Afam4eva:
I give you Oprah Winfrey who's a media giant aand i give you Denzel Watshington who is a Holywood star. pls, name me one very big Black British movie star in the UK.

Very funny comparison.

But to answer your question, Idris Elba, Ejiofor Chiwetel, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, etc etc

mad nigerian:
Off topic...but that is not necessarily true. The good thing about colonialism is that it left us exposed to Western education. It is what you do with the Western Education that determines how you progress as a nation.
Respectfully, I disagree with you for the following reasons...
1.South Korea in 1958 was an economic basketcase. Then in 1961....they got a millitary ruler called Park Chung hee....who was a brutal thug(he was shot dead in 1981)..but a brutal thug with an idea for industrial development. First he improved South Korea's transport infrastructure, then he startedand completed South Korea's Ajaokuta (a steel complex) in 1971....which jumpstarted their developemt. Plus, the heavy emphasis on education...something it has in common with China and Japan....and hence why it is developed.
2.Congo had a LOT of problems....begining with a small educated elite, and an army that by independence had all white officers(Nigeria by independence already had Black Nigerian generals).
As for Mobutu...the problem was not that he looted but in the way he used the loot. Mobutu came topower around the same time as Suharto of Indonesia....both were put in place by the West. Yet, Indonesia,by the 90's while not developed, was far better than Congo DR (In the 90's both Mobutu and Suharto were kicked out.) That was because Suharto used his loot to invest in Indonesia. Mobutu took his loot to invest in castles in Europe. The result was that Suharto had to develop indonesia....or else his investments would be damaged.....while Mobutu had no desire to develop Congo....all his money was abroad.
You see.....the problem with African leaders is not who supports them, or what ideology they yarn.....but how they lead.
As for the US....I am sure that they would have preffered a much more developed Congo than the mess Mobutu made it into. Because, when foreign companies invest in a country....they prefer that everything works. And I would argue that Mobut made things more difficult for his Western backers, rather than easy.
One more thing.....Black countries are rich in natural resources....while Korea, Japan and even China have little or not enough resources...so they have to become Industrial. African countries , on the other hand, prefer to flog their resources to the highest bidder...and sell same to earn maney..which is 'shared'.....leading to violence...and more underdevelopment.
And another thing. .....Korea has sucessful family run industries....like Hyundai and Daewoo. Nigeria ? Our family industires are run by men who get rich quick, then marry 'wives' who produce children, who are spoilt, and as soon as pappy dies.....share the loot.
Well, yes, we are hardworking.....but to what end? That is the question.
True....though(I speculate here)...balck businesses fail because of poor business planning.
No, because Asians work harder, and have better business sense. We should look at why they succeed and follow them.

WEstern education merely transformed us into docile robots who unquestioningly follow the dictates of our white masters. Christianity came along and put the final nail in the coffin of our collective psyches. We are nothing more than glorified slaves of the white men. WEstern education taught us not to question anything and accept the white man as our lord and saviour.

What can you do with an education that was designed to keep you in perpetual slavery? Don't you see how our leaders behave when they are in the presence of Europeans and americans?

Development in South Korea would never have got off the ground if the united states was not in support of it - how come the same helping hand was not extended to Nkrumah when he approached Eisenhower for financial assistance in the development of the Volta dam in the 1960s ? Why was Nkrumah railroaded into accepting a world bank loan which put Ghana onto the road of indebtedness and financial ruin? Unless you want to tell me that Park Chung Hee was a greater visionary than Nkrumah. Please lets stop lying to ourselves and face up to the reality, Nkrumah had grand plans for Ghana which were openly scuppered by the United States govt along with the CIA.

How about Burkina Faso - why was Thomas Sankara assassinated by French intelligence operatives? Do you think it might have had something to do with his plans to make Burkina Faso an economically independent country and loosen France's control over its economy?

Congo had problems , but who created the problems? Wasn't it King Leopold of Belgium that annexed this country in 1885 and transformed it into his personal property?

Wasn't it this same Leoopold who enslaved millions of Congolese and forced them to work on rubber plantations? Wasn't this rubber exported to Belgium and the proceeds of its sale used to develop Belgium whilst Congo was left undeveloped?

