He says he is not black. I put his hand next to mine and asked him which was blacker?
What are we going to do with these people?
William Casey "We will know that we have succeeded when everything the public believes is false"
"Buy truth and do not sell it" proverbs of King Solomon
"We are denying with our mouths what we are working hard to achieve with our hands" Arnold Toynbee , Royal Institute Of International
Affairs (CFR England)
My president is a british manchunian canditate assassin
Out of Love, you can speak with straight fury
Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it Choose your hypnotist well.....
Ergo, the blue pill (illusion), or the red pill (reality)
Being Black in Canada: The Somali Experience (video)
25 May 2012 4 Comments
By Tendisai Cromwell
For any immigrant, the delicate process of carving out an identity in a new land is fraught with new challenges, uncomfortable experiences, and
difficult questions. For many, it is an unending quest to find a sense of place without having to abandon deeply held cultural values and traditions.
Somali-Canadians, as in any immigrant population, continue to face this challenge.
But what may be unique to Somalis, and perhaps other East African communities, is the ways in which they grapple with the notion of blackness. While
many Somalis readily embrace blackness as a racial category to which they belong, others deny it and believe Somalis represent a separate racial group
that cannot be easily categorized.
Among some Somalis, denying their blackness may be more a matter of conflating cultural differences with racial differences, but many do believe that
their physical attributes separate Somalis from other black communities, particularly those of Caribbean or West African descent. Three young
Somali-Canadians share their personal experiences and thoughts about what blackness means to them and the wider Somali community.
Farhia Tato, 21, was born in Burundi, but is ethnically Somali and Kenyan. For Tato, being black in Canada is foremost about being a minority and
remains a core part of her identity. “I consider myself a black person before I consider myself Kenyan or Somali,” Tato says.
“My mother taught us early on that it’s not going to be the same as it was growing up in Kenya for her, or growing up in Somalia or Ethiopia like my
father. We’re going to be treated as black people and it’s important for us to recognize that.”
But in high school, Tato’s blackness was called into question by many of her peers due to curly hair and straight nose which did not fit into a
narrowly defined understanding of blackness. “Being black in Canada is more associated with being West African or Caribbean,” she says.
Many within the Somali community also willingly disassociate themselves from the racial category in an attempt, Tato says, to distance themselves from
the negative stigma attached to blackness. “A lot of Somalis my age, younger, and older didn’t really consider themselves black at all,” she says. “We
[Somalis] focus on the physical attributes and use this as a defense mechanism to separate ourselves.”
Tato says that among the younger generation a more inclusive understanding of blackness is being embraced, but she believes that the community still
has a long way to go. “It needs to end with this generation. Our little brothers and sisters shouldn’t be thinking ‘Oh I’m not black, I’m Somali.’”
Ali Herfi, 25, a recent graduate of York University, was born in the northern Somali city of Hargeisa. Herfi considers himself black, yet identifies
more with African-American culture. “There’s a sort of tradition behind African-American culture which fits really well with being African in Canada
even if you’re an immigrant. It’s easy to adopt the African-American culture,” Herfi says.
Like Tato, Herfi believes that being black in Canada is synonymous with being Caribbean and for this reason, Herfi does not ascribe to what he calls
the “black idea in Canada.”
However, contrary to Tato, Herfi says that a general denial of the blackness of Somalis comes entirely from within the Somali community and not from
outside of it, at least in his experience. “To other people, I’m black, regardless of whether I consider myself black or not,” says Herfi, not having
had his race called into question by non-Somalis. Yet, within the community, Herfi reveals an unwillingness by many to be categorized as black.
“There’s an idea that being Somali that doesn’t include being black. There’s a separation between being Somali and black and Somali people are aware
of this, and use it willingly – this divide between being Somali and being black. They understand it and acknowledge it,” he says. “It goes back to
the colonial idea of what black is – in order to disassociate themselves from the colonial idea of being black.”
The notion that Somalis are not black dominates the culture, Herfi says, even amongst the younger generation who still adopt an “urban idea of being
black” while not considering themselves as belonging to the wider black community. “The [Somali] kids are nothing like their parents culturally. They
still wear baggy pants, they still subscribe to urban idea of being black – listen to rap music, use the slang.”
Muna Ali, 28, is the co-founder of Gashanti Unity, an organization committed to empowering Somali girls. Growing up in Scarborough amongst a largely
Caribbean population, Ali says she was not considered black by others and noted a divide between people of Caribbean descent and Somalis.
This divide, Ali says, still occurs with the young girls she mentors. “When we work with the Gashanti girls, they say there is always a divide between
the Somali girls and the Caribbean and African girls. But then they can identify with African girls, but not with anybody from the Caribbean.”
