunate truth in what it talks about, I doubt the authenticity. I think this document is more recent than the author would like us to believe. But all in all, it’s a good read.
@Osman – We are all Americans, yes. But it’s good to know how we got here and what impact this has on how we live here.
I’m loving the dialog as well! Please keep it coming!
Regarding the Willie Lynch Letter (and please read all of this, because I really do mean well)
I would ask one thing going forward, though. I ask that we continue to reason from our own understanding – that we have confidence in our ability to rationalize and philosophize. Too often, because of our social training, we yield our understanding to supposed experts or those with degrees, when we are capable of coming to the same conclusions they have (given the same effort to research it) or arguing our ideologies without surrendering our authority on the subject to those our society have set before us. As if we are incapable of original thought or facilitating our own debate.
It’s ok to ask that we read something someone else wrote. After all, knowledge is merely information that has come from someone who thought about the subject before you. But any college professor will tell you that our thinking does not begin and end with the author of a book we’ve read, and that we are encouraged to disagree with that auther if we believe we have reason to. I, myself, have read the writings of those whose ideologies I felt compel to better understand (eg Plato, Du Bois, Dr. King, Brother Malcolm and the like). But I don’t agree with all of, for instance, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s conclusions. and I don’t believe this is a bad thing.
So don’t just stop there, with the recommendation to read someone else’s perspective. Share in your our words why we should read it, what your understanding of it is and what you expect the result of us reading it should be. If we surrender to the understanding of others we fail to think and reason and essentially purify the ideologies we live by for ourselves. And how can one truly believe in anything he or she has never questioned?
Too often I hear Willie Lynch brought up in discussions like this but never hear what the result of reading Willie Lynch’s letter was for the person bringing it up. Frankly, we are having a dialog here at this site but being asked to go to another site to absorb someone else’s understanding on the same topic. Why not just summarize your understanding of Willie Lynch here, so that we keep the discussion here?
Like IBé, I too doubt the Willie Lynch Letter’s authenticity, which is the real reason I cringe when someone brings it up and not elaborating on it. It is as if the Black comminuty is spreading a rumor. To put it blunting, I concur with the tactic the Willie Lynch Letter divulges, but I simply don’t believe it was written when it states, nor do I believe it received the audience it says it was delivered to (ie slave masters). It’s like how members of my (African-African) community say, “The book of Revelations is scary,” yet haven’t actually read it for themselves; not more than a couple passages, anyway. They say it’s scary because they have been told it’s scary. So they repeat it, like a rumor. And they pretend to read it because Little Wayne spoke of it as if he’s read it, making it cool to read. I feel this way about the Willie Lynch craze.
I’m don’t intend to imply you haven’t read it. In fact I believe you have. But I’d much rather hear your interpretation of the letter and your “therefore…” conclusion than just having you suggest others read. Your living breathing thoughts on the matter are priceless; much more significant than just asking that we read the words of a dead man.
The bottom line is, the Willie Lynch Letter is about a strategy for pitting people against themselves by having a second party exploit their differences, literally speaking the rivalry into existence. Well, that’s basically what IBé and I have been pointing out here, on this site. So reading the Willie Lynch letter would be redundant for our readers at this point of the discussion. In fact, being asked to read it could potentially stall our discussion because our readers have been redirected to it. And by redirecting our readers to it, IBé and I are essentially being upstaged by it. So, in a way we are being asked to have our authority on this subject yield to the perceived authority of the Willie Lynch Letter.
Like I said earlier, we are all intelligent enough to reason from our own understanding – to have this dialog and formulate solutions ourselves. Yes, bring in the knowledge of others, but never yield completely to it. Argue it, debate it, question it, purify it.
Say it, Gerald! I agree it should be in context to FURTHER elaborate on YOUR understanding, never as replacement for your thoughts. BUT we should not forget to pay respect to those who have said it before us, and maybe said better.
P.S. Though you said you meant well, I think your very passionate tone could be misconstrued as hard. And hard is not a tone you want to take with your guests on a forum like this. Just a thought.