Don't get me started on the genocide that he perpetrated on that country which resulted in the deaths of over 10 million Congolese people. In a nut shell Belgium, the US and the rest of Europe owe Congo a huge debt and the least they could have done was help rebuild the country but instead they chose to destroy it with the help of one of their puppets. Mobutu was recruited and assisted by Europe and America what is the point of talking about the way he looted, the issue is not how he looted but WHY he was even allowed into that position in the first place.

Indonesia is not a country that I think you would wish to emulate, are you aware that Suharto under instructions from the CIA eliminated over 2 million people in a space of less than a year?

The CIA drew up lists of people who were suspected of being communist sympathisers and these lists were handed to Suharto who instructed his thugs to systematically torture and kill these people - this is well documented in a documentary/film called "The Act of Killing" google it and see the horrors that were perpetrated on innocent people in that country. Anyone who wanted a fair chance in life by way of a more equitable system under a socialist/communist govt was butchered by Suharto's killers - is that what you wish for Nigeria? By the way this was done so that the US and Europe could implement neo liberal economic policies without having to worry about opposition groups within the country.

Yes, Suharto developed the country but only because he was told that in doing so he would be given a big share of money that would be generated from foreign investment, Suharto's regime was one of the most corrupt and brutal dictatorships in the world but the west turned a blind eye because of the huge returns they were making on their investments.

Have you asked about the price the indigenous people had to pay - the only beneficiaries were Suharto and his cronies and thugs while ordinary people (that is the ones who survived the death squads) ended up working in sweat shops making products for western multinationals - is that your idea of progress?

If the US truly wished for a more developed Congo why did they assassinate Lumumba who for all intents and purposes was more than willing to go down the route of development of the country?

Black countries do not prefer to flog their resources to the highest bidder - sankara of Burkina faso wanted to control the resources of his country himself and this earned him a bullet in the head, Lumumba the same thing, Gbagbo wanted to limit france's involvement in ivory coast's economic devt , this ended up with ivory coast being invaded by france and his subsequent arrest and deportation and imprisonment.

Qadaffi though not a black African incurred the wrath of Europe and America when he refused to allow their oil companies set his crude oil prices and take over the running of Libya's banking system. Prior to the invasion and devastation of Libya by NATO, Libyans enjoyed the highest standard of living on the African continent.


The pattern is the same throughout Africa - European and American exploitation of black Africans.

Italiano1:

Very funny comparison.

But to answer your question, Idris Elba, Ejiofor Chiwetel, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, etc etc

You're nnot even ashamed to name these people who made their name in America. If Britain is so good then why are they flocking to America? That shows that America is an open society and welcome colored people even those from outside the country.

redsun:

I am always surprise at niggers that confides in oyinbo people here and even gossip with them about other niggers.

They can never be your friend,apart from the women that just want to have fun.But by and large dealing with them is still fairer than dealing with each other in own socalled land of africa.

Them ones are just naive. The only white folks that understand the struggle are the ones from London, who speak a little bit of the London urban accent. And probably the middle class liberal white folks from the country, who grew up listening to NWA, Rakim and all the legendary hiphop artists.

I also agree with you about Africa. You know once you look at Africa, then compare what's attainable out there, to whatever racism is happening out here - you'll definitely develop a thick skin and thank the country for giving you an opportunity. I used to get mad at racism because I never really experienced it in London that much growing up, apart from Paki's in corner-shops, till I moved out London for uni. And also traveling/joy-riding around the UK. Then I saw the reality. At first, it was annoying, however, when you travel around and see that black people aren't represented anywhere apart from London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Nottingham, Leicester and Liverpool. That's when you realise that it's their country and you have no stake here. Just be appreciative and ride it till the wheels fall off.

Afam4eva:
Are there more thriving immigrants in the UK than in America?

They are not the same. America was built by immigrants remember. The indigenous Americans were the Red Indians who are a very small minority now. Blacks first came to America hundreds of years ago during the slave trade. Really what has stopped them from thriving after the abolition of slavery and the civil rights movement? It is not racism holding them back.They form 13% of the population
As for England you need to understand that there are very few blacks and majority of these are from the West Indies who have a much more laidback culture.
Nigerians that came to England in the 60s and 70s just came for training and education after which majority they went back home unlike the Asians who stayed. The likes of Umunna are of mixed parentage anyway.
However educated Nigerians started coming over to England permanently in the 90's as a result of employment pressures back home. Many of these people have been able to secure good jobs.
All in all blacks form just 3% of the UK population.
However the truth is that the Asian community who form about 10% are thriving.

