₦airaland Forum

Iwiyisi:
Yes you are right, BUT why don't we see many white americans not getting in trouble or getting beaten by the police? They do act out the same as Black Americans but they can get away with it. Black Americans need to stop fighting with these officers and get educated, there holding themselves back in America. Hell they've been there for 300 + years you would think they got their act together by now!

White Americans act out MORE to the police than Black Americans they just don't get beaten or killed that is the difference. These police Officers look for excuses to beat and kill black americans so its regardless if they fight back or not that they would be beaten or worse killed. Black Americans have gone through a lot in America, there is still racism that they have to deal with daily that we don't see in Naija. Africans don't have to worry when we go to America because White Americans like us better than them. They don't treat us as bad as them so racism is nothing to worry about for us. They have it bad but that is their own fault I don't think we should help them at all. Let them kill themselves

Lucasbalo:
I am not supporting the girl but what the officer did was totally wrong. That's why he lost his job. I am a father of three teenage girls with two in college now. I know teenagers misbehave regardless of race. If that was a white girl, that officer won't brutalize her like that. That's where my anger emanates from. White kids misbehave too. Believe me, I went to overwhelmingly White Catholic college. It's not about color. Most Young Americans are unfortunately don't respect authority.

Yes you are right, BUT why don't we see many white americans not getting in trouble or getting beaten by the police? They do act out the same as Black Americans but they can get away with it. Black Americans need to stop fighting with these officers and get educated, there holding themselves back in America. Hell they've been there for 300 + years you would think they got their act together by now!

Lucasbalo:
Because you are African/American , you are supporting the barbaric behavior of a well muscled police officer assaulting a 16 year old. Wonder never ends. Anyway, the Sheriff has lost his job and there is a good chance he will charged to court for violating the girl's civil right since FBI is investigating.

I'm not saying the Officer should not lose his job. BUT why was the child not respectful in class? we have to ask ourselves that, In America Black Children are constantly in trouble and we turn a blind eye to that. Should she have been punished in that brutal manner? NO but we should be asking Black Americans or " African Americans " why there children are soo misbehaved?

lilwill:
are you even listening to yourself... she's a girl for Christ's sake

Nothing can ever warant an high school student to be treated that way let alone a female student.

just take a step back and imagine if she was your child.

If she was my child she would respect authority and NOT talk back to the teacher and police officer. I do admit that the force was excessive but Black Americans always do this and then cry when this type of stuff happens to them. I'm both American and African I see it daily here in the States. She should have been a good student first then none of this would have happened.

She didn't want to leave the classroom as she was told to leave by the teacher. She didn't respect the authority and was severely beaten by the police officer

President Obama came to Africa to deliver a "blunt message" to its politicians. But young people in Kenya and Ethiopia had plenty to say to Mr Obama about the state of America.
"Tough love" has been a theme of President Obama's visit to East Africa.
The moments where he really came alive on this trip were not just when he talked of his love for Africa, but also when he spoke passionately about human rights.


Standing beside the Kenyan president he likened the pursuit of gay rights in Africa to the civil rights struggle in the US. To an enthralled crowd in a stadium in Nairobi he talked of the importance of women in society.
He talked of the need to eradicate corruption and treat fairly minority communities, including Muslims in Kenya.
"Progress requires that you see the differences and diversity of this country as a strength, just as we in America try to see the diversity of our country as a strength," he said. "I always say that what makes America exceptional is not the fact that we're perfect, it's the fact that we struggle to improve. We're self-critical. We work to live up to our highest values and ideals."

American Black Lives Matter
Kenyans and Ethiopians were overwhelmingly enthusiastic, even fanatical, about their returning East African son, but there were many who felt America, even Barack Obama, was not in a position to lecture others on some of these points.
"Most Americans think about what needs to change in other countries but they need to solve their own problems," Shiferaw Tilahun, 31, tells me in a coffee shop in Addis Ababa.

