In the spirit of Alex Haley’s Roots, the much talked-about film, Twelve Years A Slave, brings to life the autobiography of Solomon Northup, a free Black man from New York who was kidnapped in 1841 and sold away from his family into slavery. I first learned of this story while designing the Freedom House Museum, also known as the Alexandria Slave Pen. Northup’s captor was one of the former owners of the slave pen. While working on this project, I came to understand—for the first time in my life—how my own history and destiny were linked to that of my African American brothers and sisters.
When my family emigrated from Uganda in the 1970s, most of what we knew about Blacks in the U.S. came from television and the media. More often than not, it was negative. My parents, like many other African parents, discouraged us from having Black American friends. Even as a child, my best friends were Asian and White. As I got older, my melting pot of friends expanded to include more people who looked like me.
At the time, there were a number of shows on T.V. depicting Black life and celebrating the Black family. Shows like The Jeffersons, 227, and The Cosby Show, helped to shift our impression of Black Americans. But our education just about ended there. I still had questions about our American counterparts like:
- Why were there so many Blacks in the South?
- Why they didn’t take advantage of the educational opportunities that many in Africa only dreamed of?
- And why did they all think I knew Tarzan?
I got my answers in 2006 while working on the Freedom House Museum. The museum was built in what is now the headquarters of the Northern Virginia Urban League. In 1828, Isaac Franklin and John Armfield bought the building and established one of the most successful domestic slave trading firms in the country. A perfect storm of events contributed to their success. When the Transatlantic Slave Trade was abolished in the U.S. in 1808, slaves could no longer be imported from what are now Nigeria, Congo, Ghana, Senegal, and other countries from which Africans were taken. At the same time, slave owners in northern states had surplus slaves they could no longer afford due to a steep decline in a once-profitable tobacco industry. In addition, there was growing demand for labor in the South to plant and harvest cotton.
Franklin and Armfield were responsible for the transport of at least 10,000 enslaved Blacks to the South, contributing to the forced domestic migration of 1.2 million people (vs. 500,000 for the Transatlantic Slave Trade). That answered my question as to why there were so many Blacks in the South, but what about what was interpreted as their lack of motivation to succeed?
I took for-granted the fact that, growing up, my parents instilled in us a sense of pride in our heritage. I didn’t need a DNA test to tell me where I was originally from; whereas, most African Americans had been systematically cut off from their roots when their ancestors hit American soil. As Marcus Garvey said, “A people without knowledge of their past history, origin or culture, is like a tree without roots.” How much more difficult was it to strive for greatness if you were disconnected from the very examples you were supposed to emulate?
In Twelve Years A Slave, Northup gives a heartbreaking account of a mother and her young daughter who were sold apart, never to see each other again. This was a common scene in many enslaved families. It made me realize that—but for the grace of God—that could have been me and my daughter. Northup’s story and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, by Harriet Jacobs, were the first accounts I read of slavery that gave me a raw, uncensored picture of the long-term damage slavery had done to Americans of African descent.
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I developed a greater appreciation for what they had suffered on my behalf. I now understand that this gaping chasm of mistrust, disdain and ignorance between Africans and African Americans was built on inaccurate or completely false information from flawed sources. They were just as misinformed about Africa as we were about Black America. I have a responsibility to teach what I know so that neither myself nor my daughter never again has to explain to anyone why I don’t know Tarzan.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the lead character in the film Twelve Years a Slave is played by first-generation Nigerian, Chiwetel Ejiofor. Or that African actors have been cast into key roles depicting critical events in African American history (David Oyelowo in The Butler and Red Tails, Deborah Ayorinde in Django Unchained, to name a few). I see it as a metaphor for the need to connect with one another beyond the superficial.
Because ultimately, we are inextricably linked to one another: not by the chains that once enslaved us, but rather, through our blood ties, common struggles, history and culture. And especially through the strength and spirit of our ancestors to whom we owe the best of what we each have to offer one another.
What misconceptions have you had about other cultures and ethnic groups that you learned were wrong?
Julian B. Kiganda is a dynamic speaker, writer and creative consultant who has a passion for the art, culture and history of Africa and the Diaspora. Her mission is to teach and inspire others to live boldly and fearlessly by embracing culture, creativity and communication. You can connect with her at www.boldandfearless.me and on Twitter @BoldFearless1.
Thank you so much. This so needed to be voiced. I hope others who follow BMWK will appreciate what you’ve written.
You’re welcome! I agree that it’s a perspective that needs to be shared more often as I have many friends who share the same sentiments.
It’s a systematic misconception, we as African Americans are taught that we came from a savage country that needed the help of colonist to help us gain a civilized culture. When in fact these other countries robbed and striped Africa of nearly all it’s natural resources. You are not taught this in early education in America unless you have parents as I did who taught you at home to appreciate your heritage.
N’Jema, that’s one of the reasons why I appreciate my parents’ instilling in us a sense of pride in our cultural heritage at a young age. And I’m doing the same with my daughter. If we all take the time to teach the next generation what we know, we can do our part in unraveling the misconceptions.
