Anumain: That is a very good point. Visiting as well as taking our children along. Makes the tie/connection stronger.

Another thing: I don't like people who tries to think that the African accent is inferior to the British accent. Our accent is as a result of the cultural and environmental influences. It is a reality and not a shame. There is no ONE English, therefore, we have the Amerifan English, Canadian English, Australian English, English English, White-South African English; so why not West African English, East African English, Southern African English etc?

It shows that we are connected to our origin by language, by fashion, by food etc. Therefore, we must avoid making ourselves feel inferior becasue we don't completely sound like the European or American English speaker.

I love to portray the beauty of African attires and designs. But winter is very discouraging for those attires. I try my best in Summer.

I definitely get a lot of approaval for the African attires, non-Africans admire them. If we are proud of our attire, we attach value and beauty to it, others will show us value and respect too.

Very good point you have raised Lala (Earn).

There seems to be a delibrate sinister attempt to permeate the stereotype which most black people have themselves fallen for. This is what I was trying to bring out in the VE Brown Skin, please let us continue this discussion there.

Here let us focus on (as Rashida as requested):
- Support & Connect to Tradition
- Culture beauties, Concern & Issues.
- The role Culture, Tradition & Our Origin play in our life.

Salam
Personally when I think of Africa, I think of Unity. Sadly now a days there are some Africans who are trying to denial their culture and heritage. Most African tradition and culture are dying off since ppl start migrating to the west. For some odd reason writing this is making think of the movie "Tears of the Sun." does anyone remember the scene when Bruce Willis is leaving the clinic in the 'jungle' and was sent to rescue from marauding militias and the European priest, said "Go with God" and Bruce replied, "God already left Africa." Wow..European robed everything from us, now they?re taking God too. Why are popular films about Africa always show negative stereotypes of African? However some racist stereotypes of African-American on films have somewhat changed over the years (wow). For years and year popular culture have mocked the diseases, poverty, political violence and corruption and repression of African countries. Now am wondering why are We sp drawn to these materials and mockery of our country?

It is amazingly how many African Americans are existing within rituals and traditions that travel back to Africa and do not realize it. It is important that we reflect on those things and acknowledge them, there is a music in Washington DC called GO-Go anyone who has ever listened to African drumming, sou kous etc . will instantly be able to tell the root of this music . I am pretty sure the musicians are not aware they simply believe it came from some strange force and has no connection. A woman from N. Carolina recently told me her mother tied her stomach with fabric after her child, she begin to tell me how this was southern, I then informed her that not only was this African and often a Latin tradition that all things have a past it is rare that is begin in this country, especailly in realm of African Americans.

Salaam. I am from mixed cultural heritage....african, european, asian (black, white and brown). I know that the African part is by way of my great great great great Grandfather who was Fulani. I guess the African heritage part plays out in a very subtle way. For example in food or in social taboos. I find that more and more, people in my family do not like talking about heritage. This seems to be the occupation of people who have a clear understanding of their roots and come from one heritage. In the Caribbean the mixed ones are called doogla, mulatto, pot cake, mixed, etc and these terms can either be positive or negative. Anyone else have mixed heritage?

I was born in the U.S. so I don't think that I can contribute much here. I'm interesting in seeing this go somewhere though---anyone?

This require deep thoughts, Rashida. I am thinking.....
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Hope everyone is also planning to share ideas? Please do, let's learn form one another.

Interesting topic Rashida :)