[b]African-Americans have been on the pulse of injustice and discrimination for decades, and this generation is no different. We chant “Black lives matter” because it seems as though they often don’t. “Black lives matter” is a rallying cry, for every Black person to wake up and come together. A cry for everyone to persist for justice. But is every Black person heeding the call? Have Africans in America fallen for the storyline that we are different from Blacks in America because we have a homeland and we view America as our adopted home? Or do we see the struggle of African-Americans as our struggle too?
For Africans, life back home is pretty homogenous. Everyone looks like you, talks like you, and there is little concept of race. Race, and racial discrimination is learned in America. By being Black first, we experience the same subtle biases darker-skinned people are subjected to around the world. However American society treats African immigrants differently and we feed into it. By stressing that we, or our parents, emigrated to America from Africa, people perceive us as different, and are willing to give us that job, that benefit of the doubt, or that chance at friendship. Americans become disarmed and are more open to learning about who we are, without extending that same curiosity for that southern-born African-American, wise-crackin’ sista. Our smartness, intelligence, industriousness, are often attributed to our Africaness. This trivial favor gives us a false sense of superiority—and security.
Our transient, hard-working, immigrant parents convince themselves they are only here to work, make money, take advantage of economic opportunities and return home. Our immigrant parents default to a “sit and watch” approach because they don’t understand the great, far-reaching history of the struggle. But we, the younger generation of African immigrants, understand the stakes. Not only do we Black people share the repercussions of breathing while Black, we also share a collective history. There are parallels in our stories that our forbearers tend to forget. Our parents are quick to wax nostalgic about Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his accomplishments in liberating Ghana. They forget that Kwame Nkrumah also had sights on our cousins in America. In his book, The Struggle Continues, Kwame Nkrumah’s words written over 50 years ago still speaks to the struggle we are having in 2015.
“In spite of the long and untiring work in education and organization of the pioneers of ‘Civil Rights’; in spite of the painstaking efforts made by African-American citizens of the United States to educate their children, and by hard work to achieve ‘acceptance’ in American society, African-Americans have remained only barely tolerated aliens in the land of their birth, the vast mass of them outside consideration of basic human justice.”
The Black Power movement in the 1960s paralleled the struggle for African independence, but how many African parents educated us of our connection to Marcus Garvey, through preceding revolutionaries who stood for freedom and independence for Black people everywhere? In fact, many civil rights heroes like Malcolm X, Kwame Toure (Stokley Carmichael), Nina Simone, Richard Wright, Muhammad Ali, all went to the African continent in support of the struggle for African independence from colonial powers.
Angela Davis, Mariam Makeba, Huey P. Newton, Kwame Nkrumah, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela were essentially fighting the same fight. The fight for physical and mental emancipation, decolonization, independence and liberty are ties that bind us together. From “we shall overcome” to “Amandla! Awethu!” Black people on the continent, and in the west, have been in this thing together. Our generation of Africans do well to draw these parallels from the past, and understand that “Black Lives Matter” is no different.
At this very time our voices should be strong and unified in support of the “Black Lives Matter” movement that Opal Tometi, a Nigerian-American, and her African-American partners, Alicia Garza and Patrisse Cullors founded. The Black Lives Matter campaign gives me hope that we are heeding the lessons learned from past Pan-African leaders and civil rights leaders alike.
If there’s anything the #GrowingUpBlack hashtag taught us, it is that we are the same people—whether we eat fufu and soup, or not. We have a moral and self-preserving responsibility to fight injustice from inside the belly of the beast alongside our home-grown cousins. Africans in the middle should understand this and should not draw the line because we are children of immigrants. We should understand our cousins just arrived 200 years before us—but we are cut from the same cloth—and in a dark alley somewhere, the cops would know no difference.[/b]
http://atlantablackstar.com/2015/11/16/should-black-lives-matter-to-africans/

I know some African immigrants who are into the movement.

Some Africans in the US go through the same things, searches, being pulled aside when driving, etc.

You have got to be a stupid African to believe you are better or smarter than African Americans.

