A negress' perspective

[Roberta]

I was not sure where to initiate this thread. I found it most interesting! Apparently, an American is an American in Africa but not in the United States.

Go figure... .

Student to Student

An African-American In South Africa

By Natlaie McFarlin
I was shocked to discover that American culture is so pervasive in South Africa. The familiarity of it was comforting, but I also wanted to experience "Africa." Even though I tried to fight it, the media images of Africa so prevalent in our society were ingrained in my brain.
I was shocked and angered to find that the media had also taught South Africans a distorted view of African-Americans. The image of "the violent black male" represented in rap videos was almost all these kids had as a reference for blacks in America.
The majority of the people I encountered in urban and rural areas were very receptive and hospitable to me simply because I am a black American. People felt comfortable discussing issues of race and what their experiences would possibly be like as Africans in America. While I was volunteering at the U.S. Information Service in Durban, students asked me questions that I never heard them ask my boss. As an African-American, I was able to provide another face of America for the South African students who visited the center.
Overall, students of color can expect to have a good experience in South Africa simply because they are Americans. In general, an American is an American in South Africa.
NATALIE McFARLIN attends the Univ. of Michigan. Last year she interned with the U.S. Information Agency in Durban, South Africa.

[tLakota]

Re: A negress' perspective

Your boobs look fake... Are they? If so, why would you? If not, hang in there fellow well endowed sister! I've yet to find comfortable clothing that fits as well as the shirt in your avatar.

To get on topic, I've already brought this to the attention of the other people in the forum. An American is an American, and we all have the same rights and 'good blacks' act the same as any other American.

[Ezekiel Bathfire]

Re: A negress' perspective

I was not sure where to initiate this thread. I found it most interesting! Apparently, an American is an American in Africa but not in the United States.

Go figure... .

Student to Student

An African-American In South Africa

By Natlaie McFarlin
I was shocked to discover that American culture is so pervasive in South Africa. The familiarity of it was comforting, but I also wanted to experience "Africa." Even though I tried to fight it, the media images of Africa so prevalent in our society were ingrained in my brain.
I was shocked and angered to find that the media had also taught South Africans a distorted view of African-Americans. The image of "the violent black male" represented in rap videos was almost all these kids had as a reference for blacks in America.
The majority of the people I encountered in urban and rural areas were very receptive and hospitable to me simply because I am a black American. People felt comfortable discussing issues of race and what their experiences would possibly be like as Africans in America. While I was volunteering at the U.S. Information Service in Durban, students asked me questions that I never heard them ask my boss. As an African-American, I was able to provide another face of America for the South African students who visited the center.
Overall, students of color can expect to have a good experience in South Africa simply because they are Americans. In general, an American is an American in South Africa.
NATALIE McFARLIN attends the Univ. of Michigan. Last year she interned with the U.S. Information Agency in Durban, South Africa.

She's taking a degree in the blindingly obvious, I take it. I hear they had them out on toilet tissue.