recently, I was in a discussion with a "brother" who claimed to be from the UK who had said some very derogatory statements about african-americans.....

among these statements was how we know nothing about our heritage or lineage to africa, how we know nothing about blacks existing outside of the US, that we ALL are self-hating individuals that call each other the "n" word, have black women with blonde hair, and so forth.

Not to say anyone here would be as unkind and derogatory as this guy was, but is that a common consensus in the UK among black brits? Some of this guys ranting is true, but I know myself and many others in America who do not use the "n" word to describe ourselves, know many sisters here who do not even perm their hair, let alone dye it blonde, and many of us ARE aware of our lineage to africa, hence the term "african-american", though some of us, unfortunately, have been completely brain-washed and are ashamed or won't even acknowledge it. And as for not being aware of blacks existing in britain, I have been there, am friends with a few, and am a huge fan of black brit designer Ozwald Boateng, musical artists such as Tricky, Goldie, Dizee Rascal, and Martina-Topley Bird. Not to mention artists like Floetry, who recently imported themselve to Philadelphia.

there was also a point where I did not agree with this "brother" because he called himself "darkomega" just because he's black. He says he got the name from a boxer called "dark destroyer", and I don't agree with that, either. I don't see why we have to use terms like that to call ourselves out just to be made different and "exotic" from others, we already are. Please let me know your thoughts on this as well.

Also, does'nt any of the unfortunate stuff SOME blacks in America do go on in the UK? I've seen it a bit, and i'm told it does, though I would admit that some of it is probably an influence from over here.


my name is Jabulani, and i'm new here, and this was something I was wondering about. I know who I am and our problems over here, and I KNOW, despite what the media shows that we are not all like that, but do black brits have for the most part this singular, generalized view of us? Hope not, because it's not true, and I would hope we are seen as a whole on a higher level than THAT. By me, at least, and I know many others, you guys are seen on a MUCH higher level, and are seen as a part of a worldwide family.

Peace,
jabu

Hello jabulani

Welcolme to the forum

You might not get alot of hits on this topic because its quite a popular and contentious issue and has been discussed at length in the Black Roots foum amongst others

For what its worth I dont think too mnay peope have a problem with African Americans. The slight issue I have is calling yourself African-American but only seeming to concern yourself with teh American part. There does appear to be an ambivalence to African ills, so in that case just call yourself black or American.

But thats not really a problem that keeps me awake at night

Abissinia: thanx for replying, but exactly why are you slightly confused by us?

Cash money: thanx to you for replying as well. but again, that seems like a huge generalization to say that all african-americans, are not concerned about the "african" part.
with people like myself, and others I know who are, why would you say that?

Just trying to get an understanding. Maybe on some level it's true that the "black brit" brothers and sisters view us this way. Abissinia certainly, appraisingly, seems to agree with you. Also, do you mean to tell me as a whole that none of the confusion with themselves some blacks over here are victims of is present over there?

I need to be off to bed so it isn't going to be long.

The blacks calling themselves black brits over here we or should i say i personally laugh at... i may be born here but i am AFRICAN simple as really.

Anyway

Why do i find some AA's confusing?Because unlike the BB, AA at least get some sort of education on African history beyond slavery and colonialism, you have a great opportuinity to reaserch for yourselves from the many AAwriters who i am told many actually major as one of their (equivalent of last year project), you have people likeMalcolm X, Dr King, RosaParks etc etc to aspire too (look up to), we have Marysomething (who was quarter black as the greatest black brit) to admire .

You have 40 mil AA, we have 3 mil if we lucky. AA 10th? richest in collective spending power (had it beena country). I guess people with that kind of power i expect to see in a better position than most find themselves in.

Abissinia: Your logic on this is on point and I can't argue it. All I can say is that with the amount of us we have over here, and with the incredible degradation AA's went through during the years of segregation, our reconciliation with Africa, as well as with each other, is quite a bit of long, hard work. There are many of us over here who feel similar to the way you do, but not enough. Integration, i've been told, was probably the worst thing to happen to us, because we bought in to what white people had and promised us historically so much, it was at the cost of building our own economic and cultural base. And with the suffering black americans went through, which was arguably more degrading and painful than most places in the world, we were to hungry for "integration" to turn away from it. Unfortunate.

But like I said, there are many here who feel like you do, including myself, and I definitely consider the African in me, moreso than the American component. Yet being born, raised and making a living in America, one usually has to consider it too much.

I'm beginning to see more about this whole view africans in the UK and the US have of each other, and it's disheartening to be aware of. The "brother" who came at me with the derogatory statements he made in general about AA's during our argument was disheartening enough. But I did'nt want to return his venomous rant with my own about UK africans, because i know I would'nt have meant them and it would have been words as destructive to us as a people worldwide as his were. All I can say is, don't give up on us, despite some of the fools our media may put in front of you that we both are disgusted by. There are AA's over here that truly care about the "african" part as well.

Jabulani

I'm an AfroAmerican also and you have to admit that many of the negative views that black people not only in England but all around the world have about us is well justified.

Our sense of morality and principle is declining fast all over this country.

Many of them are upset because they see us squandering opportunity.

If you ever get to meet black people from other Western countries like Canada, France, or England....check out how much more educated, emotionally stable, and reserved they are.

America has really done a job on our people.

Sup Kid Welcome to BN!

Interesting first subject!