AAs need to be open indeed too. Especially some of their leaders who shameless segregate Africans in the US by their utterances. I heard someone saying that African immigrants are something they had to fight against. Apparently they are taking their opportunities. People like bill Cosby are known for making foolish comments about Africans working there. What that does is make the Africans who thought AAs were their brothers rethink about where they will be safe.

Africans are tribal in nature, and if they are somewhere where one tribe is showing animosity, they will retreat into their more secure tribal cocoon. In this instant, with their fellow Africans.

Another thing is that African Immigrants live mostly in places with their fellow tribes men. I would understand how an AA finding themselves in the same neighbourhood would feel excluded especially if the immigrants decided to communicate in their mother tongue in their presence. Some of the issues can be solved by taking initiative. Find out more about your African Immigrants neighbours and vice versa.

Muafrika2:
I know some African immigrants who are into the movement.

Some Africans in the US go through the same things, searches, being pulled aside when driving, etc.

You have got to be a stupid African to believe you are better or smarter than African Americans.

AAs need to be open indeed too. Especially some of their leaders who shameless segregate Africans in the US by their utterances. I heard someone saying that African immigrants are something they had to fight against. Apparently they are taking their opportunities. People like bill Cosby are known for making foolish comments about Africans working there. What that does is make the Africans who thought AAs were their brothers rethink about where they will be safe.

Africans are tribal in nature, and if they are somewhere where one tribe is showing animosity, they will retreat into their more secure tribal cocoon. In this instant, with their fellow Africans.

Another thing is that African Immigrants live mostly in places with their fellow tribes men. I would understand how an AA finding themselves in the same neighbourhood would feel excluded especially if the immigrants decided to communicate in their mother tongue in their presence. Some of the issues can be solved by taking initiative. Find out more about your African Immigrants neighbours and vice versa.

Well to be honest I don't know any Africans close to me part of the movement, I'm Not part of it and I think there is nothing wrong with it either.

There is no mistaken that some black Africans experience racism like african Americans but I feel the way each group responds to it is different. Majority of african Americans see it as a primary problem while Africans see it as a problem but they don't see it as a primary problem(some don't even know about the black lives movement is about or if they know find it as another group being disorderly). To Africans Primary problems to them is not going through poverty & becoming unsuccessful professionally. Plus they care more about the social issues of their african countries then what's going on in America. America is not their homeland and many don't plan to die there when they are old. There is nothing wrong with that but it brings in a discussion about race itself that just because your black doesnt mean you automatically agree in everything with each other, plus many african Americans don't agree with the black lives matter movement either: http://www.infowars.com/poll-only-31-of-african-americans-identify-with-blacklivesmatter/. http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tom-blumer/2015/08/23/barely-news-two-thirds-blacks-prefer-all-lives-matter-over-black


Lastly as you said many Africans affiliate and go to functions with their tribe and in simple words are more comfortable with their own, it's like that with every group, race and etc out there. I don't think africans think their better then african americans or vice versa. I just feel most communities have issues that hit close to home then others and the ones that affect them is what they will concentrate on.

My country man was just another black teen shot (Happened in Salt City the other day) four times in the street for holding a broom stick. That got me angry.

Africans get mistreated all the time in the US. They just let it be coz as you said, they consider it a temporary place. But they should help their brothers voices be heard instead of acting like they are unaffected.

Muafrika2:
My country man was just another black teen shot (Happened in Salt City the other day) four times in the street for holding a broom stick. That got me angry.

Africans get mistreated all the time in the US. They just let it be coz as you said, they consider it a temporary place. But they should help their brothers voices be heard instead of acting like they are unaffected.

Yea I understand, to me the black lives matter movement will become another movement pushed into the sidelines cause of their message has holes in it and their behavior at times is just disruptive and rude.