Afam4eva:
I give you Oprah Winfrey who's a media giant aand i give you Denzel Watshington who is a Holywood star. pls, name me one very big Black British movie star in the UK.

We've got Trisha Goddard for Oprah. Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Adewale Agbaje for Denzel.

Afam4eva:
You're nnot even ashamed to name these people who made their name in America. If Britain is so good then why are they flocking to America? That shows that America is an open society and welcome colored people even those from outside the country.

Two-way street. Americans are one of the highest migrants in the UK as well. Go to the City of London and West London - you would see tons of yanks living the UK.

UK OFFCOURSE

The gold that propelled the first recorded banking in the world and financed the 15th century european renaissance was primarily from the malian empire.All the african resources from time immemorial are used to develop else where instead of africa itself.Till this day,the same exploitation continues.

When will africans learn to use their abundant resources to develop themselves?When will africans be trully educated to manage their own things efficiently?

Afam4eva:
You're not even ashamed to name these people who made their name in America. If Britain is so good then why are they flocking to America? That shows that America is an open society and welcome colored people even those from outside the country.

Old man don't forget that whites in Europe have their own music and comedy shows. Why should they all appreciate hip-hop anyway?
Anyway the biggest market for entertainment is still America mainly because of its diversity and size of the economy and hence market.

tensor77:
Old man don't forget that whites in Europe have their own music and comedy shows. Why should they all appreciate hip-hop anyway?
Anyway the biggest market for entertainment is still America mainly because of its diversity and size of the economy and hece market.

Bruv, a lot of white britons love hiphop, trust me. Especially the upper middle class ones. If you can go on The Guardian UK's music section and see how people (white folks that are probably top tier employees in the corporate world) debate real hiphop, you would get a core blimey moment. Even most of the hiphop concerts in the UK are mostly filled with white folks.

tensor77:
Old man don't forget that whites in Europe have their own music and comedy shows. Why should they all appreciate hip-hop anyway?
Anyway the biggest market for entertainment is still America mainly because of its diversity and size of the economy and hence market.

And don't the whites in America have their own music and comedy shows? And who's talking about hip hop. Are those Hip Hop movies not mostly made by Blacks themselves? I'm talking of blacks who have made it in mainstream American movies.

shymexx:

Them ones are just naive. The only white folks that understand the struggle are the ones from London, who speak a little bit of the London urban accent. And probably the middle class liberal white folks from the country, who grew up listening to NWA, Rakim and all the legendary hiphop artists.

I also agree with you about Africa. You know once you look at Africa, then compare what's attainable out there, to whatever racism is happening out here - you'll definitely develop a thick skin and thank the country for giving you an opportunity. I used to get mad at racism because I never really experienced it in London that much growing up, apart from Paki's in corner-shops, till I moved out London for uni. And also traveling/joy-riding around the UK. Then I saw the reality. At first, it was annoying, however, when you travel around and see that black people aren't represented anywhere apart from London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Nottingham, Leicester and Liverpool. That's when you realise that it's their country and you have no stake here. Just be appreciative and ride it till the wheels fall off.

I think those that expect much from oyinbos are the ones that worry much about racism,especially the ones that are unfortunate to be born here by parents who failed to educate them about their roots and who they really are.They failed to make them realize they have options.

I don't think oyinbo owes us any favour apart from the reparations for the evil of slavery and colonialism.The only reason why we worry about oyinbo being racist is because we have not been able to make our own rules that suits us and define who we are as a people.We live by whiteman's rules and pace,that is why we tend to take everything they do and what they think of us seriously.

shymexx:

We've got Trisha Goddard for Oprah. Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Adewale Agbaje for Denzel.

Who the heck is Tricia Goddard? How's she comparable to Oprah? Just because she's a presenter? SMH

And pls, like i said, those Actors made their name in America and not in racist Britain.

redsun:

I think those that expect much from oyinbos are the ones that worry much about racism,especially the ones that are unfortunate to be born here by parents who failed to educate them about their roots and who they really are.They failed to make them realize they have options.

