Why do Nigerians/Africans in America like to think they’re better than African Americans (AA)? The list of negative things we say about AA is endless; for example, AA have no culture, AA are dumb, AA act ghetto, AA can’t read and don’t value education; AA are promiscuous and don’t respect marriage the way we do. I read a Facebook post written by a Nigerian that compared Nigerians to AA. The comparison was extremely brutal and unfair to AA. It glorified Nigerians in America as smart, intelligent, innovative go-getters and the AAA as the opposite and worse. If the point of the post had been to get Nigerians in America to feel like they’re 100% better than AA, the mission was accomplished to perfection. The conclusion of the post was that Nigerians are radically different from AA, almost like apples and oranges.
In the past I bought into the comparison thing, but now I think it’s all BS. What’s the point? As BLACK people, we should all be ashamed of our race. We have collectively failed as a race; it doesn’t matter whether you’re AA, a Nigerian in Nigeria or America, a black Brazilian, or a black person in Africa. I think our race is yet to live up to its full potential. Just take a look at our continent. We can’t manage ourselves; we’re not nearly as innovative as we should be; we’re corrupt; we have health issues; Na wa sha! Only black people! Everyone claims it’s the system that’s to blame, but I’m not sure. Maybe it’s just us. I’m sure that if we transport Africa to America, we’ll manage to ruin it and make it just like Africa. I think the Nigerian Embassies in America kindda prove this point. IDK.
Whitney Houston is dead at 48. Isn’t it sad that that is the average Nigerian life expectancy --talk about the enormous talents and human resource loss that Nigeria and most of Africa is experiencing.
I think Nigeria should waive NYSC requirement for students who studied abroad. The one year service requirement is too long and has exacerbated the brain drain problem. I’ve met a lot of creative Nigerians with great ideas and talent who are reluctant to return home and implement their visions for Nigeria because of the dreaded NYSC. Many of these Nigerians don’t wish to work permanently in Nigeria. Most want to come in for only a couple of years before returning back abroad.
Speaking of Nigerians abroad--maybe I should say Nigerians in America since that’s what I’m familiar with—I have to say they inspire me with all the degrees they earn. I remember what I went to one Naija church where everyone had an advanced degree of some sort and worked with top organizations. It was almost a shame to have only a bachelor’s degree or to work for an ordinary employer. But then I read articles like that Zambian Intellectual article and I start to ask myself questions, such as what are we doing with all this knowledge? Why aren’t we using it to build Nigeria?
Oh never mind, we have a government that hinders progress.
Maybe we should copy India and create a ministry that caters to Nigerians in the diaspora.
Why are Nigerian leaders experts in backwardness? Why can’t we have progressive, visionary leadership? It’s unfortunate that the result of changes proposed or implemented by our leaders always seem to be negative and backward. For example, the recent rule that youth corpers will only serve in remote regions.
I always sit up in my chair whenever I come across research out of Nigerian universities. The first time I read a Nigerian research paper was when I was working on HIV. The paper was from a study done by doctors at UCH, Ibadan, on HIV. The last Nigerian journal article I read was based on research done at Delta State University on the effect of gas flaring on agriculture. I won’t lie sha, I tend to read them with a lot more skepticism than normal, even though they’re in peer reviewed journals. Maybe I’m just cynical, but I don’t exclude data/research fabrication from the arsenal of Nigerians. One thing I’ve observed though, is how difficult some of the papers are to read simply because our people LOVE grammar and BIG words. I came across another oil related research paper from either OAU or University of Ilorin and I couldn’t even get past the first line. It was full of chemical names and what not. I’d been doing research on the subject matter and was pretty well versed on the subject, yet I couldn’t comprehend the paper. I gave up after the first paragraph. I didn’t have time to be opening dictionary, thesaurus, and textbooks just to read one paper.
I'm currently reading a novel about a middle-aged woman who has to decide whether to give her ex-husband who abandoned her and their kids a second chance or pursue an exciting passionate relationship with a new flame. I've been unable to totally enjoy the book ever since I asked myself what I would do if I were in the character's shoes. I've been cracking my head and drinking panadol since the question popped in my head. Up to this point in my life, I've never thought about what I'd do if someone cheated on me. I don't know the answer. Is this one of those questions we need to have an answer for ahead of time or what and see?
