African American's Guide to Understanding African Immigrants

 There are many stories from African immigrants of how whites were nicer to them than African-Americans. That some whites were willing to assist them when they needed help, and usually looked out for them during their earlier days in the US. There’s always the perception that whites are more accommodating to Africans than African-Americans. Although this narrative seems to change as they settle into the American society. When the initial euphoria of ‘America the Paradise’ wanes, and faced with the daily discriminations and racism as a person of color, they then begin to have a slightly different narrative. But the dislike or distrust of the African-American lingers, and for some it remains for life. That’s the sad truth! Some also say that African-Americans are very much in your face with their hostility towards them. An African-American is more likely to mock and bully them without the slightest care of how they felt about it. From the classroom, to the mall, to the workplace... A...

 It’s no secret that African immigrants refer to African-American with the word Akata. And most African-Americans are aware of this. It’s origin or language source is not quite clear. No one knows when the word was first used. But what is known is that it is used within most African immigrant communities to refer to African-Americans. It’s obviously not a term of endearment, but it should be known that it is not an entirely malicious word.  The word Akata can’t be compared to other very offensive well-known derogatory words used in describing some groups or races in America. It’s pretty much a term used to identify a black person born in America, or used to identify blacks that are not directly connected to the African continent either by birth or parentage. It’s obviously not a word an African immigrant will openly address an African-American with. Although most African-Americans discovered the word Akata when it was revealed to them by their African immigrant friends or acqu...

 One of the first culture shocks an African immigrant experiences in America is realizing the seeming disconnect in relations between an African and an African-American. The apparent wide gap in culture and world view between both groups is a striking marvel for a new arrival from Africa. And it seems every African immigrant has a story or two to tell about their encounters with African-Americans. And oftentimes, they are not pleasant. The common tales being the overt verbal jabs and shaming they face from African-Americans.  Most also claim that African-Americans invade their spaces usually uninvited, with questions and comments that are rather insulting. That African-Americans tend to pick on them for being nothing but Africans (whatever that means). That they can understand the stereotyping and hostilities they face from other races, especially whites, but can’t seem to understand why an African-American whom they feel some kind of kinship with based on race (apparently), a...

 Africans have always been in love with the black culture in America. From the music (especially Rap), to the fashion, to the accent, to the athletes and celebrities. Africans love to imitate the lifestyle of African-Americans as they see on TV. What fuels this desire to be like an average African-American is the well contrived show off by Africans immigrants whenever they visit their home country. And since African-Americans seldom visit the motherland, these African returnees are the closest images of what most Africans perceive as African-Americans.  Those that visit, make their presence known with their new dress sense, flamboyant spending habits (of course they earn more than those back home), and an open show of superiority and arrogance towards their family and friends. Although this may cause resentment in some, it elicits reverence and respect in many. And interestingly, it’s the dream of most single ladies to date or marry an Americana. An Americana is almost certain...

 African-Americans are revered in Africa. They are seen as a very privileged group of blacks living the good life, just for the fact that they are citizens of the paradise called United states of America. But unfortunately, a very large population of Africans in the continent do not know about the history and struggles that African-Americans faced and are still facing in America.  Even with the media coverage of racism and police brutality, most Africans still believe African-Americans have it good in America. There’s this rather weird but popular joke, that some people say they wished their ancestors were part of those captured and taken to America, so that they would be born in America to enjoy the American dream. Wild joke but very popular. And this mindset seems to be the reason for the endless scrambling by Africans to come over to America. Having an American visa, green card or American passport is a very big deal in Africa.  Traveling to the United States is the cl...

The aim of this blog is to help you re-examine your long-held beliefs and biases against African immigrants, and also to encourage you to understand the true nature of an African immigrant on a personal level. After reading this blog, you’ll realize that you may be wrong about most of the stereotypes you might have heard and probably believed about African immigrants. You’ll also get to know about most of the biases and stereotypes African immigrants have about African-Americans. And, how they are coached and indoctrinated on how to relate with African-Americans. You will be amazed at some of them!  But ultimately, an attempt is made to bring to light the very long but unfriendly relationship between African-Americans and African immigrants, that has festered and been passed down from one generation to the next, and ways to improve relations between the two groups. We all know the media have greatly influenced the frosty relationship between African-Americans and African immigrants...