Just because we did not ask for it does not mean we should not love each with the love of God and respect one another. We do not choose our siblings or parents or where we are born for that matter but do you love your sister or brother any less? Or resistant where you come from?

I don't believe there is a God or an obligation to "love" based no skin color. There is no evidence that love exists between siblings based only on their blood relation either. The relationship has to grow based on reciprocating affection and respect. There is enough evidence in human population to support that fact. But my ancestors are from 3 different nations on the West African coast, this is one of them. But when it comes to my culture I only have 1.

Coming from Africa doesn't mean that everyone should understand each other. There are a lot of cultural differences, language differences, etc. Please don't act like one of those quack journalists that always write something like this

That's a cop-out statement. Cultural differences don't hinder positive relations, ethnocentrism and prejudice does. Culture is fluid and to be shared not used as an excuse when you can't find a better way to articulate yourself or just have an unreasonable position.

Africa is not a country for God sake.

Duh!
The OP specifically addressed Nigerians not "Africans".

Regarding the issue of some Nigerians looking down on African American, I think they are suffering from ignorance.

No they're just prejudice.

Maybe some of the movies they watched, the news they heard, how your society (USA) talk about them(AA), affects their (those Nigerians) sense of reasoning.

Excuse and cop out.

I think one of the side effects of Pan Africanism is the idea that we're all supposed to get along. Its like taking on an obligation you didn't ask for and in this case its race, something none of us chose for ourselves. That's a lot of pressure and its an impossible standard to meet since everybody has the same jerk-potential and looking for an excuse to show it. The common ground will be an economic one, not a cultural one. You'll have to wait until we all get over ourselves-have a seat, it might take a while

And one thing I have noticed amongst them is that they bash Africans whenever its convenient and claim Africas greatness when it suits them! But its cool.

There are 2 things I can't stomach; shellfish and cultural hypocrisy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jytykG3SIHI

There's no limit, you are welcome to post as much as you wish Smiley

Okay.

I'm African American/Black American, both sides.

I don't know how many AAs are really into their culture like I am but there are some distinctions that have to be made: the "old" culture and the "new" culture. Your parents' age will likely dictate which tradition you fall under. My parents are old and Southern.

Old:

Religion-the church was a political and social bedrock, usually Christian, protestant, and Southern Baptist or African Methodist. Most of your values would be reinforced through your faith. There was also a network between churches. You'd have clothes that were just for church. AND HATS! For women it was a symbol of wealth, style and womanhood (they don't really do that anymore). Young girls didn't have to wear hats and young boys didn't have to wear jackets but the Men did, no matter how hot it was. You'd use a fan, usually provided by the church, to keep yourself cool or calm the people who "caught the ghost". Church service was an all-day affair usually with a potluck break or dinner afterward. That was the time to catch up on gossip or politics. Call-n-response, sporadic cosigning, and the old lady in front would "catch it" every week, break out the fans.

All men were expected to be employed (or own a business or farm), own property/land, and be involved in the church. Most were ushers and elders and depending on status could be a deacon, associate pastor, or pastor (usually pasted from father to son or uncle to nephew). Tipping or removing your hat and standing was how men would address their elders or women. They were allowed to marry after they had accumulated all of the things in the first line. Being mechanically included or handy was seen as being virile < not a joke. If a black man was well off he might have a mistress or second family, usually the wives didn't complain unless she was being humiliated by it. The church would mediate these things. Back then an education wasn't as useful to men as it is now so boys were encouraged to save, learn a trade or agriculture, and by land. Being a married man came with status. Of course you were held in favor-again with the church and following God's law. Like a deen for Muslims. Being in the military was a big deal too.

