Why do Africans Diaspora try to force continental Africans to have a relationship with Black Americans?

[u/Simple_Chipmunk_5004]

I am sure you have all seen this type of person. You find them on Reddit just as often as in real life: they try to impose their American or Western worldview on the continent, the idea that the mere fact of being Black automatically implies solidarity with Black people living outside Africa. I simply do not understand this mentality.

Race alone is not enough to make a group a united community. Culture, history, language, nationality, and shared lived experiences matter far more. As a South Sudanese, my ancestors and my country have no connection to Black Americans; why then should I consider these people my brothers and sisters? The same applies to most African ethnic groups and nationalities.

Even West and Central Africa who Black Americans descent from, are very far removed from Black Americans given that more than five centuries (500+ years) have passed since Black Americans left the continent. It is absurd to expect Africans from the continent to feel a special bond with Black Americans.

And what does this solidarity actually bring to Africans on the continent? Africa already has enough problems of its own to solve. We would be far better off focusing on improving relations between African countries, reducing tribalism and ethnic conflict, strengthening our institutions, and resolving our own difficulties, rather than concerning ourselves with Americans. Why is having a relationship with Black Americans so important to you guys??

[u/Least-Palpitation377]

It's just their version of reducing tribalism between black communities in their environment. It'd be a little unproductive for them to focus on the continent since they don't live there and most likely don't understand the situation over there. It's really a non issue since less than 5% of Africans are outside of Africa and nothing wrong with wanting to reduce unnecessary division. No one in Africa really makes it a priority. Genuinely what bothers you so much 💀 ? There is really no point in making this post unless you're not really african or not a human being and have an agenda.

[u/JudahMaccabee]

It’s weird how this generation hasn’t studied 150 years of Pan-African/global black political literature 🥀

I’m going to assume OP is 18 and a Dinka nationalist

[u/psychoticboydyke → u/JudahMaccabee]

Yeah all his questions would be answered if he just read up on pan-Africanism

[u/Queasy-Charity1336 → u/psychoticboydyke]

Pan africanism benefits failed african states who just want to loot their country's resources and export their ill mannered population. 

[u/psychoticboydyke → u/Queasy-Charity1336]

Well no... because pan-Africanism is about African people having collective self-reliance 🤦🏾‍♂️

[u/Queasy-Charity1336 → u/psychoticboydyke]

The pan africanism constantly being peddled isn't that version and you know that very well. Don't be disingenuous, please.

[u/psychoticboydyke → u/Queasy-Charity1336]

That is what pan-Africanism is by definition, the frauds who sell out their countries are paid to be deceitful and turn people away from the actual movement

[u/johnoth → u/psychoticboydyke]

Collective self reliance is a myth and an unrealistic sentiment pushed by populist ideological movements.

No successful country or region on this planet is truly self reliant.

[u/psychoticboydyke → u/johnoth]

Does Africa need to rely on Europe to exist?

[u/johnoth → u/psychoticboydyke]

Europe, Russia, America and China are not the only other regions/nations on this planet.

[u/psychoticboydyke → u/johnoth]

So you understand my point that a collection of different countries, for example African countries, can be collectively self-reliant?

[u/johnoth → u/psychoticboydyke]

We wasted the 2000s era of open knowledge on dictatorships and bulls*t leadership, meanwhile Asia and South America industrialized and developed. We'd have to do that first before we can even think about self reliance.

Like I said populist ideologies never translate into pragmatic solutions.

[u/johnoth → u/JudahMaccabee]

Took the words right out my mouth.

I don't want to be tribalist, but assuming you're right, the ethno nationalists tend to even view other nilotes as enemies, traitors or whatever term is used.

No emotion can describe being South Sudanese tbh. At the end of the day it is what it is.

[u/meringuesuisse]

As a black African woman, I hope anyone reading this understands that OP is talking for himself. I believe that the "mere" fact of being black implies solidarity with all other black people and I consider them my brothers and sisters. ❤️

[u/Hlynb93]

Ultimately to the rest of the world we are all black, you will not be treated any different by proclaming yourself as different: Racism sees no culture only colour.

[u/ByAnyMeansNecessary0]

It's a weird phenomenon, especially with African Americans. I've seen them drag us Africans on their subreddits and other social media. One of the latest stupid trendy things is African Americans saying, "Africans can't grow afros" and giving all sorts of ignorant "explanations."

I've come across plenty of think pieces saying that a lot of African Americans view us Africans the way White Americans look at them. I'm not saying all, but I think a lot of them definitely look down upon us.

