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I think when you know better you do better. Some African cultural norms I don't believe people from the west should get involved in. But when it comes to killings, mutilations, and slavery people should speak out. According to the report below the Ghanaian government has been trying to stop slavery. But slavery in these countries are easy when there is a lack of education and opportunity. Slavery around the world is something we as a collective should not allow and be okay with.
Of course there hasn't been a study done of just how many people have returned. But the point is that they do. Educated Africans is not the problem but a colonized mind is. Since Africans have tried to go back to Africa since the 1700's it would be interesting to understand from that point on how many people have actually gone back to the continent. But many people have gone to Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, etc.
The Washington Post also has a good article on this subject matter but you have to be a subscriber. So I won't post that article here.
Should Black Americans moving to African countries get involved in helping to stop harmful cultural beliefs and customs in those countries?
Like FGM and Trokosi in Ghana?
No, but try telling them that. If its an American, then forget about it. The changing the world 'mantra' appears to be engrained in Americans of all types and many Americans don't realize it. Make the world more like the USA is the underlining aspect. A basically impossible feat in many places of the globe. The USA has always been like this and there is no reason to think that Americans are going to change anytime soon on this aspect. Meaning well is the rule of the game, but sometimes what it creates is worst than the disease.
It would be VERY wise for Black Americans moving to Africa to DEFINITELY stay out of TRIBAL issues and CUSTOMS as they
would be getting into something they do not understand or have any concept of. Let the Africans handle issues like Trokosi and
FGM. let AFRICANS correct these issues.
There was a case several years back of 2 senior Black American women murdered in Ghana over a land ownership issue. You
don't know as a foreigner, what cultural assumptions underlay common things like land ownership in this case and what cultural
minefields you may walk into. I would also be careful in cases where Ghanaians want to make foreign expats "Honorary Chiefs".
There are some things in the culture you cannot penetrate just because you are a foreigner.
What is interesting about the couple visiting Ghana for the first time is their comments on common courtesy and high emphasis on manners and the hospitality of the people in the culture. It reminded me of AA communities in the 1950s and 1960s where
people knew each other and the community basically disciplined the children. I can see their point where in a lot of cases,
social etiquette and common courtesy has gone down hill in America.
However, the idea of going to Africa just because America is so bad needs to be qualified. I can see if you hit a "glass-ceiling"
in America you feel is due to racism in a career and in that same career you can advance in Africa due to not having a racial
glass ceiling.
If you just want to go to a Black-majority country go to Jamaica or the Bahamas. Their comment on the absence of "racial
tension" was interesting. When I traveled out of the country, I felt "foreign tension" and was very aware of being American.
It really wasn't "tension" just heightened awareness of who I was.
Thanks for the info, bay. It's still a strong "no" for me. It's not even about the continent being undeveloped. America's institutions are racist towards black Americans. This is a fact. So it's not smart for black Americans to go to a place where they are not protected. The Ghanaian goverment will not protect you if there's trouble, and the American government surely won't. African-Americans descend from people who fight back. Don't think being black is the only reason we have trouble in this country. I can't think of any African nation that has bucked up against the US. You don't want to be at the mercy of people who will side with your oppressor. Besides, we're in a time where relocating will not save you from destruction. This "back to Africa" thing is MLK's dream in blackface. Just...don't.
IF something DID jump-off in Africa, it would be a safe bet for any American to try to get to the American Embassy. On the
ground in everyday life you always COULD BE a potential victim of racism(in U.S.)
, know it when you see it, depending on the social context
fight back or run if need be or avoid potential situations in the U.S. , pay attention to your surroundings and watch peoples
body language.
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