Is African Black (Part 3)

Although some African Americans are yet to fully identify themselves with the motherland either out of curiosity or interest but some are definitely not considering themselves Africans or do not like to be called Africans.
For Quinesha (real names withheld), who doesn’t want to be called an African gave her reasons as thus, “there is just too much going on in Africa ; AIDS, poverty etc therefore, since I wasn’t born there, I don’t want to be considered as one.” On the other hand, Patrick (real names withheld) thinks because it is very difficult for him to flow with Blacks born in Africa , it is therefore impossible for people to mistake him for an African. To him, the accent and the way Africans carry themselves make it difficult to “flow” with them. He went further by saying that he thinks Africans are too reserve, conservative and shy in a lot of ways thereby making interaction difficult.

On the contrary, some Blacks born in America who has never been to the African continent before still have a very strong interest in learning about the different African cultures and values. This interest alone does make a huge difference between these interested minds and the likes of Quinesha and Patrick mentioned above.

However, it is pertinent to note that the reason some Blacks wouldn’t like to associate with Africans could be because of “self pride” and the impatience in learning about the different African cultures. Also, another factor could be the painstaking in getting used to the numerous African countries there are, the various tribes and ethnicity, the food, languages etc. Notwithstanding, the cost of taking a trip to Africa and the travelling distance involved has really discouraged most Blacks. Therefore, it becomes a personal decision as to do I want to be called an African because I am Black or I am an African because I am from the Motherland?

So, what’s the buzz in being a Black, an African or an African-American? Are they all the same meaning? Is it the skin color, different weather conditions, country of birth, difference in food, difference in cultural and moral values, accent, difference in looks, dress sense/code, family structure, languages, tribes, areas of interest etc that defines who an African is or because statistical data defines it as Blacks or African-American.

Blacks need to wake up and embrace one another in love and stop worrying about what they think about Africa . All the media does is neglect the beauty of Africa and stereotype AIDS, poverty and corruption for the world to see. Africa is full of life and rich in resources. Blacks could be called Africans if they identify themselves as one, and possess in them the reassurance of a better Black generation. Being Black is beauty itself and we glow in pride and not in shame or denial. We are the ones that have endured persecutions and war; therefore, we have to stay strongly in love, and not in separation. Unity should be our watchword, and there should be no “I” in place of “we” and “me” in place of “us” It would be a shame for Blacks to continue in disunity because we are all one from the Motherland, we should sing it loud with a collective Black voice. Let’s not hate on one another because life is too short. We are the World’s greatest and should start living it. ONE LOVE!