Comments on: BEHIND THE SCENES: DO YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT AFRICA?

By: captain billy

captain billy — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:18:15 +0000

I know a lot of black people,and they dont care about Africa at all.They werent born there,nor were their parents.They come from Ca.Ga.NY etc.and dont claim to be from Africa.When they vacation,they go anywhere BUT Africa.They call each other blacks,sometimes African American,and I hear the N word A LOT.Humans mostly came from Africa true,looks like all the smart ones left that continent.

By: Datlanta1976

Datlanta1976 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:15:30 +0000

Sammy; I don’t know to whom you are referring, but what do you mean by “not all black people in the U.S. came from descendants of Africa?” Everybody on the face of the earth is descended from Africa. Study genetics. Civilization started in Africa and branched off from there. The largest gene pool on the face of the earth is on the continent of Africa. It does not matter if one likes to be referred to as black, African-American, Negro or whatever, we all have to stop being so ignorant and pick up a book and read before we make foolish, blanket, statements. Furthermore, Africa is not a country it is a continent.

God bless

By: Angie

Angie — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:55:17 +0000

Sammy, I agree, I also prefer to be called ‘Black’.

Unfortunately all I know from Africa does not make me see it as some Utopia with it arms open to Americans of color, beckoning for them to come home. It’s hard enough as a woman in America, I don’t want to go to a country that looks at me as a second classed citizen, or property, or worse.

I am an “American”. Africa is a country I am concerned about as I am concerned about humanity as a whole, and I’ve been in many hateful, heated debates with the afrocentric crowd because of it.

I wish good things for all of humanity, doesn’t matter what part of the planet you come from.

By: Sammy

Sammy — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:13:50 +0000

So sorry to burst your bubble, but not all black people in the U.S. came from descendants of Africa.

I prefer to be called “black”.

History lessons needed here.

By: Datlanta1976

Datlanta1976 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:10:44 +0000

I tried to stay out of this one but I just can’t. One could approach this question from so many angles. So, I will pose a question to the question. If you asked a descendant of the so called white American settlers that “founded” this country if they felt responsible for Europe and its well being, what response would you get? This is what I think of when I hear this question.
It seems to me that we are only counted as brothers and sisters by Africans when it is convenient for them; like when they need our money. Other than that they could care less about us. Most of my dealings with Africans in this country have gone to confirm this.
We are a nation, right now, in a nation. Therefore, we need to try and fix the problems that we have here in the US so that we can function as a nation like the Jews, Koreans etc. Our main issue is not education or money it is not seeing the importance of being socially responsible; for example, moving into a community that is run down and making it better (instead of running away from it) like Caucasians do, will go a long way toward us correcting our problems and being in a economic position to care about what is going on in Africa. “Don’t get it twisted”, Africans sold us into slavery and they continue to enslave, pillage and otherwise destroy each other. If it sounds like I am being too hard just read about the history of Liberia, one good book to start with is “Mississippi in Africa” although written by a white man this book is factual and accurate and not biased against Americo-Liberians (our ancestors).
We as African-Americans (yes we are African-Americans not just Americans) went to Africa many years ago and built up a GREAT nation (Liberia) only to have it destroyed by the very native Africans that have their hands out-stretched to us today and are still killing each other. We should have listened to the great Booker T Washington instead of labeling him a sellout and then we would have the resources to buy most of Africa or a place on another continent and run it the correct way.
I love African-Americans (those that are descended from American slavery) I think we are some of the greatest people to ever walk this planet. Sure I would love to have an authentic mutual relationship with the continent of Africa, and if some worthwhile project came out of there, that works toward that aim then I would be first to support it with my dollars. However, they have to meet us half way. Supporting them and giving them hand outs will not work, just read “Dead-Aid” written by a very intelligent African female that was raised in the States. Africa is too large of a continent to try and save all at once. Which countries/country are we descended from? Which ones have our best interest at heart? Which one should we deal with first?
They (Africans) need to decide if they want to have a proper relationship with us and then we can move on from there.
Much love kings and queens…

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:48:15 +0000

Not to sound like an a hole, but coming from a person who has visited and have tried to connect with the african business men of nigeria. I have come to the conclusion that Africans could care less about african americans. We as black people are not the real thing to them and are a joke. And they have taken ever opportunity to make sure I as an Afro American recognize that.

We both have a bad rep in this world but yet im still considered washed and a slave in their eyes. Its hard for my company to send me China as a rep. because of the fact that they don’t want to do serious transactions with possible African companies, cause being all the negative stigma we bring with us where ever we go.

So no I don’t care about Africa. There problems are just that. Let them dig themselves out of a ditch like Africans americans here in america have been doing since we got here. Black folks don’t have worry about Africa shouldn’t have to worry about it. Africa has been in this position of constant disturbance, destitution, servitude, dilution, embattlement, enraged and raped for centuries. They may take steps forward in progression, but the power struggles with in along with greed and HIV will keep Africa on its knees. Meanwhile the rest of the capitalize and exploits its weakness for its rich resources. When the people realize that we are all the same and that they can unite and fight for the greater good for their selves then we caring can really mean something.

Not all of africa is a lost cause

By: Mara

Mara — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:33:44 +0000

Don’t be fooled. People born and raised in Africa do not recognize so-called African America as African. The African culture, food etc is so complex it would be hard for an American of African descendant to appreciate.

Cannot be compared to Jewish Americans.

By: Frederick Johnson

Frederick Johnson — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:25:48 +0000

I think what has move us long as a people is staying true to our Africa American roots. Letting people know where we come from is a result of the beauty of black people. But without a doubt I think Africa American care bout africa.

By: Chuck Williams

Chuck Williams — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:20:19 +0000

I’m not sure that we care as much as we should. There are so many issues to address on the continent that we cannot afford NOT to care.

Between HIV, treatment of women, dictators, trade opportunities and a host of other issues, it is difficult to ignore our Motherland.

An African professor at Virginia Tech once told me that “African-Americans must be to the continent of Africa what Jewish-Americans are to the State of Israel.”

We have an entire diaspora that we must be attuned to. Unfortunately, our biggest challenge remains getting ourselves together at home in order to be the force our afrocentric brothers and sisters around the world need.

By: Clayton Collins

Clayton Collins — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:38:11 +0000

Yes I do care about Africa, to not care about your mother land would only serve to do more harm to us as a kidnapped people, we were inslaved by the very country we stand so proud with today. Ask yourself what is your connection to this land and why do you care about America. I suffer from a painfull confusion and a since of frustration when it comes to Africa. Its not a country so where do I claim my space,

am I ZuLu or from the Congo, maybe Uganda. hell I don’t how to deal with America and now I have to consider a far off land that has been stripped from body and soul.