First off, let me ask you a question.  Have you ever heard that Africans and African Americans don’t like or congregate with one another?  It‘s apparent that we share the same complexions’ but their is a definite taboo between the two groups of people.  Do you believe African Americans share a different nationality, ethnicity, culture, and education opposed to that of Africans living in Ghana?   

In 1960, Anthony Eromosele Oigbokie came to America; he experienced racial slurs not from your vintage original groups such as the KKK white groups but from American blacks wearing clothing that originated from Africa.  According to Antony Eromosele Oigbokie, this was the time when folks were shouting, “Say it loud’ I’m black and I’m proud.”  Yet, when I called someone black, they would say, “why are you so cruel?  Why are you calling us black?”  If they saw me with a girl, they would yell to her, “what are you doing with that African.”  (Africans vs. African Americans, Oigbokie) 

This situation was generated when African tribal leaders sold and profited from selling individuals.  As a result, this could be a reaction from African Americans.  Some African Americans will never forgive or forget.  Actually, many of African people cannot relate to slavery because they have not been a part of the humiliation or experienced the direct impact from this unforgettable experience. 

What the Africans did face in reality, was the distress related to colonial rule and the apartheid.  Some believe that we actually share the same cultural similarities. Omali Yeshitela stated,”whether blacks live on the Ivory Coast or the Atlantic Coast Yeshitela contends, “We’re all the same.  Their are no cultural differences between African’s and African Americans.” 

Has slavery eradicated the bond between Africa and blacks living in America?  Many blacks from America have developed ignorance about Africa.  Next, Africans that arrive here just cannot relate or understand what our ancestor’s here in America has endured because of slavery.  Many black Americans think and believe all Africans are poor.  This is part due to media such as sponsor a child or Aids commercials aired which could enhance one’s mind to believe Africa is a worthless country. 

I have also read that Africans look down on African Americans because they cannot understand why a lot of African Americans don’t take advantage of the opportunities that exist in this country.  It also goes both ways because African Americans look down on Africans because they don’t see them for what they are which is descendants of the same ancestors.  Also, a lot of African Americans look down on Africans who now live in America because of their difference in speaking and customs. 

Here are differences between African and African American weddings.  To honor their ancestors, some Africans have been known to pour out Holy Water, or alcohol afterwards, prayers are said to the ancestral spirits.  On the other hand, African American couples choose to pour out wine or other liquid to honor those that have recently passed away.  Their are some traditions we share together.  For instance, the Kola nut symbolizes the couples willingness or commitments to always help each other.  In Nigeria, both the couple and the parents have to share the Kola nut or the ceremony is not complete.  With African Americans, the Kola nut is implemented as well, and then it is placed inside the home as a reminder to work through any problem they may encounter. 

Another huge situation between blacks and African Americans living in the United States is an income differences.  Actually, in 2009, annual median income of a single-race black household was $32,584 which was a decrease of 4.4 percent in 2008.  In 2003, African immigrant’s median income was over $40,000. According to a study, many Africans send money back to families in Africa.  In an example, 37 percent wired funds between $1,500 and $3,000 and 20 percent sent $3,000 to more than $10,000 annually to support their relatives in their home countries. 

According to the Center for Research on Immigration Policy, in 1990, the median household for an African immigrant was 30,907.  Unfortunately, $19,533 was the average income for African Americans.  I believe most of this is part due to the fact that only 14 percent of African Americans graduate from higher education (college).  “Most of the friction between African people center around the class issue”, says Yeshitela.  He says, “when African Americans and Africans fight over jobs; they are buying into a conspiracy to keep them at odds.”  “I don’t like the artificial separations that won’t allow the two of us to get together.  It is not in our best interest to always be at each other’s throat.”  A professor at Florida State University Na’im Akbar, a psychology specialist stated, “we need to embrace our cultural differences especially since the two groups are in the same boat now, Akbar says”.  Needless to say, when Africans living in Africa and African Americans living in America who are poor most of the time, they continue doing what they’re doing which is not helping their current situation. 

I had a chance to interview a lady who lives in Ohio from East Africa, Tanzania. Her name is Mary Rutayebesebwa.  After speaking with her for about twenty minutes I learned a great deal about how she view African Americans threw her eyes and what she experienced coming from Tanzania to Washington, DC. 

Mary felt that when she came to America to attend college she immediately noticed how the cultures were different.  She felt that the way African American women dressed was extremely inappropriate opposed to her home country and culture.  It was a hot summer fourteen years ago when she arrived in DC.  When she began her college career, she noticed the separation between African Americans and African immigrants. Mary also was honest and admitted to being somewhat judgmental.  Mary informed me that because the different styles of clothing was so apparent, she didn’t want to interact and seem like they are the same people by association.  Mary was referring to African Americans, and Africans being connected by history. 

I asked her to touch on the issue regarding food.  Mary felt that was another wedge between the two.  Cow chicken and rice were prepared for adults, but she said, “mashed potatoes were for the kids cereal also was another choice because adults rarely ate mashed potatoes.” 

I was surprised to discover that African Americans actually withdrew from the information she tried to provide to them about where they originated from which is Africa.  She said, “African Americans would say to her, “we will never go there referring to African, so we don’t want to hear it.”  According to Mary, in school, Africans are taught about countries all over the world. 

Employment was hard for Africans who just arrived to America because of work permits being a necessity to obtain a legal income.  Also, some immigrants actually work under the table to establish an income.  Accent was also an issue for African immigrants.  In the book titled Africans and African Americans: Complex Relations- Prospects and Challenges by Godfrey Mwakikagile one African immigrant, Sam Omatseye, stated,” Africans are doctors, lawyers, professors, engineers, students, cab drivers, clerks, security guards and chefs.”  Therefore, my research has informed me that not all African immigrants are paid extremely high wages opposed to African Americans. 

Honestly, I believed African immigrants are going to college and try to establish a significant income while only 14 percent of African Americans are graduating from college.  I strongly feel that African Americans and Africans descendants should form separate organizations to eliminate tension and misconceptions among the two groups.  I also feel college campus and community programs should become more aware of the separation and try to encourage communication and understand our differences and respect each other’s change since slavery stripped us of our connection.  This is a situation between two groups of people who are connected but share no ties or bonds through amicable interactions. 

I was even more surprised to discover Africans do not cherish their background.  Akbar says,” that blacks appreciate their heritage more than Africans do.”  “We have to convince them to preserve the slave dungeons in Ghana or to continue the weaving of the kente cloth.” The kente is an extremely colorful fabric of Ghanaian origin which is frequently worn to show a symbol of African American pride.  I believe the two groups need to have a more genuine concern for each other’s well-being and together we would be more beneficial working in our communities.  There is so much we could learn from one another.  If we take the time to embrace our history and connection, the two groups could become just one body symbolizing our homeland with pride and respect.  Africa has amazing history, as so does our ancestors who were sold and transferred into slaves and stripped of their culture.  This has created a divider between two of the same people.  We need to form an organization eradicating these misconceptions, and prejudices toward one another. 

References

Ayubu, Kani S. Founder of the Black Art Depot, July 16, 2010 

Mwakikagile, Godfrey, Book: Africans and African Americans: Complex Relations, 2009 

Omatseye, Sam Rocky Mountain News, March 19, 2000 

Reddick, Tracie “African vs. African”-American, 1998 

Rutayebesibiwa, Mary Interview: East African Immigrant, March 26, 2010    

Originally Submitted As An English Comp 2 Research Paper  

Research Conducted by Author/Publisher  

BraineMatter AKA Max AKA DeWayne White  

Max Pro Check Publishing®  

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