Hi Ada, thank God I found your article. I have the same thoughts you expressed her. It seems many Nigerians share these thoughts. A point that resonated with me was your viewing of the George Floyd killings, I thought the same thing too many of my African American friends disagree with me and believe Chaivin killed Floyd because of racism.
It's glad to know I'm not crazy at all or that my commentary from Nigeria is not worthless because I'm not in the west. You being in the west and coming to the same conclusion as I did showed there is something transcendent about the position you beautifully expressed here.
At times to African Americans, Nigerians may seem unfeeling, to their plight because we don't take on their rage on race issues, I think it's because of our experiences growing up in Africa where race and skin colour rarely ever mattered and that when challenges come we see them as challenges to be surmounted while some African Americans may attribute it reflexively to racism. Not to say there is no racism, but leave the cries of racism to true and objective case of racism.
I'd like to connect with you and have an interview with you sometime soon. I run a YouTube channel called "Critical African Thinkers," where we examine things under the microscope of logic to ascertain that which is most factual and logically consistent.
I would send you an email shortly, and I'm hoping to get a response from you.
Very well written and thought out. If there is such a thing as white privilege, surely a large part of it is that white people are free to be anything -- any profession, any political belief, any religion, any activity or hobby or interest -- and no one will accuse them of not being really "white." Compare that to the constant policing that seems to accompany discussions of "blackness" (of which Michael Eric Dyson's recent attack on Winsome Sears, and Hannah Nicole Jones's "There is a difference between being politically black and being racially black," are but two examples). This just goes to prove the necessity of this outlet. Bravo to FBT and Ada.
Your story is inspiring and insightful. There are things in life worth celebrating like the birth of a child, a successful marriage, etc but celebrating innate and immutable physical characteristics is a narcissistic endeavour at best. I believe most people look into a mirror and see themselves and not the color of their skin. Racism does exist and is the work of the devil. It is evil incarnate and will attempt to ensnare us when we are circumstantially most vulnerable. This vulnerability is not unique to any one skin color or physical characteristic. However as you suggest it can be thwarted by placing more emphasis " on a person’s character, integrity, values, actions, work ethic,(and) traditional values".
I use “M.” like the French do, for Monsieur but ALSO for Mesdames and Mademoiselle EQUALLY. ALL CAPS are ITALICS. I don’t read what I type before I post, so errors are expected.
As I said over there, TYTY very much. Me? I think it mostly comes down to 50% effort which, no doubt, You excel at. And 50% "Serendipity." You SO lucky You grew up with not only good family but GREAT country. Imagine You never knew how DISEMPOWERING (recall, italics) victim-mindset is to a person.
And I can truly SEE how there would be tension between Your growth-mindset and orientations of some-a Your Black friends and acquaintances. I don't envy Your position in that regard, but have NO doubt You managed situations well!
Do the English woke demonize Nigerians alongside Chinese, Indians and Jews for their academic and socio-economic success and privilege?
In the USA BLM and many ADOS often demand that Nigerian and other African immigrant Americans be denied access to affirmative action and other benefits intended for black Americans. There is some blowback against Nigerian Americans for their success. Is the same true in England?
Are African Britons treated better than Caribbean Britons in England?
This is beautiful! I can honestly say I am learning something from nearly every FBT article. Many thanks!
Hi Ada, thank God I found your article. I have the same thoughts you expressed her. It seems many Nigerians share these thoughts. A point that resonated with me was your viewing of the George Floyd killings, I thought the same thing too many of my African American friends disagree with me and believe Chaivin killed Floyd because of racism.
It's glad to know I'm not crazy at all or that my commentary from Nigeria is not worthless because I'm not in the west. You being in the west and coming to the same conclusion as I did showed there is something transcendent about the position you beautifully expressed here.
At times to African Americans, Nigerians may seem unfeeling, to their plight because we don't take on their rage on race issues, I think it's because of our experiences growing up in Africa where race and skin colour rarely ever mattered and that when challenges come we see them as challenges to be surmounted while some African Americans may attribute it reflexively to racism. Not to say there is no racism, but leave the cries of racism to true and objective case of racism.
I'd like to connect with you and have an interview with you sometime soon. I run a YouTube channel called "Critical African Thinkers," where we examine things under the microscope of logic to ascertain that which is most factual and logically consistent.
I would send you an email shortly, and I'm hoping to get a response from you.
Charles
Very well written and thought out. If there is such a thing as white privilege, surely a large part of it is that white people are free to be anything -- any profession, any political belief, any religion, any activity or hobby or interest -- and no one will accuse them of not being really "white." Compare that to the constant policing that seems to accompany discussions of "blackness" (of which Michael Eric Dyson's recent attack on Winsome Sears, and Hannah Nicole Jones's "There is a difference between being politically black and being racially black," are but two examples). This just goes to prove the necessity of this outlet. Bravo to FBT and Ada.
A splendid and refreshing perspective. Best wishes with your writing and podcast.
Your story is inspiring and insightful. There are things in life worth celebrating like the birth of a child, a successful marriage, etc but celebrating innate and immutable physical characteristics is a narcissistic endeavour at best. I believe most people look into a mirror and see themselves and not the color of their skin. Racism does exist and is the work of the devil. It is evil incarnate and will attempt to ensnare us when we are circumstantially most vulnerable. This vulnerability is not unique to any one skin color or physical characteristic. However as you suggest it can be thwarted by placing more emphasis " on a person’s character, integrity, values, actions, work ethic,(and) traditional values".
I use “M.” like the French do, for Monsieur but ALSO for Mesdames and Mademoiselle EQUALLY. ALL CAPS are ITALICS. I don’t read what I type before I post, so errors are expected.
Haha! It was literally just a few minutes ago that I FINALLY (italics) got a chance to read Your article in "Wrong Speak," M. Akpala. https://wrongspeak.net/police-distrust-paves-way-for-more-black-deaths-in-london-streets/
As I said over there, TYTY very much. Me? I think it mostly comes down to 50% effort which, no doubt, You excel at. And 50% "Serendipity." You SO lucky You grew up with not only good family but GREAT country. Imagine You never knew how DISEMPOWERING (recall, italics) victim-mindset is to a person.
And I can truly SEE how there would be tension between Your growth-mindset and orientations of some-a Your Black friends and acquaintances. I don't envy Your position in that regard, but have NO doubt You managed situations well!
Jay
Ada, do English people see you as a Nigerian Briton or African Briton, or can they not tell?
In the USA, Nigerian Americans often have cache as stereotypically academically excellent, good in careers, business, family values, and "smart."
Isn't this also true in England? Doesn't the Nigerian British network give Nigerian Britons a large leg up over other English people?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Nigerian#Population
Do the English woke demonize Nigerians alongside Chinese, Indians and Jews for their academic and socio-economic success and privilege?
In the USA BLM and many ADOS often demand that Nigerian and other African immigrant Americans be denied access to affirmative action and other benefits intended for black Americans. There is some blowback against Nigerian Americans for their success. Is the same true in England?
Are African Britons treated better than Caribbean Britons in England?