what do native Africans think about Africann Americans?

Question

I have always been told all of my life that people who are actually from Africa have very arrogant attitudes and look down on African Americans for a few reasons. 1- African Americans have no roots. They don't know where their people came, what their native tounge is, etc. 2- Africans Americans are mixed with so much that Africans believe they are "white". 3- Africans believe that African Americans are sell outs.
I don't know if any of this is true, however it puzzles me. Can any African people comment, or just anyone who knows? Thanks!

Answer 1

Africans have a lot of pride. Proud of the culture and history, language and food, originality.

African Americans have a completely different culture. Just another different group of people.

Not the same at all, but whatever.

Answer 2

One great error people make is to group all Africans as one people I believe there is more diversity in Africa than in any other continent in the world. So it is very difficult to see all Africans as one people. I personally believe this has made it very difficult for the African American to identify with Africans. The differences between Africans are deep as the difference between a German and an English man if not deeper. So the term African becomes too broad to really produce any real connection between both culture. It's like the terms European American Asian American or South American American African American get the picture. It is just too broad to create a basis for true connection. There is a search for a connection that goes beyond skin colors because Africa has all range of skin colors from Capetown to Cairo. When we reduce the roots to Egyptians American, Nigerian American, Liberian American or South African American then we can really begin to develop greater connection with African American if that is possible or let us just relate to one another because we are all human beings that should have mutual respect for each other and build our relationship on the new man revealed at the cross of calvary through Jesus Christ then it does not really matter whether we are white or black African or Asian there is one new man on the earth the Christ man.

Answer 3

I don't see Africans as arrogant and I've encountered a lot of them...On the contrary, they are very good natured, soft spoken and nice in general. It comes down the differences in culture as someone pointed out. They're not going to sound "'hood", act "'hood" or even relate to the same struggles as African Americans. So most of the times, it seems like they're either insensitive or don't really care. They just can't relate because their history is different that's all.
I do admit that some of my African friends though did say that they'd rather hang out with "white" americans because they aren't angry all the time..... generalization of course but we have a few of those about them too...

Answer 4

I've heard the same exact things about how Africans relate to Black Americans. My mom's a nurse and has worked with all nationalities including Africans and personally I've bumped into a few myself. They are VERY arrogant and they do look down on the blacks here in America and I think the main reason is that they think we've sold out our heritage. I don't think any of my ancestors or their's, for a matter of fact, asked to be stuffed into a boat and shipped off to America. We grew up with an American culture because we're American! They don't see it that way though.

Answer 5

That is an interesting question but I always thought that it was mostly cultural. This is especially felt when Black Americans travel to Africa and quickly realize that color of the skin is not the identity, it is cultural tradition and language that is most important. It is pretty much the same thing when a white American travels to Europe. We all look the same but we soon realize that the French, Germans or Russians think a little different.

Answer 6

That's not true I have nice African friends that say hello to me and I love them their my next door neighbors next door across the street and the back of my house and I talk to them so I never had a problem with them and I'm African american

Answer 7

I'm white but I live in Africa - and personally I think I am FAR more an African than "African" Americans. Half of them haven't even been to Africa so whats so African about them? It annoys me cos why should people be classed by their skin colours and not by where they live? So by those standards I'm European (cos I'm white - but I live and was born in Africa) but black Americans are AFRICAN Americans cos of their SKIN colour??? go figure.

Answer 8

i'm not sure but i'm sure that 'african americans' are just americans. you can drop the african part. we don't run around calling mexicans mexican americans or calling chinese people chinese americans. why do we have to single out one race in that way. i'm sure not all africans think that way all though i'm sure there are some. each of them probably have a different reason why also.

Answer 9

Yes. many Africans do believe these things about us. but then, that would make both sides ignorant because we do remember our roots and it was not our fault that we now are in america. we did'nt choose to be in america. secondly, african americans do not fully understand their cultures and beliefs either. its just confusion.

Answer 10

Being white and American, I really can't answer. But I do know that if you see African-born people, they look quite different from most African-Americans. There's definitely more to black Americans than African.