Women were expected to marry or have an education, sometimes both but the education for them to be teachers or avoid having to take a job (live in usually) with a white family. Cooking and the needles arts were big mainly because it let them make money on the side as well as taking care of her family. If they married it was usually young. If not, never, or widowed they would become an "Auntie" or godmother to another family and help out with kids, cooking, sewing, or counseling. In church their position was a supportive role. Cooks, charity organizers, Sunday school teachers, etc. They were to be silent in the church but her home was her domain and respected by any man or woman or child, unless an elder was a guest. Flirting was an art but they man they liked very seldom was the man they married. Over time respect would turn into affection and friendship with their spouse.

Children were expected to be quiet, obedient, and active in the the household. Girls were pulled out of school to help at home and boys would stay in, get a job, or learn their father's trade. By the time they were teenagers they usually had enough experience to run a household and support a family. Most baby boys are circumcised regardless of their faith.


Folklore:
*Brer Rabbit and the Briar Patch: getting out of a bad situation
*The Woman's Keys: Why women take advantage of men
*Peter's Rock and the Breadloaf: Why there are so many different churches
*John Henry

Dancing and Music: That would take forever to breakdown. But I will say that the church had absolutely nothing to do with “getting on the good foot”. Drilling is precision based but has very formations are kept. Stepping can be precision (high school or community), informal (HB soro/frats), or dance (Chi-town and DC steppers are famous).

Funerals are still like church services accept more attention is paid to the departed. "Home going" ceremonies can really put a strain on you. People fall out, cry, rant, at that good stuff. Then the music will start, Amazing Grace and or Swing Low Sweet Chariot are the main songs but if the dead had a favorite hymn its will be included. Food, food, FOOD; for the guests, for the family while they mourn, and snacks for the children. Dressing in blacks is universal. If a pastor dies his wife is given the "place of honor" for 4 Sundays and his "heir" is introduced to the congregation.

Weddings are just like all the others accept the Jumping of the Broom after the bride and groom are presented.

The only thing significant difference about AA Weddings is the Jumping of the Broom once the bride and groom are announced as one. The reception is the same as other Americans too, just a lot more fun.

Food is usually the best way to define a culture and for us its more than fried chicken, chitterlings, and pork products. My favorites are listed below but it helps of the cook puts their “foot in it”:
Collards with yellow Squash and Cabbage
Hoppin John (Jamaican version is called Peas and Rice or the reversed)
Johnny Cakes and Biscuits
Fried Whiting, Snapper, or Orange Ruffy. I can't stand catfish though.
Salmon Croquettes
Grits
Okra and Tomato Salad
Sock-it-to-me Cake
Sweet Potato Pie ("smack yo mama" style-has Rum)
Ox Tail soup/stew

My father said times were simple and complex at the same time. Someone from South Africa could probably relate.

The "New culture came with some good stuff and some bad stuff which is still being debated. But what I do know is that when you're a minority that the majority doesn't like, everything you create or try to sustain is mocked and even made illegal. Sucks.

We nigerians are really having mad love for y'all for showing up here. We so much like your thougts and your contributions on some issues. Let us into your beliefs, cultures, traditions of your land. We can as well rub mind to discuss on how it's similar to ours. love y'all

What if its a really long post?

Hmmm, What do I really want from men?

Don't laugh but most women don't know what they want as much as what they don't want.

So based on what I don't want;
-I do like consistency-its honest
-I do like progressive thinking- The "it is what it is" perspective is just lazy to me. An enlightened mind is very attractive
-I do like education-by that I mean the act of acquiring useful information & applying it. Men in the skilled trades or who own businesses tend to constantly challenge themselves, even when their at home. I find that extremely stimulating. Degrees are nice but I'm looking for a mate not an employee.
-I do like small physical expressions of affection; hugs, cuddles, hair stroking, etc.
-I do like humor-the more ironic the better. A man who can't laugh is a waste of humanity.
-I do like strong resolve- there is a difference between evolving and flaking. Having am ironclad code of personal ethnics will make me defer to and follow you because you can be trusted.
-I do like tolerance-I [b]can't stomach prejudice or hypocrisy [/b]and unfortunately you can't be one without being another.

That is all I got for now.