In all honesty you would need to take a trip to England to get a good scope of opinions. Like you and I (I assume you are American-Black) most people who tend to gravitate to online forums, special interest meetings and the like do not represent that collective interests or express the overall opinion of the respective groups. Ten Nigerians in the USA, Jamaica and Australia cannot express the collective thoughts of 140 million people. Its just not possible and neither can the 20k plus membership here speak for that 3 million who are as diverse as bacteria in the bottom of a pond! Now to my opinion!

Now as for the Name:

The Issue that most people have seems to be financial IMO. People look at our visual presence, our spending power and our Adjective (African) portion of American and seem to ignore the the History. We call ourselves African because that is where we were captured and sold from. We don't specifically relate to say Togo because our Slavemasters were not courteous enough to keep specific biographies on the Chattel. Now given that In the USA Blacks who number roughly 40 million may have unparalleled access to and record World Black history it doesn't mean we are without our very own problems.(which these very critics are quick to ignore while making excuses for their nation of origin) We are almost an indigenous Minority in a coutry we built. The White man destroyed our language mangled our culture and given certain aspects of our history severed our ties to the Continent of Africa. The negative view IMO is basically disrespect. Rather than focusing on Home where ever that may be or trailblazing Black imagery in Media, building the reputation of Countries in the Caribbean and Africa so that there are other alternative Black viewpoints in the world people just sit and talk Fart(I stole this from Kunjufu) and do NOTHING but live their lives. Again I talked financial in the introduction and the fact that we are in the USA, a country with an $11 Trillion Dollar economy we are expected to lobby for Africa or give money in order to use the African adjective which is generic.(Its as if we gotta license our frigin ancestral rights) There are what 53 specific nations but we are expected to pay for the name of the continent???? I guess there is a monopoly on it, a place with 1000 languages/cultures so cause we have to pay them huh?

Reciprical relations:

We are suppose to be Pan African right? From my understanding or the Definition given by WEB DuBois my understanding was that one hand washed the other.... but when Transafrica gives in the name of African Americans to Africa and the Caribbean the very people who criticize never seek to wash our hands. A critic is an expert right? Where is the renaissance Brits-Black or Africans that can teach the 40 million? Nowhere, just sitting and yapping while doing his own dirt!

Culture:

There are criticism of Culture but American Black Culture is the MOST visible Black culture on the Planet! It may not encompass breaking kola nut, body painting and the works but as according to this definition,

1. The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought. These patterns, traits, and products considered as the expression of a particular period, class, community, or population-dictionary.com

We have a distinct culture, is it specifically African? Any fool with a Dolphins brain who speed reads history can answer this question..... but they won't.

Lineage:

Unless someone invents a better DNA test that matter is out of our hands. I personally know the geographical area that my paternal line comes from but Being American-African encompasses soooooo much more than what the critic thinks. If they are so concerned they can begin the African Ancestry Genome project.....I can hold my breath on that one.

Self hating:

In all honesty not one Black group I've heard of is the symbol for Black self love. The only group that I know of that countered Black=Ugly claims was American Blacks in regard to the revolutionizing the Black beauty industry, something that was an oxymoron in times past. Black is beautiful, Black and proud etc... from a context of being a minority in a WHITE Nation, the belly of the beast this is Impossible! the fact that one search on skin bleaching, miscegination and color complex will paint a World Black picture.

The N-Word:

I see Ali G and heard shouted out in "Sean of the Dead" A brit movie but where was the protest? Also, this isn't very credible but I've seen a few documentaries based in London where heads were calling each of Ni66a as well. Sadly one of the first things Young blacks embrace when they hit US shores is this word.

Blond hair:

If I'm not mistaken Blond hair isn't an American Black exclusive this is seen throughout the world, in fact I saw it in Africa at the MTV Base premiere. (Still nothing to be proud of) Hell I've seen Black people in barbados sporting White Powdered Wigs mimicing the English Institutions down to the exact dress. This sickness touches everyone so no group is an island! Tell your critical friends to get a life, tell them they have self-serving tunnel vision.

In conclusion:

"Everybody wanna talk like they got something to say but nothing comes out when they move they lips just a bunch of jibberish, cause everybody act like they forgot about African Americans"-Adapted from "Forget about Dre"-Dre Dre, "Chronic 2001"

@jabulani, I apoligise for the generalisation. It doesnt doanyone any good to lump everyone in the same bracket

Cool?? blkcheers

@ abissinia thanks niceone.gif

Omaar:

I'm inclined to agree with you. And like I said before, I have met and talked with people from the countries you mentioned, but I never got that type of view from them on the level that I am hearing about it. And yes, they certainly are intelligent and aware, but so are a great deal of us over here. And to be honest, the UK brother that I mentioned at the beginning of my first post certainly did not seem "emotionally stable."

But what I really agree with is the "America really did a # on us" part. This country has arguably one of the worst histories of screwing up Africans in the world, especially post-slavery era. I don't think some people worldwide really understand this, as I was going into above, and despite the consciousness of some of us in the US, it's still doing a # on us.

Not to mention that with the largest concentration of Blacks outside of Africa, (Abissinia's attestment was 40 mil compared to the UK's barely 3 mil) there is a great deal more percentage of us to be as "lost" as some of us are. And I'd be very surprised to find out that all the 3 mil in the UK, or all of any percentage of us anywhere else in the world, are conscious of who they are and act like it.

but you're right, too many of us are squandering opportunity, and with the way the US is going these days I'm not sure how much better it's getting. But I know there are many of us over here who acknowledge being of African lineage, are proud of it, celebrate it, and live it. Unfortunately, those people are not considered the "mainstream" of black culture in the US. But really, when has the "mainstream" of most places been that deep?