I’m willing to bet the Willie Lynch document was written my a Black person that needed a character like Willie Lynch to make people listen to the truth he had to say. Which is sad. But since society pays more attention to the author than the authored, wise men must sometime resort to silly tatics to get their point across.
Osman,
Your observation is well taken. Admittedly my poignant words would be better received with a trust and vulnerability I have not yet established with most readers here; because we have no intimate connection or history. Those who know me and or my style of writing do know I mean well. And, I would like to remind us all, in my defense of course, that the reader applies the tone to what he or she reads.
(This is not as excuse… well, not intended to be an excuse.) 
Had I made this statement vocally (eg on the phone, in person, or in a recording), then my intended tone would be clearly heard by all. So I knowingly risk being accused of antagonism in order to say what I believe is of utmost importance in this context – the reason I asked that the entire statement be read. (I’ve already been called out for speaking out in this forum without a Ph D or Masters on the subjects we cover by “Degree Holders”, so this is an old cross I bear.)
Still, your point is well taken and I concede that I may be perceived as being mean-spirited. I am thankful you mentioned it, because it provides me with the opportunity to restate my intent and intended tone. Realizing how it might be taken is partly why I avoided stated a name; to minimize appearing to direct more than the intent of my words towards a particular indvidual. I can only hope I am not perceived as malicious. And I apologize for any misunderstanding.
I still would really like to hear the thoughts of individuals who wish to present Willie Lynch as recommended reading, so that we can learn from his or her understanding through interactive discussion.
IBé,
I too have suspected that “Willie Lynch” is a Black person; perhaps even a Black woman.
To clarify: We should arrive at the conclusions others have reached, not surrender to their conclusions.
Quote: “@Osman – We are all Americans, yes. But it’s good to know how we got here and what impact this has on how we live here.”
Spot on, IBe! Well stated!
And being that America is the “Land of Immigrants”, it is beyond traggic that African-Americans (my people) are conditioned to exist as if we have no ethnicity; as “Negroes” instead of “Africans.” (And YES, I believe this ties back into the whole N-word phenonemon.)
As someone implied on the Black Through Black Eyes post: Obama is not an “African-American proper” because his Black blood didn’t come from a slave. I’m not restating it cause I agree with it, but because it speaks to the heart of WHAT people think an African-American is; something which is NOT (quite) African.
Hey Osman,
I just re-read my initial “Willie Lynch” response and I actually a lot of love in there.
First and foremost, I must appreciate the efforts of IBe’ and Gerald Montgomery in trying to ensure peaceful coexistence between the two black communities.
You know what? The first time I heard of unfriendly relationships between Africans-in-America and African-Americans, I had a sleepless night because it was like a surprise to me since we are relatives.
Other races don’t have this problem. So why should we?
We must understand that we make up the black race and we must be proud of our cultural heritage.
Mr. Montgomery, I do understand the purpose of this dialogue. But you see, to some extent I support the views of Ms Mary Anderson. When a patient who is suffering from a certain disease is taken to the hospital for treatment, a professional doctor first seeks to find out the symptoms of that disease before he commences his treatment exercise.
In essence, what I’m trying to say is that the hostilities shown toward Africans-in-America by their African-American brothers and sisters can be traced back to SLAVERY.
Mr. Montgomery, you are like a doctor in this case Sir. Shying away from this TRUTH makes your efforts futile. In trying to solve a problem of this kind, one must not take a peripheral look at the situation but a critical look is necessary. I am not a psychologist but I am very certain that if a professor of psychology is invited into this dialogue to carry out his analysis, his deductions will not be far from mine.
I am an African(Nigerian) and I don’t want to speak as though I am supporting any group because I belong to BOTH.If I conduct a random survey of 100 African-Americans and I interview them individually about the reasons they show hostilities toward Africans. Among the 1 million or so reasons they give 99.99 per cent of them will mention SLAVERY. And we all know this to be a concept of history. But it is not the kind of thing that makes you think lets forget about it because you can agree with me that the devastating effect of SLAVERY is seriously still being felt today.
