Please help me understand this... - Culture?

Question

I am African American and I live in Texas. I work with several people that are from Africa and some of them treat the African American people here like c**p. They treat us like we are beneath them. I had one guy to tell me that he was a prince in Africa and that he is rich. They always tell us how much better it is in Africa and how our culture here in the USA differs from theirs. If he is so rich why is he here in America working for less than being rich and if things were so much better there why didn't he just stay in Africa? Can someone please help me out on this one?

Answer 1

I've experienced a similar situation with my culture. Here's my take, although it might be completely wrong...

It sounds like they might be threatened by you & other African Americans. They might be thinking that you have somewhat betrayed your African culture & that you think you're above them, so as a preemptive attack they treat you badly in an attempt to let you know that they (& their culture) are better than you & your American culture.

This is probably all in an attempt to hide their true feelings, which might be that they're jealous of you & wish that they had your lifestyle in the US.

Don't sweat it, take it as a compliment even.

Answer 2

You have to understand that the culture is acquired in Africa ,as they were slaves many years ago,. Even thoough they may be free now, in their subconscious mind they are not free of the thought that they are slaves

Answer 3

This is totally just a guess... but I would assume that they might be upset because you are African American but have never lived there, so they think they are above you.  As for saying it was better where they lived... obviously it wasn't because something made them want to leave.  They shouldn't be treating you or anyone else like "c**p" but  don't try to worry too much about it.  If you are happy with who you are, where you are, and where you are going (in life) that's all that really matters in the end.

Answer 4

If your friend is bragging about a wealthy father and the perks of being an African prince, he perhaps needs to understand the concept of noblesse oblige, or the idea that with power and wealth comes social responsibility.  

Of course, he also could be suffering from cultural shock.  I've taught college English to many African nationals, and they need time to adjust to American life.  Make your friend feel at home by perhaps inviting him to a home-cooked dinner.  As he gets to know African Americans (and other Americans as well) maybe he will revise his opinion and change his behavior.

Answer 5

First of all, you are absolutely right: they definitely have no right to patronize you that way.

Your problem is interesting because I know a lot of other people of other cultures who are going through this same kind of problem (immigrant from their home country coming over here and looking down on everyone else).

Your co-workers are rude (& not afraid to be), and their behavior is completely unprofessional. Although they "treat you like c**p" though, keep in mind that they're foreigners here. This whole country is new to them, and they might be insecure about themselves. And what do people do when they're insecure? They belittle others. & that is exactly what they're doing to you. Personally, I think they're jealous of you. This is your country, after all, and you, unlike them, are very comfortable living here. They see this and they probably envy you.

They might also mention how much better Africa is simply because they're homesick. A lot of Americans do this too when they visit other countries. Thinking of home might help them cope better with living here. Or they might've had respect in Africa, and they're ashamed of how they're living now. Talking out loud of how prosperous and happy they once were might comfort them & make them feel less shameful, in a way.

And I don't know what your prince friend is doing here. He may be rich in Africa, but Africa & America are 2 completely different worlds, so he might not be so wealthy here (and I have absolutely no idea why he moved here). Personally, I don't think he's really a prince (if he is, I doubt he's a prominent one).

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck. They're just a little more of life's obstacles. Don't think much of this problem, and soon enough you'll be over them. Don't let them get to you!