[John W.]

In my multi-ethnic neighborhood, which includes many recent emigres from Africa, I notice a lot of what I perceive as hostility between African Americans and African immigrants. I actually heard one black man yell at another to “Go back to Africa!” Any thoughts on where this tension comes from?

User Detail :  

Name : John W., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 41, City : Washington, State : DC, Country : United States, Occupation : Writer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Randy H]

Many black people in America (and colonized people throughout the world) have been acculturated to hate the countries they descend from as well as the characteristics (cultural and physical) that distinguish them as decsendents. I believe this began during colonization when it was in the interest of the colonizers to separate native people from their homelands emotionally and physically. Over time, colonized people have internalized these messages so that they could survive (like in Roots when Kunte Kinte was punished for trying to keep his native name and not changing it to the western name, Tobe). Today we observe the descendents of colonized people still relaying these messages and feelings of self -hate becasue the messages have been passed down through the generations and reinforced by society.

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Name : Randy H, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 25, City : Silver Spring, State : MD, Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Mandi]

In a few cases, it might be true that a black American doesn’t like an African because they remind them of where they came from. However, I’ve had this discussion before with black Americans and Africans, and it seems that a lot of the time, something else is going on. Every race/culture/ethnicity has intra-ethnic competition, and this is a form of it. Some Africans believe black Americans think they are better than Africans because they grew up in a rich country. Some black Americans think that Africans think they are better than black Americans because black Americans have “watered down” ethnicity. And so begins the hostility.

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Name : Mandi, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Baptist, Age : 21, City : Boston, State : MA, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Lesley]

During the late 1960s an influx of native Africans came to the United States. This was during the Civil Rights movement. The Africans who came to during this period were sanctioned and supported during their adjustment period by well-meaning American white organizations and American universities. These Africans were the sons and daughters of affluent Africans; their parents were rich kings and businesspersons in Africa. When introduced to these Africans, American blacks were told by most of these persons that “We are first-class citizens in your country, while you are second-class citizens in your own country.” This was true. The African people were treated well by the whites as they were immigrants and not native blacks, who were to be persecuted by the whites of the United States.

Over the years the Africans came to America without money and began using the U.S. social service system, welfare, etc., with some leaving trails of bad debt and then being deported back to their countries.

Also, some of the male Africans who came to America married American black women to become citizens here, only to badly abuse these women, who then divorced these men. Yet the men are still here in this country.

I believe there are bad and good people of all races and backgrounds; this problem is getting better, but we all must keep trying to promote a brand of kindness. In my occupation, I have heard Africans say that American blacks are lazy. To this I say “bull.” I have frequently seen Africans attaining higher degrees in order to get desk jobs as leaders so they don’t have to work hard in the field. The harm from the early race relations will take time to overcome.

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Name : Lesley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 50, City : Oklahoma, State : OK, Country : United States, Occupation : Nurse, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Stacey-W]

Here’s my take on why the rift exists: In the times of slavery, the more distanced an African-American slave was from African customs and physical appearance, the more likely that slave was to move up in “white” society. The lighter-skinned slaves worked in the homes rather than fields, where they were exposed to American medicine and customs. “Light was right.”

As time passed, images such as “little black Sambo” appeared, satirizing “African-like” blacks (usually meaning dark-skinned and dressed with voodoo adornments). Soon, many blacks fell prey to the warped idea that “African” was a derogatory term. Afro-Americans who retained an African “look” (kinky hair, dark skin) or maintained publicly African dress or customs were often not advanced, while ones who looked more European assimilated more easily into American society.

I believe the idea that looking and behaving “less African, more European” is still rewarded in our modern society as a result of deeply ingrained stereotypes. When I was a child, some American black kids would call other American black kids “Africans” as insults. Years later, We finally had an African-American “Miss America” – one who is part white, with blue eyes, straight hair and European features. The myth definitely persists that the most beautiful black person is one who doesn’t look too African.

I feel that the distancing on the African side has a lot to do with the fact that we are American in their eyes – much more than we are African.

User Detail :  

Name : Stacey-W, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 33, City : NYC, State : NY, Country : United States, Occupation : Consultant, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[Gregory H.]

In my experience, many African-born people have a low opinion of, and look down upon, black Americans, probably because of the media images they see when they arrive in this country. I know I have frequently been slighted, treated rudely and even called “nigger” by African people, and I am sure my experiences are not unique. So the hostility you see is likely the defensive/ retaliatory reaction to occurrences of such treatment.

User Detail :  

Name : Gregory H., Gender : M, Race : Black/African American, Age : 24, City : New York, State : NY, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[joshua goldin]

The real problem I feel is that we only recognize certain problems as ‘legitimate’. A woman I knew came from an extremely disadvantaged background. Her mother could be classified as either ‘mentally ill’ or ‘cruel and visious’. As a young girl this girl was pressured to sing and perform in public and then her mother would beat her up if she did well while shouting – ‘It is me not you that they are applauding’. Yet, this woman was not eligible for a program designed to help the disadvantaged. Similarly, many people from Africa have advantages of family support, money, a positive and proud cultural backgroung, etc. that many Afro-Americans do not enjoy. Worst of all many Afro-Americans are not able for various reasons to take advantage of many opportunities supposedly created for their benefit. All this results in many Afro-Americans feeling that they are being ‘robbed’ of what is theirs. The targets of this frustration are many – including : African-Immigrants, Immigrants in general, Foreign Aid (Why can’t we get some of that money ? ), etc. In general we need to have a more rational policy of helping people involving such considerations as: what do they desire, what do they need, who can benefit from a given program, are we concerned with helping or just create the appearance of helping, are we helping or giving in to extortion where most of the benefit goes to ‘leaders’ and those who really need help get very little, what is help and what is investment in our population and economey, etc.

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Name : joshua goldin, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Humanist, Age : 60+, City : College Park, State : MD, Country : United States, Occupation : teacher, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

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