Black women of American vs. Black women from other countries (love, older)

[medicineman]

hey people just got back from my trip to south africa and i noticed something right away. the women in south africa are nicer than most of the women here in the south. i noticed as soon as i walked off the plane, black women looking so miserable. the their faces had a permenate look of distain, unhappiness, and plain. in south africa the women smiled, and spoke in kindness.
the black women here most will not talk with a black man, but will converse with a white guy. over there, they spoke to who ever treated them good. who came with a calm nice demeanor. they smiled all the time and had a sweetness to them. despite the fact they suffer apartheid recently, and it is fresh in some of their minds.
why is their a difference between the two countries? why are the women their sweeter despite the hard times, and the women here are colder.
i have my own thoughts, tell me yours...

[songinthewind7]

They want your money???

[Marylandkitten]

Maybe they're happier in their home-land, without having to deal with a lot of the common daily stress issues that revolve around African American Women that live in the states? Racial hatred, defamation by way of stereotypists, that sort of thing. ? Just a thought off the top of my head

[medicineman]

i would not say they want my money, when i flew their i was invited by a woman who had money.
and as i said before apartheid is still in the minds on many. and yet they still are kind and sweet. and if they face hardships here, why be nice to white men who started this mess? is it kissing the hands that smacked you?

[Marylandkitten]

Originally Posted by medicineman

why be nice to white men who started this mess? is it kissing the hands that smacked you?

Thanks for putting it in that light, I've never heard it spoken so bluntly.
Maybe the one's that do think that way are the reason that stereotypes or racial hatred exist.

...then again, maybe you just happened to catch every native african american that you met while you were visiting over there, on a good day!

[strawberryfield]

I don't think it's specific to South Africa or a racial thing. I think there is a feeling of entitlement in this country.

I've been to many developing nations (and lived in W.Africa) and found something similar to what you found...BUT do you see white people in this country running around smiling at everyone? Have you ever been in the subway in NYC at 7:30 in the morning? I've never seen anything more depressing in my life (well, almost). All races look miserable. Plodding along to work, which is usually far from home, sitting in an office, returning home in time to kiss the kiddies goodnight, all to keep up the "good life."

In Senegal (and Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mali, and many other places I've been) I've noticed that people are much happier, and also much more appreciative of what they have (life, family, etc...BASIC things). I spent time only in rural villages, so I don't know much at all about the city, but in the villages, they spend their days working hard (but close to home). Meals are cooked by family members for family members, children are raised by family, they live with extended family, they sit around in the evening and chat, dance, etc....not in front of the boob tube all evening.

It's not about race. It's about culture.

[AQHA]

Originally Posted by medicineman

...why be nice to white men who started this mess? is it kissing the hands that smacked you?

Statements like this make me wonder... I wonder why blacks are still blaming whites for their inability to put the past behind them. I wonder why blacks who think this way continue to stay in America and ***** about, "The Man" yet they take the government support. I wonder why these blacks, who were never slaves, still hate the whites, who were never slave holders.

I also wonder how much longer white people are going to be blamed for everything that goes wrong in the black culture.

I am not a racist, far from it. But I do hate the blame game that the blacks like to play. I also hate that anytime a white criticizes a black or the black culture, he is labeled as a racist. The most racist people I know are black people. We are living in a sad time in African American history.

[DaSkorpion]

It pretty much has to do with the culture - I have been to South Africa too and loved it. I did some volunteering there a while ago and every family welcomed me with open arms. They are very kind, share all they have with you and treat you with a lot of respect no matter who you are or where you come from.

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Originally Posted by medicineman

hey people just got back from my trip to south africa and i noticed something right away. the women in south africa are nicer than most of the women here in the south. i noticed as soon as i walked off the plane, black women looking so miserable. the their faces had a permenate look of distain, unhappiness, and plain. in south africa the women smiled, and spoke in kindness.
the black women here most will not talk with a black man, but will converse with a white guy. over there, they spoke to who ever treated them good. who came with a calm nice demeanor. they smiled all the time and had a sweetness to them. despite the fact they suffer apartheid recently, and it is fresh in some of their minds.
why is their a difference between the two countries? why are the women their sweeter despite the hard times, and the women here are colder.
i have my own thoughts, tell me yours...

[foma]

I don't think race has to do with anything. It's culture. Plus, the fact that you are visiting another country - with very poor people - of course they are going to be happy. This is just my assumption but I have traveled abroad enough to realize that green will make anybody smile for you.

[Jadel812]

Originally Posted by foma

I don't think race has to do with anything. It's culture. Plus, the fact that you are visiting another country - with very poor people - of course they are going to be happy. This is just my assumption but I have traveled abroad enough to realize that green will make anybody smile for you.

I have to agree with the poster of this piece. There is a big difference between the attitudes of African American women and black women of other countries. I sometimes believe that although more privileged, African American women face more stereotypes and negativity so therefore, they have reason to carry a "chip" on their shoulders...So to speak.