Ali says this is in part due to the reality that for many Somalis, their culture, religion, and tribes are the most important aspects of their
identity, and as a result they may not feel a connection with others within the wider black community. “A lot of Somali people, when they say what
they are, they’ll say ‘I’m Somali’ first. We don’t necessarily say we’re African from Somalia. It’s how we identify ourselves…It’s a challenge.”
As such, first and second generation Somali youth are constantly negotiating aspects of their identity. Having inherited a set of attitudes about
blackness from their parents, Ali says it’s a continual process of reeducating the girls. “We always have to educate the parents and educate the young
girls, but we start with the young girls,” she says. “They take us in as far as they can and then they go home, cross-reference the information, but
their parents have a stronger pull sometimes.”
But beyond addressing race and intergenerational tension, Ali says that the organization begins by instilling a sense of personal pride in the girls
that has been stripped from many Somalis due to negative media portrayals and the collective memories of the civil war. “We [at Gashanti Unity] start
with the foundation to make them proud of who they are and where they come from,” Ali says.
As Somali-Canadians continue to navigate the terrain of Canada’s cultural landscape, the task of tackling ideas surrounding blackness in Canada is
being undertaken largely by Somali youth. These youth, and the generations that will follow them, will continue to be at the forefront of the effort
to re-conceptualize blackness to be more inclusive of the Somali experience and to forge stronger and more meaningful connections with other black
communities.
I am the way, the truth and the life- Jesus
John 14:6
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posted on 6.2.2012 at 10:55 AM
William Casey "We will know that we have succeeded when everything the public believes is false"
"Buy truth and do not sell it" proverbs of King Solomon
"We are denying with our mouths what we are working hard to achieve with our hands" Arnold Toynbee , Royal Institute Of International
Affairs (CFR England)
My president is a british manchunian canditate assassin
William Casey "We will know that we have succeeded when everything the public believes is false"
"Buy truth and do not sell it" proverbs of King Solomon
"We are denying with our mouths what we are working hard to achieve with our hands" Arnold Toynbee , Royal Institute Of International
Affairs (CFR England)
My president is a british manchunian canditate assassin
William Casey "We will know that we have succeeded when everything the public believes is false"
"Buy truth and do not sell it" proverbs of King Solomon
"We are denying with our mouths what we are working hard to achieve with our hands" Arnold Toynbee , Royal Institute Of International
Affairs (CFR England)
My president is a british manchunian canditate assassin
These people are stupid, ignorance is bliss and fake is the best.
Britain and America are picking on them one by one and whopping them. These stupid cats , do not understand what is happening to them. They are
blinded by their own ideology.
I am trying to get these people wake up.
Plus they hate it when I tell them that Black women from America freed Kuwait.
William Casey "We will know that we have succeeded when everything the public believes is false"
"Buy truth and do not sell it" proverbs of King Solomon
"We are denying with our mouths what we are working hard to achieve with our hands" Arnold Toynbee , Royal Institute Of International
Affairs (CFR England)
My president is a british manchunian canditate assassin
Originally posted by crabrice
Being Black in Canada: The Somali Experience:
But what may be unique to Somalis, and perhaps other East African communities, is the ways in which they grapple with the notion of blackness. While
many Somalis readily embrace blackness as a racial category to which they belong, others deny it and believe Somalis represent a separate racial group
that cannot be easily categorized.
Then they're deluded. There are only 3 races in the world: Black, white, and yellow. All the so-called "brown" people fall under one or other the 3
major groups. Even Native Americans fall under "yellow." Somalis? Anyone who has ever seen a Somali can tell you they are very easily
categorized, i.e., they're black.
Quote:
Among some Somalis, denying their blackness may be more a matter of conflating cultural differences with racial differences, but many do believe that
their physical attributes separate Somalis from other black communities, particularly those of Caribbean or West African descent. Three young
Somali-Canadians share their personal experiences and thoughts about what blackness means to them and the wider Somali community.
They're resisting race in favor of culture. Doesn't matter. I can't speak a word of Yoruba, have never tasted cassaba and wouldn't know
traditional Yoruba dress from Ghanian, yet a white cop will beat me down as quickly as s/he would a Nigerian. Only within our groups are we
"different." In the wider world, all of us of African descent are black.
Quote:
Farhia Tato, 21, was born in Burundi, but is ethnically Somali and Kenyan. For Tato, being black in Canada is foremost about being a minority and
remains a core part of her identity. “I consider myself a black person before I consider myself Kenyan or Somali,” Tato says.
“My mother taught us early on that it’s not going to be the same as it was growing up in Kenya for her, or growing up in Somalia or Ethiopia like my
father. We’re going to be treated as black people and it’s important for us to recognize that.”