P.S: I wrote this around midnight without editing, so please pardon my English :D.
I dont believe the (mis)conceptions Nigerians (on average) might have about AA was completely wrong, but I don't see why they should have a problem with it. Such characteristics was required to survive in such environment. That's why Nigerians over there might do the same.
ReplyDeleteAnd about the NYSC, it was the only thing bringing Nigerians together. I began my service to criticise it but I had to admit, the camp was the only place to meet people from the 36 states and learn a lot.
Nigerians that studies abroad and don't want to return were scared. They were conformists who rather play it safe. The only reason a Nigerian would reside abroad was for economical reasons. We in Nigeria know life is more than making money.
As for some of us that blame the system... who makes up the system? Its the people. You are right about us being transported to US and doing the same thing we do here.
ReplyDeleteYour opening question is perpetuating idea that Nigerians/Africans think they are better than African Americans. I've been asked that question multiple times by Black Americans and wondered where they got that from. You can't use one person's rant to generalize the rest of us because that same question can be flipped and would be valid too. What do you think of Blacks who don't want to be called African-Americans? They exist aplenty on youtube land. I also don't see why as black people we should be ashamed of our race. Are you serious?
ReplyDeleteI don't see how my opening question is perpetuating the idea. I asked the question because I thought someone would a good answer. Of course, the question has been flipped many times and the opposite answer can be well supported. If you read my comment about being ashamed of our race in the context of the paragraph, it should answer your final question :D.
Delete:) I did read it in the context in which you wrote it and that's still my reaction/question. Are u serious? As for saying you are perpetuating the idea, from your question, one can deduce that you believe Nigerian/Africans think they are better than AA and you are wondering why. Abi, no be so? So if an AA reads this, it would be confirmation to them because see...even an African is saying so albeit in the form of a question. Just my opinion. Just saying. lol. Ok bye bye, i have 250 drugs to learn before Monday.
DeleteJust to clarify, "Why do Africans think they are better than AA?" is a different question from "Do Africans think they are better than AA?"
DeleteI see where Dame is coming from. I think she's talking about generalizing. I however understand what you mean.
DeleteIndia has a ministry for those in the Diaspora because these people are legally not Indians but because of their origin, they are granted that privilege. The same rule which applies to Foreigners apply to them, so far you do not use the Indian passport.
ReplyDeleteJust as Nigerians believe they are better than the AA, so also do we believe we are better than the rest of Africa. I would not lie, I look down on other African...the pride in me does not even allow me accept any nonsense from them.
Nigerians generally over-read, as in we pile up junks all in the name of certificates and standing in the society. All the knowledge is not even for the development of the nation. I don't even know what to say jare.
HEAVY SIGH! My dear.......instead of writing an essay on post, I will just say good point. PS: my experience with superiority complex has always been the other way round i.e. AA thinking they are better.
ReplyDeleteI see where you're coming from but the AA/Nigerians comparison could be in danger of over-generalisation. There's also the Nigerians or should I say African/black-Caribbeans comparison in the UK. The reality is that other races first and foremost see us as black people, they don't see AA or Nigerian or African.
ReplyDeleteBlack people are faced with numerous challenges no doubt, some of them self-inflicted, others as a result of external influences. Despite these issues, I'm not ashamed of being a black man. As black people, we all have a political, social, economic and more importantly a moral responsibility to act in ways that advances our communities in particular and our race in general.
My feeling is that we shouldn't get trapped in the blame game that hasn't gotten us as far as we would like.
Regarding the issue of Nigerians and advanced degrees like you put it. My take on it is that we need to understand why we idolise degrees and higher qualifications, if that is the case - certainly not for me anyway. But I suspect it's got more of to do with attitudes towards what a degree represents. Does it represent knowledge that can be applied or another title that we can add before our name? Your guess is as good as mine.
LOL, we too like grammar! I remember when I was in high school and had to write essays I used to look for synonyms that sounded grammtic to use instead of simple english *hides in shame* but i have seen the light now!
