Is the African American Entertainment Industry Disconnected And Non Relative To/ with the Black & African Diaspora Beyond Lip-service? My Question.

The African American entertainment industry, once seen as a powerful tool for cultural expression and social change, has, in recent years, become a source of frustration for many who feel a deep connection to the broader African diaspora. 

Yes it remains a significant force in shaping perceptions and influencing global audiences, but it's growing focus on materialism, scandals, and negative stereotypes is alarming, nauseating. It's real impact on both African Americans and Africans alike is yet unknown if fathomable.

A troubling part of the current state of African American entertainment is its apparent disconnect from the pressing issues facing the African continent and its people. 

With access to immense platforms and influence, prominent figures in the entertainment industry often choose to spotlight personal success, luxury lifestyles, or sensationalised controversy over meaningful engagement with global black struggles.

Despite Africa facing numerous challenges, from humanitarian crises to economic instability, many African American celebrities rarely use their voices to advocate for meaningful change. While some have taken stands on domestic issues in the U.S., the broader African diaspora, especially the African continent, often gets left out of the conversation. This omission is particularly annoying, absolutely irritating when considering the shared history and collective resilience of black people worldwide.

Lack of Support for Humanitarian and Economic Empowerment Efforts

Beyond the absence of conversation around Africa, there's a noticeable lack of support from African American public figures for humanitarian causes or initiatives aimed at fostering economic empowerment on the continent, at least not one that I know of in a long term sense. While historical injustices at the hands of European colonisers and American slavery remain discussions, there is an overemphasis on this blame, often at the expense of taking proactive responsibility for bringing into a reality; positive change.

The African continent has seen a resurgence of entrepreneurship, innovation, and grassroots activism, yet these efforts struggle to find meaningful representation in mainstream African American media. 

Rather than elevating these movements, the entertainment industry's focus often seems fixated on temporary sensationalism, which does little to support the long-term well-being of African nations. As a result, Africans themselves have had to bear much of the burden in reclaiming their story and working toward empowerment without the full backing of their African American counterparts.

Harmful Stereotypes and Derogatory Content in Music

Perhaps one of the most troubling issues is the derogatory lyrics and attitudes towards Africans that can be found in some African American music. These instances perpetuate harmful stereotypes and deepen the divide between African Americans and Africans, undermining the potential for solidarity.

Such content reflects an unfortunate misunderstanding or dismissal of the complex and vibrant cultures that exist across Africa. Worse, it reinforces the same harmful stereotypes once perpetuated by colonial powers to justify exploitation and division. The mindset behind these lyrics betrays a lack of awareness, or perhaps a wilful ignorance, of the shared struggles and histories between black people in the U.S. and Africa.

Lessons from History: Du Bois vs. Garvey

The tensions in the African American community regarding engagement with Africa are not new. A perfect example of these historical conflicts can be found in the public disagreements between W.E.B. Du Bois and Marcus Garvey. 

Garvey, a staunch advocate for Pan-African-ism, promoted a vision of black self-sufficiency and the unification of people of African descent globally. 

In contrast, Du Bois initially criticised Garvey, calling him “either a buffoon, a lunatic or a traitor,” showing the internal divisions within the African American leadership over the best way to achieve racial uplift.

While Du Bois later softened his stance, the energy between these two giants of black thought serves as a reminder that ideological disagreements have long plagued efforts toward global black solidarity. This continues today in different forms, with African Americans and Africans often engaging with each other through a lens of mutual misunderstanding or mistrust rather than solidarity and shared purpose. It is clear that the current state of African American entertainment does not demand the emotional investment of the average African or black person. Rather than focusing on the sensationalism and superficial narratives pushed by mainstream media, we should prioritise supporting African-led initiatives and promoting positive, holistic representations of blackness globally.

There is a need for African Americans in positions of influence to step up and engage more meaningfully with African causes, to use their platforms not just for personal gain but for the empowerment of all people of African descent. 

How cool and nice will it be before god and man when all of us eventually move beyond the shallow representations of success and fame and instead work towards a future that values dignity, unity, and leads to progress for our very own people  '?' worldwide.

[Olofin/ 4Qua Of OrioN]