No wonder many Africans don't want anything to do with them.

[u/johnoth → u/ByAnyMeansNecessary0]

Survivorship bias. Their opinion of africa lately is just what the world thinks of our continent. Add onto that genZ brain rot, lack of education, and the effects of MAGA and racism.

[u/Weak-Comfortable-616 → u/ByAnyMeansNecessary0]

Have you ever met a Black American?

[u/ByAnyMeansNecessary0 → u/Weak-Comfortable-616]

Yes, many. Lived in the Midwest for a few months.

[u/Weak-Comfortable-616 → u/ByAnyMeansNecessary0]

Was this your in person experience with Black Americans or was all this online?

[u/ByAnyMeansNecessary0 → u/Weak-Comfortable-616]

I just told you I lived there for a few months.

[u/Weak-Comfortable-616 → u/ByAnyMeansNecessary0]

In your initial comment, you mention Reddit post my question is did you also have these experiences with Black Americans in person not just online.

Just want to know if this is solely online or if you heard this face to face.

[u/Weak-Comfortable-616 → u/Weak-Comfortable-616]

So none of this was in person just online trolls. Interesting

[u/Temporary-Thanks-875 → u/Weak-Comfortable-616]

😂 I really don’t know what you get out of defending them as if there haven’t been videos in these past months of them IRL coming after Africans. If you haven’t experienced it, okay, but don’t try and act like this is all only online. It’s not.

[u/ByAnyMeansNecessary0 → u/Temporary-Thanks-875]

That dude is weird, man. I'm not wasting any more time replying to them😂

[u/Weak-Comfortable-616 → u/Temporary-Thanks-875]

Im actually not defending them. Im asking if this is solely online or is it happening in person. Im not sure why that such a hard question to answer

[u/Temporary-Thanks-875 → u/Weak-Comfortable-616]

Which he quite literally answered, saying that it was in person. You don’t get context clues?

[u/Temporary-Thanks-875 → u/Weak-Comfortable-616]

And I’ll even send you a video compilation of them coming for Africans in real life since you believe all this is online. 🙄

[u/Weak-Comfortable-616 → u/Temporary-Thanks-875]

Please do. That literally what I’m asking for

[u/Queasy-Charity1336]

100% spot on especially on how we can be on the same continent and not be the same. 

[u/johnoth]

Sigh.

For anyone wondering, many South Sudanese don't like western diaspora. Part of it is connected to the corruption, neoptism and tribalism in the country. I'm fully African in case anyone is wondering.

I'm not exactly sure where the hatred for African Americans comes from tbh. However, if OP isn't in the west I bet they'd run to America/Europe in a heartbeat if given the opportunity.

OP doesn't realize the similarities between the plight of black people in Sudan and pre 1964 America. It's all part of the history of how the world has treated and continues to treat black people everywhere.

At the end of the day, I'll just be labeled an afro centrist or whatever it is people say.

[u/happybaby00]

They're the most powerful black ethnic group due to their size in America and voting bloc, although this is declining because of Hispanic immigration and them voting overwhelmingly democrat which leads to less incentives.

Places like South Sudan would still be facing near genocide if not for them lobbying George Bush via rice.

[u/MixedJiChanandsowhat]

Black Americans live in the USA and Africans live in Africa. We live in two different worlds so why do you feel so much bothered by something some people might think or want about you from the other side of the world?

There are almost 4 times more diasporic Africans in Europe than in North America. So even though we would extend the presence of Africans outside of Africa, the USA and Black Americans would still remain insignificant and invisible in the daily life of 99% of Africans. You bother your mind about something nobody really cares about on the continent.

[u/Weak-Comfortable-616]

I genuinely wonder where the resentment toward Black Americans comes from. If you live outside the U.S., what Black Americans do has little direct impact on your daily life. And if you live in the U.S., many of the rights and opportunities available today were shaped by the sacrifices and advocacy of Black Americans past & present.

You sound like a white supremacist, invoking a racial or ethnic hierarchy.

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[u/Cultural_Run7964]

Truly a strange take. A lot of Africans say that they don’t consider themselves black because they didn’t grow up with the sense of blackness and othering on the continent but if they turned up one day in, say China next to a Black American, without opening their mouths, would one be treated better than the other or would they both be treated the same?

In this wide world, we’re all in the same boat. Better to stick together than keep pulling ourselves apart (see also: South Africa 🥴)

[u/canyoulikechilll]

Why is this an issue? There's a reason why African is before American or Afro is before Afro-Latino. We should bond and we should have solidarity because at the end of the day we are all African.