Africans, African Americans, West Indians & Afro-Latinos Vol: Why is there a rift between us?

We share a continent we share the same goals of uplifting our people and strengthening ourselves.We want build connections that will last for hundreds of years and create peace and prosperity in our communities because working together we accomplice more than we do separated.Its sad you don't understand this .Every time somebody says blacks / people of African descent or natives of Africa need to work together you say no we don't .No we don't to work together your the negro who just opposes to look good for the outsiders and get a pat on the head.
 
FutureMD said:
Again my question remains this. Why do you feel the need to connect only with people that look like you despite you all having literally nothing in common? 
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emeyesix said:
I am an African American male, however, I prefer to be called BLACK. Black is identity, and has a deeper meaning and connection to all those who have suffered at the hands of oppression, even those who are considered and then consider themselves NON BLACK. The connotation associated with being black actually suggests an outcast, someone not belonging to the top tier of the social order.
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 Just like with the Jews, you must learn to recognize the common enemy, and that is ignorance. You must understand, that it is no mistake that there are people who will be against you in this world, due to the color of your skin. They may come at you in different ways, but at the end of the day, they feel that you are inferior, due to the color of your own skin. Intelligence teaches one to listen intently, understanding what people are actually intending to do, and then why.
 
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ThorrocksJs said:
We share a continent we share the same goals of uplifting our people and strengthening ourselves.We want build connections that will last for hundreds of years and create peace and prosperity in our communities because working together we accomplice more than we do separated.Its sad you don't understand this .Every time somebody says blacks / people of African descent or natives of Africa need to work together you say no we don't .No we don't to work together your the negro who just opposes to look good for the outsiders and get a pat on the head.
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I'm beyond helping just black people right now. Its about humanity at this point. 

Because the only thing that you mean by "black" people is anyone with enough melanin for you.

If we look at this argument from sheer genetics you'll see that we share nothing in common other than how we respond to outsiders who categorize us.

Black people don't have some sort of magic power to them. We're just folks with more melanin. Thats about it. The sooner we realize this we can work to reach higher aims. Its beyond "race" at this point. 
 
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emeyesix said:
FutureMD said:
Again my question remains this. Why do you feel the need to connect only with people that look like you despite you all having literally nothing in common? 
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emeyesix said:
I am an African American male, however, I prefer to be called BLACK. Black is identity, and has a deeper meaning and connection to all those who have suffered at the hands of oppression, even those who are considered and then consider themselves NON BLACK. The connotation associated with being black actually suggests an outcast, someone not belonging to the top tier of the social order.
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 Just like with the Jews, you must learn to recognize the common enemy, and that is ignorance. You must understand, that it is no mistake that there are people who will be against you in this world, due to the color of your skin. They may come at you in different ways, but at the end of the day, they feel that you are inferior, due to the color of your own skin. Intelligence teaches one to listen intently, understanding what people are actually intending to do, and then why.
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I don't know man...I dont see "black progress" as any more important than progress for EVERYONE. 

You're seriously only asserting that the only reason we should care is because of the color of my skin. I don't share anything with Dr. Sirleaf. Neither do you, I assume. 

But because shes black then I have to care? How much sense does that make?

I'm down to help "communities with melanin" but I can't limit myself to that. It doesn't make sense. 

Please tell me. What is even "the black community?" What does that entail? 
 
FutureMD said:
I don't know man...I dont see "black progress" as any more important than progress for EVERYONE. 

You're seriously only asserting that the only reason we should care is because of the color of my skin. I don't share anything with Dr. Sirleaf. Neither do you, I assume. 

But because shes black then I have to care? How much sense does that make?

I'm down to help "communities with melanin" but I can't limit myself to that. It doesn't make sense. 

Please tell me. What is even "the black community?" What does that entail? 
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Look at it this way, the elevation of the darker peoples of the world, can also elevate humanity as a whole, especially since people of color are in the majority.

This is not to knock down any non blacks, it is to level the playing field. There is no doubt as to who controls the majority of resources in this world. With a country like Liberia being able to control its own resources, then lending a hand to those of color, Black people in America and then vice versa, I don't see how this can be a bad thing.

I'll be back, I have to work....
 
FutureMD said:
I'm beyond helping just black people right now. Its about humanity at this point. 

Because the only thing that you mean by "black" people is anyone with enough melanin for you.