"They are interested in other people's problems but they don't care about black people in their own country," Shiferaw says. "Most of our black brothers and sisters are suffering in the US,"
It was clear in both countries that the issue of race, more than any other, had damaged people's perceptions of the US.
"When I speak to my friends and family here in Kenya, their feeling about America is 'clean your own house first'," says Teresa Mbagaya, 28.

Teresa is a Kenyan-American entrepreneur we met at the summit in Nairobi attended by President Obama.
She told us that Africans often asked her about the state of race relations in the US having been concerned about reports they had seen on the news.

"We're not on the ground so we just get reports from what is on the media, but it is extremely appalling, shocking and horrifying what is going on to the black community in America," says Amanda Gicharu, 29, who we also met in Nairobi.

"Police brutality, all these killings, everything being swept under the rug, investigations don't happen. They definitely have to do something about that and stop the violence,"

In both Kenya and Ethiopia, it was a recurring theme when we asked what "tough love" might need to go in the US' direction, with people saying they felt personally "offended," "hurt" and "insulted" by the treatment of African Americans that they had seen reported.
Violence and shootings
But it wasn't the only thing that concerned them about US society.

"The shootings in America for me are scarier than what is happening in Kenya," says Alifie Amalia, 37, in Nairobi.
"An attack in our mall is just a one-off, but for America it feels like every day there's some attack, not from Muslims but some random acts in malls or schools."

Many Kenyans are upset about American travel warnings imposed on their country in light of recent attacks like those at the Westgate Mall and Garissa University, but some said they had the perception that travellers would be in more danger in America than in their region.
"People are dying in schools and churches and it is not fair," Tewedaj Solomon, 24, told us in Addis Ababa.

"I don't want to compare but somehow it feels we in Ethiopia can control the violence, you don't get people shooting each other everywhere," she says.

Gay Rights
Surprisingly, there was one more negative impression of the US that young Kenyans and Ethiopians repeatedly told me about, and it was about a lack of freedom of speech and expression in the US.
But this impression was related to the issue of gay rights. It is one topic on which many told us they found President Obama's views unpalatable.

"When Obama declares gay rights is about human rights, most of us feel he's not Christian," says Daniel Abera, 33, in Addis Ababa.
Some Kenyan journalists attending the news conference in Nairobi even cheered when the Kenyan president said homosexuality was unacceptable in his country's culture and gay rights was a "non issue".
"About gay rights, I think a few people [the US Supreme Court judges] should not decide for the whole country," Hawaii Terfessa, 24, tells me in downtown Addis Ababa.
"I know some people want this reform on gay marriage, but there is a group of people who do not, and they have been hated for saying that," she says.

"They should feel free in their country too. All of America should have been asked if they want this step to happen."
President Obama's visit has undoubtedly reignited debate in East Africa on sensitive issues.
As the stadium in Nairobi emptied after his speech, I caught on my microphone a couple arguing about the president's focus on girls getting an education.
The husband said all the attention on girls was detrimental to progress being made by boys, until his wife told him something she said she had never told him before - that growing up as a girl in her village she had felt invisible.
In Ethiopia, people felt uncomfortable being interviewed about human rights abuses by their own government in its suppression of free media and political opposition, but many told us they were pleased President Obama had raised these issues.
It was clear though that Kenyans and Ethiopians perceived that while he was trying to forge a legacy in Africa before leaving office, there were huge issues for Mr Obama to try to resolve at home too.

This is only the tip of the iceberg in America, there will be more I promise. Its up to us here in Naija to speak out against America and their police brutality. I support "AA"s I'm with you

They treat "AA"s like this in America not Nigerian. Pick and choose your battles carefully, that is an ancient battle between "AA" and Whites. Stay out of it

wytecat:
You are only feeding people who haven't been to america this hogwash. Show me what those you mentioned did for Africans if money wasn't involved. No one needs to be bitter, the fact is out there for everyone to see. My point is you "AA" are worse to Africans in America and no amount of your gloss crusade will cover it up. You think Africans are stuppidd and that you could come here and lie when we live it everyday. Just do your thing, we know you and what you stand for. The only reason you are now pro Africans is to give you a large number of people that have been killed by white and make it a race affair, when average African would do everything to avoid you in real life to stay away from trouble as any African that hangs around you ends up dying in some cases.

