[sonflour_2001]

Can't it be both? Isn't there both diversity AND unity? I cringe when the West continously imposes exaggerated views of homogeneity onto all peoples of African descent. They certainly did this during the times of slavery and Africa's colonization. They cut Africa with no consideration for the unique and diverse cultures there. Made states, separations and boundaries where certain ethnic groups didn't necessarily get along. It was just one big ole mess, simply because Europeans oversimplifed us as a people with the ignorant mentality that everything brown has to be the same. Craziness I tell ya...crazy!
With that being said however, I do personally have a sense of connection with others of African descent in spite of our incredibly diverse backgrounds as our ancestors once shared the beautiful motherland as our home of origin.
And yeah Trinigirl, I know exactly the types of attitudes you've encountered because I've seen it happen as well. It's almost as if some blacks have adopted wholesale the Western mentality that black Africans or Africans from countries other than those associated with the West such as America and Europe, are the lowest of the low. The reasoning behind this mess is because they associate the West with civilization and have accepted all the Tarzan myths and lies they've been fed about African culture. Stupid, crazy, and just plain sad.

Deondra