Over the years, Africans and African Americans have had distorted perceptions of each other. The confusion comes from the two not having a clear understanding of each other’s cultures. When examining the groups, the major differences come down to culture not their attitudes.
Kimberley Okoyeze, a junior biology major, and Adebanjo Adedoja, a senior biology major are international students from different cities in Nigeria. They had preconceived notions about blacks in America before coming to ULM. Stereotypes can stop you from branching out and meeting new people, simply because you already have an idea of what your experience with them would be like. Although Okoyeze and Adedoja were introduced to these stereotypes, they did not let that hinder their experience with blacks in America.
In their African culture, education was heavily stressed. They learned strong morals and were taught to always be respectful.
“We were raised with top-notch discipline. Obey your parents, do good in school, things like that,” says Okoyeze.
She found that when she came to America, these values weren’t the same.
“You meet both sides,” says Adedoja.
He doesn’t generalize when speaking about African Americans because he knows that everyone is not the same. Adedoja has had great experiences with his African American friends, and even sees similarities between his morals and theirs.
Just like there are stereotypes of blacks in America, there are stereotypes of Africans. The media plays a role in creating these stereotypes. Some people may view Africa as “poor country” rather than looking at it as a diverse continent. Every society in the world has poverty, but the media tends to focus heavily on that aspect of Africa.
In order to break down these stereotypes, you have to research for yourself. If you are educated about a region and the cultures of the region, you are less likely to offend and more likely to find commonality between your culture and other cultures.
Ricaya Jefferson, a sophomore biology major, views the Africans on campus to be very appreciative.
“The Africans that I see on campus carry a sense of pride and appreciate that some African Americans may take for granted. They always seem to have a drive behind the things that they do”.
Jefferson isn’t friends with any of the international students, but notices they keep together.
It is important not to judge a person by their outward appearance, but by your personal experience with them. It is also unfair to allow one person to affect your perception of an entire group. Every person in a culture is not the same, so it is equally important to get to know someone before.
You never know what you have in common with a person until you get to know them. The best way to understand someone is to talk to them and see what they are about.
