That's beautiful .....and I agree.
I had that moment last year.
Note: Kinda long read....
I don't have the desire, energy -- nor time to go back and forth with other Black people. It's tiresome and non-productive.
Just like many of them say - we don't know any (or been around) Black Immigrants -- I realized most of them don't understand (or really grasp) we are all over the U.S.
They haven't been around the many iterations/communities/cultures of the Native Black American/ADOS people that differ state to state and city to city.
Judging many of us based off of interactions with Native Black Americans in the area they grew up isn't the best nor realistic.
Most of us (the vast majority of us) have never had any contact with them, heard anything/taught anything negative about them -- nor ever held any ill will about them.
Like myself, I didn't meet any until I went to an HBCU undergrad in Atlanta. And when I did -- I only had (and have) great relationships with them. Though my close friends are all from the Caribbean and Sudan-- I have hired, vouched professionally for -- and been welcoming of African immigrants from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Mali. I didn't know about the rift or ill feelings until I fell across some forums and social media.
Basically, my story/background and all the Native Black Americans/ADOS I know and raised around -- are nothing like the stereotypes that are thrown at us.
But, now I understand -- many may feel they are stereotyped as well -- even though they are not-- by most of us. So, some may meet you from jump with statements and assumptions based off past interactions.
I now get that -- and I just do my best to genuinely explain and if I can't get through....ignore and move on.
I have always wished every Black person the very best - no matter where they are from.
I just wanted and continue to want to focus on specific policies, redress and unity among ADOS/Native Black Americans. That's all.
With that being said, that doesn't mean I'm saying I'm not of African descent -- or my ancestors weren't of African-Descent/from Africa. Nor am I saying Black Immigrants shouldn't be here -- or they are taking our jobs, etc.
I want to build loving, productive, mutually benefitting bridges with other Black people outside my ethnic group/country. While uplifting, supporting and celebrating all of our ethnic boundaries and specific issues.