For the Africans-in-America, I think one major reason they are at odds with African-Americans is that they expected a warm welcome and a befitting reception from their American counterparts on arrival in America at least for the first time.
The other reason in my own opinion could be due to attitudinal problem on the part of the Africans.
Now the crux of the matter is the reconciliation process. This must be a shared responsibility.
So Mr. Montgomery on your own part Sir. The onus is on you to try and convince your group that SLAVERY was not only common among Africans. It was a common practice in most parts of the world even before the birth of our SAVIOR Jesus Christ.For example Israelites enslaved in Egypt. There was WHITE SLAVERY in Virginia (you can follow this link or blog http://elliotlakenews.wordpress.com/2007/01/14/yes-white-slavery-existed/).
You must understand that I am NOT in support of what happened during SLAVERY and I will NEVER be!!!
On our own part as Africans, we owe African-Americans apology for the cruelty and brutality faced during SLAVERY.To be honest if West African leaders can organize this reconciliation conference it will be a welcomed development. We must also thank African-Americans very much for making America a safe place for all black people because of not for the great works done by my mentor Martin-Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and so on, I think a black man going to America would have been like a prey falling into the hands of its predators.
African-Americans have done the job of John the Baptist who prepared the way for the coming of Christ to the world. In other words, they are the fore-runners of blacks in America and we must appreciate their efforts greatly.
Mr. Montgomery please do not allow some negative comments like the one involving President Obama to prevent you from executing this task of unity among we people of African decent. I implore you to keep it UP!!!
Please I must say this the subsequent visitors of this dialogue. In as much as we welcome views and opinions from you please avoid posting Inflammatory remarks and comments that could jeopardize the purpose of this forum.
Finally, Professor Mbele, Mr. Montgomery, IBe’, I thank you all for giving me the privilege to air out my own views and contributions to promote peace, unity and friendliness among the two groups.
Thank you and MAY GOD BLESS US ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This post is directed to Africans-in-America. Please African-Americans are our relatives.And as human beings we have feelings. This is the TRUTH lets face it.
Lets put ourselves in their shoes. I mean how will you feel if you were a decent of those who went through those sad years in SLAVERY???
I know ancestors caused this divide but they are no longer alive to account for themselves. So we their descendants stand for them.
If an African-American happens to be hostile to you please do not be offended. You should rather beg for FORGIVENESS. We indirectly offended them (through our ancestors). Remember the Biblical Story when Joseph was sold into SLAVERY in Egypt( read Gen 44). The brothers were later at his mercy and God’s purpose for Israel was fulfilled through Joseph’s SLAVERY.
To Africa4real,
Thank you for your comments, very well stated. Before I go any further please know that I really appreciate not only your remarks, but also the spirit in which you delivered them.
Regarding your challenge (which I accept) pasted below:
“So Mr. Montgomery on your own part Sir. The onus is on you to try and convince your group that SLAVERY was not only common among Africans. It was a common practice in most parts of the world even before the birth of our SAVIOR Jesus Christ. For example Israelites enslaved in Egypt. There was WHITE SLAVERY in Virginia (you can follow this link or blog http://elliotlakenews.wordpress.com/2007/01/14/yes-white-slavery-existed/).”
With all due respect, I believe I’ve done this already in comment #11 (see pasted below):
First, a “White Slaver Trader” is not the same as a “White Slave Owner”. Very few individuals may have been both but the two are not one in the same. The Slave Trader would have been involved in village raids and kidnappings, or purchasing slaves outright from “African Slave Traders”. The White Slave Traders would have been involved in the horrifying practices on the slave ships as they transported their human cargo. Their profit would be in the sale of slaves, not the labor produced by them. But what I said previously was that the “African Slave Trader” did not trade slaves with the full knowledge of how “White Slave Masters (Owners)” would treat their slaves. The African Slaver Traders’ assumption would have been that the slaves were being treated the same way Africans treated their slaves; like enslaved people, not despised animals.
