Synopsis

This is a documentary examining the apparent tensions and misconceptions between the African immigrants to the United States and the African Americans. It is said that more Africans now enter the United States and Europe in larger numbers than in the days of slavery. The influx of Africans to America, however, does not explain the apparent tensions. This documentary will let both sides voice their opinions on the possible causes of these tensions.

Most of us who were raised in Africa grew up admiring everything African American, from the hair styles, the clothes and of course the music. The American sports heroes like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frasier were also our heroes. For hours we would read African American popular magazines like Ebony and Jet even if they were five years old. Even today, all the music and fashion trends among Africans are greatly influenced by the hip hop culture of America.

Upon arriving in the United States the story was different. We are not accepted in the African American circles. Not in the cafeteria, not on the sports teams and definitely not at the parties. On the other side, the African’s International Students Organizations in most campuses do not make efforts to invite or include African Americans to their campus events.

As these apparent distances continue to grow, the two groups learn to stay away and gaze at each other from a distance.

Why don’t Africans mix, socialize or mingle with African Americans? Why don’t African Americans care about Africans? Of course there are some exceptions where even marriages have taken place, and there are may notable African American Organizations that are reaching out to Africa. But overall the gap is wide and continues to grow.

There are some unexplainable observations. For example, why, if there is an apparent influx of Africans to America, is there a corresponding massive incarceration of African Americans already here? Are the “new Africans” more preferred in America than their African American cousins?

Time will tell what will become of the relationships of all peoples of African descent in the world. For now, we are set to examine some of the root causes of the apparent tensions, and maybe debunk some long held beliefs by the two sides…after all, “we are all children from the same family”.