You built it but, others rule and lord over it, what an accomplishment
We know white our way, not with preconceived notion that you have allowed to hold you down
You didn't lay any foundation for Africans, we came to pay it with sweat and blood and our taxes.

You know what its okay, I don't know why you have a beef with me I'm just trying to post news stories from CNN about what is going on in America. I've been called " Booty Scratcher " Bushman " Tar Baby " From African Americans and from Africans i've been called " Not African " Cotton Picker " Area Boy " Swamp Runner ". But with all that I've had more positive experiences from African Americans than negative ones. I am not bitter to them making fun of me for not wearing name brand clothes they were ignorant but many of them don't wear nice clothes.

Why would I say that Africans are stupid? Thats calling me stupid as well. Naija is the jewel of Africa we come over to America and earn more degrees than any race in this country. That is African Blood & SWEAT all over this country and you and I should be proud of it. As far as me being Pan African, its smart because the Black Dollar in America is starting to reach parts of Africa. AKON is lighting up parts of Africa, matter of fact he's doing More than these charity organizations who rob the continent of its wealth.

America is built on "Race" which is a competitive struggle between groups of people for the wealth and resources of that area. Whites used your brothers and sisters to build them a country for free. They created the idea of Race so they can team together to control the resources in Africa and America. That's what its all about brotha, I don't know why you are upset at a brotha who is trying to show love to fellow brothas across the big lake.

All I'm saying is that the same person you think is your friend was the same person that stormed into all African countries and colonized them the same way he did to the native americans and the natives in South America. African Americans struggle with the loss of their identity from birth, you and i are blessed to know who we are.

Its okay to not like "AA"s yes they are different but I love them, hell when I come back to visit my fathers family they love them too. So get on the boat and not be the " Angry African " . I am not glossing over anything America is a very tough enviornment for anyone. If you come here you would see for yourself, yes you can make more money here. BUT the cost of living is high and hard to maintain, my family came here in 1964 escaping war and it took them years to get on their feet. BUT if it wasn't for Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Jesse Jackson it would have been much harder for any Black Person who would have come to America. You must thank your Anscestors who died to pave the way, if not then you are spitting on their graves. I'm sorry my friend I just love Africans period whether its African Americans, African Europeans or plain Africans ONE LUV @wytecat

Fleshly:
Though I hate the way you classified African Americans, I still think you are right about the bigotry that exists between African Americans.

Explain to me what you are saying? If many Africans think its only African Americans who are being disrespectful to them then Africans are wrong. Its both sides that are guilty

wytecat:
Who are the people that spoke for Amadou Diallo and in what capacity? They added Ajibade to already existing cases to make it look good politically for numeral advantage.

You have to be an "AA" to hold this view, cos no African would agree with you, and it's ok for you to protect your side but this is the fact. It's a known fact that "AA" discriminate against Africans and we find easy to hang around whites than you cos of your inferiority complex you flag at every turn.

You are fighting for yourselves only and not for Africans, you are just too selfish to fight for anyone that doesn't speak like you. If what is happening all over the country is in African communities, you lot would have kept quiet unless there is money to share.

You are not an African, just be proud of who you are.

How can I not be " African "? Its this view that many Africans my family included place upon "AA"s. Just because I'm a second generation Nigerian doesn't make me any less " African ". I was there when Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrakhan, KRS-ONE, Chuck D and many Pastors and Social Activist spoke up for Amadou Diallo. Where was the Guinea community that was his support base NO one absolutely NO one spoke up for that young man. Abijade the " AA "s in Savannah GA damn near rioted trying to get his death case reopened. Those were "AA"s not Africans, You honestly think if Africans were being beaten that "AA"s wouldn't care your wrong. Who spoke up for Deng Manyuon, who was shot and killed by a police officer in Louisville KY. He was Sudanese, it was "AA"s it where was South Sudan? where was Somalia? Nigeria? Where was the African Community? Exactly it was the "AA" who've been in America for centuries who built this country and know more about it than anyone fighting for this African.

