Is there a rift between American black women and African women?
This piece by Dr. Pamela D. Reed from thegrio.com explores the idea that a rift exists between African women and American black women that may resemble that between black and white women in America - at least when it comes to black men.
Take a look and tell me if you think she has a point.
Take a look and tell me if you think she has a point.
Tags: african, men, relationships, women
Views: 62
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by david turnipseed on -
DIVISION is a primitive method of spiritual warfare, as along as we fine reasons to disagree with one another ,their will be debates and friction .Now as pertaining to this debate women of any color or creed when it comes to the black man will create fuel for conflict because we are considered sacred ground to our black sisters, then when you put the african sister in the mix ,the American sister offence is these women got a lot of heart approaching our's after what theirs did to us as we were sent abroad as slaves and suffered for centuries because of and so they have not so easily forgotten.
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Permalink Reply by Melissa G. on -
I was never aware of any rift between African women and American black women. But can you direct me to the article, so that I could read more on the issue?
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Permalink Reply by Dan Woolsey on -
Sure thing. Click HERE.
Melissa Gayle said:I was never aware of any rift between African women and American black women. But can you direct me to the article, so that I could read more on the issue? -
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Permalink Reply by sharon flowers on -
I'm in a reltionship with a African Liberian man, and when we go out together the African Women will steer us down hating that we are together. Me and My Fiance'e both now the reason but we take it in stride i have several African friends that embrase our relationship and the ones that do not know us hates it. I think the riftt comes from what they are taught the African American Women to not live up the the standards of a African Man, which I have proving them wrong, Most african women believe that the African American Women comes with drama and that is not the case at all they have their belief and i have mine i don't want to be judged by someone who doesn't know me
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Permalink Reply by THABO SESEANE on -
Dr Pamela Reed's article has struck a familiar chord with my personal ruminations on the "continental divide". In the white diaspora, contact is often made and maintained with the mother-/fatherland as a German-American, Scottish-Australian, Welsh-South African, etc. which is, for historical reasons, not possible with African-Americans. Unfortunately with us, we often see the opposite happening, with, especially skilled Africans, leaving Africa for greener pastures in the 1st world.
A nascent movement is on the go however, where blacks migrate within Africa cross-pollinating skills entrepreneurship and education. This movement tends to correct the lingering effects of the black slave trade, colonial impoverishment and post-colonial greed and is what is needed to re-humanize us. What we need to have is more of an Afrocentric diaspora (into any sub-Saharan area). Over time Africa and its people, wherever they are in the world will enjoy the fruits. -
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Permalink Reply by Patricia on -
I really don't understand this. I don't see any problems between african women and black women. Now if we are talking about Black women and White women now that's a different story.
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Permalink Reply by Captain Church ["Scotland"] on
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Which group [African or American] is willing to be "help-mates" again to their men???
......helping him be the best he can be:: wise, mature and loving!
{Imagine the eros/physical love from a mature man, "ladies", and what the real thing, Love, would feel like....The Mt. of Ecstacy in all your senses!}
Instead men are kept "immature little boys",
for manipulation and control, $$$ & security....a power trip where the vice-president of the company {women} steal the leadership away from the president of the family or natural leader {men}~
Try love now, instead of hate! [Love withheld is hate!]
James Sorrell
http://CaptainChurch.hyperboards.com
CaptainChurch@gmail.com -
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Permalink Reply by Cucu Wesseh on -
I have not read the Article by the Dr. However, I am aware of the rift but inclined to believe that the causation and effects of such rift are not specifically historical nor cultural or what have you...
My take on the African Wo(men) relationships is that the social rift between Women of African descent and Men of American acculturation is attributed to insecurity and Gender-based jealousy.
To prove my point, I `d like to refer to the fact that despite the commonalities and similarities b/w Caribbean women and African; when "Push comes to Shove" especially in connection to women-Men relationship there will always be a rift of interaction and Human Process Approaches.
As things progress and intellectual capital develops, the rift is slowly diminishing and has to a considerable degree been minimized. All of this positivity is owed to the increased level of education in proactive young adults and active teen-agers... -
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Permalink Reply by Cucu Wesseh on -
In all rights of condition as member of the African DIASPORA; I do not only have an obligation, but a responsibility of audacity to paint and portray an image of positivity.
However, the impact of negativity erupting in human process Interactions involving groups of People in communities and collectives does have an adverse effect on developmental processes within our immediate environment and the far away environments of our respective home turfs.