Well like you said Africans act unaffected cause many of them are unaffected by it. To them America is a land of opportunity and stability to be successful compared to some of the african countries their from. So when they see racism, as long as they can make their money, get their house, send money to their countries, and etc racism just something they see as a flaw in society that will take time to go and not a fight they care much about, especially when many are not socializing with others but their own

Muafrika , are the sons & daughters of slaves helping us ? Have they made easy for Africans to settle ,progress and prosper here ? We have bigger issues or most important issues particular to us that no one wants to hear . the issue of international fees(college) skyrocketing without explanation, the rate at which we receive visas even when we already have family here , you know Africans are the most likely to have their visas denied right ? , work permits , etc . furthermore unlike black American Africans don't have representatives and senators, I'm not the walking in the streets kind of guys, and I'm actually wondering what are black Americans senators and congressmen saying and doing about this ? Obama has done more for gays and hispano than for his people , so how can Africans help ? We are so disenfranchised in this country despite our contributions and this by both white & black , therefore I believe in fighting for our own Africans problems starting with being recognized as a different entities in any census . we are Africans and should b recognized as such ..if they want the can add sub Saharan Africans

I once watched a documentary about black civilization rights leaders in the US talking of Africans as they would their enemies and as a challenge they have to overcome. Africans are apparently taking their opportunities or something. So I don't blame Africans who secluded themselves.

But what happens to the Africans who get shot together with African Americans in the streets? Most Africans in the US will just minimise their visibility to avoid running into the dreaded American police. Africans are black lives too that need to matter. It's not a favour to another group. Like I said, A kenyan teenage was recently shot in salt lake city. That is the kind of situation in which this started, black lives (Africans in general) seem dispensable.

CAMNEWTON4PRES:
Muafrika , are the sons & daughters of slaves helping us ? Have they made easy for Africans to settle ,progress and prosper here ? We have bigger issues or most important issues particular to us that no one wants to hear . the issue of international fees(college) skyrocketing without explanation, the rate at which we receive visas even when we already have family here , you know Africans are the most likely to have their visas denied right ? , work permits , etc . furthermore unlike black American Africans don't have representatives and senators, I'm not the walking in the streets kind of guys, and I'm actually wondering what are black Americans senators and congressmen saying and doing about this ? Obama has done more for gays and hispano than for his people , so how can Africans help ? We are so disenfranchised in this country despite our contributions and this by both white & black , therefore I believe in fighting for our own Africans problems starting with being recognized as a different entities in any census . we are Africans and should b recognized as such ..if they want the can add sub Saharan Africans

Muafrika2:
I once watched a documentary about black civilization rights leaders in the US talking of Africans as they would their enemies and as a challenge they have to overcome. Africans are apparently taking their opportunities or something. So I don't blame Africans who secluded themselves.

But what happens to the Africans who get shot together with African Americans in the streets? Most Africans in the US will just minimise their visibility to avoid running into the dreaded American police. Africans are black lives too that need to matter. It's not a favour to another group. Like I said, A kenyan teenage was recently shot in salt lake city. That is the kind of situation in which this started, black lives (Africans in general) seem dispensable.

Which begs the question, what are black officials doing ? Mayors ,senators, congressmen & president ? Or they are like the typical coons, who forget easily and think they are better niggers ? I mean storming Trump rallies, looting, screaming on top of your lung won't do much when the same day you are patronizing the same Racist white America products and corporate. How do we explain the disenfranchisement of black in cities like Ferguson, Baltimore who when they are not black dominated are black managed with black mayors etc , why are they not fighting the Racist motivated zoning all over America ? Again do you think so the protests have made any progress? We did not see any Latino lives matters or stop insulting/stereotyping Latino, that's because they know where to hit, their officials have their issues at heart .
Now yes we will have Africans victims that's true as far I'm concerned the solution to it is for Africans to embrace fully America and to start building ethnic enclaves of increasing their population in some districts ,then elect their own people, like I said we have bigger issues which se em not to interest black or white American. It will take time but our voice must b heard in this country . we cannot focus our time ,money and voice on things we have no clues of, slavery did happen true, but we are so far from it, the relationship between White & BA does not interest us , the same way Latino or Asians are not interested. That doesn't mean they love Asians or Asians love them .
The problems facing black America are not ours , dysfunctional family structure

