Homeland – 360 – African Immigrant / African American Relations

What issues do St. Louis African Americans and New African Immigrants face? Race relations in St. Louis are complex. St. Louis was a border state that permitted slavery. Free blacks and slaves walked the same streets and during the 1850s St. Louis was a major slave-auctioning center. Race relations in St. Louis continue to be contentious at times. New African immigrants are adding to the complexity of race and neighborhoods now. Many new Americans, refugees from Eretria, Burundi, and Somalia are now finding housing in the same neighborhoods as long time African American residents. Afghan, Henry Iwenofu shares his thoughts on the tension that has risen between immigrants and the African American community: Cecilia Nadal, head of Gitana Productions recognized the need for public engagement between immigrants and blacks and organized a unity concert. In the St. Louis Beacon story she shared her motivation: “It’s needed, she says, because both groups have suffered from discrimination that has influenced their perceptions of one another. Blacks, she says, feel the new arrivals are trying to take over the neighborhood, while many immigrants perceive blacks as criminals and shun them out of fear of being attacked. Nadal thinks Gitana’s program will help address the misperceptions.” For more information visit ExploreHomeland.org
Video Rating: 4 / 5