I've always wondered about this .
As a background, I am half black american and half west African(though my mom side is half west African and half Trini)..she identifies solely with the African side.. Basically I mention that say I see both sides of the equation . I was born and raised in America and it's all I know, say the few times I visited for a few days with my mom.
OFF The top : This is not a rant that black americans are solely to blame for the perception...but that they play just as much a role into it as the other sides..
Back to my sort of rant....
whenever you hear black Americans complaining, its always
"Africans don't like us,
Jamaicans don't like us,
whites don't like us,
Puerto Ricans don't like us,
Indians don't like us" etc etc etc .
it Always a case of "they" don't like us...we are just an accepting, peaceful and loviing group...its just somehow the case that they dislike us for no reason. Their feeling towards us come from nowhere. The entire perpetual victimhood mentality.
I can personally say there's not a bigger case of bull fukking shyt that I've ever witnessed .
I have lived in black communities in america my entire life and my observation and experiences couldn't tell a more different story from that of an innocent community that just happens to be disliked for no reason.
I've witnessed the way immigrant blacks have been ridiculed and bullied in black schools and neighborhoods simply because they where not black Americans.
I've seen how those non blacks(like Indians, Asians and poor whites) that had The misfortune of finding themselves in black communities get beat up and bullied and ridiculed simply for not being black.
The entire time, the black american community is using the "well, its because they don't like us" excuse.
I've had young cousins that come to america with doe eyed admiration for black america and its culture...seeing them as nothing but brothers and sisters....but the reality hits them sometime soon after getting here when they end up in these environment, that the feeling isn't necessarily reciprocated. The complete and absolute ignorance and disregard towards their culture from black Americans. Slowly and surely these kids grow to resent black americans in some form...so, did it come out of nowhere or was it borne out if their personal experience?...
and if you're honest with yourself and think about when you went to school for example, how the non black american kids where treated..How many times they were called "african booty scratchers" or teased for having dark skin or other negative connotations..you would quickly realize what im talking about.
The other argument that lots of black Americans use is that the white media brainwashes them before coming here...I cant dispute that but I can tell you that plenty of the younger generation immigrants have more admiration for, than animosity and apprehension towards the black american community.
I was checking out a documentary talking about the way Haitians where treated by the black american community in Florida and its just appalling and disgusting.. Why would anyone be receptive towards any group after being treated like that?
Atleast with non american blacks, they have to in some sort of way interact with black americans on different level. so their opinion may change as they realize that black americans are a diverse group that is not just ignorant, they get to see all the other side as well. But lots of non black groups that have had those initial bad interactions, tend to only get those bad interactions and form their opinion of black people based on those alone. Is there reaction really out of NOWHERE though? No..its based on something that they experienced. It may be a one sided interaction but its a legit interaction nonetheless.
However, I can say without a doubt, the one group that seems to be arrogant, self centered jerks by default in my experience are Nigerians. By far, my experiences with them is that of a group with the highest sense of self importance . ..but they are that way towards everyone including other Africans..so I can see how if you're unfamiliar with them, you might see it as a one sided situation when it comes to them.
so please, lets knock it off with this bullshyt about "oh they are just so mean to us for no reason..." pity party dance that constantly go on.
We need to start being more introspective and start thinking about the way we treat others as well.
The one thing i can give the black american community though, is that once you get through the difficult initial introduction, they tend to accept anyone into the fold after a while. You just gotta get through the initiation process i suppose.