How are African Americans viewed by other nations?

Question

This is a question I've always wondered.

How are Black Americans viewed in other parts of the world? Are they viewed through negative stereotypes? Are they demonized because of xenophobia? Or does it have to do with misunderstanding? Anyone from other countries know?

I hope years and years of sterotyping and at times negative propaganda (sorry, I couldn't think of any other word) in Hollywood movies and American shows hasn't left a serious distorted image of Blacks in America. I hope not all the world sees African Americans the same way as some the U.S. do.

Answer 1

I am from the Philippines but I have no idea about the real point of you regarding our perception about the african americans!African american has been recognizes in all over the world!Look at oprah,michael jackson,m jordan,tiger woods(and many more),they have been adored by the white americans,and proud of them that a lot of black coming from the US excell in the different fields of fame!Maybe we can pre-judged the person individually and not by its color!Black americans contributes to elevate the USA become the most dominant country in the world,that is the whole truth!

Answer 2

Get educated my friend, the only people that cares about that comes from the USA. The world has better moral issues to deal with than of a simple in color. It has always been that way first world war and second world war the american army was the only army diversified by ethnical values, they were the joke of everyone. Any way what the heck comes to be an african american, is that the same as a anglo Irish american, or as an black arab american? Think about it and stop being ethnically bias.

Answer 3

As Americans

Answer 4

Lisa: what an interesting question, and such diverse answers! Thank you for the entertainment and the information.

It looks as though African Americans evoke as many different reactions around the world as White Americans do, so maybe the answerer who remarked that "African American" is something of a PC-phoneyism is onto something. My observations are these: hip-hop music and fashion are certainly influential around the world; movie stereotypes are indeed durable (I had people in Germany ask me about the gangsters in Chicago, a la Al Capone, so movie stereotyping is not limited to black people!) and the world watches our movies with great avidity; we're all just going to have to be aware of this sort of thing and BEWARE of contributing to it or seeing other nationalities based on stereotypes.

Answer 5

I can't speak for all Australians, But i view African Americans as an integral part of what makes up the USA and indeed world society. Any culture that is able to produce such visionaries as Melcom X, Martin Luther King, Maya Angelou. Create things such as hip hop and jazz, and gave us such talented people like Michael Jordan & Tiger Woods must be doing something right.

What the African American community has brought to and given to the world far far out weighs any negativity that may be placed on them.

Answer 6

African Americans are viewed by other countries/ people in so many different ways. Several years ago, people's viewpoints were very much the same ( racist, bias and discriminating ). Now as the world has progressed, people view African Americans as strong individuals, equality has come a long way where they are recognized as the same as you and I ). There are obviously a lot of people that have not changed their viewpoints and are still very racist, but in time the world will change as a whole.

Answer 7

African Americans are viewed by other nations by what they see on T.V. and usually that means in a sterotypicial way. So if you see a bunch of rappers, thugs, gangsters, dead beat dads, flashy, pimpish, clown-type, dancing/jumping around, stylized African Americans on T.V. and that's all you know of that culture then you are going to assume that that's what and how they are. I have a half brother who lives in Australia where this is not typically the case, but if you go to underdeveloped nations or nations with minimal "black people"( areas) Africa, India, China they don't know any "real black people" just what is on T.V......

What's disappointing (scary) is some from said nations ( africa, india etc) people come to this country as immigrants and often times treat African Americans poorly due to misinformation. ( this sometimes is especially true with African Immigrants who look down on American born Africans)

Answer 8

On a trip to Greece 3 years ago,I've met an african-american,we fall for eachother from the first minute,he is the greatest person I ever met,he just brought a smille on my face,because i was having a hard time,we couldn't live our story because I'm italian and he had to go back to America,but not a day passes without thinking of him...It's a kind of romantic point of view,but that person made me change my opinion and canceled the stereotypes...And now my best friend is african-american..:)

Answer 9

Probably alot better than they are in America. African Americans have come a long way in the time that they have been in America but the majority are still poor and uneducated due to the American school system and the capitalistic economy of America where the rich get richer and the poor just try to get by.

Answer 10

I agree with "smurfette_au" There is a mass of negative stereotyping and prejudice based upon race which has been handed down from generation to generation. Why are Blacks so intelligent, yet passed over? TO KEEP THE BLACK MAN IN HIS PLACE - CONTROL!!! During my travels abroad, I was treated much better, but, I will never leave the USA. I was born here and shall die here. Even with my beautiful Black skin, I'm American. I challenge any one, to walk in my shoes and experience the prejudice(s) that I have had to endure on a daily basis. My people are challenged by everyone, day in and day out, and must deal with others who were taught to be prejudice - bigotry is evident. People of another race should try to relate to the Black man/woman and become more aware of our struggles to exist. Life has been hard for me, and no matter how qualified I may be, the job(s) were given to someone more qualified [can you imagine who?]. I had a patient refuse my services because I was Black, but I've learned to forgive "ignorance". No one will really know how to view another African-American, until they can first deal with their your own inner prejudices. I would also state, "Until you can walk in my shoes & experience the rejection that I have felt, you have no idea what my people here in the USA are going through today. We have learned to express ourselves through Music. Amazing how other ethnics want our music, our foods, try to talk like us, love to visit our islands, want our men and lust after our women, yet, they treat us like animals..... Try living as a Black person for one day - I bet you couldn't last. You just might change your opinion. Then let's not forget STEROTYPING of a people. "Watermelon and Chicken...." everyone loves to eat!!! Right? WE AFRICAN AMERICANS SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A HUMAN BEING, GIVEN EQUAL STATUS, EQUAL RIGHTS and DECENT WAGES. If all these items were given to the Black American/African-Americans there would be less people seeking assistance from the county/state government(s).

Answer 11

I'm not sure how other countries view them. They are AMERICANS, NOT, african americans!!!!!!!But, I know that about half of the ones I have met or are associated with will whine about oppression, how they are not getting what they deserve. These particular ones are not working, have dropped out of school and are more than likely doing drugs. The other half, like my Brother in law, (he's from Jamaica, and very dark complected) Started out with crime and drinking and the bad attitude. But, he was ordered to go to anger management, and it turned his life around, he now works, doesn't beat his wife, and is buying a home for his family. YOU HAVE TO GET RID OF THE ANGER!!@! He used to have the same attitude I was describing, but, we can't just give everything to someone who doesn't want to help themselves. They have as many if not more opportunities than the indians, the whites or any American.
The opportunities are out there for everyone. SO STOP WHINING AND TAKE THEM.!!!!!!!!