If we look at this argument from sheer genetics you'll see that we share nothing in common other than how we respond to outsiders who categorize us.

Black people don't have some sort of magic power to them. We're just folks with more melanin. Thats about it. The sooner we realize this we can work to reach higher aims. Its beyond "race" at this point. 
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No it's not beyond race at this point the world is just as divided and racist as it was 60 years ago .I don't believe that at all .Yu have a lot of self hate man if you don't want to uplift your people first .Class ,stigma separate races to this day I'm not gonna try to mend fences when my own house Is in disarray .
 
FutureMD said:
Please tell me. What is even "the black community?" What does that entail? 
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The Black Community is the people who have been oppressed, due to the color of their skin. These are the people who have been divided among one another, as the title of this thread suggests in modern society, due to the pervasive, stereotypical ignorance, that is fed through the media, then handed down culturally. It was said in the documentary Black In Latin America, that most Dominicans don't even know that they are Black, not until they come to America, specifically New York City. 

Growing up, I've had a few Jamaicans and other West Indians call me Yankee Boy, or Bullah', making the mistake of thinking that I was soft due to my American upbringing, that is, until I put a foot in their *****. Funny thing about this is that after you have a fight with someone as a kid, that person often becomes your best friend.

It's not the correct way of opening dialog, then being exposed to someone's culture, but after I had shown that I was very capable of defending myself physically, respect was gained, and then acceptance soon followed.

It's the same thing with the Black community, the African diaspora. We have to come from a position of strength, as a collective, as do the Jews with Israel. You mess with us, you'll have to answer to all of us. You'll only gain respect by coming to the table with power. They, those who are in power, are not going to give us anything. Every other race of people has this advantage. Africa has the most natural resources in world, and they are not in control of them. This is a problem. Since Africans are fractured among each other, they cannot stand together as a collective. President Sirleaf has done more than many, but many others simply continue to portray themselves in a stereotypical manner, showing that they cannot be trusted. Mobutu, Amin, all of those who became power hungry despots, make it tough for anyone to stand with Africans. So I understand your apprehension, as we really don't have anything in common with them, other than the color of our skin. However, that is why I say that intelligence has to win over greed. How we are going to get there, I don't know, but it has to start somewhere, or else we are doomed. 

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ThorrocksJs said:
No it's not beyond race at this point the world is just as divided and racist as it was 60 years ago .I don't believe that at all .Yu have a lot of self hate man if you don't want to uplift your people first .Class ,stigma separate races to this day I'm not gonna try to mend fences when my own house Is in disarray .
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I don't think that it is self hate, as he identifies with his humanity first. This is how it is supposed to be, then also admirable. However, unless he is a Black Man who walks around looking like George Clooney, no matter the level of class and intelligence he'll exhibit, he will have the misfortune of encountering racism and bigotry, even if it is something as simple as someone asking him, you mean to tell me that you are Black, and you can't dance?
 
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ThorrocksJs said:
FutureMD said:
I'm beyond helping just black people right now. Its about humanity at this point. 

Because the only thing that you mean by "black" people is anyone with enough melanin for you.

If we look at this argument from sheer genetics you'll see that we share nothing in common other than how we respond to outsiders who categorize us.

Black people don't have some sort of magic power to them. We're just folks with more melanin. Thats about it. The sooner we realize this we can work to reach higher aims. Its beyond "race" at this point. 
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No it's not beyond race at this point the world is just as divided and racist as it was 60 years ago .I don't believe that at all .Yu have a lot of self hate man if you don't want to uplift your people first .Class ,stigma separate races to this day I'm not gonna try to mend fences when my own house Is in disarray .
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Self hate? You sure about that? 
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I just refuse to fall into this blind trap of "pro-black" when all you mean is really "pro-melanin"

I'd rather support the human condition as a whole. I don't know how you don't see the difference.

Every black person isn't "my people"...I thought we got past this. 

The only reason black people stick together is NOT because they have a shared origin. They stick together in response to how the external world interacts with them. 

I'm down to support efforts that remove the barriers to advancement, but I don't see whats to be gained out of then promoting aims of people I have nothing in common with outside of the fact that we're both humans.

Either barriers matter, or they don't. You don't get to conveniently defend some just to over look others. 
 
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[COLOR=#red]@FutureMD[/COLOR]

I understand that you would rather fight for humanity because as you identify yourself as a human being first. You feel physical appearance, more specifically, skin color is superficial. I get that...

