African Hornblower/ Contemporary News forum

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Permalink Reply by Q.A.Bradford on April 7, 2010 at 1:46pm

Permalink Reply by Q.A.Bradford on April 7, 2010 at 1:49pm

Permalink Reply by Q.A.Bradford on April 7, 2010 at 1:49pm

Permalink Reply by Q.A.Bradford on April 23, 2010 at 12:00pm

Permalink Reply by Q.A.Bradford on May 18, 2010 at 8:50am

Permalink Reply by Kimberly on August 7, 2011 at 2:37am

Hey Bradford,

 

I am going to respond to your post on 'FOBs' of African decent.

 

I am Nigerian American, both parents are Nigerian, they moved here over 35 years ago. My father's family was rich in Nigeria (my grandfather was an interpreter for the British colonizers in their court system) and all his brothers moved to US because they could afford it. Our family had no handouts. Same goes for my mother's family. My father and Mother got their first degrees in Nigeria then came here and both got degrees at the University of Washington. My father an Engineer and my mother a registered nurse.

 

I spent 7 years in Nigeria and attended University there as well. I came back to USA and continued my education and I am applying for graduate schools now.

 

Growing up in the burbs then spending 7 years in Nigeria gave me a perspective of both sides. I have noticed a thinly veiled animosity between Africans and Blacks in USA. It is sad but it is so.

 

Here is my take from a Nigerian or Nigerian American's perspective on Blacks in the US

 

A. Nigerians feel that black Americans have little in common with them culturally, except for their skin color and hair texture.

B. Nigerians feel that black Americans as well as most Americans, think that Africa is not developed, mono-ethnic, non-progressive, everyone lives in poverty, we have no technology, no cars, we speak a primitive language, live in trees, don't wear clothing, etc.

C. Nigerians are very educated and in the Nigerian community it is frowned upon if one does not at least have a bachelor's degree. In the Nigerian community (both in Nigeria and abroad) if you are not in school or don't have a degree you are a loser in the community. Ask any Nigerian, they will tell you the same thing. Also, NIGERIANS ARE THE MOST EDUCATED ETHNIC GROUP IN AMERICA, it is true, more educated than Asians, and Whites. Look it up if you don't believe me. So this will give you some incite into where Nigerians are coming from.

D. Don't beilieve all the hype about Nigerians or Africa. Iived there and it is nothing like what you see on television. It is mostly lies and propaganda to keep people away from the industrialized part of Africa.

E. Please do research on Africa and you will see Africa is a continent and it varies so greatly you would not believe. Nigeria alone has 250 different tribes, who look different and speak different languages and most Nigerians are bi- and tri-lingual, speaking their native tongue and English and French.

F. If you want to get a serious look into how Nigeria really is, watch Nigerian Films, there are no stereotypes and you will get to see Nigerian life. You can find tons of Nigerian films online or on Youtube. Nigeria has the third largest film industry in the world. I love Nigerian films. I get to see people who look like me, who are not constantly stereotyped by media.

 

The truth is, Nigerians will look down on anyone who does not meet their standards of life here in America. Nigerians (born in Nigeria) see America as an opportunity to get a great education and make money and help their family do the same. If you are not doing that, then you are kind of a loser and they wont associate with you. If you give them respect, are on the same track as them, and don't have stereotypical ideas of Africans then they are cool. It is harsh, but that is how Nigerians are. Of course there are some outliers.

 

I hope this helped to give those of you a better insight into the animosity between Nigerians/Africans and Black Americans.

 

The truth is, Nigerians/Africans are just as different to black people as are Italians, Jews, Arabs, etc.

Every African has their tribe, their heritage, and their people. I am of the Igbo Tribe from Owerri, Nigeria. We have our generations and traditions, which most Americans don't understand. They seem to think every African is the same. And Africans don't have issues with skin color or race. If you father or mother is African and you know your tribe, you are one of them. Even if you look white. A lot of it depends on you knowing your heritage and your father's land (and if not you father's and, then your mother's land) You If you are African, you belong to a specific tribe and know what tribe you belong.

 

Hope this helped.