In the wake of Black History Month, it is crucial to address the adversity that too often exists between the African and African-American communities. This conflict between the two ethnic groups can be defined as the Diaspora Wars. 

Among both groups, there is much-internalized racism towards one another. One cause could be  African-Americans’ assimilation into American culture, which for some could divert them from their African ancestry. But since African-American ancestry derives from enslaved Africans, it is unlikely that one could stay true to their culture when it was stripped from them as a result of slavery in America. 

Africans often make the claim that because African-Americans do not know their African heritage, they overall have “no culture.” But then again, African culture is dismissed or mocked by some African-Americans, which ignites further tension. 

As a child of Nigerian immigrants, I can attest to the fact that some Africans, unfortunately, do view African-Americans through a particular and negative lens. Like too many other groups of people, they buy into the inaccurate stereotype that African-Americans are “violent” or “uneducated,” and this places a deeper divide in the peace of both groups.

Some African-Americans, meanwhile, have been taught to believe that Africa is a poor wasteland with no industrialization, modernization, or “civilized individuals.”

I find this “rivalry” unnecessary because we all have similar appearances and demographics. The societal pressures and injustice placed on dark-skinned individuals have caused us to resent the land which births these individuals – Africa. 

I believe that as Black individuals we should try to be respectful to both ethnic groups and cultures.

All year round, we should be empowering each other, rather than putting each other down. Looking past our cultural differences, we are still Black individuals, and no different from each other.