Aren't We The Same???

[Nyela]

Don't foresee change in the near or distant future.

[afrocentric]

in the way we are but in a way we are not. when we was growing up, they didn't like our food and we didn't like their spice dishes. i didn't understand their language--which i still don't---- and they don't understand ours. they was taught socialism and polictics at a young age but we was taught to break dance and rap. they called us lazy and i told them to take a bath.

we do have some things in common, we don't like death, we love our children and we don't like the bushes family.

[Corals]

Originally Posted by afrocentric

in the way we are but in a way we are not. when we was growing up, they didn't like our food and we didn't like their spice dishes. i didn't understand their language--which i still don't---- and they don't understand ours. they was taught socialism and polictics at a young age but we was taught to break dance and rap. they called us lazy and i told them to take a bath.

we do have some things in common, we don't like death, we love our children and we don't like the bushes family.

To whom are you referring to when you used the word 'they'?

[afrocentric]

i'm sorry i forgot to put where and when. the africans moved into our neighborhoods and went to our schools when i was a little girl living in san francsico. there was always constant fights with them because we were so different. and what i stated above in my other post is what caused the fights because we was hearing from other people and not taking the time to learn from each other.

now when i got grown, my cousin started going with one. she was pretty and and very respectful. she and her family would do the food when the international convention comes to town. and it tasted good. i finally got to learned their culture and they learned ours.

[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

[Lediamand]

We are not the same in many ways but we are the same in one way that is all of our ancestors have been oppressed by white people. This one thing that all Black people have in common.

[ardamus]

One thing I think people don't get is that when we want unity as a people, we don't keep in mind that we as black people will not agree always. Its been like that for years and there's nothing you can do about it except for accept it. From class status to cultural backgrounds, thats just human beings work as a whole regardless. Thats why I always stress trust amongst my people. I've run into brothas and sistas that preach this whole unity thing but they have this condescending selfish way of acting on it. And its more so for the own personal needs than actually unifying with other people. I've gotten along with Africans, Central Americans, and etc. consistently. And other times I haven't but thats just how it is and you can't really trip on it. It is what it is.

[trinigirl]

Originally Posted by JABOOM

YOU KNOW WHAT!!!!

I really hate this type of arguments IT'S STUPID!!!

We are the same because we are one people. SO F***ING WHAT SOME OF US DIDN'T HAVE OUR ANCESTORS SNATCHED FROM OUR HOME

But the point us that these type of ignorant arguments keep us SEPARATE NEAR AND FAR!!!! PERIOD!!!

JABOOM I wanted to wait and read a while before i responded
YOU know what I do NOT think this question or concern is "STUPID" or "IGNORANT" I think it is unfortunate that you see it as such.
I actually think it is about knowing and understanding and bonding with each other. Afrochat is one of these such opportuinties that allows us to strengthen our bonds...

peace and love

[Rosalind]

You make it seem like it doesn't work both ways. But, it does.

Originally Posted by jacqui

I've seen this occur many times and I am always floored when I see it. Just this past Saturday at the gym, there is a sister from Nigeria in the class and 2 of the heifers in the class were talking to her so nasty and in such a disrespectful manner. I was so glad when she said, " I am not the child of either of you 2 sickly women. Remember that." I was so proud of her and I winked at her.

I have seen some of us be so nasty to our brothers and sisters. But then it is expected because look how some of us treat each other.

[ardamus]

In all honesty, I'm glad we're not all the same. It would be boring and suck to find out all of my people think like me in every aspect. Hit me with another persepctive. I might learn something. I guess trying to find out if we as a peopla are at least on the same plain or maybe even close to it is something that I wish that was there.