Reply to Question 1

As an non-American African I always found African American history to be interesting. For it's really interesting to see two groups (Africans and African Americans) with similar origin but such distinct history. Where I come from, the history I have been taught is very different, for example, it does not include an era of slavery nor did its people struggle to survive and fit in. I think it's essential for me to understand the history of African Americans and their present struggles to be able to put them withing the bigger picture of African history. Not only that but understanding the culture and history of a certain group in general helps one avoid being the ignorant when dealing with those people. African American studies also becomes interesting when one looks at how among all the ethnic groups in the USA they are the ones who are mostly put under the spot light, I want to know why. I just think this class will able to answer many of the questions I have long harbored about African Americans.

Amira