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I hesitate as I begin to tell of the research I've done concerning my family in the American South, Arkansas, to be exact, and in all probabality, it would not stand up to the scientific scrutiny of geneaologists or the skepticism of the Nd'igbo intelligensia, but I have good reason to believe that the blood of Naijaland flows through my veins. I won't inundate my readers with as much information as Nobiorah gives us(thank you Nobiorah for at least trying to bring this knowledge to our other members), but I wish it were well known that Igbo captives were settled in large numbers in the Mississippi river valley from New Orleans to as far north as Kentucky. Sadly, the vast majority were intermarried with other tribes and know little or nothing about their ancestral home and culture. I suppose one could say that I am one of the lucky ones, having had some luck in finding out about the origins of my forbears. The details are unimportant, as I am not trying to prove my 'Igbo-ness,'but I think many others would , as I do, cleave the history and culture of Igboland if once they came face to face with their lost heritage. When I knew within myself the certainty of my blood, I immediately began to make amends for all the horrible, bloody, and racist past, by learning all I could of the Igbo nation and history. At present I am even betrothed to an Igbo woman and plan to marry within 6 motnths... A happy man am I!!!
My point is that there are many Igbo in America; they may not know it themselves by fact, but they can certainly know by spirit, that they are part of a clan, a family, if you will, that continues even today, to replicate a set of traits that have dominated our people for a thousand years. Are these brothers important? or are they cast out and behind us with the refuse of the shame of slavery. There must come a day when through scientific methods(genotyping, dna testing, etc.), we may reclaim our brothers and sisters here in America and re-integrate them into the culture that was ripped from their breasts. This is my hope and interest. For my own part, I have not waited for others to do this for me, nor will I ever wait for others to show me how, and yet, the comments of others would be welcome as vapors that soothe and clear one's senses and thoughts.
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 775 | From: Valle del Sol, AZ | Registered: Nov 2004
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I would like to take this opportunity to correct a few things I said when I started this topic. In the first place I should not have started it at all. My personal search for my African roots and the revelation of part of my personal life really should not have been posted here. I think that before I posted anything I should have thoroughly read the archives so as to understand what sort of content on this board is standard and proper.
Also I think I would have understood the somewhat of the thought patterns of persons in this forum based either on ethnicity or agenda or both. Failing to do so is a great error for me, especially as regards my handle, "igboafricanamerican." I don't think the term is quite appropos, as there really is no such creature. Either one is Igbo or not. The fact that I identify with the Igbo as part of my heritage and african past is one thing but to say one is an Igbo-AfricanAmerican, I think, is somewhat ridiculous. If one is Igbo, one is obviously African also. Hence, one can be an Igbo-American but not an Igbo-AfricanAmerican...at least, that is my opinion. So...I'm somewhat uncomfortable with my rather hastily chosen handle. I think perhaps to some that my handle might seem rather presumptuous so I want it to be clearly known that I never meant it so to be, but rather an identification with a people that comprise a "chunk" of my family's past. Many American descendants of Africans search databases for bits and peices of information about who their forbears were and from what tribes they may have come, if only to establish a connection with ancestors long forgotten. It is an unenviable condition under which we labor. But and if we find the place we hail from, it's value is limited and personal, and eventually relegated to our cache of "gee whiz" information about ourselves. I suppose such is the case with me, as I am not only descended from the Igbo via my maternal grandfather but am also of Norman extraction via my father. Hence my name is not borrowed as many African-American names are but I can fully trace that part of me over many centuries and to many places(many of significant historical value). But when I read about racial purity and demeaning talk about ethnicities I begin to wonder if I'm in the right place. I think what I've been reading is a kind of "war talk" between various ethnicities who have been or will be locked in a violent struggle for pre-eminence, or self-determination, or both, and as such I do not condemn the parties. It is normal and natural. But I hope all will remember the progrom of racial purity adopted by the National Socialists of Germany. If that system had gained dominance in the earth, both Igbo and Yoruba would have been reduced to slave labor if not exterminated by the Nazis. And yet, when it comes to the question of Biafran Actualization I come down firmly on the side of Nd'Igbo and plan to do my small part(whatever that may be)to help this cause. Can anyone deny that what is called South and Eastern Nigeria has been the Igbo homeland for over a thousand years...and that the natural resources that lie under Igbo homes, worth many bilions of dollars, are used to oppress the very people who rightfully own such resources, while enriching those who have no right to them. Such a condition cannot exist for long and is patently unjust. Had the Igbo been treated fairly and the monies also used for the betterment of the quality of Igbo life, I would say the "oneNigeria' adherents have a chance, but I think the facts show that this has not been and probably never will be the case. Therefore Biafra is the only logical choice for a freedom-loving and dilligent people, to cast off the dead weight of oppression.
But to return to the purpose of this writing, I want it known that while I identify with the Igbo I am not looking for validation from the group, acute individualism having always been the benchmark of my existence. I am however in solidarity with them in a cause. And understanding now the idea of ethnic purity coming from some members, I'm attempting to head off being called a "half-breed" or "unknown-breed" or worse, a "mongrel," all of which to me is utter nonsense, anti-thetical to the tenets of freedom and humanity, and something I won't descend into willingly. Also please excuse me for saying "our people" in my first post, as if I were born in Enugu, attended Nnamdi Azikiwe University or owned a shop in Onitsha. It was the excitement of the moment I guess. I am simply an American partly descended from Africans(Igbos)who has a very close and personal interest in the quality of life for Nd'Igbo. If to some I seem bold in trying to enter your discussions, please be comforted with the fact that I am here to listen more than to speak.
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 775 | From: Valle del Sol, AZ | Registered: Nov 2004
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There is no Africa. Only Ndinbel, Zululand, Kikuyuland, Yorubaland, Biafra, Algiers, Kongo Kingdom, Nama and the like. You see Africa was never united and why the supporters of White Power will say thats your problem and idiotic Africans will agree the fact is I'd rather see an Africa full of IMPERIAL JAPANS then an EU. They say unity equals strenth? ********! The African is quick to point out in idiotic fashion how Japan's economy is the colored World's mircle. PLSSSSSS. Their economy is due to the JAPANESE EMPIRE and nothing else. Because Africans know nothing of defeating Whites of course Japan will be brought up. Nihhon had courage and was not passive. Africa did not. The African unity advocates always fail to mention that the Japanese Empire did not need the help of other Asians to do what it did in WWII. I do not approve of nations with independence dates in the 1960s. Due to 1960 in Africa I am inclined to mentally associate that year with the year of the ****** and the comming of ****** nations. Why I do not like Africans I hope my ancestry leads to Igbos and other ethnic groups of courage. I do not agree with 1967 as a date to start the fight however I think they struck a blow for all the higher Africans. I think that it takes a real coon and invalid to recognize African boarders. Only idiotic Africans would approve of a war to keep Igbos in a country with niggers. Igbos deserved Biafra and I think by not recognizing this incident Africans proved their stupidity. Why I renounce my heritage to Africa I was always infuriated to here of groups like Igbos and Zulus and Cabindans cut down to size do to other Africans blocking them. If I ever get the chance I will teach those who tried to hold down my ethnic ancesters the Igbos and Ashanti. I hope I am of them. Either way I will avendge all African ethnic groups who were destroyed due to other Africans not recognizing they were in the right.
Posts: 48 | From: East Tennessee | Registered: Feb 2005
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