CAMNEWTON4PRES:


Which begs the question, what are black officials doing ? Mayors ,senators, congressmen & president ? Or they are like the typical coons, who forget easily and think they are better niggers ? I mean storming Trump rallies, looting, screaming on top of your lung won't do much when the same day you are patronizing the same Racist white America products and corporate. How do we explain the disenfranchisement of black in cities like Ferguson, Baltimore who when they are not black dominated are black managed with black mayors etc , why are they not fighting the Racist motivated zoning all over America ? Again do you think so the protests have made any progress? We did not see any Latino lives matters or stop insulting/stereotyping Latino, that's because they know where to hit, their officials have their issues at heart .
Now yes we will have Africans victims that's true as far I'm concerned the solution to it is for Africans to embrace fully America and to start building ethnic enclaves of increasing their population in some districts ,then elect their own people, like I said we have bigger issues which se em not to interest black or white American. It will take time but our voice must b heard in this country . we cannot focus our time ,money and voice on things we have no clues of, slavery did happen true, but we are so far from it, the relationship between White & BA does not interest us , the same way Latino or Asians are not interested. That doesn't mean they love Asians or Asians love them .
The problems facing black America are not ours , dysfunctional family structure

Well, I've not been to the place, probably do not understand the movement as much as you do. But I think Africans getting into politics will make them even more of a perceived threat. Just make your money and get back home.

I do share in some of the opinions of the OP as a rational human being and a dark-skinned man. But how can you help fight a course when your partner views you as a potential threat to his success? Most times we blame the system without thinking about our very contribution to the system.

To Anonymous6
This is not about nails or Beauty Supplies Store issues. It is not about cooking either.Women should stay out of those debates they cannot comprehend. Got it ?
Like writing English, go write pages about something else but stay out of social engineering.

Calm down panafrican .

panafrican:
To Anonymous6
This is not about nails or Beauty Supplies Store issues. It is not about cooking either.Women should stay out of those debates they cannot comprehend. Got it ?
Like writing English, go write pages about something else but stay out of social engineering.

you must be out of your mind, women can debate whatever issues they want and as a Nigerian American I have the right. I posted the article cause I have the right to and I did cause the topic was interesting me. This is not the stone age, got it? GTFOH

CAMNEWTON4PRES:
Muafrika , are the sons & daughters of slaves helping us ? Have they made easy for Africans to settle ,progress and prosper here ? We have bigger issues or most important issues particular to us that no one wants to hear . the issue of international fees(college) skyrocketing without explanation, the rate at which we receive visas even when we already have family here , you know Africans are the most likely to have their visas denied right ? , work permits , etc . furthermore unlike black American Africans don't have representatives and senators, I'm not the walking in the streets kind of guys, and I'm actually wondering what are black Americans senators and congressmen saying and doing about this ? Obama has done more for gays and hispano than for his people , so how can Africans help ? We are so disenfranchised in this country despite our contributions and this by both white & black , therefore I believe in fighting for our own Africans problems starting with being recognized as a different entities in any census . we are Africans and should b recognized as such ..if they want the can add sub Saharan Africans

I do agree with that when it comes to being recognized in the census, caribbean have also complained about this issue as well and I suspect in the future Blacks of foreign decent will demand to be recognized like that but it won't be easy.

CAMNEWTON4PRES:


Which begs the question, what are black officials doing ? Mayors ,senators, congressmen & president ? Or they are like the typical coons, who forget easily and think they are better niggers ? I mean storming Trump rallies, looting, screaming on top of your lung won't do much when the same day you are patronizing the same Racist white America products and corporate. How do we explain the disenfranchisement of black in cities like Ferguson, Baltimore who when they are not black dominated are black managed with black mayors etc , why are they not fighting the Racist motivated zoning all over America ? Again do you think so the protests have made any progress? We did not see any Latino lives matters or stop insulting/stereotyping Latino, that's because they know where to hit, their officials have their issues at heart .
Now yes we will have Africans victims that's true as far I'm concerned the solution to it is for Africans to embrace fully America and to start building ethnic enclaves of increasing their population in some districts ,then elect their own people, like I said we have bigger issues which se em not to interest black or white American. It will take time but our voice must b heard in this country . we cannot focus our time ,money and voice on things we have no clues of, slavery did happen true, but we are so far from it, the relationship between White & BA does not interest us , the same way Latino or Asians are not interested. That doesn't mean they love Asians or Asians love them .
The problems facing black America are not ours , dysfunctional family structure

