Africans vs. African Americans
It has come to my attention that an increasing number of Africans immigrants here in America have a negative perception of African Americans. While this sentiment is not surprising, what is surprising is the active separation of Africans communities from African Americans and the outspoke rhetoric of not wanting to be identified with or to have any connection with African Americans.
Historically, this has never been the case, the first African immigrants stood alongside us during the fight for our civil rights in the 1950s & 1960s, which coincided with many national African independence movements. African Americans in science, sports, and life simply, have stood at the forefront as Champions breaking down stereotypes worldwide and striking down any notion of inferiority to whites. And Africans have endorsed us the entire way, giving us the truth and the knowledge needed to overthrow our mental enslavers. Africans loved our music from the Blues to Gospel, Jazz and Rock N Roll, or watching Sports with Jesse Owens, and the list goes on. Even when Black Americans were struggling to get Black faces in Film, West Indians and Nigerians played a major image role in the movie, Raisin in the Sun. When the countries of Africa sued for independence from colonizing Europe, African Americans stood up in solidarity and chanted Pan Africanism. Together, we won independence and Civil Rights as part of the same worldwide revolution. Not to mention African immigrants often marry Black Americans. Who has bewitched our African brothers and sisters abroad and inside the United States to hate us? I know Hip Hop and Black Celebrities are loved all over Africa? Remember Muhammad Ali? In response, I want to address this so that every African American can bring these points, to quickly correct and move forward with our African family.
When asked why he did not want to be identified with African Americans, one Sierra Leone Man said, "I speak French, English, and two tribal languages. I cannot be grouped with the lazy African American. The African American is not born in Africa and cannot claim to be African. We are not the same."
As an African American, I have heard this before, not only from Africans, but from Blacks from the Caribbean Islands. I quickly recognize the attempt to categorize and place a hierarchy among Blacks. Only, my response has always been the same and I encourage African Americans to take the same stance.
For so long, we, African Americans have fought for our place in the American landscape that we have ignored this conversation, valuing our American citizenship much more than needed. While many African Americans cannot trace themselves back to Africa, it is no secret how we came to America. So let me begin properly.
I am utterly offended by any African who seeks to categorize or place an label on African Americans as lazy. Do not forget, that it was us who fought for the basic civil liberties that you now enjoy here in the United States. We, African Americans shed our blood, sweat, and tears, so that you can now freely travel here unabated or harassed. Never forget our struggle, because it is because of our struggle you are here. Lazy, no, we have moved mountains, labored, endeavored, long suffered, and worked miracles. I am offended any African can call even the most ignorant African American lazy, do not forget how we got here and why we remain. We celebrate our past and link to you, our brothers and sisters in Africa. How dare you say we "are not African." Are you blind? Do you not know your history. The same Demons which now seek to recolonize Africa are the same Demons who still hold us in free bondage in North America.
Furthermore, it is traditional law, for the Kinsmen, clan, or Tribe to redeem their brother or sister if they are found to be a slave. Why did none of our Kinsmens come looking for us. Twenty Million Africans were sold to the Spanish, Portuguese, French, English, and Dutch in North, Central and South America. Not even half came to the United States. Yet, no where in American History is there a record of an African Clan or Nation coming across the Atlantic to seek the life of his stolen or lost Members-brother or sister. Why didn't anyone come looking? How can you look down on your stolen brother and say, "he is no brother of mine." I reject your rights to speak such a thing. No African today can take what isn't theirs to give, and that is our place at the table of any African nation, should we choose to return. How dare anyone look at my Black Face and not say I'm African, do you not know your history.
Last, you say, we are not the same. But I say different. Though, you may speak more European languages than I, and have the knowledge of the ancient clans to speak your tribal tongue, do not the Europeans still rule you with their religion, values, and language? The nation of African Americans is just as must a slave, as any African nation today, victim to the same banking, overvaluing of all things white or European, corporate bias, poverty, crime, drug, religious attempts to divide us into individuals so that our Nations can be weak. We may not live together, but we are inflicted with the same pestilence. Do not make us an enemy because we are the same.
In conclusion, African Americans should be highly offended by any African or Carib seeking to label or place an colonial heirarchy on their existence. Not only are we all Africans but we are united in the same Diaspora as those Brothers and Sisters in the 60s & Independence movements. Nothing has changed but we have turned on each other. Instead, I propose we create community centers where we, African born and abroad, can build our communities again. Let us reevaluate our current status in the world and predict the divisions our enemies want to place among us. Since, we are the only heterogenous culture, with the strength and wealth to destroy European Worldwide domination, why don't we start again with a plan. We are, after all, over 1 billion strong on the continent of Africa alone. Altogether, we are over 1.4 billion deep, plus the Gods gifted us the wealth of the world in our shores. Class is over, lets act.
PS. There is a lesson in the island nation Trinidad History, which can serve as a reminder for us all. In 1797, the population was 17,718, about 56 percent of whom were slaves. There were also 4,476 free nonwhites and 2,151 whites. Who do you think held the slaves in check? Think properly and do not be so convinced that you can't see your brothers and sisters, in need of support.
Post America Notes
-Cowan F. Amaye-Obu
