Happy holidays everyone,
My brother Abu, this is a very good idea but please forgive me for pointing
out some things in the open. The relationship between African-Americans and
Africans is a complicated issue caused mainly by communication problems and
preconceived ideas on both sides. The image given to African-Americans by
the media is mostly negative - violence, welfare, drugs,.... and that is
what SOME Africans (among other groups of people) choose to believe.
Likewise, Africa is portrayed as the underdeveloped jungle of the world,
full of disease, porverty, hunger,..... and that is what SOME
African-Americans (among other groups of people) choose to believe.
Some people from both sides have opened their eyes to see beyond what they
are told or what they hear or see on television. But SOME on both sides
will continue to dwell on their ignorance. To my African brothers and
sisters, we can not be rude to our HOST. We can not feel as though we are
smarter or better than they are. I have pointed out in one of my writings
on this list that not too many Africans were here in the U.S. in the 1960s.
If you don't know what I mean, please ask. African-Americans have paid
their dues in this country and have painfully paved the way for Africans to
be here.
To my African-American brothers and sisters, be nice to your GUEST. They
are your long time lost own. History shows that you are from Africa. Be
proud of it and embrace it. Many of us understand your struggles and we are
in it together. Peter Tosh once said that "no matter where you come from,
as long as you are black, you are an African." So we are all Africans after
all and I hope that as we go into the new Millennium, Africans and
African-Americans will understand that they are ONE people with different
culture and languages - just as we have it in Africa.
Let me also point out that it will be very difficult to bridge the gap
between Africans and African-Americans when Africans don't see themselves as
ONE. Speaking of bridging gaps, I know that a lot of efforts have been made
to publicize the annual African Festivals that we have. Can we make extra
effort to see that there are more African-Americans in attendance next year?
Like Askia pointed out, Africans should also celebrate or participate in
African-American festivals - Kwanza, black history month, etc.
Communication and open-mindedness will be the key to resolving this issue.
See you all at the Ivorians and Nigerians end of the year parties on Friday
and Saturday evenings respectively.
KC
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, visit:
http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/aam.html
AAM Website: http://www.danenet.wicip.org/aam
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|