The thing is most africans won't fully embrace being American even if they are American citizens, at least socially because America is not their birth home. Even asians and latinos don't but they still managed to build a network for themselves, especially asians; Why do you think their are China towns all over America in almost every single state. Most asians have their own laundry mats/dry cleaners, banks, super markets, restaurants, nail shops, supply stores, transportation business, hair salons, pharmacies and etc

Muafrika2:


Well, I've not been to the place, probably do not understand the movement as much as you do. But I think Africans getting into politics will make them even more of a perceived threat. Just make your money and get back home.

I agree for some weird reason foreigners(except hispanics) stay away from American politics, especially asians, Africans and arabs they don't see it as a arena that is beneficial to them in the long scheme of things unless immigration is involved then you may hear them say things in the background, except for latinos though since a larger portion of illegals in America are actually of Latino decent. So I guess it makes sense, some first and second generation latinos from countries like Cuba and Mexico for example are in politics. In the end of the day its all about the money with foreigners.

anonymous6:


I agree for some weird reason foreigners(except hispanics) stay away from American politics, especially asians, Africans and arabs they don't see it as a arena that is beneficial to them in the long scene of things unless immigration is involved then you may hear them say things in the background, except for latinos though since a larger portion of illegals in America are actually of Latino decent. So I guess it makes sense, some first and second generation latinos from countries like Cuba and Mexico for example are in politics. In the end of the day its all about the money with foreigners.

AA's should get a better book about africans! Africa is not a country but a continent comprising countries. AA's are ignorant about the continent like a white man also(no pun intended).

They think our continent is full of slum, you can see that every AA musician who visited nigeria tends to go to the ghetto for video shoot so as to buttress the point of africa is full of shacks.

And most AAs believe they are much better than africans, like they are the better version of what a dark-skin man is.

Is just pathetic.

Dirkcoyt:


AA's should get a better book about africans! Africa is not a country but a continent comprising countries. AA's are ignorant about the continent like a white man also(no pun intended).

They think our continent is full of slum, you can see that every AA musician who visited nigeria tends to go to the ghetto for video shoot so as to buttress the point of africa is full of shacks.

And most AAs believe they are much better than africans, like they are the better version of what a dark-skin man is.

Is just pathetic.

To be honest all Americans are ignorant of Africa being a continent (the Ebola virus exposed that in 2014) but AAs do add to it by making jokes about it while other races don't care to make the effort. To me personally I could careless what AAs think of Africa because their Americans & most will never travel there to even know the difference between Kenya vs. Nigeria. That's why I get pissed when a some Nigerians for example get mad when AA entertainers don't give Nigerian entertainers acknowledgement in award shows like BET it's embarrassing especially when we have Nollywood and have our own award shows for black Africans.

anonymous6:


That's why I get pissed when a some Nigerians for example get mad when AA entertainers don't give Nigerian entertainers acknowledgement in award shows like BET it's embarrassing especially when we have Nollywood and have our own award shows for black Africans.

Since they know they won't give props to africans in their award show, they should have erased their names on their award listings. Respect what africans stand for.

Africans try to relate with how AAs feel, you can see how AA movies have adulterated africans way of life? We show them love,associate with them cause we believe we're brothers, but on the flip side they think we talking to them is some form of favor or privilege. We don't need to get to america before seeing their handwrittings on the wall.

Dirkcoyt:


Since they know they won't give props to africans in their award show, they should have erased their names on their award listings. Respect what africans stand for.