You then go on to say that you'd rather support the human condition as a whole? My question is, how does one do that if people can't even agree on what the problem is. Every group of people has problems, as a black man, how are you gonna solve other people's problems if you can't fix your own first? "Black" Americans are in a continual state of poverty, turmoil, and distress.

From my perspective, in order to get everyone on the same page you have to start with self.

You want to save humanity, but people you share a common ancestry with are in the worst economic conditions in America. Globally, why should anyone take you serious if you can't even empathize with those who come from where YOU come from. What problems can you fix if don't have a community to give you strength?

You may not always share anything in common with family members, but that doesn't mean they aren't family.

But I get it, we all should set aside our differences and work together for the greater good of humanity... The only problem is, when people see you and me, they don't see a human. They see a "black" man
 
Why not look at it from an economic standpoint.

Black people across the world are being robbed econmically.

So what DeBeers negotiates a 20% pay increase for their mine workers. A billion dollar industry and they pay the people who risk their life and often times die pennies.

What about oil cartels in Africa. So what a small minority out of the populace gets seats in government and royalties. The rest of the country still looks like ish and doesn't have adequate infrastructure compared to the places where the money goes out to.

What about here in America, black people represent a larger portion of consumer spending than most other races yet hold the least amount of wealth. That alone should be enough evidence for black people to band together and protect their own interest. If the rest of the other races well being depend on how much money blacks spend, when are blacks gonna catch up and try to reap a benefit.

No other race has a problem banding together over an issue. Be it a country club membership, or getting their own damn country. Yet if blacks try to do the same, you got silly black folks saying it's not needed.

You really need to get a clue. Just because you may be or went college and think you are making it, fact is you are just for other races to affirm they are being fair racially.


If you think making it is having a 75k a year job you are sadly mistaken my friend. Just think...If you are worth 75k a year to a company, how much is the company making off of their 75k investment in you?

Black people need to quit sucking on the pacifiers of job security, empirical education and knowledge of what is just jargon and common speak among different circles.

At the end of the day, your job can be gone, someone on the other side of the globe is 100 times more educated than you and is in line for you job for a cheaper price. Black people have nothing in this country. Nothing.

Stop being in denial. You are black and cast out by the rest of the world. You can pretend all you want. When you leave a room full of white people they are always gonna exhale and be glad the "black guy" is gone so they can get on with business as usual.
 
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Disregard the troll.

Sillyputty, i mean futuremd is the same dude who constantly goes back and forth with ninjahood about why he chooses not to embrace having african roots then turns around and says he himself has nothing in common with africans besides the color of his skin. He's a clearcut hypocrite that embraces and defines himself by his countries culture. I commend you all for even engaging this confused man, he plays devils advocate to everything then has the nerve to talk about uniting humanity. Shunning people that believe in god lol, you sir are just what this world needs.
 
SpottieOttie305 said:
@FutureMD

I understand that you would rather fight for humanity because as you identify yourself as a human being first. You feel physical appearance, more specifically, skin color is superficial. I get that...

You then go on to say that you'd rather support the human condition as a whole? My question is, how does one do that if people can't even agree on what the problem is. Every group of people has problems, as a black man, how are you gonna solve other people's problems if you can't fix your own first? "Black" Americans are in a continual state of poverty, turmoil, and distress.

From my perspective, in order to get everyone on the same page you have to start with self.

You want to save humanity, but people you share a common ancestry with are in the worst economic conditions in America. Globally, why should anyone take you serious if you can't even empathize with those who come from where YOU come from. What problems can you fix if don't have a community to give you strength?

You may not always share anything in common with family members, but that doesn't mean they aren't family.

But I get it, we all should set aside our differences and work together for the greater good of humanity... The only problem is, when people see you and me, they don't see a human. They see a "black" man
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Thing is...I'm not opposed to helping "black people"

I'm opposed to exclusively doing that.

See, as much as we don't like to admit it...some of the more "fervent" pro black speakers tend to be ALMOST racist against non-blacks. Controversial statement...I know. But sometimes it gets to the point where it becomes this sort of narcissistic circle-jerk over africa and how melanin makes us better than anyone.

In fact, I get easily turned off by a lot of pro-black sentiments because many of them are unreasonable. Black people are pretty damn diverse and no one seems to remember this. 

