There are major disparities between the Black Diaspora that finds common grounds in affliction, disenfranchisement, and many other misfortunes. This is why the characters of Michael (TV Boy) and Valentino relate in such a clashing way.
The long history of struggle and social inequality have garnered a kinship amongst many black people around the globe. It was no shock to me that Valentino understood the plight of Michael, even while a misdeed was being done to him. He could relate to the hardships and misguidance that he too was plagued with. Valentino was empathetic to the naivete of Michael and knew he was an instrument not of his own use, but those of others. The clashing of a culture lost and a new culture gained is where many blacks lose their commonalities and shift from an understanding to an sheer disdain for one another.
The struggles of blacks have crossed borders and sociological boundaries. It is the full of understanding of the entire puzzle of hardship that many Africans pride themselves with. It is almost in likeness to interpreting a painting that Africans had a front row seat to watch the creator at work while it was painted in front of them. On the other hand, African Americans (it is so thought by some Africans) cannot fully grasp the meaning of the painting because we do not understand or know its roots.
This new culture that blacks was thrown into was imparted on the blood sweat and tears of many Africans. It is the notion of African Americans in the new society to take pride in being the new, and Africans representing the old and carnal of their former selves. This is why you witnessed the disparaging remarks made in What is the What when Valentino was getting robbed by Michael and his sister.
Similar differences can be found in other sub-cultures of Black history, as in the case of house slaves and field slaves. The latter was seen to be less privileged than the other because of the former's newly granted status and "masked" opportunities afforded to them. The field slave saw that there wasn't much of a difference while the other felt a sense of pride of their new status (albeit a status dredged in servitude and obedience). Many Black Americans feel the same sense of pride today in the society that they were and are in many respects still looked upon as being subservient and less-than. Plenty of Africans frown upon these detrimental self-righteous feelings of Black Americans and feel that they do not take advantage of many opportunities given to them.
All in all, the Black Diaspora has many nuances and major disparities that have yet to abridged because of these very differences. It is in those differences that many Blacks choose to dwell upon and further denigrate each other instead of propagating their likenesses and struggles that are prevalent throughout history. Being Black, or African American (which ever term is considered PC) has allowed me to witness these disparities but also bear witness to the similarities and unifying cultural consistencies that Black people share. History is important for anyone, I try to educate myself and expose myself to many cultures and beliefs as possible to get a better understanding of people, and ultimately--myself.
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Hey Perry, great post. This got me thinking about the treatment Valentino received when he was robbed and ended up in the hospital. While I think that you are 100% right in the case of Michael (TV Boy), what the hell is up with everyone who deals with Valentino's suffering resulting from the attack and robbery, particularly Julian? The fact that the hospital waiting room is empty should mean that Valentino would receive treatment relatively quickly. Julian, as well as the nurse who takes over the next shift, both ignore Valentino's plight, as does the officer who comes to take a report of the robbery. In this case, I think that one has to examine the role of Valentino as a newcomer to American society. Does the fact that he is a black African man new to the United States have anything to do with the treatment he receives, or is it merely that he is a newcomer who people can ignore as he struggles to figure out the way things work in this new society? Because all of these people in turn ignore Valentino, or at the very least feel that his case is not worthy of greater attention, I think that it is simply because Valentino does not understand the frequency with which robbery occurs in some places and the fact that he does not fully understand bureaucracy in societal institutions. The robbery itself clearly brings up issues of African v. African-American culture and lifestyle, but what point is being made about the US once the color issue is removed from the equation, or is it really being removed at all?
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