Most " AA " do not care who you hang around with even if they are white. They know (whites) alot more than Africans do so maybe when Africans learn who there true mortal enemy is then they would wake up. IF we were only fighting for ourselves the Civil Rights act that MLK ushered wouldn't help you? How bout Brown vs Board of Education, How bout The Affordable Care Act? helps everyone Africans included.

Look you can either be "BITTER" or "PROACTIVE" Me I would rather help both sides. BUT if you want to sling mud and be an Angry African then you are on your own. And we Africans need to get over ourselves, "AA"s are saying either you are with us or against us. which is it going to be?

wytecat:
If you believe this, then you have NOT been around "African Americans" at all, in fact, you don't know them!

Both sides are to blame, African Americans some of them hate the fact that they are African, others acknowledge being African and some are proud to be African. They are like most Americans, if you can do something for them then they will like you if not " Get Lost " as they would say. As for Africans my family included, they don't want to be around "AA"s because they think they are trouble. They think all "AA" are lazy and stupid. BUT when they go to the colleges they see alot of "AA" when they need government assistance they seek "AA". When they go to the local food shelters its the "AA"s who are helping out the Africans. When they are having trouble in their communities its the "AA"s who speak up not Africans.

Both sides are wrong, "AA" don't like being African and Africans think "AA" don't like them both are not true. Both don't know each other

wytecat:
Do "african americans" support Africans in America? The answer is NO!

Whites are even more friendly and will treat you somewhat right, whether is pretense or something else. Every problem an African has encountered in America is orchestrated by an "african america", be it a workplace or others, there are just too many stories about that, the only place Africans can have peace of mind and enjoy working along side "AA" is where they are outnumbered.

You "AA" paid for your emancipation, You didn't pay for African immigrants. African immigrants are still fighting for their rights, because their constitutional and civil rights are violated daily with no recourse, and because they don't believe having lawyers on speed dial and work to pay lawyers, they allow many out of this world craziest false charges that even some lawyers say they have never heard or seen before against them to slide.

Keep up your struggle, our struggle is different from yours. You atleast know your rights, Africans are still trying to figure out theirs cos we are treated differently.

You are wrong, African Americans spoke up for Amadou Diallo, they spoke up for 22yr old Nigerian college student Matthew Ajibade who was recently killed. Whites are NOT friendly to Africans, they know you don't know your rights and that you will take less money and do the worst jobs with no benefits. Look if you don't like "AA" fine BUT just remember the ones who are fighting in America there fighting for the rights of all Africans in America including Nigerians.

First of all I'm both "A" and "AA" but if Africans continue to act indifferent its them who will be left behind. What is funny is that I've been in America my whole life and have not had any issues in the work place with "AA". I went to college with them, I've been to their homes I don't see how Naija can be so cruel to them. Africans struggle in America is the same as theirs, Africans get discriminated in the workplace they don't get jobs because of their last names. We have to stop this fight between us, thats all im saying. I see Black Americans fighting for themselves in America and over the world. I rarely see us doing it anywhere

HiGod:
No my friend, u need to see how these African Americans treat Africans.

I live in America, I've been treated warmly and poorly. I have been treated warmly alot more than poorly. The ones that harbor ill treatment to Africans are so culturally damaged that they hate everyone. That is due to the lack of jobs and resources, BUT go where African Americans have money and you will see a whole new side. They don't care who you are they care about working together when it comes to money. We fellow Africans don't understand their culture, first its American culture. BUT they added their own twist to it, they see themselves as Black and African but don't know how to acknowledge it. Some are scared to talk to Africans because they don't want to get ignored. Alot of my family members always talk about how they don't like us. BUT we Nigerians don't welcome them into our lives, same way with the Ghanains and the other African folks. So can you blame them if they are cold to us? what have we done to help or welcome them?

baralatie:
I totally agree to the statement that she does not have to die!
but I am against her actions against officer on duty who only said "can you put off you cigar" and it became a legal issue!
that is not been diplomatic at all!

let us look at it this way" imagine the officer flagged her down.she parked and puts off her cigarette before even the officer comes round.
the officer comes and the she says "hello officer!,you look like one guy that can make a hot lady pull over,how is going"
(what do you think will be the atmosphere).