Quote:
But in high school, Tato’s blackness was called into question by many of her peers due to curly hair and straight nose which did not fit into a
narrowly defined understanding of blackness. “Being black in Canada is more associated with being West African or Caribbean,” she says.
Prolly because Canada doesn't have a history of black enslavement like the U.S.
Quote:
Many within the Somali community also willingly disassociate themselves from the racial category in an attempt, Tato says, to distance themselves from
the negative stigma attached to blackness. “A lot of Somalis my age, younger, and older didn’t really consider themselves black at all,” she says. “We
[Somalis] focus on the physical attributes and use this as a defense mechanism to separate ourselves.”
And how's that working for you?
Quote:
Tato says that among the younger generation a more inclusive understanding of blackness is being embraced, but she believes that the community still
has a long way to go. “It needs to end with this generation. Our little brothers and sisters shouldn’t be thinking ‘Oh I’m not black, I’m Somali.’”
This is why I LOVE the "One Drop Rule." Blacks all over the world play into Divide and Conquer, thus segregate themselves from other blacks who
could be of assistance to them and their "tribe." Which goes to her speaking of a "more inclusive understanding of blackness." Until we recognize
we are ALL black -- as whites worldwide not only 'include,' but EMBRACE the white counterparts no matter the nation OR culture -- we will always be
begging at the table of those (whites) who put aside tribal identities, come together and work for the common good of their "race."
VERY intelligent young woman.
Quote:
Ali Herfi, 25, a recent graduate of York University, was born in the northern Somali city of Hargeisa. Herfi considers himself black, yet identifies
more with African-American culture. “There’s a sort of tradition behind African-American culture which fits really well with being African in Canada
even if you’re an immigrant. It’s easy to adopt the African-American culture,” Herfi says.
Like Tato, Herfi believes that being black in Canada is synonymous with being Caribbean and for this reason, Herfi does not ascribe to what he calls
the “black idea in Canada.”
African-Americans adhere to the One Drop Rule, thus is it a surprise that a fragmented black person would find our culture so easy to identify with?
As messed up as we are, we still understand that what happens to one black person, regardless of their shade of color or even ethnicity, can and just
might happen to us.
Quote:
However, contrary to Tato, Herfi says that a general denial of the blackness of Somalis comes entirely from within the Somali community and not from
outside of it, at least in his experience. “To other people, I’m black, regardless of whether I consider myself black or not,” says Herfi, not having
had his race called into question by non-Somalis. Yet, within the community, Herfi reveals an unwillingness by many to be categorized as black.
“There’s an idea that being Somali that doesn’t include being black. There’s a separation between being Somali and black and Somali people are aware
of this, and use it willingly – this divide between being Somali and being black. They understand it and acknowledge it,” he says.
“It goes back to the colonial idea of what black is – in order to disassociate themselves from the colonial idea of being black.”
Whatever the "excuse," the Somalis are revealing themselves to be like most of Africa - tribal. They have yet to make the leap to identifying with a
national identity, one composed of more than just Tribe Somali.
Quote:
Muna Ali, 28, is the co-founder of Gashanti Unity, an organization committed to empowering Somali girls. Growing up in Scarborough amongst a largely
Caribbean population, Ali says she was not considered black by others and noted a divide between people of Caribbean descent and
Somalis.
**sigh** All she did was to leave out "and conquer" behind the Somali "divide."
Quote:
This divide, Ali says, still occurs with the young girls she mentors. “When we work with the Gashanti girls, they say there is always a divide between
the Somali girls and the Caribbean and African girls. But then they can identify with African girls, but not with anybody from the Caribbean.”
In other words, Somalia is an African country, just like the other "African girls" come from African countries. They All live(d) in the motherland,
while Caribbean girls come from the diaspora. Being enslaved vs being colonized is the "divide."
Quote:
Ali says this is in part due to the reality that for many Somalis, their culture, religion, and tribes are the most important aspects of their
identity, and as a result they may not feel a connection with others within the wider black community. “A lot of Somali people, when they say what
they are, they’ll say ‘I’m Somali’ first. We don’t necessarily say we’re African from Somalia. It’s how we identify ourselves…It’s a challenge.”
No, it's like he said first - it's a TRIBAL thang.
Quote:
As Somali-Canadians continue to navigate the terrain of Canada’s cultural landscape, the task of tackling ideas surrounding blackness in Canada is
being undertaken largely by Somali youth. These youth, and the generations that will follow them, will continue to be at the forefront of the effort
to re-conceptualize blackness to be more inclusive of the Somali experience and to forge stronger and more meaningful connections with other black
communities.
Let us hope so.
Very informative article, Crabrice.
Out of Love, you can speak with straight fury
Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it Choose your hypnotist well.....
Ergo, the blue pill (illusion), or the red pill (reality)
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posted on 5.31.2012 at 03:39 PM