I don't think oyinbo owes us any favour apart from the reparations for the evil of slavery and colonialism.The only reason why we worry about oyinbo being racist is because we have not been able to make our own rules that suits us and define who we are as a people.We live by whiteman's rules and pace,that is why we tend to take everything they do and what they think of us seriously.

I think the consciousness is changing now, thanks to Afrobeats. It seems everyone is aligning more with their African roots now. Unlike the 90s when being African was triple-whammy of discrimination. It was better to fake the Caribbean thing than claim Africa. Also, a lot of people are seeing things differently now. Age, growth and exposure also help. That's why it's better to always go outside London for uni to experience what the UK is all about - the negro-wake-up moment. Ever told the feds your name (which is African) and despite your accent that's obviously not foreign, they would still ask dumb questions about where you're from originally and where you're born?

Afam4eva:
Who the heck is Tricia Goddard? How's she comparable to Oprah? Just because she's a presenter? SMH

And pls, like i said, those Actors made their name in America and not in racist Britain.

The british movie industry is nowhere as large as Hollywood...

So why is it surprising to you that British stars have had to troop to the US to chase their dream?

Ghanians must be racist too since Van Vicker made his name in Nollywood.

Afam4eva:
Who the heck is Tricia Goddard? How's she comparable to Oprah? Just because she's a presenter? SMH

And pls, like i said, those Actors made their name in America and not in racist Britain.

I think she is in the limelight because she is got oyinbo husband.I got to be able to know how to lick these people asses very well to excel among them.It is hard and something i am not envious of at all.

Afam4eva:
And don't the whites in America have their own music and comedy shows? And who's talking about hip hop. Are those Hip Hop movies not mostly made by Blacks themselves? I'm talking of blacks who have made it in mainstream American movies.

Well what is your point? Mainstream is code for white producer white director and white screenwriter.You are probably talking about such a movie where the main actor is a black man. However these guys tend to act out stereotypical roles as tough cops or combatant soldiers acting alongside a white partners.
However the truth is that in a competitive market blacks in America have already cornered the mainstream comedy and music. scene.

GustavoFring:

The british movie industry is nowhere as large as Hollywood...

So why is it surprising to you that British stars have had to troop to the US to chase their dream?

Ghanians must be racist too since Van Vicker made his name in Nollywood.

But it's large enough to cater for White Britons? Talk another thing.

It's surprising because these actors never made big in Britain before going to America. America afforded them the opportunity to achieve their dreams. It's only after they have made it in America that some British Directors started giving them some little roles here and there.

Btw, van Vicker never made his name in Nollywood. That's a sick analogy.

Afam4eva:
Who the heck is Tricia Goddard? How's she comparable to Oprah? Just because she's a presenter? SMH

And pls, like i said, those Actors made their name in America and not in racist Britain.

She's a big talk show host like Oprah. She might not be as rich as Oprah, however, she's big in Europe. You can't really compare the popularity of someone from a country with 60 million people, to someone from a country (which is the most powerful country at the forefront of cultural imperialism) with over 300 million people.

They made their name in America because hollywood is the mecca of movies. However, they're still Brits. Just as the UK/Europe is the mecca of football and you have to play there to be considered 'bigtime'. Or should I include Wimbledon and the legend of Pete Sampras? Do you get the drift?

GustavoFring:
The british movie industry is nowhere as large as Hollywood...
So why is it surprising to you that British stars have had to troop to the US to chase their dream?
Ghanians must be racist too since Van Vicker made his name in Nollywood.

I am surprised really at the comparison he is making. It is simple marketing strategy for a black actor to go to Hollywood to chase his dreams rather than wasting time looking for theatrical parts in London or Paris.

shymexx:

I think the consciousness is changing now, thanks to Afrobeats. It seems everyone is aligning more with their African roots now. Unlike the 90s when being African was triple-whammy of discrimination. It was better to fake the Caribbean thing than claim Africa. Also, a lot of people are seeing things differently now. Age, growth and exposure also help. That's why it's better to always go outside London for uni to experience what the UK is all about - the negro-wake-up moment. Ever told the feds your name (which is African) and despite your accent that's obviously not foreign, they would still ask dumb questions about where you're from originally and where you're born?

Even reputable companies that you are a loyal customer to will just deliberately choose to misspell your african name written in english alphabets or rename you totally because they think african names are not worthy of mentioning or written correctly.

