The African-American Divide

“My entire life I had been told that I am African American, and here I was in Africa and had no culture to call my own… Is the history of slavery not enough explanation on how we separated from our homeland? That isn’t American history; it’s African and American history.”

The African-American Divide
By Tanikia Thompson, Contributing Writer for BGLH.com
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“You’re not African American, you’re American. You guys just say African American so you can have some relation to Africa.”

(remember this backlash?)

These are the words that were spoken to me by a Nigerian lady that I attended college with. It was hurtful to hear her say this. I have traveled to Zambia twice and the first time was challenging. In a debriefing session I explained to the white people on the trip, that my entire life I had been told that I am African American, and here I was in Africa and had no culture to call my own. When a man in the market realized that I couldn’t speak Bemba he told my Zambian host that I should be ashamed of myself for not knowing my language. He didn’t know that I wasn’t from the country. While in Zambia, I noticed how the people looked just like African Americans back home. It was very evident that African Americans are from Africa.

There are two major problems at hand: not enough African Americans acknowledge that they are Africans and not enough Africans acknowledge that African Americans are African. I’m sure growing up we have all heard the “You look like you African” jokes. Well that cruel joke has followed us to adulthood. Why is that meant to be offensive? I will admit that it wasn’t until after my voyage to the Motherland, that I began to take ownership of my African roots. What’s weird is when I say that I’m African around African Americans that know me, they look at me like I’m crazy and question me. I respond by saying “You’re African too!”

On the other hand I have heard Africans speak like the Nigerian lady who told me that I wasn’t African. Is the history of slavery not enough explanation on how we separated from our homeland? That isn’t American history; it’s African and American history. There are African Americans like myself who have gone through major identity crises’ and struggled over the fact that we have no knowledge of what country in Africa we came from. Just because we weren’t born in Africa, don’t strip us of our African identity and heritage.

What frustrates me is I can see how the media has played a crucial role in dividing us. In America they have presented Africa to us as the Dark Continent with uncivilized people. To an extent we have believed everything we’ve seen on television. I remember on my first trip to Africa I was scared that some random men were going to break into the house I was staying at and rape me. Meanwhile in Africa they have presented African Americans as all being uneducated, rappers, thugs, and hoes. It was very irritating when the Africans would try to use slang with me.

This is an issue that frequently comes up in my diverse circle of friends, so I wanted to share it with you guys. I leave you with this question: At what point did African Americans stop being African? When we got off the slaveship?

You can find Tanikia Thompson at her blog Nikki and the City.

Tags: Africa, Nigeria, afro-punk, american, black girl long hair

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Comment by Lloyd Lacy on February 25, 2011 at 3:32am: I feel the same way. We should celebrate our heritage as African Americans.

Comment by Donovan on September 27, 2010 at 7:18pm: This is very eye opening. When you think about it, even African Americans have this sort of cutoff b/t them and Africa. We came from the same motherland, we just exist in different cultures. Are people of African descent in Europe any different from us regardless of what generation immigrant they are.

Comment by Joy on September 26, 2010 at 10:21pm: I love your post. I'm West African and I see everyone who has African blood in them as African. I hate it when Africans look down on black Americans, and I love it when I see black people embracing their roots. Your so right about the media making us feel like we are better than each other. The Nigerian lady who spoke you is very ignorant and misguided. Africans who think like that actually have more identity issues than you would think. Just remain the intelligent and beautiful individual that you are.

Comment by Fela Graves on September 25, 2010 at 1:46pm: Your article is so on point.I really don't get how Blacks are the only race afraid to celebrate our heritage.Yes we are American, which can't be taken from us but we're also AFRICAN. Just because we can't speak one of the many languages of Africa doesn't make us less African. I never see Hispanics, Greeks, Italians, and so on not celebrate and raise their flags just because they are so many generations removed from the country of their ancestors.What is so wrong with us doing the same?But I blame the lack of unity within our community, education and sense of pride.
I will let everyone know Im African American till the day I die because it doesn't stripe away being American.And I truly think it's an insult to not acknowledge my slave ancestors who were brought from African to America.Like How can you not be proud that we are living examples of their strength and courage even when give the worst possible!

Comment by Fashionfreak on September 21, 2010 at 6:17pm: oh and i meant that in a technical sense obviously....

Comment by Fashionfreak on September 21, 2010 at 6:15pm: umm we may be of african descent but we aren't african (those of us born in other countries besdies africa and family as well)

Comment by V on September 21, 2010 at 5:24pm: I understand the point of view here, but I do consider myself to be exponentially different from African people. I think in saying I am the "same" as in we have the same culture and virtually the same identity as people born in Africa would be silly.

I have also experienced African people separating themselves from people who look like them, but can't speak the language. What about Afro-cubans? They look like African Americans. How about people from islands? Are we all the same just because we look alike?

Focusing on looks is something oppressors have been doing to the world and it's something I would prefer not to focus my life on. My culture is what I make of it and what I choose for it to be. My race, however, has been determined long before my birth.

Comment by AijaRama on September 21, 2010 at 1:38pm: I agree that being African-American is its own heritage. We African-Americans were put through hell and this country was built on our backs. We're still feeling the effects of slavery and Jim Crow and will always remember, much like apartheid for the South Africans and colonialism and exploitation of pretty much every other part of Africa.

I do think the bond between Africans and African-Americans is important, and I think dialogue between the two cultures is necessary for that bond. Too often we separate ourselves, and it's unfortunate.

Comment by Phonk_Jones on September 21, 2010 at 12:39pm: I can't say that I agree with this article. I understand the principles behind it and most panafricanist movements, but I feel like African-Americans aren't given enough credit as an ethnicity. I know that my people have been in this country for at least four generations and in that time we've not only made this country wealthy, and functioning, we've basically created and influenced all of western culture. I am very proud to be an America, and I don't see that as a slight to any Africans.

While I agree that our shared history is a bond that should be embraced and not taken lightly, our presents are very different things. We do not conceive of "we" the same as many Africans, and that's not necessarily a problem. We should embrace and learn from the diversity amongst black peoples. While African Americans may not be as old a people as Igbos, we still have a rich tapestry of culture and history that is valuable.