Reading through Demetria Lucas’ ‘Not African Enough for Africa,’
prompted a few questions for me as an African woman. What
exactly does being African mean? Is it a cultural thing? A color
thing? Why do African Americans believe they would feel at home
in Africa despite having no tangible link to the continent? As I
read through the comments it was obvious, that to a lot of
African Americans, Africa is a vital piece of the identity
puzzle. And I get it. Think about it for a minute. Many Black
Americans have often identified as African first and an American
later. So, it makes sense that they would expect acceptance in
Africa, especially since their existence in America has been
difficult. African Americans were not willing visitors to
America. You were torn away from what you knew to help grow a
foreign economy and were never compensated for your labor. Even
now, despite your contributions, you are not really welcome, and
everyday there is another reminder that you are not the same.
Add to that the fact that M