I’m not trying to trivialize the African’s role in the slave trade but also don’t wish to demonize the African Slave Trader above all others simply because the Slave Masters in America who ended up with those slaves turned out to be the worst [slave] owners in world history. I do not wish to find something that is so unforgiveable that we are unable to move forward, like for example if someone were to conclude they could never forgive the African for their contribution to slavery. If so, I would have never agreed to this discussion. I have every intention of merging our two communities. And I never intended to imply in wasn’t a role Africans shouldn’t acknowledge or apologize for. But to be honest with you, I don’t believe most African-Americans think about the African’s role in the slave trade when they’re 8, 9 or 10 years old and calling the African children they meet names like “African Booty Scratcher”. I believe the resentment of the African at this stage comes from the shame we have been taught to feel towards Africa. And this resentment, as they grow feeds off of other reasons to hate Africa, like when they first hear about the African’s role in the slave trade.
I finally understand how Booker T Washington felt when he tried to explain that slavery in and of itself wasn’t completely unbeneficial to the so-called Negro, giving him skills they may not otherwise received. Now, like Booker T, I am not condoning slavery. Merely stating that in the case of American Slavery I believe was horrendous due to the dehumanization factor. No other culture felt the need to prove their slaves were not human beings. No other culture was so dead set on proving the people they enslaved were subhuman as to deny them all of the following: the rights to marry, worship a deity, some basic form of education, or speak their native language. In fact, other cultures learn their slave’s language and kept ownership of his [the slave’s] entire family. Slaves could buy their freedom for their masters in these other cultures.
Regarding your assessment pasted below:
Mr. Montgomery, you are like a doctor in this case Sir. Shying away from this TRUTH makes your efforts futile. In trying to solve a problem of this kind, one must not take a peripheral look at the situation but a critical look is necessary. I am not a psychologist but I am very certain that if a professor of psychology is invited into this dialogue to carry out his analysis, his deductions will not be far from mine.
I can only offer the following. I see present day African-Americans using the Africans role in slave trading as yet another angle to delay the healing process; which I believe to be confronting the self-hate and embracing that fact that we are African. as you yourself stated “Other races don’t have this problem. So why should we? We must understand that we make up the black race and we must be proud of our cultural heritage.” Other “races”, or rather ethnicities, don’t have this problem they don’t deny what they are. Irish-Americans don’t say they are not Irish. Italian-Americans don’t say that they are not Italians. It is the African-American who says he is not African. This is the heart of the matter, not the African’s historical role in slavery.
I don’t believe I can take the time and space here to fully explain what I mean (as it would become “unreadable”), but I will say this; is not a history of slavery true for my lineage as well? Yet I do not feel I can never forgive Africans for their role in U.S. Slavery. Why is that? If it was impossible to forgive the African for their role in slavery then surely I would feel the same, correct? I have great concern with a 20 or 30 something year old African-American (in 2012) rationalizing that he or she can never forgive a 20 or 30 something year old African for the African’s role in slavery. If a 20 or 30 something African-American can rationalize such a thing, then clearly slavery is not the truth issue here. The mere fact that he or she can hang their hatred hat of such a thing doesn’t mean we should cease to find out the truth reason for such hatred. I cannot, do not, accept that it is in fact about slavery only or even primarily.
Thank you very much again for your comments.
There is one other short explanation I can provide here. Resenting Africans for their role in the Slave Trade is learned behavior. Allow me to explain. I’m an about 42 years old. If I haven’t forgiven you personally for pushing off the swings 35 years ago this grudge would be remarkable. It would be worst for me to carry in than for you to have done it 35 years ago. And as much as it would be right for you to now apologize for what you yourself did, the fact that it was 35 years ago brings my mental well-being under suspicion. Legitimacy and perrogative aside, 35 years is a long time to carry a childhood grudge, even for something I actually experienced.