I get that people need to improve their self-esteem but I never find a way to do that in a way that doesn't lead people towards OVERcompensating for their progressive efforts. There is always a balance lacking in these movements that sends itself to extremism. 

I mean...do you all realize that for some reason ONLY black people are expected to get along? Like why is that? If you're dark then supposedly you're supposed to have something in common. 

Its this weird thing that we supposedly share only how others view us...not that we actually have something in common.

What it seems like is that people want black people to be more influential in society... and I guess that'd be cool but I don't see how that supposed to be some sort of automatic signal for unity. 

I think its more important to remove the barrier to progress rather than thinking you do that by pushing "people with melanin" up. 

It seems somewhat backwards to think that all it takes to be recognized as someone of value by most of you all is to have a little more pigment. 
 
AceBoogieSahn said:
Disregard the troll.

Sillyputty, i mean futuremd is the same dude who constantly goes back and forth with ninjahood about why he chooses not to embrace having african roots then turns around and says he himself has nothing in common with africans besides the color of his skin. He's a clearcut hypocrite that embraces and defines himself by his countries culture. I commend you all for even engaging this confused man, he plays devils advocate to everything then has the nerve to talk about uniting humanity. Shunning people that believe in god lol, you sir are just what this world needs.
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Actually, the beef with NinjaHood is that he doesn't acknowledge the african aspects of his heritage.

I have no problem acknowledging it...but I don't let that shape the entire context of my stance.

I, and I assume you as well, have NOTHING in common with modern africans BESIDES your skin color.

We recognize that some point in the past we had "black" ancestors, but that doesn't indicate anything about the similarities we immediately share outside of skin color. 

There is a difference. I gladly recognize where I came from...BUT I'm not going to use that as leverage for progress. It seems contradictory for me to do so.

How could I use the same distinction they created out of thin air to then promote causes along the boundaries of an entity that doesn't even exist (race)? 
 
JuJu said:
so you can't be of australian heritage cause its a continent?
here is something african about me. although my mom is from panama and my dad is from haiti i know that my moms side got to panama by way of barbados.
barbados was a british colony where slaves from africa were dropped off. therefore i KNOW that at some point someone in my family before i got the last name Brathwaite which is a area in England were from africa.
how is this evidenced in me?
well i get keloids...
"Keloids affect both sexes equally, although the incidence in young female patients has been reported to be higher than in young males, probably reflecting the greater frequency of earlobe piercing among women. The frequency of occurrence is 15 times higher in highly pigmented people. Persons of African descent are at increased risk of keloid occurrences." although anyone can get them my being prone to them is a direct result of my african heritage despite being born in good ol BROOKLYN
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Read my responses don't glance.
 
Smangalang said:
LakersUscTrojan said:
Could black people have genetically predisposition to violence?  

http://theunsilencedscience.blogspot.com/2011/03/racial-controversy-of-violent-gene.html
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xd8000.gif


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So some dude rambling vs a study on genetics and gene frequency? 

Right. Whatever. 

I'm the last one to support the slippery slope of eugenics but if you can't understand the article, that doesn't give you leeway to act like you can invalidate it with a speech that doesn't address anything in the article.

If anything i'd be interested in a link of violence from populations that tend to have more neanderthal DNA in them. 

This isn't news...there are SOME genetic linkages to "anger" but as far as I know, its not linked to "race" as much as it is genetic defects. 
 
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FutureMD said:
I'm beyond helping just black people right now. Its about humanity at this point. 

Because the only thing that you mean by "black" people is anyone with enough melanin for you.

If we look at this argument from sheer genetics you'll see that we share nothing in common other than how we respond to outsiders who categorize us.

Black people don't have some sort of magic power to them. We're just folks with more melanin. Thats about it. The sooner we realize this we can work to reach higher aims. Its beyond "race" at this point. 
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look dude, in candyland your right...but the game is not played like that. For thousands of years people have divided around color pretty much, so why should black people, the race of the lowest economic stature take the high road and strive for some betterment of all society when every other country has done nothing but exploit them and rape their resources. That candyland world you are striving for is cool to preach for in your liberal arts university when your coke dreaming but the world ain't working that way. If that ever happens it will come from the top because the world unites in mutual interest but 80 percent of the world lives in homogeneous ethnic area pretty much. We are fortunate to live in America and escape that but we also shouldn't be ignorant and pretend that the people in power have any intention in viewing the world through a lens of racial equality. I practice that in my personal life but that is far different than how one should proceed in a political and economic fashion.
 
