I realize this is probably not the MOST suitable audience for interest in such a topic, but I found it interesting enough to share just the same

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ernest-owens/5-lessons-traveling-to-af_b_6065146.html


5 points from the article

1) Privilege is real.
2) Understanding slavery in the past explains the current struggles of today *
3)Sorry, Raven-Symon� -- but we are indeed African-Americans **
4) Oppression of black people is an international concern.

5) There needs to be more cross-continental discourse of connecting blacks across the diaspora.


* I would have added that it is important to understand JIM CROW which FOLLOWED slavery as well

** I do not necessarily agree with point 3, because although I identify as African American, I think the semantics of how one chooses to identify THEMSELF is a minimal point and personal choice

1 -privileges are real ... due in some cases ... I say this becouse in some collages or schools or careers... they have to have so many blacks working now some biz so they are not looked a pone as raciest...

2- Understanding slavery in the past explains the current struggles of today ...
party becouse alot want to hold on to the part of we did not come here on our own they brought us here as slaves long ago... but then you can look at there is slavery here of many cultures ... dating back ... even to today ...


3-those that came from Africa and their heritage is born here... still African American...


4-not sure about that anymore ... some can get out from under and go on to be scholars or run for office ... work in business ... Lots of many trades they did not have before or the rights ... we have gotten better ... but there is still races but in ever culture ...


5- we have that already ...could be part of the united nations ...


every culture seems to have its struggles ... when blacks get the attitude they are owed just because of there past history of slavery is when some just tune them out ... becouse there are many that do and can strive in this country more then ever now ... I have seen a big change since I was young ... least in some places in the USA ...




it matters and it doesn't matter but some are going to be raciest toward any culture and as much as some dislike it ... still is very real in this country for many ...

Yep. From where I am sitting, it is a privilege to send one's child to a private school.



Slavery in the past explains the black-on-black murder rate in the USA?
Slavery in the past explains the rate of out-of-wedlock births among black Americans?
Slavery in the past explains the number of young Black men who join gangs?

By the way, the word "slave" comes from the word "Slav" because the Slavs used to be enslaved. Oh, did I mention that the Slavs are Caucasian?

Edit: I forgot to mention that the enslavement of Africans was the result of Africans capturing other Africans and selling them to white men.



See my response below.



Oppression of any people is an international concern, and it isn't limited to people who are black.



So, people are supposed to be connected just because they have the same skin color. Does this include African immigrants to the USA who have nothing culturally in common with black Americans whose families have been in the USA for more than 100 years?




Ah, you are referring to those anti-Black laws that were created and promoted by Democrats in the USA's South, but I digress.



I agree.

Hey i'm from Africa and i duno what the hell you people are going on about

Which topic?
That the Huffington Post chooses to post human interest stories that read little different than a dating site forum post, especially the racial ones from Datehookup?

At best the guy came up with 5 points that sound important then looked for reasons to support them.

Personally, I think the headline should be "I went on a trip to Africa because I feel full of myself, now I have to justify it to my job by making it seem like I'm doing something important so they'll keep paying me."


I found this relatively humorous since the first point the author of the article talks about is basically an argument for segregation.

I mean "Most of the population is black and the experience of seeing my skin color on nearly every television station, public arena, and facet of society gave me a psychological gratification and confidence."


This reminds me of the movie "Big Daddy" where the kid wants to be known as "Frankenstein," and dress up like a superhero.
It's not that minimal a point in the real world with real people.

my original perception has been verified,,, but thanx for reading,,,

There's no ebonics at all.

ebonics is to Africa

what taco bell is to Mexican food,,,,

The article should be called "Yo! I got 5 on this fo'shizzle if you let me hit that half Raven white azz."

oh, I see

,,,,not the right audience,,,

That I agree.

Right audience, but not the responses you were wanting?

OMG. Puuleezzz!

There is STILL SLAVERY IN OTHER COUNTRIES, right now.

Give it up.

African Americans had it rough.. no debating that. But so did the Irish, Chinese, Italians, Latin groups, and most ever other ethnic group that found its way to America. I am not comparing them to being slaves. I am of Irish decent, they were considered 3rd class people. scum of the earth. spit on.

These groups worked there way thru this this using hard work, family unity, moral ethics and determination to succeed. That is the American Way.. to overcome diversity and move on.. work up and blend in to society. To gain respect the hard way... earn it

give 'what' up?

there are still people being persecuted all over the world, but we dont begrudge the jewish who speak of returning to or feeling kindred with Israel......do we?

no , not the objectivity ,, just immediate defensiveness,,,

but its all good,,

the theme of the article was not to deny others struggles or hard works, it was a FIRST PERSON acct of that persons experience and feelings about THEIR ancestry and THEIR experience HERE IN AMERICA compared to THERE IN AFRICA,,,

we can rise up without belitling others, and even rise up while REACHING out to others, including 'homelands'

we can end any discussion about ANYTHIN that someone wishes to see improve by throwing out that 'hard work' can overcome it and others have suffered it,,, but thats really not the point of still SEEKING improvements in what our personal experiences and environments are,,,,

I actually READ the article and I'm not seeing the "defensiveness" nor understanding your defensiveness ABOUT perceived "defensiveness" in others. To his points in the article, numbered as he did:

1. The author, himself, indicated it was 'cool' to be a part of the majority, for once...suggesting he understands better how whites in the U.S. feel and *operate*...and that it's NOT necessarily borne out of an innate maliciousness.

2. Common sense dictates that how 'slavery' museums and tourist spots are viewed in Africa (in a majority black population) would be vastly different than how such *attractions* would be viewed here, in the U.S. Depending on who created it, who ran it, and who funded it, it would be automatically suspect.

3. Though 4th-generation U.S. born, I'm of German-Irish (and a whole bunch of other stocks thrown in) descent; someday, I'd like to visit Ireland (the ONLY foreign country I'd like to go to), simply because it IS part of my heritage. Even though it's in MY blood, where my ancestors were born / how they lived / what trials and tribulations THEY faced does NOT affect my life, today. It's simply a part of my waaaay distant heritage. Guess what? Just about every single person living in the U.S. today, regardless of their skin color, can say the same thing; this is NOT a uniquely-black phenomenon.

4. Oppression of blacks (as well as oppression of ANY peoples) IS an international concern...and, again, it is NOT unique to the U.S. nor unique to white people; as the author, himself, points out, blacks in Africa are oppressing OTHER blacks in Africa because of Ebola (and because of status, and due to money, and due to one's station-in-life, etc.). When enough people are gathered together, fighting over the same resources, they will *naturally* begin to segregate and create "better-thans" and "less-thans" to *better* control capital AND those resources.

5. ALL people residing in the U.S. (unless they are of Native American descent) *suffer* from diaspora; again, it is NOT a uniquely-black *burden*.

In this day and age of technology and globalization (which the author, himself, gives a nod to), this constant need to separate one's people FROM the whole, as somehow different and/or uniquely blessed OR uniquely burdened, IS becoming hackneyed, outdated, and outmoded,

"whether we like it or not."

Best of luck to you...

Ebola

Edited for off-topic.
Kindly refrain from targeting other members.

soufie
Site Moderator