To resent you because over 350 years ago someone who may or may not have been your ancestor sold someone who may or may not have been my ancestor into slavery is learned behavior. I must be taught to hold this against you. And what IBé and I are trying to do here is identify the root of our division, here and now, not just pick the fruits of the symptom. Resenting Africans for slavery is not a root cause for an individual, it’s a social symptom for a group being used by the individual to act out (a classic “since this, then that” maneuver).
Now, I’m not reducing slavery to a push on the playground. I’m merely trying to demonstrate the difference between experienced behavior and learned behavior. If I were, say 172 years old then I might have grounds to carry that grudge personally towards Africans of today.
With that said, thanks again for the encouragement to carry the message to my people, our people. My argument for Geo-Africanism grows stronger with each discussion.
Regarding your remark:
“In essence, what I’m trying to say is that the hostilities shown toward Africans-in-America by their African-American brothers and sisters can be traced back to SLAVERY.”
Please allow me to propose a different source. Hostiliies shown toward Africans-in-American by their African-American brothers and sisters can be traced back to “the home in which said African-American grew up.” A “History” of slavery means something totally different, that is to say has a different effect, for an African-American who grew up loved and esteemed and taught to do the same to others by his family (whether he grew up rich or poor) than it does to those who grew up dispised by their caretaker in broken or non-existent homes. We cannot forget, using your hospital analogy, we are talking about individuals here not a group. Doctors don’t give all of their African-American patients medication for Sickle Cell, High Blood Preasure, and Diabetes simply because the group suffers from such illnesses. The individual must suffer from the illness for such treatment to be administered. Symptoms can be treated, but treating a symptom and sending a patient on his way is not what a good doctor does. He deals with the root cause while perhaps pacifying the symptom for the time being.
Wow,I was coming back to this Blog to reference some post and was quite surprised to see the conversation still going. I think this is indicative of just how much this conversation needs to take place.
To the Kenyan Sister who was not embraced by her husband’s family, communication is key.
To Africa4Real I agree slavery plays a major role in the friction between Africans and African Americans. As a African American many of us know and have known for some time that slavery existed among all cultures. However the devastation of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade has proved to be one of the worst in History. Ask our brothers and sisters in the Islands and South America. When I see the poverty in Brazil among the Afro Brazilians my heart bleeds.
I will also say that SOME, African Americans don’t care for Africans because of their own colonization that has taught them to hate their own fellow African in and outside of Africa. I understand this first hand as I have attended a African church for over 6 years now, work with the African community, and have been accused of dating only African men, and have traveled to Africa and throughout the Islands. In fact most people think I am African. As a result I hear the true feelings Africans have about “Black” Americans or “Akata” (a term I don’t care for), when they feel they are among their “own”. I also see the divide when it comes to tribes and different Countries. I was upset with the views of the members in my church when a fellow member who was Kenyan was murdered by her accused Liberian husband. Liberians said they will never go against their own, when it came to sharing their peace about what they knew to help the criminal case. Some Kenyans felt they would never give money to the offspring who murdered their sister, when it came to raising money to send her home for a proper memorial. This is sick thinking to me!
Africans as a whole need to continue this discussion because it is a major problem in so many ways.
I read this article about the reasons africans hate african americans and I have to say I agree with the opnion of what african americans think of africans…as an african american I have to say to africans:
Please leave! You simply are too arrogant and selfish to understand us or who we are. You sold us into slavery to line your own pockets, you swindled us out of our freedom for 500 years. Your ignorant, hateful and swindling ways is why the entire african continent is a toilet to this very day…and now after we have gained a certain momentum you come to swindle us again. you take advantage of benefits we have fought for, but your too ignorant to understand that those benefits are soley for people that truly need it. african americans do not use them because we have food clothing shelter and the freedom to do what we want whenever we want.
That is freedom from people like you! If you are going to continue to steal from us you will turn our home into your home, and we do not want to live under a toilet lid!
