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imported post -
21-07-06, 10:37 PM
Masai05 – You raise some profound questions regarding the fundamentals of our Blackness.
In my mind you are really asking if we can truly be Black if we are not in Africa and are without the cultural and social trappings of Africa.
The back to Africa urge is certainly understandable, and is not new; over the years it has spawned several migrations.
But I would remind you, that the largest of these migrations – the founding of Liberia, was not, and is not, appreciated by the local Africans. Resulting in war and strife even unto today. Though I’m sure that they would welcome you as a tourist.
Later, smaller migrations of recent years (60s-70s) resulted in some, returning to America in a distraught and disillusioned condition. Seems the reality in Africa was quite different from what they had fantasized about.
But aside from all that, I wonder how much of our feelings/fantasies about Africa are colored by our inability to reconcile ourselves to life in the U.S. with its accompanying racism, discrimination etc. If all that were absent, would you still feel the same about Africa?
I would also remind you, that your family has been in the U.S. longer than most of the current citizens. That my not mean much to them, but it should mean something to you. By that, I mean that you have a claim to a piece of the pie, (I’m not talking about the reparations nonsense), a whole bunch of people, need to figure out how to take it.
Funny thing here – White people and their white government has done quite a lot to enable you to do just that. Which makes for a very confusing situation – Who is the enemy? In my own situation, I certainly do suffer the effects of racism and discrimination. But in everyday life, a young Black Male, is a much greater threat to me, my family, and my property, than ANY White man.
So what does it all mean – not really sure: but I think the answer, or at least a big part of the answer, is in our heads. Maybe we need to look at things a little differently, certainly more realistically.
Just to keep it real: do you know, that even if you are on welfare, you are still better off materially, than many/most? Africans. Sobering thought, isn’t it. You will notice I said materially, I can’t quantify the emotional value for some, of being in a totally Black environment. However, judging from the number of immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean, I gotta think that the all black thing, gets old when you are facing a lack of food, shelter, clothing, and perhaps in the long run, most importantly – Education!
Mezmerized – Yes, Black Americans tend to think that they and their problems define Blackness. Give them a little more time.
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