Also, Afam, stop comparing 1.8 million black people in the UK with about 50 million black people in America. Come on now, black brits have overachieved in comparison to other black folks, to be honest.

shymexx:
They made their name in America because hollywood is the mecca of movies. However, they're still Brits. Just as the UK/Europe is the mecca of football and you have to play there to be considered 'bigtime'. Or should I include Wimbledon and the legend of Pete Sampras? Do you get the drift?

I'm not arguing about their nationality. I'm wondering how they were able to break into the mainstream American movie industry that's supposed to be racist but couldn't do so in the British theater. This has nothing to do with America being the mecca of entertainment. Infact, that should have even made it more difficult for some black blokes from another country becoming stars in Hollywood. Whichever way you try to dice it, America is way more opened than any country on earth. That's why an Arnold Schwarze-whatever despite not being born in America became the governor of America's third largest economy(California).

redsun:

Even reputable companies that you are a loyal customer to will just deliberately choose to misspell your african name written in english alphabets or rename you totally because they think african names are not worthy of mentioning or written correctly.

Bwahahahahaha - classic. It's just madness.

That's why most people shorten their African names now. A lot of people are even changing their names to English names. Getting a job with African names is kind of tough sometimes, tbh.

Mr Knowitall: It depends on the lactation you go. It's safe to say that you are more likely to face racism in Nigerian than in U.S.

Absolutely right , racism in Nigeria is worst compare to anywhere in the world, having reflection of immigration officers , police, civil servant as well as Bank staff.

Racism plus serious discrimination dey for obodo Nigeria ooo...Original suffer head.... kmt.

shymexx: Also, Afam, stop comparing 1.8 million black people in the UK with about 50 million black people in America. Come on now, black brits have overachieved in comparison to other black folks, to be honest.

I'm not necessarily comparing them to their mates in America. Rather i'm comparing them the openness of the British society to absorb these people in all spheres no matter how little their population may be.

definitely Uk.

worry 359:
Mrs Knownothing
Just to educate you a tiny bit!
LACTATION is giving milk like female does for baby.
LOCATION is a place where you are!!

Typical Racism, obviously you know everything.....Habaaaa you could have spare this person, English is not the mother tongue

Afam4eva:
I'm not arguing about their nationality. I'm wondering how they were able to break into the mainstream American movie industry that's supposed to be racist but couldn't do so in the British theater. This has nothing to do with America being the mecca of entertainment. Infact, that should have even made it more difficult for some black blokes from another country becoming stars in Hollywood. Whichever way you try to dice it, America is way more opened than any country on earth. That's why an Arnold Schwarze-whatever despite not being born in America became the governor of America's third largest economy(California).

They all cut their teeth in the UK and decided to go to America to make it big since Hollywood is the Mecca of movies. Idris Elba was with the National Youth Music Theatre in the UK and featured in some British television series before moving to America. Even right now, he's the face of Luther, a British television series. Same for both Adewale and Chiwetel.

I think they made it in America because of the professionalism they bring to the table and how exotic their accent is. Trust me, when yanks see black people speaking the British accent - there's a shock value there since a lot of them don't know black people live in the UK.

Afam4eva:
I'm not arguing about their nationality. I'm wondering how they were able to break into the mainstream American movie industry that's supposed to be racist but couldn't do so in the British theater. This has nothing to do with America being the mecca of entertainment. Infact, that should have even made it more difficult for some black blokes from another country becoming stars in Hollywood. Whichever way you try to dice it, America is way more opened than any country on earth. That's why an Arnold Schwarze-whatever despite not being born in America became the governor of America's third largest economy(California).

Your point is? Whoever said America is racist whatever that means.? Cap28? You cannot use his own extreme views to make a general point.
The truth is that anywhere in the West the cream always rises to the top. Blacks generally lead the way in the massive Entertainment industry in the USA.
Talent and hardwork and luck is the determining factor for sucess in the West not racism

Afam4eva:
I'm not necessarily comparing them to their mates in America. Rather i'm comparing them the openness of the British society to absorb these people in all spheres no matter how little their population may be.

Both are the same when it comes to institutionalised racism. However, America is more openly racist in everyday life. Only in America would some white nutter tie a black person to a car and drag him around, yet the nutter won't get charged for murder till Al Sharpton starts complaining. That would never happen in the UK. Didn't a naija girl's neck got slashed in America a few week ago?