These topics are some of the most interesting topics to read about. Trust me, it is worth your while. Most people are misinformed about these topics and here is a rare opportunity for you to be up to speed with important topics like this. We live in a world with diverse cultural believes, different ethnic practices, and skin tone. No matter where we’re from, we’re unique and special in our own way. So, if you’re not too busy, allow me to carry you on this journey and talk about one of the most important ethnic groups in the world. Let’s start by talking about African Americans.

​

African Americans are one of the largest and most talked-about ethnic groups in the United States. At the turn of the 21st century, there were 36 million African Americans in the south, 2 million in New York City, 1million in Chicago, and around 500 thousand to 1 million African Americans living in Detroit, Philadelphia, and Houston. African Americans are largely the descendants of enslaved people brought from Africa by force to work in America and were denied of their basic economic, social, and political privileges in the States. That era has long been forgotten as African Americans are now one of the key driving forces of America today. They have contributed hugely to American history and culture and standing tall in all facets of the new world. From life-changing civil rights leaders, black investors, award-winning authors, to giants in the entertainment industry, Black history is rich in America.

Blacks in U.S.A, sometimes called the people of color are a unique set of people with a strong culture and willpower. From jazz to rock and roll, R&B, blues, hip-hop, athletics, comedy, dance, activism, styles, the slangs, the food, the hairstyles, the indomitable will to survive, black culture particularly in America is strong, vibrant, and global, which makes it American culture and if you’re an American of any color, you should be proud.

Here is a message to the uninformed, black people did their part, they sacrificed their sweat, blood, tears, they gave their freedom and culture away just to be accepted by an America which they call home. They fought wars for America, helped built America, and guess what, they still do!

February is Black History month, every February, Americans celebrate and remember the African Americans who have made history and made America the giant it is today. Americans celebrate black history month by supporting black-owned businesses, watching black American movies, celebrating black excellence on social media, and so on.

Let’s diverge a bit, let’s talk about Nigerians in diaspora…

Nigerians in the diaspora are one of the largest African immigrant populations in the world, but the actual number of Nigerians in the diaspora is still unclear but it is believed to be around 1.7 million in 2020.

Nigerians are highly educated and great achievers in different fields like medicine, movies, music, and so on. But a lack of opportunities back home fueled their move and search for greener pastures in more developed countries like the UK and America. Do you know that star names like Anthony Joshua, world heavyweight boxing champion; Pearlena Igbokwe, Universal Studio group; John Boyega, Hollywood actor; and Aderin Pocock, space scientist; are all from Nigeria? These are just a few names in the long list of Nigerians in diaspora who are doing great things on an international scale and making worldwide impact.

Let me shock you! Nigerians in America are the most highly educated group. More than 60% holds at least a bachelor’s degree compared to just 31% of the total foreign-born population and 32% of US citizens. Amazing right! But that’s not all. More than 50% of Nigerian immigrants most likely occupy management positions compared with 39% of US-born population and 32% of the total foreign-born population. In the UK, same story! Nigerians are top IT professionals, top medical personnel, and so on. The success of Nigerians in diaspora and the economic future of Nigeria are intertwined, as it is a lack of opportunities that drives prominent Nigerians away from home in the first place.

In 2018, the average household income of Nigerian Americans is $68k, which is higher than the overall U.S household $61k. Nigerian-Americans had a poverty rate of 12 percent, which is lower than the overall U.S poverty rate 15 percent. Nigerians aged 16 and above are more likely to be employed 70% than the general U.S population 64%.

There are over 480k Nigerians living in America and up to 390k are Nigerian born, making Nigeria the number one birth place among African immigrants in America. The region with significant population of Nigerians in America is Texas, Maryland, California, Georgia, Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Illinoi, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.

African migration has always been a hot topic, one not to be ignored but embraced. Let’s plunge into African migration.

Migration has a long history in Africa, including the slave trade and moving of colonial labor. Today, African migration is mostly within the continent and it’s expected to increase. People move in search of work and a better life, or to escape war, poverty, bad governance, and environmental degradation. Most migrants stay in Africa, but some risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean to Europe, while some try to get to North America through other dangerous means.

But for many, migration has a happier ending. The safe and free movement of people and the effective governance of migration are key to unlocking Africa’s economic potential. Migrants bring their skills and labor, they can boost the economy and they can send money home. Since 2008, remittances by African migrants has been greater than foreign direct investments and international aid as the largest source of foreign exchange earnings for sub-Saharan African countries.

African leaders need to implement many legal frameworks and policies on migration. The emphasis should be on the benefits of people moving freely across bothers, there is a need to tackle xenophobia, human trafficking, and the limited resources of most countries.

Conclusion

It is true that the people of color face huge problems like racism and inequality, but yet they are still one of the most important groups in America. The educational system is against them, the health care system is not designed in their favor, the financial system is designed to keep them impoverished, the list goes on and on. But in the midst of all these obstacles, they still find a way to be important and relevant to the growth of America.

The Gorge Floyd incident that happened recently has made a lot of people realize that we’re one no matter our skin color and great strides is being made to ensure an equal society and one without racism.

I will not deny that there are issues within the black community, the attitude of colorism, self-hate, and genuine blackness, to name a few, plagues the black culture and these things needs to be fixed. Like many communities, there are issues, but many of those issues are direct result of wanting equal justice and equal acceptance. Not just black people, everyone needs to be empowered with the knowledge that who you are, the content of your character is far more powerful than the idea of color and skin tone. Your color, no matter the shade, is not an indicator of your superiority or inferiority, rather, it is the conduit by which you offer your human experience and culture based on where you come from.

This article was written by the editorial team at https://www.theinsightpost.com
A video version of this article is available on the Youtube channel -theinsightpost.com with the url-https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCFhV_rSl1O9osRVmcpObEbg
The video url is :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPjwaZwwWWk