I have something to say about African-Americans...ready?

Question

This is more of an informative thing, not a question, but I wanted to know if anyone felt the same? I just wanted to say that I really appreciate the culture like never before. I never understood it before and was very down on the way they acted. I am white, of course, but you know how it goes with every race....one looks down on the other because it's not THEIR culture...well, the other day I was watching the Discovery Channel and it was a program about the Bantu Tribes in Gabon Africa. They practice the Bwiti religion which is based on taking a very powerful hallucinogen called Imboga. A man from Discovery visited the Tribe for more than a month and experienced their culture. Almost everything they did (death, birth, rain, happiness, EVERYTHING) they had a dance and song to go with it....seriously, it is very much like today's African-American cultures, WHICH I NEVER UNDERSTOOD. I really do now and want to say that I appreciateyou guys and am glad you add so much to America.

I also wanted to say that while I was watching it I came to such a realization that it was absolutely horrible that the Africans were ripped from their homes in Africa to become slaves...I am white, I know that, but to me it doesn't matter. I just wanted everyone to know that I truly appreciate your culture and the ways Africans act, which I always thought they were just being "ghetto" boy, was I wrong....they are just acting the way their culture does and there is NOTHING wrong with that. Now, I'm not saying I agree with rap and the swearing and the crimes, but you have that WITH EVERY CULTURE.....It's just the old cultures modernized. It all made sense to me.

Answer 1

Well... I think it's good that you watched this program. Unfortunately, we learn these prejudice attitudes from the one's who shaped our minds in early life. We are all in this together. You hurt... I hurt.... you cry... I cry. The best way to UNDERSTAND each other is to try and get to know each other. Today things are much better, however, there are still many people out there that are still very racist. Two cheers to you in your efforts in trying to understand another culture.

Answer 2

well i think u should appreciate people based on who they are not what color they are. i seen some stories about south africa and how aids is spread there the percentage of rapes etc.. not to mention that sub sahara africa is prodomitly black and the top is arab. they are african as well. there are tribes in new guiena who practiced cannibalism and got horrible diseases from doing so. not all blacks are good not all are bad. this goes for every race on the planet. as far as ur comment up there african americans can not be compared to african blacks. they are totally diff with entirely diff cultures. but it is good to appreiate people and not see color. when u do this with out seeing people for what color they are then i will say i am proud of u

Answer 3

it's really good that you learned something new, and now have a new outlook. but having spent a lot of time in africa, the africans are nothing like americans.
generally this term african american means black american- in the 'politcally correct' terms. people that grew up in america are american and they cannot really compare to africans.
how come no one calls you european americans? since white people came from europe... i think that you'd probably just consider yourself american, if your born there.
so it's nice that you can appreciate a culture but those are two totally different cultures, why don't you meet some african americans and explore their culture too?

Answer 4

sounds to me like you are suffering from a case of "white guilt". African-Americans are NOTHING like native born Africans.

Answer 5

I bet african americans are now more relieved and are feeling better now that they know that they can count with your seal of approval and that you appreciate them rather than look down on them. All thanks to that tv show.