What are our GAINS in terms of achievements, knowledge monopoly and advantages of cultural diversity? Have we and/or are we fully exploiting our energies into synergies in timeless efforts of strategy and utilization of our unique SOCIAL CAPITAL. Do we satisfactorily engage into efficient productivity for better GAINS of "BEND TO FIT" or benefit (the western equivalent) our developing World.
The essence of our collectivism and consensus for purposefulness is exactly the pivot of our collective consciousness within the DIASPORA.
These are questions and concerns of responsibility, positive attitudes and insights towards socio-economic development initiatives, better social living and Human decency.
The most harmful seed of the "CULTURE" of divisiveness and factors of degeneration in our Leadership ranks very often stains our management styles and "FALSE" collective Consciousness.
Observing with a competitive and advantaged perspective on the basis of adequate knowledge about everyday realities, environmental obstacles, socio-structural barricades; it is necessary to emphasize the significance of Cultural Diversity Management in the wake of global multiculturalism.
In this regard, it pivotal to substantiate the competence of leadership of the Diaspora Movement.
We should and must engage and strive to promote the maximum exploit of talents, social capital, as well as energies at our disposal in formulating strategies geared towards utilizing our organizational mechanisms for efficiency, productivity and BENEFIT and MOTIVATION to our entire user groups. -
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Permalink Reply by Eric Michael Seabreeze on
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I'm more than sure that you being in particular a "Black Woman" that you don't understand. I as a black man on the other hand 'do in fact" completely understand this ongoing situation...yes a rift that runs deep between African women, and American black women. First, let's look at the primary source of this rift! Having been to African four times over the years I have let's say for a better choice of words, "first hand experience" as it were than do the vast majority of black women when it comes to interaction with African women. African women don't really even relate, or view American black women as even being African! That's the first issue, that needs to be addressed! Why? Well, to the overwhelming majority of Africans they don't in spite of what you may have heard don't fully recognize US blacks as being Africans. Their basis for this attitude is that black Americans don't understand, nor can they even relate to what truly being an African is all about! Americans blacks across the board know almost nothing about Mother Africa, and for the most part continue to not even care about Africa as a consentient, or with Africa's issues, or their concerns! The people that usually assist Africa are in many cases the very same Europeans that exploited Africa, but at least they do help! When in all truth has black Americans really ever launched any type of assistance, aid, or even promoted serious relations with Africa? True, things were discussed "back in the day" i.e. "Pan Africanism", but as usual with most things that black Americans engage in, or start, there's always the predictable failure! And, because of black Americans ignorance about Africa....coupled with an ongoing unwillingness to open their own minds about their own roots, then the chasm that is present is ever widening even to this very day! American BW have a long track record of making hateful remarks about African women, that behavior has been going on for many years. BW women that I've personally witnessed while in Africa sneer, and look down their noses at African women as well. Calling them "ugly", or openly gesturing about how them in general, even up to the point of 'talking down' to them in just the very same fashion that white women here in the US did to, and still do to American black women. So, you have former great grand daughters of former slaves, treating native Africans as though they were slaves! It's a humiliating spectacle to bear witness too, and BW just as they always do ...just laugh! The real issue here is that American BW think that they're "white"! And, just because they're carrying a US Passport then that entitles them to treat Africans in general as if they were the lowest of the low! African women in general view black women with only anger! It really doesn't center around men at all. People, it requires far more than just reading an article to fully understand the dynamics ti a topoic of this nature. I would strongly suggest that one visit Africa, and see for yourselves the situation close up, and in living color!
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Permalink Reply by L.C. on
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African women from the continent who are not politically conscious nor knowledgable of African American history and the history of Black Americans/ White Americans do not see their connection to African Americans. Many view African Americans as simply Americans. For many Africans their only interest is in economic empowerment. They have been indoctrinated to believe all the negative mythology spewed by Whites. They have been lead to believe they are superior and different, the other.
In Africa African women have been conditioned to be servants of men. They have not had opportunities for advancement educationally, economically and as women. They are considered nothing more than beast of burden and instruments of male sexual pleasure. They do not own their bodies. Read about female circumcision. They have brought these customs and beliefs from the continent to America. Many resent the advancement and independence of African American women.
Their false sense of superiority masks feelings of envy, insecurity and lack. Like Blacks from other African diaspora nations they are well aware that African Americans are far better educated, technologically savvy and poised. They even ry and emulate African Americans. They look to African Americans for leadership. Competition between Black females for Black males from the continent, diaspora or America may be solely based on the unavailability of Black males period!
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