Do Black Americans romanticize Africa? Or does it actually live up to the hype?

[#BOTHSIDES]

Do Black Americans romanticize Africa? Or does it actually live up to the hype?

I've never been, but I got African friends in America, African friends I met abroad in Europe (portugal, london, germany, france), and Australia, and none of them want to return there to live.

But there are celebs like Akon, who often promote it and say black Americans should move there.


any thoughts?

Even when it comes to business opportunities... seems like there are a lot of roadblocks in terms of infrastructure. I could be wrong, but I don't hear much about the elite black americans moving to Africa...could be wrong.

 

[Secure Da Bag]

From what I understand, Rwanda and Ghana seem prime for diasporan development.

 

[Nkrumah Was Right]

I understand that Black people whose ancestors have lived in the diaspora for centuries (and have been subject to racial terrorism for centuries as a result) long for a place free of anti-Black racism. Whether you're from Mississippi; Medellin, Colombia; or if you're a Siddi in India.

However, we Africans have tribalism. We just saw Amharas and Tigrayans slaughter nearly 1 million of each other from 2020-2022 in the world's deadliest war (not Ukraine!).

Sure, be a cosmopolitan class of people who grow wealthy in enclaves, like the Lebanese in West Africa. However, locals might become jealous and anxious over your success if you don't assimilate. And even if you do, like the Igbos in Lagos, they'll hate you anyway.

Still, there's lots of economic opportunities to be had and closer ties will weaken the hold that bigots and demagogues could have over our respective societies.

 

[#BOTHSIDES]

I understand that Black people whose ancestors have lived in the diaspora for centuries (and have been subject to racial terrorism for centuries as a result) long for a place free of anti-Black racism. Whether you're from Mississippi; Medellin, Colombia; or if you're a Siddi in India.

However, we Africans have tribalism. We just saw Amharas and Tigrayans slaughter nearly 1 million of each other from 2020-2022 in the world's deadliest war (not Ukraine!).

Sure, be a cosmopolitan class of people who grow wealthy in enclaves, like the Lebanese in West Africa. However, locals might become jealous and anxious over your success if you don't assimilate. And even if you do, like the Igbos in Lagos, they'll hate you anyway.

Still, there's lots of economic opportunities to be had and closer ties will weaken the hold that bigots and demagogues could have over our respective societies.

Are you saying it's romanticized? I agree with the tribalism. Africans would never actually see me as African or whichever country I were to reside in.

never heard of that conflict. thanks for the insight

 

[Nkrumah Was Right]

Are you saying it's romanticized? I agree with the tribalism. Africans would never actually see me as African or whichever country I were to reside in.

never heard of that conflict. thanks for the insight

The Tigray War was the biggest story in Africa for 2 years. At one point, Tigrayan forces were marching on Addis Ababa

A snippet of the war:
Addis and Tigray return to the battlefields

 

[GoAggieGo.]

Can’t speak for others, but on my end and my family, nah. Outside of discussing certain historical events, the continent was rarely brought up.

 

[13473]

none of them want to return there to live.

most AA going to africa aren't motivated by economic opportunities. they are motivated by race/ancestors.

so it's hard to compare.

there are different values and cultures forming these opinions.

 

[98Ntu]

@Nkrumah Was Right is totally correct.

Africa is not a black utopia and I would agree that diasporans may romanticize it. I don’t fault any member of the diaspora for this tho. Racism in the USA, Latin America and the Asia can be brutal. Who wouldn’t want to escape it??

Africa struggles with ethnic conflict and corruption, as well as a host of other issues.

If you’re a diasporan who’s moving to Africa, I would plan carefully and do lots of research. It may be the right choice for you. It may not. Think deeply and be wise

 

[Nkrumah Was Right]

@Nkrumah Was Right is totally correct.

Africa is not a black utopia and I would agree that diasporans may romanticize it. I don’t fault any member of the diaspora for this tho. Racism in the USA, Latin America and the Asia can be brutal. Who wouldn’t want to escape it??

Africa struggles with ethnic conflict and corruption, as well as a host of other issues.

If you’re a diasporan who’s moving to Africa, I would plan carefully and do lots of research. It may be the right choice for you. It may not. Think deeply and be wise

That being said, with a strong, rich Africa, our global position as black people would rise so we should contribute, in our own way, to facilitating that outcome.

But life’s hard and complicated.

 

[bigdaddy88]

yes, but africa has been raped by the capitalist pigs from the west sooo

 

[F*ckthemkids]

From what I understand, Rwanda and Ghana seem prime for diasporan development.

I have a Rwandan female friend that tells me Rwanada is the place to be. I've also heard other Africans from around the continent echo the same sentiments.

 

[Nkrumah Was Right]

I have a Rwandan female friend that tells me Rwanada is the place to be. I've also heard other Africans from around the continent echo the same sentiments.

I sour on Rwanda’s long term prospects and their current politics.

 

[UncleTomFord15]

There's a poster on here who's AA and he said he's making moves with Africans in africa .

 

[F*ckthemkids]

I sour on Rwanda’s long term prospects and their current politics.

Why?

 

[Serious]

It’s underrated.

A lot cities are more developed with luxury infrastructures than what’s given credit for.