Interesting article. I’m married to a U.S.-born first-generation Nigerian and we’re from the South. My husband has struggled with telling his parents the racism he felt while growing up because his parents didn’t understand. He also has a Southern/Yoruba accent and when we were growing up, there was none of this “No Bullying.” In order to deal with it, he became “hard” and extremely militant. It still is hard for him to navigate his relationship with his parents sometimes. Knowing him made me want to learn more about where I came from since he doesn’t have that problem. I’m glad he is the educator he is now and is helping me navigate this process.
Also, his parents did not expect me to come from an educated family and worried I would be lazy, “ghetto”, and would have a child from another man – even though we met in college (Florida A&M University :). I just hope we can convince his parents to go see the movie – especially because the lead actor is Nigerian. We are still working through stereotypes, but at least, we’re learning from each other.
Your challenge is one that I’m very familiar with, but I’m glad that your taking the time to navigate through it. I do hope his parents see the movie so they can understand what I came to know while learning the realities of slavery: we all have the same struggles and need to work together to overcome those collective challenges.
One thing I do admire about my husband and his parents are they will try new things with no qualms. There is no “Them white folks not gonna let you do that.” If they want something, they go for it without being tied by racial boundaries. I really appreciate them for that. It helped me get closer to my dream of working for myself.
I am an African who lived all her life in Africa-Nigeria. I do not despise the African Americans. My tribe were one of those that sold most of their kin to slavery. Some African Americans have traced their roots back to some our villages. My grandparents were most noble. I am proud of them and the legacy they left me.
While folks were selling their kin,mine were busy buying as much as they could back from the slave masters.
Some of these ‘slaves’ are now in notable government positions in our country because they were given every opportunity to be the best. When they were ready to go back to their family,my grandparents would throw a feast and send them off with gifts…
I found out about the way African Americans were treated over there and felt disgusted.
I wish they will bring their kids back to the motherland for visits and tell their kids that they are KINGS and QUEENS,that they have roots,and even though they can’t find their exact family,they are not lost.
I can help all those interested in this to access dates and places along with events that could help foster this. Plus they can make their own research.
“A child is dearer when in a foreign land” Igbo proverb.
PS:
I’m Igbo. *smiles*
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This information is not only intriquing, but critical for mutual understanding and the mending of our cultures. There are so many of us from so many nations with puzzle pieces to our African diaspora story! All we need is for our scholars to come together to sort fact from fiction. Wouldn’t it be awesome if someone would produce a one or two-day broadcast of a historical documentary on Africans and African-Americans with a focus on the origins of and the affects of the slave trade? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see it followed up by a town-hall style meeting of the minds of present-day descendants?!
L.B.Ray, Thanks for your comments. I agree! One thing I’ve learned to do is if I see a need and I have an idea to fill it, I’m going to find a way to make it happen rather than waiting on someone else. I love the idea of the documentary and the town hall…what are you waiting for? Go for it! Based on the comments on this post, I have a feeling you have quite a few like-minded folks.
Here’s your documentary: Many Rivers to Cross, hosted by Dr. Henry Louis Gates. Airs Tuesdays, started last week. https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/
This movie is not being shown in my area. I read online that this is not the only area. How do they decide what movies are being shown and where? I would like to see it, but would have to travel almost 100 miles to do so.
Thank you for your candidness and insightful article. To be honest with you, I was not aware that Africans were wary of African Americans, and it burdened my heart to think of the depth of division that has existed with OUR people. Learn something new everyday, and what an eye opening revelation! Yesterday I had somewhat of an odd experience in the store, and I now understand it. Two African women were shopping in the same section as myself and as I came closer to the section they were at, they began to act odd, took the stuff they were looking at and moved away quickly. I thought it was odd, but dismissed it as probably in a hurry. Now I wonder, but if this is akin to what you described, then we as a race (collectively) have a long way to go. Sad.
However, to respond to your question, I have to admit that I struggle with stereotypes I associate with white people because I have lived through much racism, as unbelievable as it sounds in today’s time. I have a severely disabled child to care for, so its not easy to relocate, so I have seen and experienced it first hand. But I have also seen and experienced just NICE people who don’t go around stereotyping people for their ethnicity. And those good experiences have helped me to understand the fact that racism is a poor personal choice that some people foolishly choose to promote. We all bleed red, but you can’t tell a racist that, without some type of lame response.
So I have came full circle over the years, especially considering I have lived here most of my life: There are and will always be racist in the world we live in now. And there are and will always be nice people too who choose to not be so narrow minded. I thank God for that revelation too.
DMP, I agree that racism is a poor personal choice. I, too, have come across—and continue to meet—many people who look nothing like me but yet have blessed me in many ways. And because the ugliness of racism can be found just about anywhere in this day and age, it’s even more important to focus on the goodness that can also be found if you’re open to seeing it regardless of color.
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