Africans try to relate with how AAs feel, you can see how AA movies have adulterated africans way of life? We show them love,associate with them cause we believe we're brothers, but on the flip side they think we talking to them is some form of favor or privilege. We don't need to get to america before seeing their handwrittings on the wall.

I don't think Africans should be demanding to much from AAs and vice versa. It seems a stretch to me, if each group accepts that were two different communities facing different issues, these issues you brought up won't be a problem. For the most part though most Africans don't demand or try to get some sort of connection with AAs, it's money they try to connect to in America. Only a small amount of Africans get themselves hurt when they expect or demand to much from a community that isn't there's. Nigerians should be happy they created nollywood for themselves cause its global now with Africans and foreign blacks in Netflix, YouTube, and etc

anonymous6:


I don't think Africans should be demanding to much from AAs and vice versa. It seems a stretch to me, if each group accepts that were two different communities facing different issues, these issues you brought up won't be a problem. For the most part though most Africans don't demand or try to get some sort of connection with AAs, it's money they try to connect to in America. Only a small amount of Africans get themselves hurt when they expect or demand to much from a community that isn't there's. Nigerians should be happy they created nollywood for themselves cause its global now with Africans and foreign blacks in Netflix, YouTube, and etc

Well let say we're different in everything. The only connection is melanin.

I now understand fully what Lucky Dube meant when he said "Not every blackman is my brother". It used to fill me with grief when I go on Boxden or LipStickAlley and even educational sites and see the intentional ridicule and contempt for Africans, their culture, language and values by black americans (there is no longer anything african about them). Their deliberate attempt to segregate Africans to sub-human standards. Their will have been subordinated to external demands imposed upon themselves by imagination and anticipated reward for conformity from the subtle racial hierarchy. People who suffer from self alienation, whose human nature and thought do not exist independent of specific conditioned activities. They have mentally digested the conditioning that they embody it down to their very soul.

There was an "Implicit Bias" study released quite some time ago that an African faces about the same range of implicit bias from a black american as from a white american.

Dirkcoyt:


Well let say we're different in everything. The only connection is melanin.

exactly lol

boostdom:
I now understand fully what Lucky Dube meant when he said "Not every blackman is my brother". It used to fill me with grief when I go on Boxden or LipStickAlley and even educational sites and see the intentional ridicule and contempt for Africans, their culture, language and values by black americans (there is no longer anything african about them). Their deliberate attempt to segregate Africans to sub-human standards. Their will have been subordinated to external demands imposed upon themselves by imagination and anticipated reward for conformity from the subtle racial hierarchy. People who suffer from self alienation, whose human nature and thought do not exist independent of specific conditioned activities. They have mentally digested the conditioning that they embody it down to their very soul.

There was an "Implicit Bias" study released quite some time ago that an African faces about the same range of implicit bias from a black american as from a white american.

I am not surprised about that study and actually agree with it. It goes both ways as well, cause most Nigerians I have encountered and know see white and black Americans as the same and just see them as Americans first in general. I once read in some blog or something online years ago from a African American man about a true story of two American men who worked in the American embassy in Nigeria. One was African American(the African American man who told the story knew of him) and the other is white American. When arriving in Nigeria and in his new job, the African American man thought because he was black he would have a better edge in Nigeria then the white American man who also had a job in that embassy cause of his race but when he socialized with the Nigerians in Nigeria, he was in for a rude awakening cause the Nigerians could careless about his race, they were respectful to him & his colleague(white American man) and treated them the same with no preferential treatment but it hit him. Many years passed by while the men were in Nigeria & many Nigerians cared more for the fact that were American, the land of opportunity. I think both men have since left that job but To make the long story short the white American man ended up enjoying Nigeria more then the Black American man cause he couldn't connect with Nigerians racially like he assumed he would initially when he first arrived in Nigeria.

anonymous6 you're so engrossed about the black life that you're MLK-MalcomX in one package. Girl, you better sign up for some human rights courses. HMR101.

boostdom:
I now understand fully what Lucky Dube meant when he said "Not every blackman is my brother". It used to fill me with grief when I go on Boxden or LipStickAlley and even educational sites and see the intentional ridicule and contempt for Africans, their culture, language and values by black americans (there is no longer anything african about them). Their deliberate attempt to segregate Africans to sub-human standards. Their will have been subordinated to external demands imposed upon themselves by imagination and anticipated reward for conformity from the subtle racial hierarchy. People who suffer from self alienation, whose human nature and thought do not exist independent of specific conditioned activities. They have mentally digested the conditioning that they embody it down to their very soul.