My felo Bruda, it doesn't work that way in America police officers are not friendly to African Americans. They are friendly to Africans because they think you will be obedient to them. Plus your accent they know that you will not call them out if they hurt you.The Police will do anything they want to African Americans because they fear their voice and they want to silence them. She was in a vehicle that she owns and has the right as a citizen to smoke a cigarette. The Police man could have stepped back, there was absolutely NO probable cause to beat her up. I will say this her dignity means more to her than her life and the police officer beat the dignity out of her. Remember they killed a Nigerian in a jail cell in Savannah Georgia. Its not just Black Americans its us to getting the worst treatment

HiGod:
African Americans deserve all the inhuman treatment; they are terrible people.

They are even worst than white people when it comes to racism. They treat Africans as if they have got another skin apart from the same black skin.

They talk down on African people.

I am really happy at the rate they are being killed.

Useless people...

Are you serious, do you hear yourself you are talking about people who are mainly " Nigerian " who were kidnapped years ago. How can they be useless when they have done sooo much for that country. The technological advances in America have come from the descendants of slaves off of our shores. Don't let the media fool you into thinking that they are useless, there are over 113 Black Colleges started by them in America. There are many doctors, lawyers, Engineers and teachers there that are African American. They don't tell you this, all we see are rap videos. What happens over there affects Nigerians back home and Africans abroad we all should care. Until we care about all Black People Africans globally will not be united and not be successful.

omololu2020:
Ko kan aye,,,dos african american are also racist to african migrants too

I grew up in the States its not true, yes there is tension but that is on both sides Africans don't associate with them African Americans have their own culture and want to keep it that way.

baralatie:
so Sandra literarily was aggressive to an officer on duty!

No she was NOT aggressive to the officer. She was annoyed you can be annoyed to a police officer. The Police does not have the right to tell you to put out a cigarette in your own car. There was absolutely NO justification for the police officer to pull our fellow African out of her car and assault her. I tell my family who believe that African Americans are always causing trouble, that they are the only ones here in America who speak up. Alot of us Africans are scared to say anything because we fear America's reprisals. She did not deserve to die thats all

All of these cases, Trayvon Martin, Earl Garner, Mike Brown, the Charleston Massacre, our sister Sandra and so very many more tell us one thing very clearly and that is that Black people--whether man, woman or child--whether in church, in their home, in their car, walking down the street, simply existing, are not safe in America. This is the reality for Black people in the United States. And no amount of forgiveness, of singing songs, of prayer, of ignoring the ugly realities of race changes this.



According to newly released police video, a Texas trooper threatened Sandra Bland with a Taser when he ordered her out of her vehicle during a traffic stop on July 10, three days before she was found dead in a county jail.

Bland — a 28-year old African American woman — was stopped for failing to signal while changing lanes, but the routine traffic stop turned confrontational after the officer, Brian Encinia, ordered Bland to put out her cigarette.

“Would you mind putting out your cigarette, please?” Encinia said.

“I’m in my car, why do I have to put out my cigarette?” Bland answered.

“Well, you can step on out now,” Encinia said.

Bland refused, saying she did not have to step out of the car.

[A trooper arrested Sandra Bland after she refused to put out a cigarette. Was it legal?]

Encinia opened the driver’s door and attempted to physically remove Bland from the vehicle.

“I’m going to yank you out of here,” Encinia said as the two struggled in the car. “I’m going to drag you out of here.”

“Don’t touch me, I’m not under arrest,” Bland said.

“I will light you up!” Encinia said, while pointing the Taser at Bland.

State Sen. Royce West (D) said that after viewing the video, he could confirm that Bland was threatened with a Taser by the officer.

Details of the confrontation were not included in the arrest warrant written by Encinia, which officials released Tuesday, 11 days after the arrest — and eight days after Bland’s death in the Waller County Jail.

