Yeah, I hear all of you guys talking. And just see denial of the true meaning of the word. If it really meant nothing then you could just call black American's 'cousins' or something like that. It's not hard to come up with a word. And if you guys can't even narrow down a definition, then it must not be an important word in your language. I mean, I if chose a word for you guys like, Ferels. As in Ferel Cats. Meaning something that was captive or tame and now is living freely, then How would feel about that? I could twist it and turn it and say "look guys, we call you guys ferels because you escaped bondage of the white man and now are free, but ferel is not a negative word man, it just means African people now. We don't mean anything by it." How would feel about that?

I wouldn't say that hating on West Africans is hating myself because historically I acknowledge the common origins of us both. But in a contemporary context, I see minimal relation. Most Nigerians do not seem to know themselves the origin of the word which makes it even more ridiculous. I've heard every explanation for where the word 'Akata' has come from it meaning, fox, cotton-picker, cat or lost cat, to just someone away from home. However, the use of the word belies whatever false cover of justification the spouters of the word have. The bottom line is, the word doesn't mean me, A black man nor does it mean anything that I would call complementing or respectable. You seem pretty down to earth, but you are a drop of water in an ocean of capriciousness. Anyway, I don't think I'll get any real answers here. Don't try to offer advice to me, as a way to avoid answering my question. I'm already aware I'm not perfect and that my views may be skewed, but the simple answer to my question remain aloof.

Alright, but when did I say I was fine with the word "nigger" or "nigga?" I didn't.  So, I don't know how u just tried to prove a point on a view i didn't state. Nor did I state that I met all Africans. I'm talking based on a representative sample of west African people based on experiences of my associates and I, and from reading things like I've found on this forum. Which is valid however not conclusive, no. I'm not saying I'm all right, of course I could just be an asshole. I'm just looking for an unemotional rebuttal. At least that I could respect. Anyway, no one has attempted to answer my question, which I even widdled my entire post down to. So, waiting,

PS.
I even stated that african-americans are ignorant in large part, my issue is just why do the majority ignorant from your people feel superior? That's what I wanna know. And, I also said, in so many words, in my post, that the only people from both cultures that can get along are those who think. But, both nations are screwed up. So that's why I think it's funny you guys have this derogatory word 'akata' when really, it's nothing noteable about you guys TODAY. In the past yes. But, not TODAY, where at least with African-Americans, there are still many people of note TODAY.

@Juquan - Yeah, doesn't look like you guys care at all, at least from the footage I've seen.

Figures though, these are the kinds of responses I'd thought I'd get. Would be surprised if you all could even concentrate long enough to read through the whole post. (sigh) Africans, Yeah, I'll run along, and you run along back to posts about Ibo and Cous-Cous.

Many of you guys ask why African American's find the term 'Akata' offensive, it's because of the tone with which it is used. I'm simply asking, where do you get the pride and arrogance to be condescending and what is it based on?

The problem, is that your post has a subcontext of low self-imagery. It's clear your trying to say that "we are good enough", relative to Europeans because "we are light-skinned" too. It's a dumb post.