Thursday, November 10, 2005

News,radio etc

There are times when you find yourself doing some things that people would find interesting or even strange.Anyone who grew up in Kenya knows how the news is one of the most pivotal times of day for the old folk and those who seek to be informed.I recall how when you were in some locals the music would be turned down and the volume of the telly turned up at 9pm for the news.You could usually hear a pin drop when the news was on, I recall being the recipient of a couple of slaps as kid because of making noise during news.Anyway during the last few weeks I have actually been watching FOX 5 news in the evenings instead of stuff like MTV,VH1 and the many other channels on cable.
I turned on the radio this morning,something I rarely do (refer to my morning schedule) and there was a most interesting discussion.First of all it seems that this station ( a black station ) had been making jokes about Africans.Of course some ppl didnt approve and sent mail.Then the discussion moved to what Africans think about African Americans.Well one African I think Nigerian called and said that first they need to drop the African part from the name.Something that I agree with totally because there are many populations in the States that descended from immigrants but not too many call themselves Italian American,Irish American, British American etc according to the caller.Also they do say that they are descended from Africans which I dont argue with but since Africa is the cradle of civilisation doesn't that mean that we are all African in some way and everyone should add African in front of their heritage ie African-Italian-American.Then one other thing that most of the African American callers pointed out is that most Africans think that African Americans are lazy.A point that I dont dispute, thing is that even though most of the callers said that none of them refuted the belief that they are lazy.Not to say that I think that all of them are lazy on the contrary, they do have quite a number of super achievers among them but as Bill Cosby said there are very many who are not carrying their share of the load.The thing is that people didnt get angry at Cosby for what he said, it is because he said it out loud; he aired dirty linen.It was also pointed out that they don't take advantage of all the opportunities that they have like free education and loans for college.An African American chic actually called and said that we foreign black ppl have more opportunities in the form of grants and scholarships.Anyone who is an international student out here knows how fallacious that statement is, it is really hard getting scholarship and aid as an international student.Bickering aside I dont think anyone persons choice to be lazy or not can be used to describe a whole group of people.It was interesting to listen and know how people can be so the same yet so different.Anyway back to my term paper...

9 comments:

Farmgal said...

I have to stop stalking this blog!

Anonymous said...

@ farmgal
thank you for your visit!Hmmmm me thinks I should shut up about race.Have beaten that horse to death!

Farmgal said...

that bit about african-americans is interesting. i have never looked at it from that point of view. Kusema ukweli not all black people came from african so they should just drop it!

Anonymous said...

@ farmgal
its' true.I know some who are of caribbean descent and they call themselves African American too!PUH-LEEZ there is nuthin African about you but the color of your skin!

Anonymous said...

that shtick of african always claiming black americans being lazy has to drop its ridiculous IMO...but at the same time I agree with dr.huxtable in some respects

all these KNEEGROW(Negro) bickering hasta stop..each of us is just trying to make it, NOT ON SOME WE ARE BETTER THAN YOU TAURUS FEACES(Bull Shit)..and thats my word!

Anonymous said...

@ msanii
seems you got some strong words on the issue.As you can see, i support no particular side coz you cant ascribe the personal choice to work hard or not on a whole group of ppl.Like you said we are all trying to make it, it's how hard we are trying that sets us apart from each other as individuals!

Spidey/Tato said...

why do peeps always have to trace their roots kunta kinte style and then have this deep sense of belonging to Africa when they are completely ignorant about the place...they think that after watchin Roots/Amistad etc they have connected with Africa???

I agree with Msanii-TaurusPoo

Acolyte said...

@ nick
I feel you!Watchin a movie or two doesnt make you african.Besides it is well known that hollywood really cooks up stuff.One is better of doin hard research if they want to get into their roots properly.

Milonare said...

When the black americans start visiting Africa and tracing their roots there, then Ill have no problem with them calling themselves African American...

Until then, bilaz!!!