In America they lock up Black Americans not Africans just for minor traffic stops. Then she winds up dead in a jail cell and they want to say its suicide? I thought this was the land of the free?

Here is the video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rEN-6OXFws

I don't know why Americans are treating people who could be of Nigerian descent like this? The more Afro Americans fight back the more they get slaughtered. Maybe its not our concern but we cannot just watch this and not say anything.

Sandra Bland Drove to Texas to Start a New Job, So How Did She End Up Dead in Jail?
Police claim that the Illinois woman became combative after she was pulled over for a traffic stop. They arrested her, and two days later she was found dead in her jail cell. Bland’s family and friends suspect foul play.

BY: STEPHEN A. CROCKETT JR.

On July 9, 28-year-old Sandra Bland of Naperville, Ill., drove to Texas to start a new job at her alma mater, Prairie View A&M. On July 10, police stopped Bland just outside the campus for allegedly failing to signal while changing lanes. Police claim that during the stop she became combative, was thrown to the ground, arrested and charged with "assault on a public servant."

On July 13, around 9 a.m., before her family could bail her out, Bland was found dead inside a Waller County, Texas, jail cell. Police claim she died from "self-inflicted asphyxiation." Her family and friends say that is impossible; that the woman they know, who fought strongly against police brutality and had just gotten a new job, would never have committed suicide.

"I do suspect foul play," a friend, Cheryl Nanton, told ABC 7. "I believe that we are all 100 percent in belief that she did not do harm to herself."

Video obtained by ABC 7 of Bland's arrest doesn't appear to show Bland being combative with officers, but does show two officers on top of Bland, who can be heard questioning the officers' methods of restraint.


"You just slammed my head into the ground," Bland can be heard saying on the recording. "Do you not even care about that? I can't even hear." As she is being escorted to the police car in handcuffs, Bland can be heard yelling, "Slammed me to the ground and everything!"

Shortly afterward, an officer can be heard telling the person recording the incident that he or she needed to leave.

Malcom Jackson, a friend of Bland's who witnessed the encounter, told the news station that the police were forceful during the entirety of the traffic stop.

"After he pulled her out of the car, forced her and tossed her to the ground, knee to the neck, and arrested her," he said.

Waller County Sheriff Glenn Smith told ABC 7 that during the traffic stop, Bland became combative with the officer and was arrested and charged with assault.

The news station reports that Smith said "jailers saw Bland at 7 a.m. Monday when they gave her breakfast and again at 8 a.m. when they spoke with her over the jail intercom. Smith says she was found dead an hour later."

In a press release from the sheriff's department viewed by ABC 7, authorities claim that CPR was performed shortly after Bland was found unresponsive in her cell and that she was pronounced dead moments later.

"I do not have any information that would make me think it was anything other than just a suicide," Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis told ABC 7.

Bland's friends told the news station that the woman they know was excited about starting her new job on Wednesday, July 15, and that she would never have taken her own life.

"The Waller County Jail is trying to rule her death a suicide, and Sandy would not have taken her own life," LaNitra Dean told ABC 7. "Sandy was strong. Strong mentally and spiritually."

On Wednesday, several of Bland's friends protested outside the Waller County Jail, which is 50 miles south of Houston. Family members told ABC 7 that Bland's body will be brought back to Illinois for burial as soon as authorities release it.

According to ABC 7, Texas state rangers are investigating Bland's death and have not commented on the video obtained by the news station.

Until the investigation is complete, Bland's friends and family will continue to speak out about the tragic loss they believe is highly suspicious.

"We're very suspicious and we're a very tight community and we're very upset that this has happened, and it seems like there's nothing really being done about it," Bland's friend LaVaughn Mosley told the news station.

Here is another article on the victim
http://heavy.com/news/2015/07/sandra-bland-dead-death-killed-waller-county-texas-illinois-woman-dies-jail-police-custody-job-hanging-traffic-stop-assault-police-officer-video-photos-cause-of-death-autopsy-facebook/