Why #Ferguson and the death of #EricGarner should matter to #Africans Often time, people in remote places tend to brush incidents that they deem is not impacting them directly and go on with life. In actuality, you are just as impacted if not worst. What has occurred in the case of Mike Brown of Ferguson and Eric Garner of New York should be unacceptable to every African on the continent and in the Diaspora for many reasons. WHY? Just because you are from Africa living in America does NOT exempt your from mistreatment and abuse. In fact, the fact you are a foreigner and from Africa puts you at a greater risk than African-Americans who are accustomed to the land and its biased judicial system. HOW? You have a very uncommon name, you speak little to no English. You may have a heavy accent that no matter how properly you’re speaking to the law enforcement or any form of authority speaking to you –you are guilty and must prove yourself innocent in the court of Law Enforcement of the USA vs. YOU –the foreigner or in any court of public opinion. God forbid you’re Nigerian –you’re definitely guilty because all Nigerians are out to commit fraud. If you’re Ethiopian –you work at a gas station, Seven Elven and parking garage –so you’re a thieve or as Mayor Vincent Gray once said on live Television to an Ethiopian clerk working at a store, “Why are you in America if you cannot speak my language?” If you’re from Somalia–you’re not only automatically aiding or sheltering a terrorist group but you’re also a pirate. I mean –the list goes on as to how Africans, simply because of our various shades of complexions –how we are guilty of something or rather. All the aforementioned aside, the reason why Ferguson should matter to you is because in the court of the white America’s public opinion your mere existence is a threat to them. If you are sitting in a corner somewhere at a comfort of your home here in the U.S., or an internet café having a demeaning conversation regarding the African-American community and the injustices being done against them, take a look at your back yard and how it impacts you. Let me give you list ways the actions taken against African-Americans impacts Africans 1. Your complexion is no different than Mike Brown and Eric Garner. One and the same. 2. Because of your skin, your basic human rights to exist are blatantly undervalued. 3. In any situation deemed uncomfortable for white, Blacks in America are the first community to suffer. Moreover; that degree you have will come second to the white man with no education that just went ahead of you for that job interview. 4. The policies being implemented and actions taken against the African-American community is inclusive of Africans and is also similar policies expanded and harsher being implemented towards the continent. 5. When you sit in your house and talk about African-Americans in a condescending manner –you’re also speaking of yourself. America sees no difference in you and them. 6. If you’re not out protesting to protect your basic rights to exist as a human being –in the GREAT AMERICA, you’re giving America the power to influence your perspective leaders as to why they DO NOT NEED to prioritize democracy, human rights and freedom of speech amongst the many things you complain about but dont do anything to gain. What you allow here –is being implemented in your home country, too. 7. For every wrong that you overlook against African-Americans, you’re disrespecting their forefathers (who are from Africa) that fought for their basic civil & human rights and sacrificed their lives so you and I –now can bask in the glory and privilege of that fight. 8. If you’re not appalled that two white men are walking around free –then you have no business being appalled over colonialism. IT IS THE SAME THING! FYI: did you hear about the white man from the UK who went to SA and hired black South Africans to murder his wife and is walking Scott free??? Yes… because he blamed the black guys. If you stand against it here & wherever else you are –NO white man would come to Africa and have the audacity to hire those underprivileged to do his dirty work will walk free. 9. FREEDOM IS FOUGHT FOR. EARNED. HERE in USA or in AFRICA. You are a coward if you believe that any black man losing his life at the hands of law enforcement deserved it. And you’re even more callous, for not standing up for what is right and somehow someway protesting against the injustice against our communities at large. Yes, the African-American community is our community! Use your social media and go protest. 10. For goodness sake, do not have the audacity to talk negatively on such a grand scale about the community that has provided the platform via their ancestors for you to come chase your dreams and ambitions. Have some respect. #Ferguson exemplifies how America views Africa. Think about that….
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 03:03:16 +0000