ReplyDeleteAs for having an answer for the future.. lol my prayer is never to be in that position.. but i can understand why you have a headache!
Someone always thinks they are better than the other person. I bet you that the African Americans think they are better than the Nigerians/Africans. Even in Nigeria, the silent war over who is superior between the tribes, etc. It won't end. That's life. Main thing is we all try to contribute what we can to the world regardless of background.
ReplyDeleteAs for NYSC, I also didn't like the idea but I actually got to meet a lot of people and made a lot of friends. The camp life is interesting. The only thing that I didn't like was the hygienic conditions in the camp. Aside that it was ok. I also don't like the fact that the federal government throws corpers all over the country without any form of protection as a lot of people have died especially in the north. That is just awful. Anyway, I was also wondering why the new directive on posting to only villages but well, let's see as some corpers have actually enjoyed their postings to rural areas
Naija4life makes a good point on the incentive for more education. "Does it represent knowledge that can be applied or another title that we can add before our name?". If you've ever attended occasions in Nigeria where people are called Dr Engineer XYZ then you might understand..lol.
ReplyDeleteNYSC is a good thing. If we truly think of it as service then we wouldn't complain so much about going to a rural area. Isnt that where your education/expertise is needed the most? Yes there have been preventable deaths and all, but what of the Ijebu guy sent to Owerri or vice versa? They complain the loudest sef. For most its just the idea of leaving their comfort zone joo....
I'm with you on the whole "we're better than AA" ish. I just think these comparisons are sad and distasteful, and at the end of the day, we're all blacks so we might as well unite and try to move forward as a race.
ReplyDeleteIt's been decades since i came hurrr lol! damn didn't know nysc was compulsory for people who schooled abroad though..are you sure it's compulsory for people who schooled in the US too?
x
Yes it is lol, i looked it up when i was graduating and people were starting to ask if i was gonna use nysc as my excuse to finally go to Naija.
DeleteI live in the UK, and other Africans always say that Nigerians are very proud. I think it is a good thing that we have a strong sense of identity and pride, but I don't support looking down on other nationalities.
ReplyDeleteAbout the black race, I cannot hold myself accountable for the collective failure of the black race. I can hold myself accountable for my own actions. My duty is to walk in integrity, be an agent of change within my sphere of influence & be the best I can be.
Since most people have already commented on the previous themes, let me try to answer the last. Wait and see. :)
ReplyDelete@Oluchi- gbam! Love your comment
ReplyDelete@topic: I never knew about the Nigerian/AA thing, but actually thought it would be the other way around (AAs thinking they are better). Hmm, the education thing is really bothering me at the moment... and about the cheating aspect, my initial response was, 'ahaps! me I will date the new flame o jare. After the so-called husband abandoned me?!' But then when kids come into the equation, it is really hard to make such a choice.. God forbid bad thing sha :)
Cheers and happy weekend!
I think your post is awesome! I however have to say I disagree with generalization of all forms.
ReplyDeleteSome of my closest friends are African Americans, and they do sometimes ask me why Africans think they are better than them. I'm often perplexed. Where do they get this from? I tend to disagree with them that this is not the case. I guess I now know where. lol.
I would say, yes some Africans think they are better than African Americans or say derogatory remarks. Absolutely TRUE! I can also say SOME Africans think they are better than Nigerians as a lot of my Nigerian Americans have been called "African booty scratcher" and have been taunted about being African on the play ground. It is just recently that Nigerian Americans have been proud to say they are indeed Africans. I remember in the 90s, most of my now proud NIgerian-American friends would straight out tell you, "I'm not Nigerian, my parents are". This was due to how African Americans treated them. It was not cool to be Africans.
An African American once said to me, wow you're not like most Africans, you're smart. I thought what does that mean? I take that as an isolated ignorance. I however would not say Africans in general think they are better than African Americans, neither will I generalize that African Americans think they are better than Africans. The common theme is ignorance. Africans do not understand the plight of African Americans and vice versa.
As far as the NYSE thing. I absolutely agree. I know a lot of people that have refused to go back home cause of NYSE requirement.
Loved the article.. Great job!
So many questions that need answers...sigh*
ReplyDeletekai, you are controversial AF!!!
ReplyDelete