There was an "Implicit Bias" study released quite some time ago that an African faces about the same range of implicit bias from a black american as from a white american.

An AA could come to nairaland and come to the same wrong conclusion. Using a forum with nameless faces is not a very good argument

anonymous6:


Well to be honest I don't know any Africans close to me part of the movement, I'm Not part of it and I think there is nothing wrong with it either.

There is no mistaken that some black Africans experience racism like african Americans but I feel the way each group responds to it is different. Majority of african Americans see it as a primary problem while Africans see it as a problem but they don't see it as a primary problem(some don't even know about the black lives movement is about or if they know find it as another group being disorderly). To Africans Primary problems to them is not going through poverty & becoming unsuccessful professionally. Plus they care more about the social issues of their african countries then what's going on in America.

Here is the thing though. At some point as an African immigrant, you will probably succeed finally, and start raising a family. Well, that child you are now raising is more American than African, and he/she will be subject to whatever is going on in your city. If you are in a chicago burb for example, you now need prayer vigils so your child survives encounters with thugs and police.

And the problem is so many Africans have never taken the time to study AA history, so when their child start having "problems" in an all white school etc, they have no idea what to do. They are caught offguard, and the child eventually ends up underperforming and becoming a shadow of the parent.

There are many Africans that are able to raise their second generation well, but the number that fail is astounding. Nobody talks about it because it is a thing of shame, but it is happening a lot. And I think most of this could be avoided if Africans, including me would pay attention to lessons learned by people that got there before you.

Dirkcoyt:
anonymous6 you're so engrossed about the black life that you're MLK-MalcomX in one package. Girl, you better sign up for some human rights courses. HMR101.

Lol thanks

birdman:


Here is the thing though. At some point as an African immigrant, you will probably succeed finally, and start raising a family. Well, that child you are now raising is more American than African, and he/she will be subject to whatever is going on in your city. If you are in a chicago burb for example, you now need prayer vigils so your child survives encounters with thugs and police.

And the problem is so many Africans have never taken the time to study AA history, so when their child start having "problems" in an all white school etc, they have no idea what to do. They are caught offguard, and the child eventually ends up underperforming and becoming a shadow of the parent.

There are many Africans that are able to raise their second generation well, but the number that fail is astounding. Nobody talks about it because it is a thing of shame, but it is happening a lot. And I think most of this could be avoided if Africans, including me would pay attention to lessons learned by people that got there before you.

You bring up some great points that are inevitable for immigrants from Africa but I think it also depends on the household the children of african immigrants come from. The reason I say this is because not all african households are the same. We can agree majority of african households when they get to the western world they struggle to make it regardless of the obstacles, which I respect however when children comes into the picture that's when it gets tricky because some Africans are clueless and don't understand the racial issues in America, while other Africans get the racial issues in America when they encounter it from white & black Americans but don't immerse themselves into the issue. Then lastly we have a small few of Africans who understand the racial issues and immerse themselves into the issue.