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8PM at MSG said:
Alright I'm randomly sitting in my room today and I was wondering what causes this rift between these three groups? I mean, aren't we all black? Do we all not face the same problems at the end of the day when it comes to things such as unfair treatment and so on? Where did the ignorance come from? As someone who is pretty much caught between groups (Parents are from St. Kitts, I'm a first generation American) I would like to hear some insight on your thoughts.
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Who told you this? It's simply not true.
 
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worldbeefreeg said:
FutureMD said:
I'm beyond helping just black people right now. Its about humanity at this point. 

Because the only thing that you mean by "black" people is anyone with enough melanin for you.

If we look at this argument from sheer genetics you'll see that we share nothing in common other than how we respond to outsiders who categorize us.

Black people don't have some sort of magic power to them. We're just folks with more melanin. Thats about it. The sooner we realize this we can work to reach higher aims. Its beyond "race" at this point. 
Click to expand...

look dude, in candyland your right...but the game is not played like that. For thousands of years people have divided around color pretty much, so why should black people, the race of the lowest economic stature take the high road and strive for some betterment of all society when every other country has done nothing but exploit them and rape their resources. That candyland world you are striving for is cool to preach for in your liberal arts university when your coke dreaming but the world ain't working that way. If that ever happens it will come from the top because the world unites in mutual interest but 80 percent of the world lives in homogeneous ethnic area pretty much. We are fortunate to live in America and escape that but we also shouldn't be ignorant and pretend that the people in power have any intention in viewing the world through a lens of racial equality. I practice that in my personal life but that is far different than how one should proceed in a political and economic fashion.
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So you think that constantly butting heads with others is gonna help black people get ahead? Because of fear that they may hold the whole race back down again?

So would you consider guys like Obama, kofi, powell, african leaders and dignitaries and any other black politician not being the one's in power?

where are you getting this statement that every country has "raped" Africa if that's what your saying....maybe you mean the few men at the top did all of that.

I believe you should lead by example, and this example of just protecting yours and everybody else is on their own is not a good plan short/long-term.

If there is so much working against "blacks" why would you want to make it worse by not taking the higher road. Not the higher road as in what religion has made it out to be, but the higher road in terms of morals, integrity, selflessness, compassion.

I agree that this term "race" is just another dividing tool.

What sounds like a candyland to you is the same thing MLK was trying to preach.
 
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worldbeefreeg said:
FutureMD said:
I'm beyond helping just black people right now. Its about humanity at this point. 

Because the only thing that you mean by "black" people is anyone with enough melanin for you.

If we look at this argument from sheer genetics you'll see that we share nothing in common other than how we respond to outsiders who categorize us.

Black people don't have some sort of magic power to them. We're just folks with more melanin. Thats about it. The sooner we realize this we can work to reach higher aims. Its beyond "race" at this point. 
Click to expand...
look dude, in candyland your right...but the game is not played like that. For thousands of years people have divided around color pretty much, so why should black people, the race of the lowest economic stature take the high road and strive for some betterment of all society when every other country has done nothing but exploit them and rape their resources. That candyland world you are striving for is cool to preach for in your liberal arts university when your coke dreaming but the world ain't working that way. If that ever happens it will come from the top because the world unites in mutual interest but 80 percent of the world lives in homogeneous ethnic area pretty much. We are fortunate to live in America and escape that but we also shouldn't be ignorant and pretend that the people in power have any intention in viewing the world through a lens of racial equality. I practice that in my personal life but that is far different than how one should proceed in a political and economic fashion.
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So you want black people in positions of power. I have no problem with that. I'm just more from the camp of "lets remove barriers" than "lets just promote 'blackness'" because that doesn't make sense to me. 

Consider this then.

First of all, tell me: what do you mean by black people? 

Second of all, what do you mean by positions of power and economic dominance?

Third of all, if you recognize that as you say "80% of the world lives in a homogenous ethnic zone" (a decent point on your behalf) then what is the ethnic zone for "black americans"? ...them just being black?

Last I checked, Nigerians and Caribbean-Americans as "a people," were some of the most successful "melanated" people in America overall. 

Is that what you mean? Considering the percent of the population they make up, then you'd have to assert that you want to reach their levels of success as well. 
 
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