28. "RE: African vs./or African American" In response to In response to 21
>Truthfully NuShooz, the African American experience, >with regards to how it >is perceived in Africa, for >all intent purposes is non >- existent ( kinda like >Americans saying ' I did >not know there were Black >people in London)
Another untruth. SOME Africans may not be sensitive to the situation in the diaspora, but that is by no means a complete picture. Where are you from?
>This divide and I am sure >you will agree is multifactorial; >simply Africa itself is too >vast and too complex. >History, in particular has been >taught haphazardly; in part due >to the 'denial philosophy,' but >also in an insane quest >to catch up with the >very cultures that they despise.
Just like colonized people everywhere. Again, this does not describe everybody. > > In fact African history took >a back seat; for example >in West Africa; what replaced >this was references to England, >via Shakespeare or Owell for >example. And if you >were unfortunate to fall under >the French territory you were >equally pumped with the French >rhetoric. (Do not get me >wrong both history and literature >has its important place regardless >of what sphere they come >from) What is disheartening >is the denial of one's >own history: that is what >I meant by a serious >hangover.
Actually, it was much worse in the Francophone territories. And it was never a complete "blackout" of local history. Annual religious, social, coronation and fertility festivals went on largely undisturbed. You can still see them to this day.
>Funny enough after all has been >said and done the reality >is that most Africans today >in Africa are only exposed >to American culture (Black) via >television - and we all >know how much of a >head - fuck television can >be.
No doubt. There's not exactly freedom of travel from most West African countries to the US or the UK. People who are coming from the continent are usually trying to hustle a buck; they're not interested in learning about YOUR pain and suffering when they've got their own immediate troubles. But there's enough cross-cultural communication that heads in Senegal sport Tupac t-shirts and rap in Wolof to traditional beats. The situation ain't that bleak, bruh.