This box showcases African and Black American culture, while using the African American flag as a symbol to represent the connection between both cultures. Graphic Illustration by Dara Alitoro

Even though both groups are classified as Black, Black American and African cultures have very prominent differences. However, in the U.S., African culture has often been overlooked and lumped into Black American culture.

As an African who has immersed herself in Black American culture since moving from Nigeria to the U.S. at 8 years old, I am now at a place where I can explain the differences between both cultures. Even within the Black community, African culture is sometimes seen as foreign, strange or even inferior, leading to stereotypes and biases that make Africans feel like outsiders. 

Reminding ourselves of the differences that should unite rather than divide us is crucial to appreciating the individuality of these cultures.

Celebration is at the heart of the Black American community; every event is a celebration of some sort, whether it’s a cookout, a wedding or even a repass because Black Americans don’t just mourn at funerals, they celebrate life.

During the 1960s, the word “soul” was associated with Black American culture and originated “Soul food,” a term that describes the meals that enslaved Black Americans created from minimal ingredients. Soul food evolved into meals like sweet potatoes, fried chicken, seafood, mac and cheese, cornbread and yams. 

Dancing is another key part of the Black American experience. During slavery, dance forms like the ring shout, the calinda and the juba were all popular; however, starting in 1980, hip-hop became a popular style of Black American dance. It has developed over time to produce the popular dances of today, which include the Cupid shuffle, Electric slide, Wobble and the Cha cha slide. Music itself is deeply woven into Black American dance culture because it shapes identity and expression. In particular, R&B and hip-hop music have influenced many generations to create art that shifts perspectives and creates cultural moments beyond entertainment. 

In short, Black Americans have been through a lot to develop their modern culture, and as a result of that, they have a strong presence and pride in being Black Americans.

Imagine my shock and confusion when I moved to the U.S. and realized I was “Black.” In Nigeria, I never saw any form of racism, because the few white people who lived there or visited for business were adored. It never crossed my mind that in another country, there was a time when people who looked just like me were whipped until they bled, worked for countless hours and were supposed to be ashamed of practices like eating pounded yam and okra stew with their hands.

In American elementary school, when kids made fun of me for my dark complexion, it would hurt me on a different level because, in Nigeria, my dark skin was never something that stood out about me. So one day, I stopped saying the hard t’s in my words, erasing the Nigerian off my tongue and replacing it with my new normal. 

During this process of assimilation, I temporarily suppressed the history of where I was from. A key part of this rich identity is African food, which serves as a testament to the 54 countries in Africa. African cuisine is traced back thousands of years before the Bronze Age in Northeast Africa when early civilizations began cultivating grains such as barley and wheat. North Africa is predominantly Muslim, so its cuisine consists of foods like Harissa, Harira and Chicken tangine. East African cuisine consists of foods like Nyama Choma, Ugali and Wali na Maharage.

I grew up in Nigeria eating West African meals that still feel like home. Foods like Jollof rice, with its rich and smoky flavor, have an unforgettable taste that lingers like a song. Soft and smooth fufu is a quiet kind of comfort made to be dipped into obe ata, which is a spicy red stew that wakes up every sense. And egusi soup, thick, nutty and warm like a hug, is packed with greens and spices that tell stories with every bite. 

African music also distinguishes our culture from Black American culture. African music originates from ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Nubia. However, the modern genre of Afrobeats started in the 1960s and ’70s as a blend of traditional Yoruba music jazz, West African music, highlife, fuji, and funk. Afrobeat originated in Nigeria; music legend Fela Kuti is known as the “father of Afrobeat.” Afrobeat is also deeply connected to traditional African dance, which was initially overwhelmingly spiritual. Historically, dance practices were used for religious rituals, but over time, dance styles like the shaku shaku, gwara gwara and kenya odi became popular. 

Dance, music and food are just some of the ways to educate yourself about the differences between African and Black American cultures. At the same time, those things also bring us together. Even though our histories aren’t the same, there ia a shared sense of strength, creativity and pride in being Black in America.

Learning about these differences doesn’t separate us — it helps us understand and appreciate each other more. The more we embrace both cultures, the more we can celebrate where we come from while making sure Black culture in all its forms is seen, valued and remembered.