There is a huge chasm between African-Americans and African immigrants in the United States. That chasm has widened over the years. It has caused deep animosity between many African-Americans and their African immigrant cousins.

The chasm has prevented African-Americans from participating in the current economic boom in Africa and it has shut many African immigrants out of opportunities for economic advancement here in the United States.

The problem stems from deep misconceptions, sometimes fueled by the U.S. media. Astonishingly, many African-Americans believe that Africans are backward and primitive. Some make crude jokes about Africans or do not acknowledge the great contribution Africa has made to the world.

For their part, many African immigrants buy into the erroneous notion that African-Americans are lazy and violent.

They do not appreciate the great sacrifice African-Americans made, through advocating for their civil rights, to lay the foundation for Africans to be able to come to the United States and live in a country where both blacks and whites have equal rights, at least in theory if not always in practice.

The different experiences of the two groups

To understand the deep division that exists between African Americans and Africans, one first has to examine the background of the two groups.

Before migrating to the United States, most Africans have typically dealt with white Americans who went to Africa as Peace Corps volunteers, missionaries, doctors or teachers. These Americans acted as mentors and guardians to the Africans and developed positive relationships with them.

When they come to the United States, it has been my experience that Africans can easily identify with white Americans because they understand each other. Before migrating to the United States, the majority of Africans have had little to no direct negative experiences with whites. They simply do not hate them.

On the other hand, most African-Americans grew up in black neighborhoods where they learned from older generations the history of slavery and the cruelty it inflicted on the black race. Furthermore, they have usually experienced firsthand and in their communities the legacies of racism that still exist in the United States.

With this background, many African-Americans are not generally predisposed to trust white Americans, and they look down on those African immigrants who express respect or admiration for white Americans.

How they react to racism and discrimination

A fundamental difference between African Americans and African immigrants is the way they react to racism and discrimination.

African Americans usually see racism as the main cause of poverty among their people. They are also quick to point out instances of perceived racism, even in circumstances where it is ambiguous, unclear or more complex than simple racial bigotry or discrimination.

A classic example is the currently large African-American population in prison. Most African-Americans feel that the only reason there are so many African Americans incarcerated is their race. They blame police discrimination and lawmakers who make laws weighted to punish blacks.

For Africans, after suffering many years in civil wars, military coups and other problems, they are happy to be in a country that offers them freedom. They are ready to integrate into the American culture without getting involved in the lingering racial conflicts. They do not typically get involved in the ongoing civil rights struggle – and that has angered many African-Americans.

How they react to adversity

Perhaps the greatest difference I have seen between African immigrants and African-Americans is how they react to adversity.

Most African immigrants to the United States came here for economic advancement. They do not have any political agenda. They are willing to take any job and do not blame the “system” when they fail in their endeavors.

Most African immigrants to the United States often live in mixed neighborhoods instead of black neighborhoods and they easily integrate. African immigrants know who they are. They are not easily offended when someone tries to put them down. They know where they come from and why they are here.

For African-Americans, there is often a tendency to blame slavery for most of the problems they face today. For instance, when African American students fail in school, some educators blame slavery and do not look for other factors.

However, the time has come for African Americans to realize that while racism still persists, the best thing they can do for their children is to teach them to take full responsibility for their actions. Fathers need to take care of their children and young women need to stay in school instead of having children.

It is only when black people, be they from Africa or America, unite to instill discipline and respect for each other that the chasm that has divided us will narrow. Then we can finally work together to remove poverty from our people both here in the United States and Africa.

Source: https://www.theglobalist.com/african-americans-african-immigrants-differ/

Very good write up.....i only hope it makes front page.

Interesting. In most cases, African migrants would rather mingle with other fellow African migrants or people from other races than with African Americans. They're hardly ever found in predominantly African-American neighborhoods. This article pretty much explains why.

Is that a rift?

Mentality.

Africa man, very easy to manipulate

pot calling pot black

What's wrong with being black?

Always blaming racism.. Little wonder very few of them ever break free to achieve much in life. They're often the underdogs despite the hard work their ancestors put in to ensure their freedom and liberty.

Most of these African Americans are also very intolerant and condescend Africans with their nasty, ignorant, close minded and rude lifestyle , that's why Africans tend to isolate them and flow more with Latinos, Asians, white and even afro carribeans. They are mentally damaged people always quick to attach race to every issue which in my opinion I think is gonna really limit their potentials. Nigerians are their no1 enemies, not surprised though every insecure black person has issues with Nigerians because of how over self-confident and loud we are from ghana to satafrika

FP sturvs

This is a new one

The conception the African immigrant has about the African-American is largely true.
Let's start from how many of them finish college?
The typical African-American woman with a baby is likely a babymama.
Which group tops d drug dealing and use chart in America?
Which group tops the guns/knife crimes in America?

The chasm has prevented African-Americans from participating in the current economic boom in Africa

Ok

Wonderful writeup. I can definitely relate to some references in your article. Some AA believe Africans are taking up their jobs, have no regard for them and think they are lazy.

At the same time, I think without the AA efforts and struggle, Africans won't enjoy the rights and opportunities provided to them today.

We are one race. We need to start working together to advance our interests or perish together because other race hate our skin color. That's a fact

AA Means - (African Americans)

The problem with the black race is black people

Very Interesting I must say, and apt. It is very sickening to see the level of ignorance Black-Americans display towards Africans. And I hope they stay true to what MLK, MLCM X, Du Bois etc fought for

Hmmmm

Let's stop pretending, there is very little similarity between Africans and African americans. The only thing we have in common is our skin and shared ancestry, nothing much. They are not us, we are not them. And its okay.

Their mainstream culture is toxic and Africans copying them should learn from the long term consequences that come with such lifestyle.

mingle with Akata ?? it's a no no ..

Akata people have serious attitudinal problems

@ topic

I'm trying to identify more with the black experience, instead of only the Nigerian one. The problem I have identified is me assuming just because we're black, means we're all the same, when even in Nigeria everybody doesnt think that.

When you see these African Americans and the way they behave. The way they act! They won't even wait to hear from before telling you to *fućk off*
Very dirty set of individuals. NOT ALL! BUT ALMOST.. Go to their neighborhoods and all you keep hearing is "Fućk! I shot the bâstard"
Dirty and smelly neighborhoods!


They believe every person who doesn't support their foolish ideology is 'Uncle Tom'

By the way, they CAN NEVER OFFER YOU ANY HELP here..



And to Ilhan Omar calling the President of the United States of America an OCCUPANT.. She wouldn't try that in Somalia..

True, but I think is because of slavery..

They felt that Africans sold them into slavery