Let’s discuss Black-African-Ass privilege
Welcome to the twenty-sixth installment of This Black-Ass Life! This week, we’re getting into Black-African-Ass privilege and why we gotta do better in checking our immigrant uncles and aunties. As two Black-African-Ass people, we acknowledge that there are more nuances to this issue and we welcome responses.
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l. The Facts
Many people point to statistics that indicate the growing Black immigrant population fare better than U.S.-born Black Americans, but there’s nuance.
The Black immigrant population has more than quadrupled in the U.S. since 1980, from 800,000 to 3.8M.
A higher share of African-born Black people obtain bachelor’s degrees or higher and get married.
African-born Black people fare better economically, with incomes that are on average $10,000 higher than U.S.-born Black people. They are also less likely to live in poverty than U.S.-born Black people (20% vs 28%).
In comparison to U.S.-born Black folks, immigrant Africans are also over-represented at top colleges.
Why is this happening?
Ta-Nehisi Coates answers the question with this: “It always seemed to me that the question answers itself--an immigrant is someone who's specifically come to this country to capitalize and exploit opportunity. Comparing any immigrant group to virtually any native-born group is like comparing the most ambitious members of one team with the entirety of another team.” Read the whole piece here.
Why is this important?
First, and most importantly, the positioning of the myth of the Black immigrant is dangerous. The idea that any Black person can come here and succeed dismisses the violent history of enslavement, Jim Crow, the Klan, segregation redlining, and the specific oppression Black Americans experience.
Secondly, the current discussion about foreign-born privilege not only lacks depth and but also creates an Us v. Them mentality that is a hindrance to our collective Black liberation.
Further, while there are studies that disprove the Black Immigrant myth, there are many examples from college admission rates to Hollywood that show the specific discrimination Black-Americans experience.
Though, to presume African immigrants exist in a racist-free America is also just deadass wrong:
Again, as we have repeated many times in this newsletter, Black immigrants are more likely to deported.
Studies also show that while Africans work more, their household incomes are lower than the median U.S. household ($43,800 vs. $52,000), and Black immigrants’ household income is lower than the average U.S. immigrant household ($43,800 vs. $48,000).
And while African immigrants do have a higher education attainment, they were also the hardest hit group during the last economic downturn. Both foreign-born and U.S.-born Black people had such a profound increase in unemployment post financial crisis that an analyst made the point that the “problem stems from race and not cultural background."
What can my Black Ass do?
Black immigrants cannot perceive themselves as more deserving. The use of immigrant exceptionalism is a tried and true tactic of systemic discrimination.
Check your uncles and aunties! If you are a Black-Ass immigrant or were raised by immigrants, start the important conversations at home.
Generally, for all of us, call out your friends and families (as gently as you need to depending on the person) when you hear something ignorant.
ll. Other Things
Wow, White women.
Who invited Melania to Africa? Y’all, I think she really put a lot of thought into her safari-wear, which is both so racist, and yet, so sad. Even this elephant was over her.
Taylor Swift shared her political beliefs, which will hopefully inspire White women to do better - people are already registering in droves. (Though this is after holding off for the past year on denouncing White supremacists for using her likeness as a symbol of their movement.)
A White woman yelled at two people for speaking in Spanish and another White woman called her out. We’re sure you’ve seen, but it’s worth watching peak "get me your manager" energy battle again.
We don’t really want to get into the Kavanaugh hearings/confirmation since it’s all too painful, but enjoyed this read: White Women, Come Get Your People.
Bette Midler apologized for sharing the has-always-been-inaccurate quote: “White women are the n-words of the world.” FYI - Black women exist, y’all! As a First Wives Club stan, I (Mitu) am especially disappointed.
Our Black-Ass song of the week (Mitu):
Obsessed with Goku and getting to see Jaden Smith just be the freest version of himself.
Things we are looking forward to / things we are not looking forward to:
I (Jumoke) look forward to an Abrams/Gillum impending victory. I’ve spoken this into the universe and the good lord and the ancestors have heard me and it shall be done. Ami ni oriko jesu.
I (Mitu) do not look forward to the continued mess that is Meghan Markle’s daddy’s family. Let her live!
lll. Text from a Black-Ass Mama
My (Jumoke’s) mama can’t really give me a compliment without letting my head get too big. I sent her a picture of my princess braids and she had kind words.... and other words.
Stay Black, thrive, and we’ll hit your inbox next on October 22.