Why? Look at the comment made by Denise216. By the way, Denise, why should a culture benefit humanity? How are cultures in West and Southern Africa not original? And the reason there's no cure for cancer is because the insurance companies look at healthcare as a business.

Well we live in a global community now, something even my corner of the diaspora is having a hard time coming to terms with this fact and if yours has nothing to offer, it will be marginalized until it doesn't exist. Some slower than others but it will happen. Its actually happening to another African culture here in the states as we speak. Do a bit of research and you'll see the one I speak of. I'm not sure how familiar you are with the history but up until about 1970 you couldn't tell the difference between African Americans and groups from West Africa, or the Caribbean in just priorities alone. The values and cultural markers were there; marriage/family, education, business, property, food, music, folklore, traditions and dialect. I would say the main difference was in how the women were educated. Most black families would send their daughter to school instead of their sons. It took about a decade and a half for things to get noticeably bad and now worse. Mainly because the people at the time stopped contributing to their society.

The premium for saving a human life isn't yours to dictate.

we africans have the culture, the accent, the language
black americans are diluted africans
thats why

Yes we are diluted Africans but AFRICANS none the less. Something Africa can't even deny. Language, culture, and accents can be adapted just like your tribe practices a bastard form of the original culture before it was segmented. With the exception of East and North Africa there is no culture in Africa that can be called original. This isn't to offend you personally but I don't see what all the fuss is about when it comes to "culture", especially when it doesn't benefit humanity. Asian, European, Latin, and American cultures have contributed to health, the sciences, social equality, and religion. African cultures outside if the northern and eastern regions, not so much. I'll take a cure for cancer over a tribal dish any day.

The man in the first pic is GORGEOUS.

She needs to come to the States. The guys up here are really cool.

yup. First the men who like to have sex with hookers, we called them Strawberries where I live, can justify it by pointing out that 2 consenting adults agreed on a rate of exchange. Also if married men only had the option of paying for sex outside the marriage, there would be less cheating. You can't justify making your family go without just because you weren't man enough to communicate your sexual needs to your spouse, Yeah I said it!!!

Also consider this fact; men pay one way or the another for sex. Might as well make sure you're a satisfied customer

I'm not going to send this young man on a guilt trip. If he finds himself lonely he will rectify it. Keep in mind men don't have to wait for a woman to ask them out like women do. But if he finds he is more productive as a bachelor let him have that peace. The world isn't running short on men last time I checked.

I'm waiting a particular response on this topic.

^^^ I had a part time job cleaning offices at night when I was college. 8 restrooms in the facility

Ladies rooms just had a few paper towels on the floor and soap on the sink= 10 minutes and one pair of gloves.

Mens rooms-toilet paper in the floor, paper towels on the floor, dirty mirrors, soap on the WALL, soap on the sink, no flushing, and smoke smell, lol= 45 minutes, double gloves, and a prayer.

If anything it motivated me to excel so I would never have to do that again.

Obviously she's never been exposed to dirty girls. some female bathrooms are worse than port-a-potties

I said better not the best. What the ladies room looks like you bet it looks worse in the mens room. Plus they don't wash their hands and grab the door. That is just WRONG.

You get better public restrooms.

Looks like an opportunity for Architecture, Landscape, and Construction Engineering students. Clearly there is a desire for more diversity in the landscape. The most exciting (and challenging) thing about this profession is the marriage of aesthetics and function of something so permanent.

As Najia's middle and upper classes expand the demand for more efficient and elaborate housing will sky rocket. Hopefully the creative among us will find a way to meet it because its going to be something fantastic to witness. I would like to see structures that are inspired by precolonial architecture. Whats the point of having a proud history if it can't reflected in every facet of society?

What about water elements?

Because it sells. There is no money in promoting the best of Africa outside of nature. Fortunately Nollywood and other African based media outlets are understanding their need to offer a multifaceted image of Africa and her nations. This is also good for the Diaspora.