When it comes to me, well my parents are Nigerians immigrants who born and raised me & my siblings in America. They worked hard, raised us to know about Nigerian culture, Nigeria, and the racial issues in America because they encountered it from white Americans and black Americans but they also raised me & my siblings how to succeed in life but at the same time told us how we should address racism and overcome it. As a result my siblings and me are fine because we understand white priviledge, the racial hierarchy of America, african American history(from school) and so on. My mom always told me while growing up to speak correct English, don't dress like a thug, work hard in school but you may and will encounter racism but don't use that as a crutch to not do good in school, and to add to that we went to private and independent schools that were predominately white. My parents even screened who me and my siblings hanged out with as friends, and raised us in a multiracial/multicultural middle class neighborhood that wasn't ghetto(thug sanctuary) or in the suburbs(fantasy land). My family knows a Nigerian family that moved out of a rough neighborhood they were in cause of a thug their straight A honoral son encountered in the neighborhood after heading home from school, they now live in a better neighborhood. Even I was told that I will have to work double in my job/profession as a black female but don't use that as a crutch or a excuse not to succeed in life and live in a anti-white mentality. While growing up I never succumbed to some of the mentalities I see many AAs exhibit when it comes to race or think I live in lollipop land like some white americans believe is the reality of race but I have encountered racism to but never allowed that to deter me in my life when progressing.

What I have noticed with majority of Africans is that they are good at training their children when it comes to getting a education and shielding their children from many American youth that lack progressive thinking. Some Africans are more aggressive then other Africans when it comes to educational training to their children but only some raise their children in the culture their from(ex. Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia and etc) while others just lack in it. Then lastly only some let their children know the racial reality of America regardless where they stand with african Americans.

I have noticed that Nigerians in America and other western world countries, have the reputation of being aggressive, progressive, value education, hard work and making money but most tend to be racially neutral. Racially neutral meaning they are proud of being black, are aware of racism, but the pro-black Afrocentric or white this & white that stuff falls on deaf ears with them because they feel there are bigger issues they see as important.

I have heard that children from Black africans for the most part do good though in school
http://thegrio.com/2012/10/05/african-americans-vs-black-immigrants-do-institutions-of-higher-learning-give-preference-to-foreign-blacks/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/therootdc/post/rethinking-the-achievement-gap-lessons-from-the-african-diaspora/2012/09/04/eebc5214-f362-11e1-a612-3cfc842a6d89_blog.html
http://www.thewire.com/politics/2014/04/why-the-all-ivy-league-story-stirs-up-tensions-between-african-immigrants-and-black-americans/359978/

anonymous6:

When it comes to me, well my parents are Nigerians immigrants who born and raised me & my siblings in America. They worked hard, raised us to know about Nigerian culture, Nigeria, and the racial issues in America because they encountered it from white Americans and black Americans but they also raised me & my siblings how to succeed in life but at the same time told us how we should address racism and overcome it. As a result my siblings and me are fine because we understand white priviledge, the racial hierarchy of America, african American history(from school) and so on. My mom always told me while growing up to speak correct English, don't dress like a thug, work hard in school but you may and will encounter racism but don't use that as a crutch to not do good in school, and to add to that we went to private and independent schools that were predominately white. My parents even screened who me and my siblings hanged out with as friends, and raised us in a multiracial/multicultural middle class neighborhood that wasn't ghetto(thug sanctuary) or in the suburbs(fantasy land). My family knows a Nigerian family that moved out of a rough neighborhood they were in cause of a thug their straight A honoral son encountered in the neighborhood after heading home from school, they now live in a better neighborhood. Even I was told that I will have to work double in my job/profession as a black female but don't use that as a crutch or a excuse not to succeed in life and live in a anti-white mentality. While growing up I never succumbed to some of the mentalities I see many AAs exhibit when it comes to race or think I live in lollipop land like some white americans believe is the reality of race but I have encountered racism to but never allowed that to deter me in my life when progressing.

As someone who is just starting out a family, raising a kid here is one the issues I keep thinking about. The above is definitely helpful in that regard to me. If my kids feel cultured enough to post regularly on a Nigerian forum, I'll congratulate myself

birdman:


As someone who is just starting out a family, raising a kid here is one the issues I keep thinking about. The above is definitely helpful in that regard to me. If my kids feel cultured enough to post regularly on a Nigerian forum, I'll congratulate myself

You will be fine raising a child, I am sure about it. My advise to you is just make sure you take them to Nigerian events(weddings and etc), Nigerian churches and Nigeria a lot, going to Nigeria will let them see another reality besides America and make them be more appreciative in life.