And finally and ironically your the ones that put us in this mess! your the ones that sold us off and left us for dead! you should be weeping in your faces! You say you have culture…but so what? your culture of death ignorance, dictators, starvation, filth, and slavery is nothing we want!
We willfuly do not want anything to do with our oppressors! and when we do give in and try to let that go and get to know you, you say stupid evil bigoted comments that just points out and blaringly and scathingly whats wrong with the entire continent of africa…africans…. millions of stupid useless africans… If you hate us so much go back! stop taking what we have fought and died and worked so hard for!
The things we struggled for is to protect the least of us! it was not designed for people who can not and will not do anything for themselves!
Janvier,
Sorry, but I have to ask. Are you really an African-American or someone (of another ethnicity) pretending to be one in order to spew divisive language? I see alot of “we this’s” and “we that’s” (indin your post. Not many “some’s”, “a few’s” or “I’s” in there. Passing personal hatred off as the norm for (all) African-Americans is not the way to go here. The premise of this discussion is to define the riff between our two groups in order to dialog about addressing them. Not hate for the sake of hate. There are other sites you can post to for that sentiment.
Janvier,
Unlike Gerald I actually don’t want you to leave. I think the risk of coming face to face with comments like yours was something we expected….scratch that, not expected, but suspected was a possibility. Please don’t leave. No matter how difficult it may be to hear certain opinions, I’m of the belief that talking is a good thing, it is the first and perhaps most important step to healing. And afterall that’s all Gerald and I are attempting to do here; help our communities heal and come together as one.
We that said…
Africans are not leaving! African’s didn’t come here to take from African-Americans. We came here in search of opportunities, not unlike the Italians, the Polish, the Chinese, the British, Russians and Indians. African don’t take (let alone steal) from ANYONE. What we get in America is what we work for. And my friend, we work hard. And proud! Doing what many refuse to do for a pay many would consider an insult. We do it. Whatever it takes to better our lot and provide for our families, so from the oldest to the youngest none of them would EVER felt the need to beg for a penny.
With that said…
It sounds like this is very emotional for you. Probably understandable. But no matter that, I think you can still choose your words carefully. Calling people out of their name doesn’t get you anywhere but come across as less than intelligent. Calling Africans stupid and useless just shows the world what you are. I’m not saying that you are, just that you make yourself come across as such. Your comment about Africa being a toilet bowl….well, you are entitled to your opinion. But let me tell you this, if all toilet bowls were like that, we would all spend our life in the bathroom and refuse to die when death comes knocking. Yeah it is that beautiful. I highly encourage you to go see it. Or sit down with an African and let him tell you about it.
With that said…
From your comment “when we do give in and try to let that go”…please continue to give in. There is definitely a shortage of understanding between the two groups. Let’s all give in a little more; give each other the benefit of the doubt and spend some time in each other’s shoes. Very few of us have had it great all our lives, we have all paid the prize for the lives we live today. I love history! But we must understand it, learn from us, and NOT dwell on it. We should use it to free us, not cage us. Repeating the old adage, what has happened has happened, let’s learn from it, then leave it behind and work toward the betterment of our people. Yes, OUR people. We have more in common that we have apart. Imagine this, two generations from now, when my grandkids and your grandkids look at each other, what do you suppose they are going to see?
Janvier, I am an African. I love you so much and I relish meeting you. I am even weeping now. I still cannot understand why and how our ancestors embarked on such transactions during slavery because none of them understood English,French,Portuguese etc.
Good blog, thanks for share this article with us
[...] How African-Americans and Africans-in-America view eachother this article pretty much sums it up. "To forgive and forget— Africans invented that. [...]
This is great dialogue as an African American Business man entering Africa’s emerging market as investors I find it imperative that I research and educate myself on Africa. This being said I am an African American who views Africa as an extended family I have never met and no nothing about yet I’m willing to learn and respect their many different cultures to create somewhat of a bond through understanding the black experience both in Africa and America.